Chicago’s Modern Filipino Restaurant — Boonie’s 🇵🇭✨

I’ve had this Filipino spot saved for ages, and it did not disappoint! Located in Lincoln Square, Boonie’s offers a cool urban vibe with a warm atmosphere. The staff was super friendly—our server kindly walked us through the menu and made great recommendations. 🧑🍳🤵 For first-timers, focus on these sections: PANIMULA (appetizers) SILOG (rice bowls with protein + egg, like Asian-style donburi 🍛) ULAM (larger dishes meant for sharing) We ordered two silog bowls and one appetizer to share: 🔥 Sizzling Sisig A must-order sizzling pork plate served on a hot iron skillet! Crack the raw egg on top and mix it in while it’s still hot—so creamy and rich. The flavor is a perfect balance of tangy and savory with a hint of citrus. 🍋🐖 💡 Pro Tip: This dish comes with a side of rice and can totally be a full meal for one. It’s on the saltier side, so I asked for it to be served at the same time as our other dishes—perfect for mixing and balancing flavors! 🍚 Pork Belly Silog Solid and satisfying! The pork had a beautiful rosy color and that classic Filipino marinade flavor. The sauce was tangy and spicy with a hint of lemongrass—great for cutting through the richness. 🦐 Coconut Shrimp The coconut sauce was surprisingly aromatic and just the right amount of creamy with a zesty lime kick 🥥🍤. Personally, I think this sauce would pair amazingly with grilled or steamed chicken too! Even though we were super full, I couldn’t resist trying a spoonful of their ube ice cream 🍦💜. Thank you to our server for hooking us up! It had a rich purple yam flavor and a smooth, almost yogurt-like texture. Final thoughts: Cozy, clean, and thoughtfully prepared—I’d definitely recommend Boonie’s for group gatherings! Next time, I’m coming with more people to try their family-style ULAM dishes. This time, it was about $35 per person. 🍗 I noticed almost every table ordered their fried chicken—it looked huge and delicious (hello, giant drumstick!), but I skipped it this time. Fun fact: Fried chicken entered Filipino cuisine during WWII, influenced by American culture. Funny how the U.S.—often called a food desert—shaped food cultures like Korean ramen, Japanese beef bowls, and yes, Filipino fried chicken. Food history is fascinating! Have you tried modern Filipino food? What’s your favorite dish? Let me know below! 👇🥘 #ChicagoEats #Chicago #ChicagoFood #FilipinoFood