Friday 15th March, by Emily Brooks

KiliG - Deptford's Best Kept Secret

KiliG (adj.) : The word to describe the inexplicable feeling of joy and happiness.

KiliG

Located just around the corner from Smart Group HQ, you’ll find KiliG, a hidden gem in the Deptford Arches. Considering its name was coined from the Tagalog word for the unexplainable sensation of joy and happiness, we couldn’t wait to explore its offerings and experience it firsthand.

Upon entering, the restaurant welcomed us with its inviting ambience. Adorned with lush greenery and statement rattan lampshades, it instantly evoked the sensation of being whisked away to a distant, idyllic holiday retreat.

Offering an enticing array of Colombian-Filipino fusion dishes, an ode to the owners’ respective cultural heritage, the menu boasts an assortment of sharing dishes, allowing guests to savour a taste of everything. We tried 10 of the 17 delights on offer.

Traditional Arepas

To Start...

We began our meal with two traditional Arepas, one generously loaded with succulent, spicy BBQ ox cheek, and the other which was loaded with Mushroom Adobo, a Filipino speciality. We were in unanimous agreement that the mushroom one was a highlight of the meal!

Crispy pork belly with spicy calamansi and patis dipping sauce

Spicy BBQ beef rib with pickled chilli

Sirloin steak with hot butter sauce

The Main Event...

For mains, we indulged in a meat feast, from a tender spicy BBQ beef rib which melted off the bone, to a juicy sirloin steak paired with a hot butter sauce and some crispy pork belly.

Tortang Talong - Whole Filipino smoked aubergine fritter with beetroot and calamansi purée and pickled winter vegetables.

Crispy kare kare chicken thighs with peanuts, chilli and spring onion

On our waitress’ recommendation, we also tried the classic Tortang Talong, a whole Filipino smoked aubergine fritter served with beetroot and calamansi purée and the crispy kare kare chicken thighs with peanuts, chilli and spring onion. To complement these main dishes, we paired them with some grilled hispi cabbage, spiced cassava fries and some of KiliG’s signature slaw. Our culinary journey was all washed down with a delightful bottle of Château Pas du Cerf Rose le Club.

KiliG definitely left a linger of joy and happiness in our mouth, just as it’s name promised. We already can’t wait to go back and try the other delights that we missed.

Discover KiliG

2 Resolution Way, London SE8 4NT

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