From Filipino dishes to pastries, Kultura in South Carolina is a complete food haven
Photo courtesy of Kultura
With the growing number of Filipino restaurants in the US, we can’t help but say, “Mabuhay!” And adding to the list of your go-to Filipino food spots is Kultura in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Filipino love for family is evident in Kultura’s menu, as owner and chef Nikko Calaganan shares that his creations are inspired by his Lola Mansueta.
“I watched her cook everything—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And the funny thing is that in the Philippines, all of those meals involve rice. She would go to the market first thing in the morning and I would tag along sometimes,” said Calaganan in an interview with Charleston City Paper.
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This Filipino restaurant began as a humble pop-up in 2019 at Charles Towne Fermentors and Palmetto Brewing Co before finding its permanent home. Since then, it’s been garnering some well-deserved attention; Food And Wine featured Kultura on its list of the 2022 top Filipino restaurants in the US.
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Kultura is a successful mirror of Filipino food culture
Kultura is a food haven that showcases not only Bacolod-born Cagalanan’s cooking expertise but also the wildly imaginative food culture back in the Philippines.
His arroz caldo (Filipino rice porridge) topped with aromatic fried garlic, chili crisps, and a sliced hard-boiled egg is practically what a Filipino breakfast is.
The crispy lumpia with sweet banana ketchup and elegant leche flan will remind you of fiestas back home where you don’t go home empty-handed or hungry. Cagalanan’s grilled chicken marinated in calamansi is another must-try dish from his hometown.
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And although Filipino cuisine seems to be dominated by meat dishes, there’s something here for vegans, too, like the umami-rich mushroom sisig seasoned and spiced with onion, garlic, and ginger.
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Kultura isn’t just focused on savory Filipino dishes but pastries and coffee, too, in collaboration with Baguette Magic.
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The morning menu includes Filipino-inspired pastries like pork adobo egg sandwich on brioche, guava pop tarts, and ube panda supreme.
To sum it up, Kultura isn’t just a restaurant but also an enjoyable experience. So whether you’re a die-hard Filipino food fan or just simply curious, this is the place to be in Charleston.
