Hapunan

The Verdict

If you’re a devoted follower of the legendary Filipino food truck, Hapunan, you’ll be delighted to hear that they’ve found a permanent spot in Huapai, so you can tuck into their culinary delights on the reg. 

For those yet to experience their delicious fare, trust us when we say it’s worth the 40-minute commute from Auckland CBD. Created by a passion for Filipino food, Hapunan is the love child of Aldrin Tabora and Laura Caddick, who believe that Filipino cuisine is underrated and often gets overlooked. 

On a mission to bring Pinoy dishes into the limelight, Hapunan’s menu is a treasure trove of Filipino flavours, filled with authentic dishes inspired by the streets of Manila. We’re talking prawn siomai which is a form of dumpling wrapped in thin pastry, pata tim, aka Filipino braised pork in a steamed bao bun, and a vibrant purple yam-based ice cream that’s to die for. 

It doesn’t stop there. If you’re looking for a tasty bite then choose from their street food menu, which is perfect for sharing. Sink your teeth into the Dinakdakan fried chicken bao topped with ginger mayo followed by the lumpia—a Filipino style spring-roll, filled with Longganisa, aka traditional Filipino pork sausage. 

Still hungry? No worries, Hapunan’s menu is the gift that keeps on giving. For dishes on the larger side, the chicken insal will hit the spot. Think succulent chargrilled chicken thigh marinated in lemongrass, garlic, and ginger soy sauce served on a bed of fluffy coconut rice. If pork is more your protein, then opt for the lechon kawali—twice-cooked pork belly coated in a coconut and ginger sauce and topped with a crunchy spiced pork crackling. 

Be sure to save room for dessert as you’ll want to try their much-loved Taho made from soy panna cotta, pandan syrup, palm sugar, and mini sago. The trick is to mix it all together and devour it pronto. If, like us, you’ve got an extra sweet tooth then the ever-popular, distinctly purple, ube ice cream made from sweet potato is a must! 

While the eatery is on the smaller side and has limited dine-in options, the menu is jam-packed with hearty, wholesome dishes for you to take away. Order a variety of plates with some mates and pack them up for a sunset picnic in Muriwai, which is only a short drive away. Cute. 

Hapunan translates to 'dinner' in Tagalog, which is a reminder of the most important time of the day in Filipino culture, and after a good feed at Hapunan, we couldn’t agree more.

Image credit: Hapunan.