Sunrise Lutong Bahay — Restaurant in London

With a heavy heart must I award this little Filipino cafe ONE star. I used to visit here often; their portions were generous, unique, traditionally Filipino with a home-made-taste… the operative word here being; ‘WERE’.

Last week, both my partner and I were served overly greasy, plain and flavourless noodles. The ‘pork belly’ on top was so over cooked it was brown in color and too hard to enjoy; simply burnt to a crisp. There are no prices listed and although I remember the place to always have been a bit dear, the quality seemed worth it, however this time, for two pork belly fried noodles, the woman shamelessly charged me £21,99!!!!! I felt too stupid to cancel the sale when she said the price, but I felt my jaw dropping and heart sinking… that meant each dish was £10.95 in price!!!! Incredibly, the most expensive take away around Romford, and that I’ve had recently… that too, in contrast to the pathetic quality,- absolutely not worth it! …

Lastly, the WORST bit of all, that especially inspired this one star review; As I was eating my dish, I got a familiar ‘off’ flavour. …I first thought I surely just be imagining it, but my partner remarked the same. We were served noodles that have gone off! Utterly disappointing and so disgusting!

It seems this once authentic and friendly cafe has become a money hungry, run of the mill, gross, take away… I mean they even charge 30 pence for a takeaway box! Never ever have I seen such pathetic cheapness like that in any take away I’ve ever been to… Sadly, we shall not be returning, the rotten noodles are simply unforgivable in our books.

Edit in response to the owner; I agree with you I could have addressed the situation then and there, I apologise for not doing so. Whilst I appreciate your offer of replacing the dish… without any offence, I’m not sure I’d want another dish, seeing as the first one was rotten. It makes me wonder if you guys have a date-system in place? Or if you keep foods past their...

I thought about a review for along time, but this situation keeps popping up in my mind.

The food here is delicious though.

The last time I spend 30£ on food for me and my 6 yers old. I always paid in cash , because I want to support a local business.

I been here many times, always enjoy. This time I asked for a takeaway box, because my son won’t even touch his noodles, he gets full up from squids.

They asked me for 50 p, but I didn’t have it, as I spend all cash on food. Card payment minimum 5£.

The lady working there was nice, offered 50 p. out of her pocket. Eh…. I don’t want to take someone else’s money! I have never heard of a restaurant asking money for a takeaway box, or a specially more that that coffee shop if you eating in . It was shock to me.

I left without food where they throw it away just because they can’t give a takeaway box. Bad feedback, wasted food and losing costumer just because of 50 p. And it’s not about the money or a takeaway box , it’s just so disappointing. Shocking. It’s a shame.

So… is it 30p or 50p. Does it depend on the face?

And … No, generally a costumer does not have to pay for a takeaway box. Standard practice to provide a container for leftovers at no...

I’ve visited this place a handful of times and each time I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the food. Each visit I aim to try a different dish, to get a real insight into what Filipino cuisine is like having not come across it before I moved into the borough.

Today was no exception, I opted to try one of the daily specials: Pork Humba. It was a delicious dish of fatty pork belly, with black beans, banana blossom in a sweet and savoury soy sauce, served with steamed rice. Delicious.

My previous visits have seen my try the Chicken adobo, Kare Kare and up until today my favourite the Caldereta. The condiment table is always worth a visit with pots of homemade chilli oil and a vinegary onion sauce that helps to cut through the rich dishes.

Staff are friendly and the restaurant is an unassuming cafe usually frequented by a mix of locals as well as international visitors looking for a tasty affordable lunch with decent sized portions.

Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Romford and looking for something tasty, comforting and different to the usual fry up cafes and fast food restaurants scattered around the Romford...