Kooya Filipino Eatery

Market Island Food Hall, Dubai Festival City Mall - Crescent Road - Al Kheeran - Dubai Festival City - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Dubai

Open

Visit Website +971 50 427 6891

Cuisines

Filipino

Influencer Reviews1

Ditch The Silver

2/4/2026

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About

Kooya Filipino Eatery is a Dubai-based restaurant known for bringing authentic Filipino flavors to the city. Chef JP Anglo, a celebrated Filipino chef, collaborates with Abela & Co to create signature dishes like braised beef empanadas. The eatery is recognized for its dedication to comfort food and its role in representing Filipino cuisine in the UAE.

The Visit

Kooya Filipino Eatery offers a taste of home for Dubai’s Filipino community and curious food lovers alike. The reviewer and Chef JP Anglo started their food tour here, sampling braised beef empanadas made in partnership with Abela & Co. The experience was warm and inviting, with the chef sharing his passion for Filipino comfort food. The empanadas stood out for their rich filling and tamarind gravy, setting a high bar for the day’s culinary journey.

What They Ate

Braised beef empanadas with tamarind gravy

Quotes

"We start with his own braised beef empanadas, made in partnership with Abela & Co, before heading into the city for the kind of food that defines daily life here."

"Special thanks to Abela & Co for hosting us at their central kitchen."

"If you enjoyed eating through town with Chef JP and me, and Chef, thank you so much for taking the entire day out to feed me."

Our Reflection

Kooya Filipino Eatery sets the tone for the food tour, blending nostalgia with innovation. The collaboration between Chef JP Anglo and Abela & Co is evident in every bite of the empanada—comforting yet elevated, familiar yet fresh. The kitchen’s energy is palpable, and the chef’s pride in his heritage shines through. This stop isn’t just about food; it’s about community, memory, and the joy of sharing flavors that resonate deeply with both locals and visitors.

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