For generations, food has brought families together at the table. At Sonsing Family Restaurant in Iba, Zambales, that tradition continues through home-style Filipino dishes, fresh seafood, and ingredients that celebrate the province’s local flavors.
A Legacy Since 1948
The Yap family has been in the restaurant business since 1948, serving communities in Zambales. Twelve years ago, the family opened Sonsing Family Restaurant to honor the late Sunsing Yap, the grandfather of fourth-generation restaurateur J.B. Yap.
Sonsing Yap originally came from Amoy, now known as Xiamen, China. He married Elena Yap, a cousin of the late President Ramon Magsaysay. Today, his legacy lives on through recipes passed down across generations.
“My dad started Sonsing Family Restaurant 12 years ago in honor of my late grandfather, Sonsing Yap,” Yap shares.
The restaurant carries these family traditions into its menu, serving dishes that once brought relatives together during celebrations and gatherings. Now, guests can enjoy these same flavors in a welcoming, home-like setting.
Traditional Recipes, Local Ingredients
Among the restaurant’s offerings are tinaddad na baka na may kamyas, insarabasab, and pinangat na labong. The latter features bamboo shoots wrapped in gabi leaves and simmered in coconut milk. These dishes reflect the family’s culinary heritage and its connection to Filipino home cooking.
However, Sonsing also puts a distinct Zambaleño touch on its menu. Known for its mangoes, Zambales inspires the restaurant to incorporate the fruit into several creations.
“We use unripe mango for our sinigang,” Yap explains.
The restaurant also serves mango-labuyo sauce, which pairs well with fried dishes. Another specialty is Sambaliete, a tuna dish cooked in coconut milk and shrimp paste. Freshly caught fish also features prominently on the menu, drawing from the province’s coastal abundance.
A Taste of Home in Zambales
Beyond the food, Sonsing hopes to give diners a sense of familiarity and belonging. Whether guests are locals or travelers exploring the province, the restaurant aims to make everyone feel welcome.
“We just want them to feel welcome and feel at home,” Yap says. “We want straightforward Filipino food na pagkakinain mo, it feels home.”
For Simpol Pips traveling through Zambales, Sonsing Family Restaurant offers a chance to discover local flavors while experiencing a family’s enduring food traditions.
Find Sonsing along Govic Highway in Iba, Zambales, and try its Pinangat na Labong, Zambalyete, and sinigang with unripe mango. Each dish offers a taste of the province, served with the warmth of a family table.
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