Alexander Tan

Tandem

Chef Alexander Tan is a Manila-based chef and co-owner of Tandem, which he runs with partner Mikee Tan. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America and seasoned at Michelin-starred kitchens like Café Boulud and The NoMad, he returned to the Philippines in 2017 and channeled that foundation into something entirely his own. At Tandem, the two build tasting menus around themes rather than cuisines — emotions, music, rice — with food that sounds playful until you realize how deliberate it all is.

TA-KA OG's fried chicken sandwich is the best of its kind. Everything else on the menu is also incredible

Tori-Tori — I must have visited at least 30 times in the past few years. Incredible quality, taste, and quantity of food for such great value

Uncle John's convenience store — specifically a freshly fried spicy chicken fillet — serves the most incredible fried chicken ever

At Oden House, the ebi tempura and beef udon are the only things I order, but they are the best of their kind

At North Park, the aniseed beef tendon and the beef and wonton noodle soup are craveable any day of the week

Pho Hoa has remained consistent in taste ever since I was a kid. Their pho is the most consistently comforting bowl of food ever

Goto Tendon's pares mami and tokwa't baboy are the best

Restaurant
Ratings

Dinner Breakfast Street Food

Bijin Nabe

Ganso-Shabuway

Shaburi