Chef Eric Valdez, executive chef and partner at Naks in the East Village, showcases Filipino comfort food inspired by his mother and grandmother, with standout dishes like pancit batil patong—stir‑fried noodles with beef, fried egg, and pork chicharrón finished with spiced vinegar and onions. Part of the Unapologetic Foods group, Naks opened in December 2023 and reflects the growing visibility of Filipino cuisine amid New York City’s rising Filipino population, now near 100,000. Valdez emphasizes regional diversity in Filipino food—more seafood in the south and more vegetables in the north—and says he’ll keep championing the cuisine until it receives broader recognition.