Located in Woodside under the rumble of the 7 Train, Ihawan has been hosting loyal Filipino patrons from all across the tri-state area for twenty years. The name Ihawan means to "grill" and there is no restaurant in New York that does better Filipino Barbeque than Ihawan. 

Ihawan serves other classic Filipino dishes as well, such as; Pancit Bihon (sauteed rice noodles, with shrimp, chicken and vegetables) and Sizzling Sisig (pork ears marinated with lemon and hot pepper) But . . . it is the Barbeque that the faithful continue to make the gastronomic pilgrimage for. The Barbeque Plate consists of two skewers of either chicken, pork or a combination of both, rice and pickled salad. The meat is very succulent and carrying that fine slightly burnt taste.

The Ihawan "grill master" at work and enjoying. As you enter the restaurant you pass the griller (usually two in tandem) the aroma is soooooo good. The grillers are high-spirited and playful, which is the nature of the Filipino people.

Lumpia, this traditional and very popular Filipino food is often eaten as a side dish. Small fried wrapped rolls with shredded meat and vegetable inside.

Sinagong, another Filipino classic, this soup has a distinct sour taste. It is tamarind based with guava and bilimbi, and sometimes contains small pieces of beef, shrimp or pork. I am not crazy about it, but it is good try as it is a traditional part of Filipino cuisine. 

Ihawan is a good-sized restaurant holding around eighty people. The photo was taken during lunchtime, in the evening Ihawan is usually full, especially on the weekends when large Filipino families come out in droves and waits can be up to an hour. I found the interior of the restaurant pretty uninspiring with virtually no art, or colorful posters, nothing that bespeaks "Philippines!" They do have a huge floor to ceiling mirror (no ballet bar though) Music is soft-rock leaning toward a tad sweat, Carpenters, Air Supply.  However, I was so sated with happiness from the taste of the Filipino barbeque that the music hardly mattered.

The hostess, Rosa. The service at Ihawan is warm and big-hearted. Because Filipinos are so high-spirited it is the type of place if you come alone you will probably meet several people at other tables inquiring to make sure you are having a good time. And I always do here!

Tagalog (Philippines) language lesson - "Hello"  (Ma bu hi)   "Thank you"  (Salamat)   "Delicious"  (Massarap)

Interesting fact about Philippines - Philippines is by far the "texting capital of the world." As up to 400 million texts are sent out daily by 35 million users. This number is more than the USA and Europe combined.

Address - 4006 70th Street Woodside (Queens)                     (718) 205 - 1480