Chapter 3: Sulu

Chef Cat's tasting menu is a celebration of the diverse flavors of cuisine from Muslim Mindanao, the southernmost major island of the Philippines. Our dishes are inspired by the culinary traditions of our Southeast Asian neighbors, with influences from Malay, Indonesian, Thai, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Since Mindanao is home to the majority of Filipino Muslims in the Philippines, we honor their traditions by offering a Halal Filipino menu, so you won't find pork in these dishes.

We hope you enjoy this dining experience inspired by our team’s trip to Mindanao!

*Given the fixed nature of our menu, we’re unable to provide any modifications. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Bang Bang Sug

This Tausug tradition translates to “native Tausug pastries.”

Daral - A mini crepe with hinti, or caramelized coconut and coconut cream. Allergens: Gluten, Egg

Putli Mandi - A glutinous rice ball stuffed with hinti and covered in dried coconut flakes. Allergens: Gluten

Baulo - Madeleine cake doused with orange simple syrup. Allergens: Gluten, Egg

Chicken Satti

From the Tausug: Ground chicken skewers served with a sweet and spicy annatto sauce. Comes with tamu or rice cakes. Contains shrimp.

Allergens: Shellfish, Allium, Capsaicin

Pastil

From the Maranao: Soy-glazed green jackfruit over rice.

Allergens: Allium, Capsaicin, Gluten

Dulang

"Dulang" refers to a traditional communal feast in Mindanao, particularly among the Maranao, Maguindanao, and Tausug people.

Piaparan Shrimp

From the Maranao: Crispy shrimp served with a turmeric coconut sauce. Contains shrimp.

Allergens: Shellfish, Allium, Capsaicin

Lamb Kulma

From the Tausug: Rich and cream coconut based lamb stew. Contains peanuts.

Allergens: Allium, Capsaicin, Peanut

Piyutu

From the Sama-Bajau: Steamed cassava cake.

Utak-Utak

From the Tausug: Fried fish cake with tuna, turmeric, and grated coconut.

Allergens: Finfish, Allium, Egg

Kuning

From the Maranao and Yakan: Turmeric rice with bay leaf, lemongrass, and coconut.

Tiyula Itum

From the Tausug: Charred aromatic and coconut-braised short rib with a rich beef broth of lemongrass, ginger, galangal, and siyunug lahing, or burnt coconut (which was brought from Tawi-Tawi).

Allergens: Allium, Capsaicin

Cucumber Sambal

From Tausug: Cucumbers over a spiced purée of shrimp, garlic and chili. Garnished with fried shallots. Contains shrimp.

Allergens: Allium, Gluten, Shellfish

Knickerbocker with Jampok

From Zamboanga and Tausug-influenced: Strawberry ice cream sundae, topped with fresh fruit, nata de coco, pili nut, and whipped cream. Served with jampok, a saba banana fritter.

Contains nuts. Allergens: Dairy, Gluten, Tree Nuts

This curated experience is the result of many partners who not only opened their doors to us, but also share in Istorya’s mission to connect and tell the stories of the people in the motherland

We are grateful for the support of Clang Garcia, our Istorya Immersion trip attendees, Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, Chef Miguel Cabel Moreno of Palm Grill, the Department of Tourism - Zamboanga Peninsula Office, the Provincial Tourism Office of Tawi-Tawi, the Municipal Tourism Office of Sitangkai Tawi-Tawi, Panglima Sugala Mayor Nurbert Sahali, Isabela City Tourism, Bongao Tourism Office, El Museo de Zamboanga, Dr. Ryan Biong (History Department Head of Western Mindanao State University), the Marang Marang Floating Cottage with their Bangkeros and Sama Bangingi Kids, and The Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the Muslim ethnolinguistic communities: the Yakan, Tausug, Maranao, Sama-Bajau, who generously shared their culture and stories with us.

The Muslim Ethnolinguistic Groups

  • Yakan

    The word Yakan means “Dayak Origin,” as they are believed to be descendants of eastern Indonesia. The Yakan are the indigenous inhabitants of the island province of Basilan in Sulu Archipelago, southern Philippines. The Yakan women are known to be the finest weavers in the Philippines and entire Southeast Asia.

  • Tausug

    The name Tausug is said to mean "people of the current". It comes from the words tau, which means "person" or "people", and sūg (or sulug), which means "[sea] currents". The name refers to the Tausug people's homelands in the Sulu Archipelago.

  • Maranao

    The Maranao inhabit Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur in Mindanao. The name Maranao translates to mean “People of the Lake,” after their traditional territory in the area surrounding Lake Lanao in the Bukidnon-Lanao Plateau.

  • Sama-Bajau

    The Sama-Bajau have been a nomadic, seafaring people, living off the sea by trading and subsistence fishing. The Sama-Bajau are the dominant ethnic group of the islands of Tawi-Tawi. This is also the same group that inspired “Avatar: The Way of Water.”