Mother’s Day in the Philippines isn’t just a heartfelt family celebration—it’s now the busiest restaurant day of the year, beating even Valentine’s. Data from RestoPH shows that Filipino families go all out to honor their beloved moms, nanays, and inay. And yes, the last-minute panic is real.
From fully booked restaurants to bumper-to-bumper traffic, every second Sunday of May brings the same chaos. Believe me—I’ve lived through it. So has my mom.
The Mother’s Day We Gave Up—and Won Big
One unforgettable Mother’s Day memory I have was almost 20 years ago. My mom and I were stuck in traffic, driving all over Tomas Morato and Timog, desperately searching for a restaurant that wasn’t packed. Spoiler alert: we failed.
But in that failure, we stumbled upon a new family tradition: celebrating Mother’s Day at home.
Now we keep things simple: takeout from Max’s Fried Chicken, my mom’s all-time favorite, served in the comfort of our own dining table. No stress. Just hot, crispy chicken and heartfelt laughter.
After lunch, my mom and my sister unwind with their latest Netflix obsession—usually a Korean drama or K-variety show. They call it relaxing. I call it Netflix and Samgyupsal by association.
How K-Dramas Are Inspiring Filipino Food Cravings
Let’s face it: Korean food in the Philippines is booming. Every time you turn on a K-drama, there’s always a meal scene. Watching characters enjoy samgyupsal, jjajangmyeon, or Korean fried chicken has created a massive craving across generations.
Five years ago, I got hooked on Crash Landing on You—my one and only K-drama binge. Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin were unforgettable. But what stayed with me just as much? The food scenes. My gosh. From Subway sandwiches to bb.q Chicken to Korean stews—those scenes made me hungry.
No wonder Korean restaurants in Manila are thriving. Filipinos now crave not just the shows, but the food—and the feels that come with it.
Where to Eat Out on Mother’s Day: Try This Korean Buffet in Manila
Still planning to dine out this Mother’s Day 2025? Skip the stress and make it special. I highly recommend:
“The Admiral’s Travels: Taste of South Korea” at Admiral Hotel Manila.
This Korean culinary series features Chef Lily Min, a Korean cuisine instructor from the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines. Her food isn’t just delicious—it’s soulful, comforting, and absolutely perfect for a celebration that honors home and family.
Here’s what to look forward to:
-
Ddeokgalbi – grilled Korean meat patties that melt in your mouth
-
Dakgangjeong – sweet and crispy honey-glazed chicken
-
Jeyuk Bokkeum – spicy stir-fried pork with deep flavor
-
Haepari Naengchae – sweet-and-sour jellyfish salad, refreshingly unique
The vibe? It felt less like dining in a five-star hotel and more like being a guest in Chef Lily’s home.
Bonus: The Michelin-recognized buffet includes global favorites—and over twelve ice cream flavors to end on a sweet note.
Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery
Address:
2138 Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila, Philippines
Phone: +632 5318-9000 / +63917-8636614
Email: H9338@accor.com
Website: www.admiralhotelmanila.com
Celebrate Mom, Your Way
So what’ll it be?
A laid-back, at-home celebration with Max’s Chicken and a Netflix binge of K-dramas?
Or an elegant Korean buffet in Manila with a view of the bay?
Either way, your mom’s the winner. And really, that’s all that matters.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Spanky Enriquez is a foodie by fate, blogger by accident, and storyteller by choice—Spanky serves up spicy takes and saucy stories on Simpol.ph. From Manila Boy to media maven, he’s been stirring the pot in the Filipino food scene one juicy scoop at a time.
