Hopia Like It

🇵🇭 PHILIPPINES

EDITOR'S NOTE: An updated version of this article (01 March 2024) is available as part of the Historical section of our Substack page. Check that out here:

https://eattheworldla.substack.com/p/hopia-like-it

 

Without data to back up any claims, it is almost universal that pun names in restaurants are only used by businesses without a good product. Thankfully a new-ish Filipino chain that is expanding its reach in the Valley is doing its best to prove that theory wrong. Especially with their hopia, something very right is happening in this bakery.

 

Hopia are a pastry that is also popular in Indonesia, where they are known as bakpia pathok. In both countries, they were brought with Chinese immigrants who came from the province of Fujian.

The selection process can be daunting.

There are more traditional hopia ($12/dozen, above and below) selections like mung bean and ube, which of course are available and very good here at Hopia Like It, but what sets them apart is a wide range of fruit and sweet offerings that you might not find in an old school bakery.

 

Some of the standouts are the guava and cream, which is reminiscent of a Cuban pastelito flavor and nutella, which is self-explanatory. When they are fresh from the oven, the fillings remain warmer than the flaky crusts, and that is exactly the right time to eat them. If you ask what just came out and they point to one, move that option to the top of your list.

 

 

 

And almost as if they were prepared for 2020, Hopia Like It has prepared meals to go, most which focus on breakfast options common in the Philippines but also more heavy plates like cebuchon ($11, below). These thick cuts of lechon are wrapped with lemongrass, shallots, garlic, ginger, and a secret spice blend to make it much more aromatic.

 

Plates of this crispy-skinned pork belly and other dishes like lechon kawali and inasal can be served with tasty garlic rice and come with atchara and a dipping side of sweet lechon sauce.

 

On this last visit, they were unfortunately out of ensaymadas (try the classic cheese!), but you could stock your pantry with other sweetness in the form of a spread made from ube halaya (below).

For goods like this, and packaged hopia, a shipping center in Oxnard is waiting for your online orders as well. They've got you covered.

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GRANADA HILLS San Fernando Valley

17705 Chatsworth Street