Tatung’s Simpol Kitchen (First Look) @gatewaymallph – Awesome! – Our Awesome Planet
Tatung personally introduced us to his new Simpol restaurant at Gateway Mall 2, where the former Tindeli concept has evolved into Simpol Kitchen, celebrating his family’s heirloom recipes. The restaurant is warm, modern, and welcoming, with every dish rooted in nostalgia yet refined through thoughtful technique. Our favorites include the Calderetang Baka, Pancit Palabok, and Bibingka Cheesecake—classic Filipino comfort food elevated without losing the familiar flavors that make them memorable.
about tatung’s
Chef Tatung has opened Tatung’s at Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City, Cubao—a restaurant inspired by the idea of “Home, remembered.” More than a new dining concept, it is his most personal project, drawing from family recipes, regional Filipino flavors, and the comforting meals he grew up with.
TATUNG’S
A Simpol Kitchen
📍Upper Ground Floor B, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City
♾️ Tatung’s
📸 @tatungsgatewaymall2
Self-funded by Chef Tatung, the restaurant reflects his belief that Filipino food, cooked with honesty and served with warmth, is enough. It also includes a Tindeli corner where guests can bring home pantry favorites and pasalubong.
Known for the SIMPOL cookbook series and his advocacy for Filipino cuisine, Chef Tatung hopes Tatung’s becomes more than a restaurant—it is a place where people gather, share meals, and feel at home.
tatung’s food
Okoy ₱380
Golden shrimp fritters with fresh tomato and cucumber salsa
The okoy was perfectly crisp, with crunchy shrimp heads free of any sharp edges. Paired with a refreshing cucumber and tomato salsa, it was so addictive we couldn’t stop snacking on it like chips.
Hiraya ₱228
Muddled orange, lime, lemon, mint
This drink is bright and citrusy, with a refreshing sweet-and-sour balance that cleanses the palate between dishes.
Mixed Kinilaw ₱720
Tuna, shrimp, and squid in coconut milk, sukang tuba, tabon-tabon, and biasong lime
Simple at first, but the blend of biasong lime, tabon-tabon, sukang tuba delivers a creamy tang that makes the raw seafood yummy.
Gambas sa Latik ₱450
Shrimp with garlic, chili, and toasted coconut curds— served with bread
The plump shrimp paired beautifully with toasted pandesal, while the toasted coconut curds added a subtle layer of nutty flavor.
Relyenadong Hipon ₱480
Golden shrimp rolls with sweet chili sauce
Crisp shrimp lumpia-like paired with sweet chili sauce makes for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Bibingkang Talong ₱490
Tortang talong reimagined as a casserle — layers of gmund pork, tomato, and salted egg, baked until golden
A creative take on tortang talong, reimagined as a bibingka-inspired bake layered with pork, tomato, and salted egg. Light yet hearty, it’s a great dish to share.
Calderetang Baka with Queso de Bola ₱780
Slow-braised beef in a rich tomato same with aged cheese
Ang sarap ng calderetang ni Tatung — served with a rich tomato-beef jus and finished with real queso de bola for a deeply savory, cheesy kick.
Pancit Palabok ₱530
Rice noodles in a rich seafood sauce with smoked fish, farm egg, and crisp chicharon
Sobrang sarap rin ng Palabok! Its rich sauce is cooked with fish, egg, and chicharon from the start, giving it deep, layered flavor.
Topped with generous ingredients, every bite is packed with texture and satisfying richness. For a palabok lover, panalo ito.
Lola’s Pampano sa Gata ₱780
Whole pampano braised in coconut milk with tomatoes, ginger, onions, and shrimp – a family recipe
The pompano is braised in rich coconut milk, creating a curry-like sauce with deep umami, based on Tatung’s grandmother’s recipe that has been part of their family since his childhood.
panghimagas
Bibingka Cheesecaske ₱346/slice
Tatung’s upgraded cheesecake gets a Filipino twist, combining the creamy richness of cheesecake with the nostalgic flavors of bibingka. Finished with grated coconut and brown sugar, it’s a crave-worthy dessert that beautifully ends the meal.
Bibingka Cheesecake ₱2,600/ whole
Make this your cake for your next celebration or bring it to a potluck—it’s guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.
Tsokolate con Leche P288
Dalareich tableya, Gold Award • Academy of Chocolate, London 2019
Pair the cheesecake with a cup of coffee or a creamy tableya drink—the balanced chocolate notes make the perfect complement.
final thoughts
Another winning concept from Chef Tatung, returning to his roots with heirloom family recipes while staying true to his Simpol philosophy. The dishes may look simple, but refined recipes and thoughtful techniques bring out remarkable depth of flavor. Transforming the former Tindeli into Simpol Kitchen was a smart move, making it one of Gateway Mall’s Filipino dining destinations worth seeking out. Our standout dishes on this first visit were the Calderetang Baka, Pancit Palabok, and Bibingka Cheesecake. We’re already looking forward to coming back for the Humba and the rest of Tatung’s comforting Filipino-Chinese specialties.
Congratulations to Chef Tatung and the Simpol Team on the successful launch of Tatung’s at Gateway Mall 2. Wishing you continued success and many more diners discovering your heartfelt take on Filipino comfort food!
TATUNG’S
A Simpol Kitchen
📍Upper Ground Floor B, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City
♾️ Tatung’s
📸 @tatungsgatewaymall2
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar and clarity checked using AI assistance. Thank you to Chef Tatung for hosting us.
p.s. you can also buy this giant ensaimada for pasalubong for your family.
