The ‘first true Filipino’ restaurant in Leeds is to open next week in St Peter’s Square, near the BBC building, with the conversion of existing Japanese-fusion restaurant Sakku into the new Sakku Pinoy.

Sakku Pinoy will showcase both modern and traditional dishes from the Philippines, including Lechon kawali, crispy fried pork belly; Sinigang, a sour tamarind-based soup with a refreshing tang; Bicol express, a spicy stew with pork and coconut milk; and Adobo, a marinated meat dish that’s a Filipino staple.

The restaurant announced its arrival with an Instagram post stating: “We’re Pinoy! A brand new Filipino restaurant and bar in Leeds city centre! The first of its kind, providing you a taste of modern and classic Filipino cuisine!

“The word ‘authentic’ gets thrown around a lot nowadays but it’s a promise we aim to stick to our roots cooking Filipino food from the heart, the flavours we grew up with, with a modern European flair from the collective decades of training from our kitchen team. It is with pride and joy that we open the first true Filipino kitchen in Leeds.”

Sakku Pinoy opens on Monday 9 September.