Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly, a Filipino restaurant in Rockville, has been named one of “The Best Cheap Eats Around the DC Area” by Washingtonian.
The recently published list highlights 60 restaurants where diners can get what Washingtonian describes as a satisfying meal for less than $25 per person, excluding drinks, tax and tip. More than 200 restaurants throughout the region were considered for the list.
Located at 5268-H Nicholson Lane, Kuya Ja’s is owned by chef Javier Fernandez and specializes in Cebu-style lechon, featuring slow-roasted boneless pork belly with crispy skin. The restaurant began as a pop-up at Fernandez’s sister’s Rockville bakery, Gwenie’s Pastries, in 2016 before opening its own location in 2018.
Washingtonian highlighted the restaurant’s crispy roast pork along with its lumpia and adobo-glazed wings. The publication also singled out the “fully stacked” combo, which includes crispy pork belly, garlic rice, sweet longanisa sausage, a fried egg and atsara, a Filipino pickled side dish.
Fernandez was born in Cebu, Philippines, a region known for its lechon, and developed his own approach to preparing boneless lechon belly after traveling throughout Cebu. Kuya Ja’s menu focuses on Filipino flavors and dishes inspired by Fernandez’s background.
The restaurant has received a number of accolades since opening, including recognition from The Washington Post, Food & Wine, Eater DC, Bethesda Magazine and Washingtonian. Fernandez was also a 2019 RAMMY Awards finalist for Rising Culinary Star of the Year and has cooked at the James Beard House as part of a regional spotlight.
