Guides / Spots

The Best Lechon Kawali in Toronto

Johnny Ly

over 2 years ago

There are many places in Toronto when looking for the best lechon kawali.

Many cultures around the world serve pork belly as a delicacy prepared in many fashions. In the Filipino food scene, the most popular way to cook their pork belly is to season and then deep fry (usually in a wok or wide pan). The resulting product, called lechon kawali, is a beautifully tender meat with crackling crisp skin and subtle hues of garlic and other spices. Understandably, it has become one of the most popular dishes at Filipino restaurants around the world, including our own lovely city.

Here are some of the best restaurants for lechon kawali in Toronto.

10

322 Wilson Ave

Sampaguita Village Family Restaurant

This small restaurant in Little Manila has some of the best Filipino-Chinese fusion foods in the entire city. They are consistently packed with people around the community. Their lechon kawali is so good that they sometimes will not permit you to order it for takeout. It has to be enjoyed fresh.

9

365 Wilson Ave

Wilson's Haus of Lechon

This tiny spot in the Little Manila neighbourhood offers Cebuan-style Filipino foods with various types of lechon pork and chicken. During the warmer months, they even roast the kawali out front in the parking lot.

8

31 Howard St

Tinuno

This tiny spot near Bloor and Sherbourne is primarily known for its kamayan dinners. However, their lechon kawali is so popular that people will line up to grab some to take home.

7

707 Markham Rd

Max's Restaurant

This popular Filipino chain has a couple of locations in the Toronto area and carries some great Filipino family dinners. Their fried chicken and lechon kawali are favourites for those who grew up eating it and the surrounding community as well.

6

879 York Mills Rd Unit #1

Casa Manila

This small restaurant near Don Mills and York Mills has a relaxed island vibe and a sweet patio to boot. Their lechon kawali is uber crisp and they have a variety of other popular Filipino dishes, including a Kamayan boodle fight.

5

1740 Victoria Park Ave

Tagpuan

This small local chain of storefronts also doubles as restaurants serving comfort Filipino foods like their popular Filipino breakfasts and lechon kawali.

4

1 Romar Crescent

Lechon Republik

Found close to Glencairn Station is this Filipino spot known for kamayan and their roasted pork belly.

3

4830 Sheppard Ave E Unit 16

Remely Restaurant

This family-owned spot might look unassuming from the outside, but the inside is consistently packed with families looking for some Filipino comfort food, including their delicious lechon kawali.

2

707 Dundas St W

Kanto by Tita Flips

This spot in the Junction serves up Filipino street food. More popular for their takeout kamayan kits, they make a killer lechon kawali with extremely crisp skin and tender meat.