About
Kuya Ja's celebrated its 4 year anniversary on May 11, 2022. In the first year of opening it was recognized as one of the Top 10 Restaurants in Tom Sietsema's 2018 Fall Dining Guide for the Washington Post, then included in the 2020 Fall Dining Guide. Chef Javier Fernandez was also nominated as a 2019 RAMMYS finalist for Rising Culinary Star of the Year by RAMW and was invited to cook at the James Beard House for a Regional Spotlight featuring the Best of DC. Other accolades include Food and Wine Magazine's Best Place to Eat Filipino Food in Maryland, one of Eater DC’s 38 Standout Dining Destinations Around DC 2020 and 2021, Best of Bethesda 2021, Finalist for 2020 RAMMYS Favorite Fast Bites of the Year, Washingtonian Cheap Eats 2019, Washingtonian 2019 Best of Washington, Best of Bethesda 2019, 26 Best Things to Eat Around DC in 2018 by Washingtonian Magazine, DC's Best New Restaurants of 2018 by EaterDC, among others.
If you have ever been to the Philippines, there is one dish that stands out above the rest.
If you ask the locals for the most mouthwatering dish, they will always tell you it’s their lechon. What exactly is lechon? It is an entire pig roasted over charcoal rotisserie style. Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly specializes in roasting boneless pork belly. From its crispy skin to its juicy meat, Kuya Ja’s is here to provide for you the best Cebuano style lechon experience. We take pride in every lechon belly we serve. Our lechon belly will take you on a journey across the world with each bite, it’s our guarantee!
Our chef/owner Javier J. Fernandez (aka Ja) treats each lechon with the care and love that it deserves. His passion is Filipino food and his goal is to influence your palate though the celebration of real Pinoy food and flavors. Chef Ja was born on the island of Cebu, known as the “second city” after Manila. Cebu is famous for having the best lechons in the world. He has traveled all over Cebu to refine his techniques to create his very own boneless lechon belly masterpiece! He takes immense pleasure in preparing every single belly as if he were serving it for his family.
Here at Kuya Ja's, we will do whatever it takes to bring the best parts of the Philippines to you, with not only the flavor of our distinctly beautiful country but with the warmth of our hospitality and the celebration of our culture! We are here to satisfy your every culinary need from the moment you walk through our doors to the moment you take that last crunchy and succulent bite!
Kaon Na Ta!
"Lets Eat!"