FOB Kitchen — Restaurant in Oakland

Nestled in the heart of Oakland's Temescal district, FOB Kitchen is a gem that brings Filipino cuisine to life with a perfect blend of tradition and modern flair. Our recent visit was nothing short of a culinary adventure, and we left with our taste buds dancing in delight.

We discovered FOB Kitchen while watching an episode of Cook's Country on YouTube, and as a family of 6, we drove all the way from the South Bay to explore their menu. and it was worth every mile. We started with the Pork Adobo paired with garlic fried rice, a classic dish that showcased tender pork simmered to perfection in a rich, tangy sauce. The garlic fried rice added a fragrant and savory touch, making it a comforting and satisfying combination.

Next, we tried the Daing na Bangus, a beautifully marinated milkfish that was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Its bold flavors were complemented by the freshness of the accompanying sides.

The Fried Chicken was a delightful surprise—crispy, juicy, and seasoned impeccably. It was a testament to how even the simplest dishes can shine when executed with care.

The Lechon Kawali, a thrice-cooked pork belly, was a showstopper. Its crispy skin and succulent meat were paired with a tangy dipping sauce that elevated the dish to new heights.

For a vegetarian option, the Torta ng Talong stole the spotlight. This eggplant omelet was hearty, flavorful, and a wonderful addition to the meal.

We couldn’t resist indulging in not one, but two desserts. The Turon, with its caramelized banana and jackfruit wrapped in a crispy shell, was the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. We also savored the Suman, a sticky rice delicacy topped with luscious slices of mango that added a refreshing and fruity twist—a true taste of tradition.

Beyond the incredible food, FOB Kitchen offers a charming alfresco dining area. The quaint outdoor space adds to the restaurant's warm and inviting ambiance making it a great spot to enjoy a meal in the open air. The wait staff were friendly and attentive, adding a personal touch to our dining experience. Additionally , the restaurant has a small parking lot shared with other businesses, and street parking is available , making it relatively easy to visit. FOB Kitchen is warm and inviting, with friendly staff who make you feel right at home.

Whether you're a fan of Filipino cuisine or new to its flavors, FOB Kitchen is a must-visit destination that promises a memorable dining experience-especially if you're willing to make the trek for food that truly...

Pros: fried chickens skins, lechon Kawali, drinks Cons: sinigang, pancit and rice

I wish I could give it a better review. The sinigang did not taste like sinigang. Point blank. I understand a fusion restaurant but that’s bringing two cultures together in one restaurant not decimating a flavor all together. And sinigang is listed as the best VEGETABLE SOUP IN THE WORLD. why change it? I didn’t get any tamarind from it at all. When we pointed out how it didn’t taste the way it should, the response was the worst I’ve ever received at a restaurant. It was an “oh well here’s your bill”. EVERY other restaurant offered to strike something that was unsatisfactory off the bill and even in those cases they offered to replace or cook it again. No such luck here. Opposite of Filipino hospitality. The waiters was PHENOMENAL and approached who I think is the owner. She was very apologetic when the bill came and offered to try again, but I didn’t want to put her in that position again. Once was enough. Everything else was good. We were going to order the pancit but looking at the table next to use the over use of carrots held us off. We asked the ladies next to use about it and they shook their heads no, don’t do it. I mentioned I was going to review and they said to mention it so here it is. I do wish I went with my first instinct and ordered the bangus (milk fish). It seemed REALLY popular and was devoured by all. I’m not opposed to giving it another shot because when I first went there it was great. It’s been a while and could be an off day. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the plants dispersed throughout were great. It had more of a Latin vibe than Filipino tbh. The music and the style of cooking lends itself more to the Latin fusion side.

I usually take tons of photos of the...

Still finding its footing but a great place to eat!

Coming at around 11:30 for Sunday brunch the wait was about 20 minutes with mostly larger Filipino groups ahead of us. It looked like online reservations are available via the Yelp app.

The server was very kind and the menu is extremely accessible for anyone having Filipino food for the first time. We ordered lumpia shanghai (seemed almost deep fried but of course very tasty), lechon kawali (actually terrible for you but that means it was amazing delicious), arroz caldo (my favorite, extremely comforting with perfect flavors and texture), and longanisa hash (pretty good, could have used a side of rice). I also ordered the pandan iced coffee which was delicious. There was also a small dessert menu but we were absolutely stuffed so we didn't take a look. The prices are fairly moderate but about what you'd expect for a trendy Bay Area restaurant.

All the food was really pretty tasty. They seem to season it to the mild side which I think is great if you are not into sharp Filipino flavors -- there is banana ketchup and house chili vinegar available on the table which make the flavors effing spot on.

They did forget to bring out the lumpia and lechon which they realized after we finished, then apologized profusely about it and said they took the lumpia off the bill... which is not the case when the bill came. I can forgive them for that as they're still a very new restaurant. Currently (Dec 2018) their hours are an awkward Wed-Fri dinner only and Sat-Sun brunch only, so I can only imagine they're still trying to find their footing. This place is an amazing addition to Temescal and if it isn't already, will definitely be a Bay Area classic in the very...