Turo-Turo Philippine Cafe — Restaurant in Maungakiekie-Tāmaki

We decided to try them again after a long time. The place looks the same as before, and the menu hasn’t changed. We used to go for their Joyful Chicken or Crispy Pata and I think these were the best items on their menu. Today, we tried their Sizzling Porkchops and Tocilog. The pork chops were too salty I couldn’t eat them and when I informed the lady who seems to be one of the owners, she offered to replace with a new one but not with a remark that I should have asked for less salt when I ordered. I told her it was my 1st time ordering it (how would one know?). The new ones were still salty but at least a bit tolerable. Didn’t want to waste any more food so I just ate them and drank heaps of water after. Tocilog was average and the tomatoes on the side were almost off. We regretted our choice today and would be the last time we’ll go there. One commendable aspect of the place is that the owner &...

If you want authentic Filipino food, Turo-Turo is a place to go to. This place isn't big, but is quite popular during lunch hour especially in the weekends so might need to wait for a bit to get a table. Their food are quite nice, especially like their crispy pata (pork knuckle) it tasted very similar to the German version of the pork knuckle. But instead of serving it with sauerkraut they serve that with a soy-vinegar sauce which also have the same effect of cutting down the greasiness of the pork fat. Another favourite is their joyful chicken (deep-fried chicken), it tasted similar to one of the fast-food chain but it was crunchy and not as oily, the gravy on the side tasted like from that chain too. Worth mentioning their ube (purple yam) ice-cream, it was quite nice has an interesting aroma. Interesting little...

To be fair my sisig was quite nice but everything else we ordered wasn't. The longganisa on the longsilog was poorly seasoned and the texture of the meat was odd. The siomai was also poorly seasoned. We were going to give their halo-halo a go but they ran out of ube ice cream.

The cafe is cosy and clean albeit a little bit run down. The exterior does not much for the imagination and could do with a little pimping.

Although, the waitress was courteous and attentive and the prices are relatively cheap, taste and flavour does come first and unfortunately Turo-Turo is lacking in this aspect.

It does have a huge potential and I would love for them to revisit their menu or rethink...