Sinaing Home of Filipino Cuisine — Restaurant in St. John's

Discovering the Best Beef Bulalo in St. John’s, Newfoundland: A Filipino Comfort Food Gem

As a Filipino immigrant, finding the familiar taste of home in a new country can feel like searching for a piece of your soul. Moving to Canada, I longed for the warmth of traditional Filipino dishes—those that fill not just the belly but the heart as well. That’s why stumbling upon the best Beef Bulalo (Beef Shank Soup) in the Maritimes during my trip to St. John’s, Newfoundland, last July was nothing short of a blessing.

Nestled in this picturesque coastal city, the restaurant captured the essence of Bulalo perfectly: a savory, slow-cooked beef shank soup with a broth so rich and flavorful it could rival any made in the Philippines. The marrow, the tender beef, and the infusion of simple yet bold flavors like onions, corn, and cabbage took me straight back to family gatherings around the table.

But the feast didn’t end there. I indulged in crispy vegetable spring rolls that were perfectly crisp, offering a delightful crunch with every bite. The tangy vinegar sauce with cucumber and onions provided the perfect balance for the deep-fried oiliness of the rolls, elevating their flavor. A little spiciness from the fresh red Thai chilis, generously provided by the friendly and hospitable owners, Mash and her creative and talented husband, Richard, took all of these dishes to another level.

The squid calamares were another highlight—tender and lightly battered, served with a tangy dipping sauce that complemented the seafood beautifully. The sizzling pork sisig brought another layer of flavor, with its savory, smoky notes and perfectly cooked bits of pork served on a hot plate that sizzled delightfully.

I couldn’t resist trying sinuglaw, a wonderful combination of grilled pork belly and kinilaw (cured fish), which provided a refreshing contrast to the hearty dishes. The accompanying garlic rice was good but to taste all these in a blank canvas we ordered steamed rice which is a perfect pairing, elevating every dish with in every bite. For the grand finale, I savored the crispy pata—a deep-fried pork knuckle that was golden and crunchy on the outside while meltingly tender on the inside.

To end the night with all the shebang, I indulged in halo-halo, a colorful and refreshing dessert layered with sweetened fruits, jellies, and beans, topped with custard cream that added a rich finish. They even offered a dairy-free alternative, ensuring everyone could enjoy this delightful treat.

What made the experience even more special was the surprise of finding this array of dishes so far from home. Newfoundland may seem like an unlikely place to encounter Filipino comfort food, but here, in this cozy spot, the warmth and hospitality were unmistakable. It felt like an embrace from my culture—a true home away from home.

For any Filipino immigrant or anyone curious about authentic flavors from the Philippines, this spot in St. John’s is an absolute must. You don’t just come for the food—you come for a taste of home, lovingly served...

You know it's a great Filipino restaurant if come-from-away Filipinos loved each and every single dish they ordered! The wide selection of dishes is unlike anything I've ever seen, with a mix of traditional flavours and fusion, all in very fair prices for the unreal flavours and generous portions. Visited St. John's from Toronto for a festival and I can honestly say Sinaing was one of THE best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of trying. My band mates and I tried the following: Tokwang Sisig (so frickin flavourful), Bulalo (very fresh and the broth was A+), Spinach Jackfruit dip with chips (got some Laing vibes!), Linguine with mussels (mind-blowing), Chicken Mami (hard to find in menus anymore but so good), Calamares (dat Calamansi aioli doeee), Kare Kare (tastes just like home wahh), both mussels flavours of Blackened Coconut (again: the frickin broth!! so good) and Ginger Garlic, and the Seafood Chowder. Getting fresh ingredients and a talented chef is obviously their recipe for success. The only bad thing was that we didn't have enough space in our bellies to try the mouthwatering desserts! Such great hospitality from the staff to make the experience even more magnificent. Congratulations, Sinaing! Hoping to visit...

If you love Filipino food or are curious to try it out, Sinaing is one of the places to be! Apart from the food being sumptuous, delicious and beautifully garnished, our server was super helpful and amiable - she made great suggestions for newbies and old-timers alike (our group was a mix of both).

We tried the Chicken Adobo, Grilled Tilapia, Pappardelle Palabok and Pork Sinigang soup. Dishes are reasonably priced. They're accommodating of your allergies and can substitute/preclude ingredients from your dish if desired. Some dishes are clearly marked as "good for sharing" in the menu, which is helpful if you're going as a group (or hungry enough and you know what portion size to expect).

The atmosphere is warm and homely, in a grand dinner room sort-of-a-way. The music is always on (would've loved to hear more Filipino music though!) and you have the option to sing your heart out with a karaoke mic! They also have a few choices of Filipino drinks, including beers - though we didn't try that out this time. Overall, it was a great experience - highly recommend! Will surely be...