We all know the word kanto in Tagalog usually brings to mind a neighborhood street corner where people just idle around. Kanto Freestyle Breakfast takes that exact humble, neighborhood concept and completely turns it on its head. They grab simple Filipino breakfast staples, give them a gourmet makeover, and serve them at prices that won’t drain your wallet.
I kept seeing endless rave reviews across my feeds, so I knew I had to taste their 24/7 all-day menu myself. Finding a convenient branch proved tricky at first—their spots in Mandaluyong, Libis, and Marikina sat a bit too far from my area. Fortunately, Ross from Wazzup Pilipinas invited me to join a food tasting at their Kapitolyo, Pasig branch!
Kanto Freestyle Rice Meals
Lucban Longganisa
If you skip sweet hamonado sausage in favor of garlic-heavy recipes, order this immediately. Lucban Longganisa (₱163) packs a punch with garlic, black pepper, and a sharp vinegary tang. They fry the casing until it gets a nice snappy crunch while keeping the coarse meat packed with juice. Dunk it in their spicy vinegar between bites of garlic rice.
Crispy Corned Beef
Kanto’s Crispy Corned Beef (₱170) shreds the beef thin and deep-fries it into a crunchy, golden stack. My friend didn’t care for it at all. If you crave soft, juicy canned corned beef sautéed with extra onions, this drier, crunchier style can feel a bit too tough or oily.
Pork Adobo Flakes
Both my friend and I crowned Pork Adobo Flakes (₱209) as an absolute winner. They pull the pork into fine strands and fry it until it reaches maximum crunch while locking in that classic soy-garlic-vinegar punch. It holds its texture without drying out, making it one of the most reliable items on the entire menu.
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Grilled Porkchop
While the sweet-and-savory BBQ glaze tastes great, the Grilled Porkchop (₱109) runs into texture issues. My friend immediately called it out as matigas (tough and dry). Lean chops turn chewy very quickly on a fast grill. If you want tender pork, stick with the Adobo Flakes or their Honey Garlic Pork instead.
Bacon Congee
Instead of relying on traditional tripe, chicken, or liver, Kanto tops The Bacon Congee (₱129) warm bowl of rice porridge with crispy bacon strip pieces and a poached egg. Breaking that yolk right into the savory broth creates a super comforting bowl. This one caught us off guard in the best way.
Kanto Freestyle Sandwiches
Open-Faced Longganisa
The kitchen layers savory Open-Faced Longganisa (₱129), sweet caramelized onions, and fresh leeks, then pours a rich Hollandaise sauce right over top. I hold a huge soft spot for Hollandaise, so this clever crossover won me over immediately.
Croque Monsieur
Meanwhile, the Croque Monsieur (₱129) is a classic French ham and cheese sandwich, while their version of the Croque Madame comes with an egg on top. According to legend, the egg resembles an old-fashioned woman’s hat, which is why the Croque Madame (₱129) is considered the “female” counterpart, and the Croque Monsieur the “male” version.
These sandwiches were average, mainly due to the type of bread they used.
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Croque Madame
Kanto Freestyle Pancakes
Mixed Berries Pancake
Kanto prepares thick, fluffy, cake-like pancakes that aren’t overly sweet on their own. Since the pancake base remains nice and neutral, you can just pick whichever fruit topping or syrup you crave most. I opted for the Mixed Berries Pancake (₱142), and they hit the spot.
Goya Pancake
If you want pure comfort food, order the Goya Chocolate Pancakes (₱131). They melt classic Pinoy Goya milk chocolate down into a smooth, glossy ganache that tastes like childhood.
Ube & White Chocolate Pancake
They also serve an Ube & White Chocolate (₱131) stack if you want local flavors paired with a sweet twist.
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Kanto Freestyle Location
The place is a garage-turned-dine-in restaurant, which makes it quite easy to miss. In fact, I walked past it and ended up at the other end of the street before realizing I had missed the establishment. Thankfully, I called Geeky Kitch to help me find the place.
I arrived at the venue in the afternoon, but the lights were still off. However, the place transforms into a chic restaurant by night. Unfortunately, the restaurant is not air-conditioned.
More and more people started coming in (perhaps it’s a go-to spot after work or school), so we decided to step outside to give other diners a place to sit. Interestingly, about 70% of the diners that day were yuppies, while 30% were students.
What to Expect When You Visit
- No Aircon: The venue relies entirely on natural airflow and open-air seating. If you drop by during a hot afternoon, expect to sweat a bit. You probably won’t want to linger here for hours during midday heat.
- Price vs. Service: The staff greets everyone with genuine cheer. Even though our food took slightly longer to arrive on a busy Sunday afternoon, the fair portion sizes and budget-friendly prices easily make up for the quick wait.
Kanto was definitely a hit for me, and I’m sure you’ll like it, too!
Ambiance: 3/5
Price: 5/5
Serving: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Taste: 4/5
Kanto Freestyle Breakfast address: 1st Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Tel: 775 54 28
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Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post but not swayed to write positive review. Photo watermark is named after my old site.
