Chikahan Brings Filipino-Inspired Tasting Menus to Houston

With Chikahan, Houston's first fine-dining restaurant with traditional Filipino tastes, Chef Andrew Musico is changing the way Filipino food is made. When Chikahan opens on January 8, it will have a seven-course tasting meal that combines traditional and modern cooking methods.

Musico, a chef who has worked at Houston's famous New American restaurant Oxheart, says that Chikahan is a place where food can tell a story. Musico said, "Fine dining is about time, technique, and good ingredients." "For me, it's about giving Filipino dishes a new look by combining old-fashioned methods with ideas from around the world."

One of their signature meals is sinigang risotto, which is a creative take on the famous Filipino sour soup and goes well with seared scallops. Another great dish is a new take on tortang talong, a Filipino eggplant omelet that can be eaten in one bite. This dish is an egg souffle with eggplant fillings that is topped with fermented rice and hot banana ketchup that is made in-house.

The name of the restaurant, "Chikahan," comes from the Filipino custom of telling stories and having conversations with others. "Going out to eat is a way to connect with other people, catch up, and make memories," Musico said. Chikahan wants to build those connections through carefully made dishes that honor the variety of Filipino culinary practices. They do this by focusing on seasonal, locally found ingredients.

Musico thinks that Chikahan will show people in Houston a more refined version of Filipino food, bringing together tradition and new ideas. Chikahan offers a dining experience full of culture and creativity, whether you are a seasoned foodie or someone who has never tried Filipino food before.

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