Hukad sa Golden Cowrie Opens First Metro Manila Branch

Manila can now enjoy Cebu’s favorite!

Hukad sa Golden Cowrie recently opened its first branch in Luzon. Located at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, the Cebu-grown brand promises to provide a real feast experience.

“Meals at our restaurants are synonymous to great food,  family, celebrations, fun, and having great conversations,” describes General Manager, Kenneth Kokseng.

Hukad’s menu of modern Filipino cuisine lists more than a hundred dishes including its best-selling Lechon Cebu. Other big hits are Crispy Pata (which won People’s Choice for Best Crispy Pata in a Sunstar Cebu newspaper survey), Pork Sisig, Lechon Kawali, Grilled Pork Belly, and Chicken Pandan. Among the appetizers, guests frequently go for the Bantayan Baked Scallops, Pancit Guisado, and Calamares. Also popular are the Ngohiong, Adobong Kangkong, Seafood Pancit Habhab, Grilled Tuna Belly, and  Sizzling Bangus. For dessert, Budbud Turon and  Halo-Halo are the top options. Equally interesting is their line of vegetarian dishes that features Bloodless Dinuguan made with tofu, and Pako (fiddlehead fern) Salad with Calamari.

Living up to its name (Hukad means limitless serving of food or to limitlessly serve food on one’s plate), the restaurant gives diners the option to have unlimited rice with their orders, all savored on plates lined with banana leaves. “Our serving sizes are good for sharing that’s why in Hukad, it’s always a feast. We use local ingredients like scallops fresh from Bantayan Island of Northern Cebu.  We also have local partners in towns known for their organic production of various ingredients such as Dalaguete (Cebu’s Vegetable Basket),” Kenneth adds.

Hukad’s homey atmosphere was created by interior designer Hannah Lim of HL Designs. The ceiling which mirrors tree branches playfully resembles a jigsaw puzzle. Suspended from it are iconic puso-shaped lamps inspired by rice wrapped and boiled in a casing of woven coconut leaves typically served during meals in Cebu. The coco shells, crushed bamboo, and laminate details seen all around showcase Cebuano craftsmanship and ingenuity.

Golden Cowrie traces its origins to 1982 when its pioneer outlet was opened in Lahug. The brand Hukad was developed in 2008 as a handle for the mall-based branches of Golden Cowrie.

After the initial call for franchisees in 2010, expansion became rapid. To maintain consistency, they adhere to standard recipes. “Each product is produced and supplied by our commissary which follows stringent quality controls. We have monthly store audits to ensure they follow our mandate on food processes,” guarantees Director for Product Development,  Kristine De La Riva-Kokseng.

Hukad and Golden Cowrie currently have 24 locations across the country. Eight of which are company-owned while 16 are franchised.  The goal is to have 100 stores by 2021. Hukad-Trinoma franchisee Howard Dee is proud to be instrumental in bringing Hukad to Metro Manila. “We eat there when we go to Cebu for vacation. Even my in-laws have been loyal clients.,” he reveals.

Currently running at the newest outlet is the “Sulit Meals at 149” promo, available from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm daily. Also being offered are the Feast Bundles, pre-set menus good for four persons that start at P1,399. The Trinoma branch can seat a total of 98 guests and has a function room that can accommodate 24 persons. They may be reached at (0917) 8094324.

For general information, log on to www.alwaysafeast.ph or find them on Facebook as “hukadgoldencowrie” and on Instagram @alwaysafeast. Franchising inquiries may be directed to (032) 231-2481.

Hukad Branches:

Cebu : Golden Cowrie in Lahug, SM City Cebu, Robinsons Cybergate, Marina Mall Mactan and Hukad in Ayala Terraces, Parkmall, South Town Centre and SM Seaside.

Other areas of Visayas: Golden Cowrie in Bohol, Hukad in Robinsons Dumaguete, Tacloban, Boracay, SM Iloilo, SM City Bacolod.

Mindanao: Hukad in Davao Abreeza, Davao SM – Lanang, Davao SM Ecoland, Gensan Veranza, Ozamiz, Robinsons Butuan, Gaisano Mall Tagum, KCC Zamboanga, Prime Arcade Pagadian.