The beginning of Filipino Fusion

There have been a lot of buzz on the popularity of food trucks lately here in LA. For me, I think it started with the birth of The Kogi Truck, but I'm sure it began much earlier than that. The economy has been hard on many businesses, including restaurants. Therefore, many establishments are closing and those owners turn to mobile food trucks as a much cheaper alternative to continue to provide their good food. They also appear at local Farmer's Markets, carnivals, and fairs in hopes of gaining customers.

Many of these trucks serve fusion foods. The Kogi Truck serves fusion Korean food by means of tacos and burritos. I recently discovered The White Rabbit Truck. The first to attempt the Filipino Fusion food circuit. We decided to chase this truck for dinner tonight because they were in the neighborhood. And apparently, many other people thought the same. This truck was a big buzz in the Filipino community because it was the first of its kind. So the sidewalk at our local Menchie's was super crowded.

Their main food is Chicken Adobo, Beefsteak, Tocino, and Sisig. For those familiar with Filipino food, these dishes are practically Filipino staples. Aside from Sisig, all filipino families have their own recipes of Adobo, Beefsteak and Tocino. The White Rabbit guys have put a twist on these Filipino staples and made them into tacos, burritos, sandwiches and the customary rice bowl.

We ordered the Adobo tacos which is chicken marinated in soy sauce and vinegar. I found this to be a little too salty for my taste.

Sisig Tacos - cooked pork meat, mixed with spicy peppers, onions, and vinegar. I found this to be the best taste of all the meats they offered.

Tocino tacos - marinated pork meat with its signature red coloring. The flavor of this tocino reminded me of the meats inside a Chinese BBQ pork bun, but a little saltier and messier.

Adobo burrito - similar meat to the tacos, but wrapped with fried rice and a fried egg. This was pretty filling and a perfect Filipino breakfast.

They also had their rice bowls with the meats. We ordered the adobo with rice for my daughter, because she just loves her rice.

To top off our meal, we ordered their White Chocolate Champorado. A warm, sweet rice dish (similar to rice pudding), Champorado is normally served for breakfast and made with cocoa powder. This was a delicious alternative that you can eat as a dessert. This was my favorite.

The overall assessment of my experience with Filipino Fusion food is......I don't think I'm ready for it. Aside from the White Chocolate champorado (which was super delicious), I'm more used to eating my Adobo, Beefesteak, Tocino and sisig with my rice. And not so salty, I might add. I think in order to make this "Fusion Filipino," they need to take the flavors of of these dishes and create a NEW dish out of it. Not just by merely taking the Chicken Adobo and slapping it on some tortillas. The only thing I think I'd be chasing the White Rabbit truck for is their White chocolate champorado. Although if I attempt to try to make it myself, I don't think I'd be chasing the truck much longer.

I commend the White Rabbit truck guys for trying to make Filipino food more mainstream. Filipino food is not as popular as our other Asian counterparts. Aside from a few other people, Filipinos are really the only ones eating Filipino foods. This truck was an attempt to reach out to different people. But I think if they tweeked their menu a little bit more, they'll be able to showcase the wonderful flavors of Filipino foods.