Fulfill your Pinoy street food cravings today at Eskinita

Filipino expats hungry for the street food that they used to enjoy in the Philippines need not crave any longer – Eskinita at Deira in Dubai has been satisfying the palates of thousands of Filipinos and other nationalities with their signature assortment of ihaw-ihaw, Pinoy street food as well as other Pan Asian dishes.

Aldo Aguilar, owner of Eskinita restaurant said that he drew inspiration for establishing the restaurant both from his roots of growing up on the streets, and his goal to bring Filipino street food from the Philippines and serve it here in Dubai. “As a Filipino, lumaki ako sa kalye. So nakita ko kung ano yung masarap na kailangang makita ng mga Filipino dito sa Dubai. So nagcreate kami ng restaurant na street food. Nag isip kami ng pangalan na magigigng base sa set up ng Pilipinas na pwede naming masabi na talagang Filipino. It answers the question: San ba nanggagaling ang street food? Sa kalye, sa Eskinita!,” shares Aguilar.

Here’s our review of Eskinita’s street food offerings:

The Ambiance

The place will remind you of your traditional turo-turo carinderia back home – where you literally point to select the food that you’d like to be served with. Their waiters are ready to guide you through selecting the food and they even suggest which kinds of food you should try, depending on what suits your taste. The place itself can accommodate up to 100 people on its interiors and an estimate of 150-200 people at its lovely exteriors that overlook Deira’s busy streets.

The Food

We were served with a fiesta spread of different Filipino meals that we all love. At the center was their iconic ihaw-ihaw Pinoy street food including their Isaw, Balun-balunan, Chicken Inasal, Chicken Barbecue Leg, Beef Liver, Boneless Chicken BBQ, Paa, Ulo, Hotdog, Bangus, Pusit, and more. Each ihaw-ihaw is a must-taste as their flavors are enhanced with the iconic sweet-and-salty street food flavor, with their signature Eskinita twist.

“Nag research kami kung ano-ano ang mga street food na pwede naming dalhin from the Philippines to Dubai – so lumabas ang Isaw, Fishballs, Kikiam, and at that time na realize namin na kung papatok, okay. Kasi it was a big risk sa amin dahil malaki ang kinuha naming pwesto. We didn’t realize at that time na at that time, iyon pala ang gusto ng mga Filipinos. So we are very thankful na tinangkilik yung restaurant ng mga Filipinos,” shares Aguilar

Next was their spread of traditional Filipino fried street food which includes their fish balls, kwek-kwek, fried isaw, kikiam, lumpia, lugaw, manggang hilaw with bagoong, together with an assortment of sauces. Eskinita knows by heart that Filipinos love their sauces and with an unlimited supply of various sauces, your cravings will definitely be satisfied with each bite of the street food that will take you back to the streets of your home in the Philippines where you get your own street food.

Their Rellenong Bangus, Nilaga, Sizzling Bulalo, and Pansit reminded us of the fiestas at the barrio where mothers coming from different households do a ‘cook off’ and showcase their family recipes handed down from generation to generation. Each of these dishes tasted as if they were the star of their own show, highlighting the most flavorful parts of the fish, the beef, and the noodles respectively.

Their Bangus Sisig and their Beef Sisig is a treat for those who love their traditional Kapampangan treat. The Beef Sisig gives that much needed oomph when it comes to the level of spiciness. The Bangus Sisig is prepared together with the skin of the Bangus itself which keeps the lovely aroma and taste of the freshly caught fish from the seas of the UAE.

Eskinita also has their very own ‘Eskinita Fight’ which is basically their own version of the now-popular boodle fight available in three flavors – Cajun, Garlic Butter and Bicol Express. Made for seafood lovers, their boodle fight is an assortment of the freshest seafood like shrimps, mussels, crabs, coupled with vegetables that complement the taste of the sauce.

For dessert, Eskinita also has their signature Peach Mango Pie, their Ube, Yema, and Coconut topped kakanin – all of which give a very satisfying ending to an all-Pinoy full course meal.

The Verdict

Eskinita is your go-to place in Dubai if you’re planning to satisfy your cravings of an authentic Filipino ihaw-ihaw and street food experience. “Lahat ng klase ng street food from  the Philippines, makikita ninyo dito. Sa mga Kabayan natin na gustong makatikim ng authentic na Filipino street food, dito lang po sa Eskinita yan. Tangkilikin natin ang sariling atin,” said Aguilar.

Eskinita is now serving their ihaw-ihaw, Pinoy street food and other Pan Asian offerings at the Welcome Hotel Apartment located at Al Murraqabat at Deira in Dubai.