Lechon is a classic Filipino dish, a whole pig seared slowly as it rotates over a charcoal fire. This signature dish anchors the menu at Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly, a Filipino eatery that just made its debut a little more than a month ago. Chef and owner Javier J. Fernandez, or “Ja” as his friends and family call him, was actually born in the Philippines. So he learned the art of crafting lechon firsthand, and he serves up the roasted pork belly in a variety of ways at Kuya Ja’s.
Sink your teeth into the lechon belly sandwich, loaded with the pork plus caramelized onions, arugula, and fiery jalapeno mayo. Try it over a bowl of white rice with salad, a fried egg, and a drizzle of the chef’s JaJa Sauce. Enjoy the meat all on its own with a side of rice and salad. Chef Ja also cooks up other signature creations like the Chori-Burger, which features a patty made from a blend of chorizo and beef.