You've come to El Nido for the breathtaking limestone cliffs and the turquoise lagoons, but what about the food? You walk past restaurant after restaurant, and the menus start to blend together. You see the same few Filipino dishes—adobo or sinigang—but they're often uninspired, full of bones, and lacking the vibrancy you'd expect from such a rich culture. We saw tourists leaving, thinking Filipino cuisine was just okay, and we knew they were missing out on something truly special. We had to change that narrative. We had to create Ugat.

Ugat, which means "root" in Tagalog, is our promise to you. We are celebrating the very roots of Filipino culinary history—a heritage shaped by centuries of influences from Asia, Spain, and America. To craft our menu, our team traveled all around the Philippines, from the northern mountains to the southern islands, in search of the most authentic flavors and ingredients. We met with local farmers and culinary artisans, and we brought their knowledge and passion back with us.

The result is a menu that honors the past while embracing the future. You'll find timeless classics that we’ve perfected, but you'll also discover innovative fusion dishes that marry traditional Filipino flavors with modern cooking techniques. We're celebrating our history, from our roots to our branches, showcasing the rich variety of our regional cuisines and the modern creativity of Filipino chefs.