One hard lesson learned from our collective youth is that a night out on the town requires balance. For example, if you’re drinking, you need to eat – otherwise, there’s nothing to absorb all the alcohol in your system. Luckily, at 20:25, there’s no shortage of either booze or food.
20:25 Asian Gastro Lounge opened in July of this year along Upper General Luna Road. We sampled a big variety of finger food and meals from their menu, paired with cocktails and music. Here’s a rundown of our absolute favorites.
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The Food
Wonchos
We started strong with their “Wonchos”, loaded nachos with wonton chips instead of traditional nacho chips. Have your camera ready – they pour hot cheese and sauce all over the chips, right in front of you.
The generous portion makes this salty, spicy dish good for sharing. Not a bad way to kick off the night!
Catch the cheese pour action on the eatsinbaguio Instagram and hit “follow” for even more.
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Cheesy Baked Takoyaki
These are not your average street food takoyaki balls overwhelmed with batter. 20:25’s takoyaki has a wonderfully fishy flavor which is complemented by their house-made sweet, tangy sauce. The bonito flakes (thin shavings of smoked and fermented fish) dance in the heat. Make sure you get a bite with all the toppings!
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Baked Miso Scallop, Bacon and Mushroom
Here’s one for the seafood lovers. We were pleasantly surprised by the additional protein in these scallop shells. The bacon bits are nice to chew on and add some smokiness, which offsets the creaminess of the white sauce nicely.
Interestingly, the sauce looks and tastes like cheese, but there’s not cheese at all in the dish.
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Karaage Namban
One thing about the Japanese is that they love their fried chicken. 20:25’s karaage is super juicy with thick skin and a hint of sweetness in the glaze. The chicken sits on a bed of cabbage and tomatoes. It’s good bar chow, but this serving size could easily make it a meal.
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Sisig x Dinakdakan Duo
This dish combines two classic pulutan choices, and it’s exactly what you’d expect. The sisig is served on a sizzling plate, right next to dinakdakan in the cutest min-wok you’ve ever seen. We appreciated the Pampanga-style sisig – not crispy but tender and hot. The dinakdakan is a little fatty and loaded with onions.
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The Drinks
Tamarindo
This rum-based cocktail is boozy but flavorful. We enjoyed the light tartness of the tamarind – you feel the kick, without making you cringe. Make sure you’re taking sips with the salted rim for the full effect. Don’t miss out on the flavor and texture!
Tamarindgarita
If you can’t get enough of tamarind but tequila is more your speed, the tamarindgarita is a must-try. It’s a fun option for a girls’ night, and an interesting departure from the usual citrus and watermelon margaritas.
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Peach Fuzz
The peach fuzz is another rum-based creation. It’s light, refreshing, and fun, garnished with a cherry and lemon slice. Pair it with your wonchos or takoyaki – and, of course, your coolest friends and colleagues.
20:25 has an extensive menu which also includes a range of beers, wines, shots, bottles, and non-alcoholic beverages. They are open daily from 4:00pm. For more updates, check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok, or search for the hashtags #TwentyTwentyFive and #2025AsianGastroLounge.