As stunning as the beachfront views of Boracay are, let’s be honest—scenery can’t fill your belly (only food really can).
So now that we’ve explored the iconic Station 1 and Station 2 along Boracay’s famous White Beach, it’s time to dig into something equally important—where to eat in Boracay!
If you’re craving authentic local eats in Boracay, this beloved Filipino chain is the perfect place to start.
Explore more travel stories and videos from Boracay’s White Beach:
Boracay Station 1: The Most Romantic Stretch of White Beach
Station 1 Travel Video
Boracay Station 2: The Most Lively Part of White Beach
Station 2 Travel Video
Affordable Filipino Eats: The Mang Inasal Fast Food Chain
Boracay is one of the Philippines' top international destinations, drawing over a million visitors each year. Given its global popularity, it’s no surprise the island is home to a wide variety of dining options. One of the main foodie hubs is D'Mall near Station 2—essentially a massive open-air food court where you’ll find everything from smoothies to grilled seafood. Naturally, for our first dinner on the island, we headed straight to Mang Inasal in D'Mall.
Mang Inasal Boracay (D'Mall Branch)
Open hours:
9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Mon–Thu)
9:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Fri–Sun)
How to get there: Located at the D'Mall entrance, right beside the Ferris wheel.
D’Mall Boat Station 2, Boracay
Official Website: https://www.manginasal.com/
Mang Inasal is one of the most beloved Filipino fast food chains in the country. Wait—fast food? Didn’t we just say we’re going to talk about good eats? Why are we dining at a fast food joint?
Hold up—don’t let the “fast food” label fool you. Mang Inasal may be quick and casual, but it serves up some of the most authentic Filipino flavors you’ll find. With hundreds of locations across the Philippines (and two on Boracay), this isn’t your typical burger-and-fries joint. Instead, grilled meats take center stage—think barbecue chicken, pork skewers, and more, all served with a generous helping of white rice. It’s fast food, Filipino style.
Fun fact: The name Mang Inasal literally translates to “Mr. Barbecue” in Filipino. And yes, Filipinos are serious about their grilled food—especially their Chicken Inasal, which has won over fans around the world.
So why did we end up choosing this spot? Well, even before we set foot on Boracay, our airport transfer guide couldn’t stop recommending Mang Inasal. According to him, it’s one of the most popular Filipino restaurants on the island, and interestingly enough, locals tend to outnumber tourists here. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of the Philippines, what better place to start?
Mang Inasal Menu: Grilled Goodness, But… Where Are the Veggies?
The name Mang Inasal loosely translates to “Uncle Grilled” or “Sir Barbecue” in Filipino slang—a nod to the country’s love for grilled meats.
With a name like that, it’s no surprise that grilled dishes are the stars of the show.
Here are a few of the signature meals you’ll find on the menu at Mang Inasal Boracay:
- Paa with Rice (Chicken Inasal)
This grilled chicken leg with rice is hands down the most popular dish here. When we looked around, nearly every table had ordered it. The meal is simple—just grilled chicken and a generous portion of white rice—but surprisingly flavorful. Yes, the rice literally comes wrapped like a burger. :)
- Pecho with Rice (Grilled Chicken Breast)
A large, juicy grilled chicken breast served with the same signature rice packet.
- Pork BBQ (Grilled Pork Skewers with Rice)
A basic combo of two marinated pork skewers and a packet of rice. Nothing fancy—but very satisfying.
- Bangus Sisig (Sizzling Milkfish with Rice)
This Filipino-style sizzling dish features milkfish (bangus) sautéed on a hot plate and served with rice. It’s a well-loved staple across the country and recognized internationally too.
- Pork Sisig (Sizzling Pork)
Diced pork, stir-fried and served on a sizzling plate—crispy, savory, and rich in flavor.
Foodie Tip: In Filipino, the word “Inasal” means grilled, so whenever you spot this on a menu, you’re in for some barbecue. Meanwhile, “Sisig” refers to dishes cooked and served sizzling-hot on a metal plate—think of it as the Filipino take on teppanyaki.
When placing your order, the staff will ask if you want the “unlimited rice” version. For a small additional charge, they’ll keep refilling your rice until you say stop—seriously! Aside from the main dishes, Mang Inasal also offers snacks, drinks, and desserts. But you might notice something’s missing: where are the veggies? Honestly, this place seems to have erased vegetables from the menu entirely. Aside from the occasional garnish of chilies, onions, or scallions, there’s barely a green in sight.
The Filipino Way: DIY Dipping Sauce
Every table at Mang Inasal comes equipped with three essential condiments—black, red, and white. The black bottle is soy sauce. The red one (which looks like chili oil but isn’t) is actually chicken fat. The white one? That’s vinegar—don’t mistake it for lemon juice.
To enjoy it like a local, here’s what you do: Pour some soy sauce into a small saucer, add a splash of vinegar, smash a chili or two with your fork, toss them in, and finish with a squeeze of calamansi juice (nope, don’t drizzle it directly on the chicken!). Mix it all up and dip your grilled meats in this zesty, salty, slightly spicy combo.
Calamansi? Lemon? Calamansi-Lemon?
Speaking of calamansi—this is where things get quirky. The small citrus fruit served with the meal looks, smells, and tastes exactly like calamansi. But when we asked the staff, they insisted, “That’s not calamansi—that’s our local lemon.”
We looked at each other puzzled. It looks like calamansi. It tastes like calamansi. Cut it open? Still calamansi. So… when did it become a lemon? Guess it’s one of those “tomato, tomahto” things—or maybe “mandarin, tangerine”? Either way, we played along. Lemon it is! Still, we couldn’t help but wonder—how does one even order a calamansi lemonade in the Philippines? 😂
Watch: Our Mang Inasal Food Vlog from Boracay
In this episode of our Boracay food series, we dive into the famous Chicken Inasal from Mang Inasal. It may look humble, but don’t let that fool you. The skin is grilled to a smoky, crisp finish, the meat stays juicy, and the price? And the price? Absolutely budget-friendly. If you’re exploring Boracay, this is one Filipino fast food spot worth checking out!