Big Boi Brings Modern Filipino Combo Plates to Sawtelle Japantown This Week

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With the impending wave of modern Filipino restaurants in Los Angeles and the country as a whole, it’s time to welcome in the newest addition in Big Boi, opening Wednesday, January 10. The diminutive space along the bustling dining hub on the Westside goes into the former Asahi Ramen space, which vacated last year. Big Boi comes from B Sweet Dessert Bar founder Barb Batiste, whose popular Filipino-inflected desserts were the front for her wide catering operation.

With Big Boi, Batiste is trading in ube cakes and halo halo for a range of Filipino comfort fare with her composed, cheffy approach. She named the place after her father, known as Boi in the family (as many Filipino families can confirm, all families have an uncle or Tito Boi).

That means classics like chicken and pork adobo, sisig, lumpia, tocino, langonisa, and sinigang, served Panda Express-style as combo plates. Pancit noodles and white rice come along with one’s choice of meat (or a combination), with prices running around $10 a plate. The sisig comes with a garlicky, vinegary punch while the tender chicken adobo would please many fans of home cooked Filipino food. In general, Batiste will aim for simple, straightforward flavors but with healthier cuts of meat and less oil.

They’ll also have to-go containers for larger family meals at home. The Sawtelle spot will hold about 15 seats for anyone looking to sit and have a meal fresh out of the kitchen, but otherwise it seems like Big Boi is really designed for takeaway and even potentially delivery Filipino food. They won’t serve desserts since those are available a few doors down at B Sweet.

Hours will run Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 11 p.m., except until 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Big Boi. 2027 Sawtelle Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025.