Everything has its humble beginnings. For popular native Filipino restaurant Golden Cowrie, it started with a simple idea to serve native dishes to foreign guests.
Having migrated to Cebu to run a furniture export business, Mrs. Tina Ebrada opened the first Golden Cowrie in August 1982 along Salinas Road in Lahug. It was a charming, breezy eatery made of bamboo and sawali, which are woven split bamboo mats. “Back then, our part of the city was once the countryside in Cebu,” shared Mrs. Ebrada.
Putting up Golden Cowrie was Mrs. Ebrada’s idea since foreign buyers of the family’s export business kept on looking for a place to eat native cuisine. “Then I realized, why not serve them with what they want? And that’s good Filipino food. I love cooking and entertaining guests so might as well open a small restaurant to conveniently accommodate our buyers,” she recalled.
One of the dishes offered in its first menu was the signature baked tahong. According to Ebrada, the dish was a favorite among Manileños and she decided to introduce it to Cebuanos since. As a coastal province, Cebu has a large supply of tahong. Other dishes included grilled barbecue, pinakbet, Bicol express, and shrimps in garlic, also known as jumping shrimps, among others. She also served the Cebuanos’ comfort food, pochero.
What used to be a small eatery at the countryside turned into one of the city’s well-loved restaurants with families and friends gathering around to enjoy Filipino dishes in a homey atmosphere. “It was a very fulfilling experience to be able to share my kitchen with everyone,” she added. Eventually, Mrs. Ebrada had to let go of the promising restaurant to focus on their furniture export business. It was in 2000 when the Kokseng family acquired and reopened Golden Cowrie under the management of Kenneth and Kristine Kokseng. The Kokseng family, even before taking over the management of Golden Cowrie, has been known to be pioneers and trailblazers in the local industry, having established and managed other well-loved and renowned restaurants that have also become Cebu institutions. Still serving the original Golden Cowrie favorites in a cozy ambiance, the restaurant has since expanded with the opening of several branches nationwide and addition of new items in the menu.
A fresh transformation: Main Lahug branch gets a new look
Today, Golden Cowrie is considered as an institution for Filipino cuisine in Cebu, and a go-to restaurant for every occasion and family gathering. Giving diners more reasons to feast, the restaurant continues to add more offerings, fresh flavors and continued enhancements to its interiors to add to the overall dining experience.
With the recent renovation of Golden Cowrie’s main Lahug branch, the homegrown Filipino restaurant offers a new and exciting dining experience to its patrons who, over the years, have developed a more discerning palate. Revamped by Cebu’s celebrated interior designer, Hannah Lim, the total transformation features wider aisles, bigger function rooms, a brighter lighting, and modern interiors that pay tribute to Cebuano creativity.
The function halls are all named after famous local shells and are designed to cater personal or business events. The Budyong Hall and the Sigay Hall can accommodate up to 40 persons while Saang Hall and Makan Hall can cater up to 16 persons.
Golden Cowrie marks 33 years of Cebuano hospitality, value and flavor with Golden Cowrie and Hukad sa Golden Cowrie’s 22 branches nationwide in Davao, Dumaguete, Bohol, Boracay, Ozamiz City, General Santos City, Butuan City, Tagum City, Tacloban City and Bacolod City with recently opened restaurants in Iloilo and Pagadian City. In Cebu, Golden Cowrie and Hukad are located at Salinas Drive Lahug; G/F SM City Cebu; 2/F The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu; Robinson’s Cybergate; Marina Mall, Lapu-Lapu City; Parkmall Mandaue City; South Town Centre Talisay City and the newly opened branch in SM City Seaside. For more information and latest updates, visit their website at www.alwaysafeast.ph, follow them on Instagram at @alwaysafeast, and like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hukadgoldencowrie.