Hapunan is a Filipino cuisine business with a store in Huapai, serving traditional Pinoy dishes with a modern touch. It began in 2017 when founders Aldrin and Laura, both with years in hospitality, took the leap to buy and fit out a food truck selling Filipino-inspired dishes around Auckland after a trip to Aldrin's family in the Philippines left Laura hooked on the country's food and culture.
Aldrin and Laura felt Filipino food was underrated in the Asian food spectrum, and wanted to bring their own modernised take on traditional Pinoy dishes that Filipinos know and love. Easily recognisable by its tropical banana leaf print, the Hapunan food truck can still be found at local weekend markets and street food festivals, alongside the Huapai store.
Hapunan also caters for weddings and events, bringing their Filipino dishes to celebrations across the region.
Hapunan brings a modern take on traditional Pinoy dishes to Huapai, with roots that go back to a food truck built from a couple's love of Filipino food and culture.
Hapunan began in 2017 when founders Aldrin and Laura, who first met while working at Farro, took the leap and used their saved wedding fund to buy and fit out a food truck. The idea came after Laura joined Aldrin on a trip to visit his family in Manila, where she fell in love with the Filipino people, their culture and their food. Easily recognisable by its tropical banana leaf print, the Hapunan truck could be found at local weekend markets and street food festivals around Auckland, and the business has since grown to include a store in Huapai.
Aldrin and Laura felt Filipino food was underrated within the wider Asian food scene, often overlooked despite Auckland's large Filipino community. They set out to bring their own modernised spin on the traditional Pinoy dishes Filipinos grew up with, while staying true to the flavours and techniques at the heart of the cuisine.
The Pinoy Rice Bowls section features dishes like the Adobo Del Diablo, chicken thighs marinated in turmeric, bay leaves and peppercorn in a rich coconut cream sauce, and the Beef Kare Kare, slow braised beef in a peanut and annatto sauce topped with crispy bagoong. For something plant-based, the Laing-Ka uses young jackfruit in a mint and coconut cream sauce with ginger flower, kaffir lime and tamarind - both vegan and gluten free.
Light Bites include Prawn Siomai, steamed prawn dumplings served with ginger soy dressing and chilli garlic oil, along with Lumpia - a Filipino spring roll filled with longganisa pork sausage, with a vegan option available on request. Pata Tim, pulled pork hock served in a steamed bao bun, rounds out the light bites selection.
Beyond the store and food truck, Hapunan caters for weddings and events, bringing their dishes to bigger celebrations across the region for anyone wanting to share Filipino food with guests.
Hapunan's Huapai store is open Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch service from midday to 3pm and dinner from 4pm to 8pm, and is closed Sunday and Monday. Located at 316 Main Rd, Huapai, it's also worth checking Hapunan's Facebook events page for where the food truck will be next.