Top 3 Best Filipino BBQ in the UK

Filipino BBQ UK covers a whole family of grilled dishes, including sweet Pork BBQ Sticks, Pork BBQ Liempo, and citrus-marinated Chicken Inasal, each with its own marinade and grilling style. 

This breaks down what actually sets these dishes apart, why people mix them up so often, and where to order each one without needing a charcoal grill of your own.

What Counts as Filipino BBQ?

Filipino BBQ UK is broader than a single dish. It includes skewered pork, grilled pork belly, and marinated chicken, all cooked over charcoal until they pick up that unmistakable smoky char. 

These dishes share the same open-fire cooking method, but they diverge sharply in the cut, the marinade, and how each is served. 

That range is exactly what makes Filipino BBQ UK so versatile, equally at home at a birthday party as it is on a quiet Tuesday night.

If you’re still working out what separates real Filipino cooking from watered-down versions served elsewhere, can’t tell real Filipino food from the rest? Our ultimate guide to authentic Filipino food in the UK breaks it all down.

Pork BBQ, Liempo, and Inasal: What’s the Difference?

These three terms get used interchangeably far too often, so here’s the clearest breakdown of Filipino BBQ UK terminology you’ll find.

Pork BBQ

Pork BBQ is skewered, sweet-glazed, and an absolute party staple. It grills quickly, shares easily among a crowd, and rarely lasts long once it hits the table. 

The glaze usually caramelises just enough to give each bite a sticky, slightly charred finish that keeps people reaching for more.

Skewer up the celebration with Papa Cooks pork BBQ sticks.

Liempo

Liempo is grilled pork belly, a heartier cut with crispy edges and juicy fat running through the middle.

Unlike pork BBQ, it’s usually served whole rather than skewered, making it feel more like a proper main than party food.

The fat renders beautifully over open flame, which is part of why liempo has such a loyal following among people who prefer their pork with a bit more bite. 

For a closer look at how this dish is traditionally made, Panlasang Pinoy’s inihaw na liempo recipe walks through the marinade and grilling process step by step.

Chicken Inasal

Chicken inasal stands apart for its citrus, annatto-based marinade, which gives it that golden colour and unmistakable tang.

It's smoky, bright, and distinctly Visayan, tracing its roots back to Bacolod and Iloilo rather than the more general grilling traditions found elsewhere in the Philippines.

Where pork BBQ and liempo lean into sweetness and char, inasal leans into acidity and aroma, which is exactly why it tends to taste lighter despite being just as smoky.

Get that smoky, citrus-marinated flavour with Uncle Pinoy chicken inasal.

The Marinades and Flavours Behind Filipino BBQ

Marinades define each dish’s character here, more than the cut of meat itself. Pork BBQ leans sweet, built around banana ketchup, sugar, and soy sauce, which is why it caramelises so distinctly on the grill. 

Liempo stays firmly savoury, relying on soy sauce, garlic, and sometimes a splash of calamansi to cut through the richness of the pork belly’s fat. 

Chicken inasal brings tang through calamansi and vinegar, paired with lemongrass and ginger for a marinade that’s far more herbal than either of the other two. 

This variety is exactly why Filipino BBQ never tastes repetitive, even when you’re grilling several dishes side by side at the same gathering. 

If mornings are more your thing, start your morning right with Timplado pork tocino, a sweeter cured pork dish that follows the same marinade-first flavour principle, just built for breakfast rather than a grill session.

Where to Find Authentic Filipino BBQ in the UK

Finding real Filipino BBQ once meant long drives to specialty shops, often with limited stock and hit-or-miss quality depending on the day. That’s changed considerably.

Filipino BBQ favourites like pork BBQ, liempo, and inasal now ship straight to UK doors, no long commute or guesswork required. 

Uncle Pinoy prepares each dish using traditional marinades and grilling techniques, so the smoky, layered flavour stays authentic rather than adapted for a broader, less spice-tolerant palate.

That same commitment to tradition extends beyond the grill, too. Lumpia, for instance, remains one of the most universally loved Filipino snacks, crispy on the outside and packed with seasoned filling, perfect alongside any BBQ spread or eaten on its own. 

Snack on crispy, savoury Noypi’s Lumpia chicken lumpia anytime, whether that’s as a starter before the mains arrive or a quick bite between meals.

Bringing Filipino BBQ to Your Next Gathering

Filipino BBQ is easy to bring to any table now, no marinating, skewering, or standing over a hot grill required on your end.

From pork BBQ skewers to chicken inasal, these dishes turn an ordinary gathering into a proper feast with minimal effort. 

Order once, and it tends to become a regular request, especially once people realise how much better it tastes than the generic “Asian BBQ” often served elsewhere.

Can’t decide? The full menu has something for everyone, whether you’re planning a full spread or just craving one dish. 

And if you’d rather not overthink it, trust the bestseller, grab our lechon while stock lasts, since it tends to sell out fastest around bigger celebrations.

Filipino BBQ spans sweet skewers, savoury pork belly, and citrus-marinated chicken, each carrying its own grilling story and regional roots. 

Whether you’re new to the cuisine or you’ve been craving it for years, these dishes are now genuinely just a few clicks away. 

Here’s why Filipino families trust Uncle Pinoy, and before you order, here’s everything you need to know about delivery, prep, and reheating.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Filipino BBQ?

Filipino BBQ refers to a family of grilled dishes, including skewered pork BBQ, grilled liempo, and marinated chicken inasal. All are cooked over charcoal for that distinct smoky flavour, though each uses a different cut and marinade.

What’s the difference between pork BBQ, liempo, and inasal?

Pork BBQ is sweet and skewered; liempo is savoury, grilled pork belly served whole; and chicken inasal is citrus-marinated, grilled chicken with Visayan roots. Each represents a distinct branch of Filipino BBQ.

What makes Filipino BBQ marinade unique?

Filipino BBQ marinades combine sweet, savoury, and tangy elements such as banana ketchup, soy sauce, and calamansi, creating a layered, smoky flavour that’s difficult to replicate with a generic BBQ sauce.

Where can I buy authentic Filipino BBQ in the UK?

Uncle Pinoy delivers authentic Filipino BBQ UK-wide, including pork BBQ, liempo, chicken inasal, and tocino, all ready to grill or heat at home.

Can I order Filipino BBQ online for delivery in the UK?

Yes. Uncle Pinoy ships Filipino BBQ favourites straight to your door, with no marinating or prep required on your end.