TOKYO – In celebration of the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12, the Philippine Embassy and the Department of Tourism (DOT) Tokyo Office have once again partnered with Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Roma’s to launch the “Love the Philippines” culinary campaign.
Running from May 19 to June 15 at Hard Rock Cafe, and through June 30 at Tony Roma’s, the campaign invites diners to take a virtual journey to the Philippines through a curated menu of Filipino-inspired dishes. Each dish blends the essence of traditional Filipino flavors with the distinctive flair of the two globally recognized American restaurant chains. The campaign is supported by Philippine Airlines (PAL).
Featured items at Hard Rock Cafe include:
• Lechon Kawali Burger
A mouthwatering burger featuring lechon kawali, a traditional Filipino dish made by deep-frying tender, slow-cooked pork belly until crispy, paired with a beef patty, Asian-style salad, and orange chili aioli. Dip it in sawsawan sauce, a tangy blend of vinegar, soy sauce, onion, and red chili, for an extra kick.
• Lechon Kawali and Rice
A flavorful one-plate meal featuring crispy lechon kawali (fried pork belly), Asian salad, and garlic pilaf rice. Enjoy it with sawsawan sauce to suit your taste.
• Pork Sisig Nachos
A fusion dish combining nachos with sisig, a beloved Filipino home-style dish made by sautéing finely chopped pork belly, onion, green bell pepper, and red chili in soy sauce and vinegar.
• Banana Cue with Ice Cream
A popular Filipino dessert featuring saba bananas (cooking bananas) coated in brown sugar and deep-fried on skewers. Served chilled with whipped cream topped with coconut and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
At Tony Roma’s, guests can enjoy:
• Sisig on Rice
A flavorful rice plate topped with spicy soy-based sautéed pork and grilled shrimp. Enjoy it wrapped in crisp lettuce with fresh tomato salsa for a delicious twist.
• Caramel Banana Turon
A classic Filipino dessert featuring cinnamon-flavored banana spring rolls with a crispy texture. Served with custard cream, whipped cream, and vanilla ice cream for the perfect sweet finish.
• Cebu Breeze
A rum-based cocktail finished with wild berry syrup and pineapple juice. It has a sweet and tangy yet refreshing flavor.
• Island Cooler
A tropical-inspired mocktail with the same fruity flavors as the Cebu Breeze, offering a sweet and tangy experience.
These offerings reinterpret classic Filipino comfort food with creative twists, giving diners a unique fusion experience that highlights the richness of Philippine culinary culture.
This marks the fifth year of collaboration between the Philippine Embassy, DOT, Hard Rock Cafe, and Tony Roma’s. The partnership began in 2021 with the “Eats More Fun in the Philippines” campaign and has since continued to promote Filipino cuisine to Japanese and international diners alike.
The special menu will be available at the following locations:
Hard Rock Cafe – Tokyo, Ueno, Kyoto, Universal Citywalk Osaka
Tony Roma’s – Roppongi, Sanbancho, Makuhari WBG, Aeon Mall Kyoto, Okinawa Mihama
Diners who order any of the featured menu items will receive a “Love the Philippines” gift, while supplies last. They also have a chance to win a trip to the Philippines through a social media campaign in collaboration with PAL. For details, visit @philippinetraveljp. - Florenda Corpuz
