Bacolod’s Mushu is Chef JP Anglo’s last hometown restaurant, which is a little surprising considering how big his name is in Filipino food. Sarsa blew up in Manila. Kooya took over Dubai. But in Bacolod? Just Mushu.
Maybe it’s because Bacolod locals refuse to pay Makati prices. Maybe it’s because Anglo is too busy surfing to open another spot. The guy’s out there riding waves like he’s gunning for a pro sponsorship, which is great for his mental health, but bad news if you’re hoping for a second Sarsa in Negros. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because the man looks exactly like Jo Koy, and Bacolod has had enough of the confusion?
But make no mistake about it, JP Anglo works his ass off and his Mushu still stands. The question is, is Mushu still worth it? Or is it just a holdover from the days when the famous Chef had more than one spot in Bacolod?
Let’s find out!
Table of Contents:
- Mushu Bacolod – The Last of Chef JP Anglo’s Hometown Restaurants
- The Story Behind Mushu
- What to Expect at Mushu Bacolod
- What I Ordered at Mushu
- How Mushu Stands on Its Own
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Bacolod’s Mushu: Final Thoughts
Mushu Bacolod – The Last of Chef JP Anglo’s Hometown Restaurants
JP Anglo grew up in Bacolod City, raised in a family that ran a restaurant. That early exposure to the industry led him to pursue a career in cooking, eventually making him one of the most recognized names in modern Filipino cuisine.
His first restaurants were in Bacolod, but his real breakout came with Sarsa in Manila, a restaurant that helped bring Negrense flavors into the spotlight. From there, he took Filipino food international with Kooya in Dubai, pushing innovative, yet straightforward Filipino flavors to a global audience.
When he’s not in the kitchen, Anglo is an avid surfer, often seen in La Union or Siargao. He’s said that surfing keeps him creative, comparing the rhythm of the ocean to the flow of a busy kitchen, both requiring timing, patience, and instinct.
In addition to his restaurants, he’s had a strong media presence, serving as a MasterChef Philippines judge and appearing in multiple food features. Despite building a name far beyond his hometown, Mushu remains his last standing restaurant in Bacolod.
Related Reading: Bizarre Filipino Food
Where to Stay in Bacolod City
Luxury Accommodations: – Stonehill Suites – Modern comfort meets elegance at Stonehill Suites. With spacious rooms, a rooftop bar, and a prime location, it’s a top choice for business and leisure travelers alike.
Mid-Range Accommodations: – Park Inn By Radisson – Stylish, comfortable, and centrally located, Park Inn by Radisson offers modern rooms, top-tier amenities, and easy access to Bacolod’s best shopping and dining.
Budget Accommodations: – The Suites at Calle Nueva – The Suites at Calle Nueva offers modern air-conditioned guestrooms with free Wi-Fi. It is a short 3-minute walk from City Hall, City Plaza and San Sebastian Cathedral.
Looking for other great places to stay in Bacolod City? Use the search bar below to find more options!
The Story Behind Mushu
Before Bacolod’s Mushu became Chef JP Anglo’s last remaining hometown restaurant, it was something else entirely. Founded on 07-07-07, Mushu started as an ambitious project by a group of seven young entrepreneurs, including Anglo. They wanted a place that fused Asian flavors with Filipino influences, but being young and full of energy, the restaurant quickly became more of a nightlife hub than a dining destination.
Even the name Mushu is up for debate. Ask Chef JP, and he’ll tell you it came from his favorite Chinese dish. Ask the female partners, and they’ll say it came from the dragon in the movie Mulan.
The Early Years – More Bar Than Restaurant
What started as a food-forward concept quickly turned into Bacolod’s go-to party spot. Mushu was known for massive MassKara Festival parties and some of the city’s wildest nights. At one point, there was even an inside joke that said,
“You haven’t been to Bacolod if you haven’t been to Mushu.”
While the food remained, the energy of the place revolved around drinks, music, and events. For years, Mushu thrived as a nightlife institution more than a restaurant.
The Shift Back to Food
As the owners got older, so did Mushu. Over time, the focus returned to food, but it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that the shift became permanent. With alcohol sales banned nationwide, the bar business died overnight. But Mushu stayed open, switching to takeout and delivery while other places shut down.
They never let go of a single employee. The same team worked through lockdowns, keeping Mushu running when many others couldn’t.
Mushu Today – A JP Anglo Kitchen with a New Expansion
While Mushu is co-owned, it is 100% a JP Anglo menu. Every dish, every menu update, all go through him. The restaurant may not be as wild as it once was, but it still carries the spirit of its early days, now fully centered around food rather than nightlife. But don’t worry, a full range of beers, cocktails and wines are readily available
However, Mushu is no longer a single-location restaurant. A second branch, Mushu The Row, has opened on Lacson Street inside The Row, Bacolod. While the original Mushu remains focused on food, this new location brings back elements of the bar-and-restaurant vibe from Mushu’s early days. It’s positioned as a more relaxed, “chill hangout spot”, according to Martin of The Bacolod food Hunters, offering both classic Mushu dishes and new menu items.
Martin Lachicha, one of the original owners, now runs day-to-day operations. But at its core, Mushu remains a place that grew alongside its owners, shifting from parties to plates while keeping the same DNA that made it a Bacolod institution.
What to Expect at Bacolod’s Mushu
Bacolod’s Mushu has a polished look but keeps things casual. It’s not a fine dining spot, but it’s also not the kind of place where people get rowdy. Most of the crowd consists of locals who eat here regularly, with a mix of first-timers drawn in by Chef JP Anglo’s name.
The main location leans more toward a restaurant feel, while the new Mushu The Row adds a second option for those looking for a more social setting with drinks. Both serve Chef JP’s menu, but the crowd and energy will depend on which one you visit.
Service is classic Bacolod. Warm, attentive, and efficient. The staff knows their regulars, but even if it’s your first time, they make you feel like you’ve been eating there for years. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, the experience is what Bacolod is known for, great food backed by even better hospitality.
What I Ordered at Mushu
Mushu Bacolod’s menu leans into Filipino flavors with Asian influences, balancing familiar comfort food with bolder, punchier dishes. Some are meant for sharing, but let’s be honest, I hoarded half of these like a selfish gremlin and didn’t look back. Here’s a look at everything I had on my last visit.
Crispy Dilis with Chili and Pineapple Glaze:
Crunchy, salty, and sweet anchovies with just enough heat to keep it interesting. Perfect for snacking or shoveling in by the handful.
Sizzling Cansi
Rich, sour, and loaded with bone marrow. You will definitely question why you don’t eat this more often.
Salt and Pepper Tofu
Crispy as hell on the outside, soft inside, and seasoned properly. A rare case of tofu not being a disappointment.
Batchoy
Thick, garlicky broth loaded with pork, liver and noodles. Not the best batchoy you will find in Bacolod but more than does the trick.
Inasal Sisig
Crispy, fatty, and smoky from the inasal-style grilling. If you’re eating this sober, respect, but also, why? Yes, I washed it down with a Mushu Bacolod margarita.
Fish Tausi
Flaky white fish in a salty, umami-packed black bean sauce. Simple, but it works and may be my favorite dish at Mushu.
Bang Bang Shrimp
Crunchy shrimp tossed in a creamy, slightly spicy sauce. Not reinventing the wheel, just making sure it rolls right and it beats the wheels off of any crab rangoon you will ever find
Banana Chocolate Spring Rolls
Fried bananas, melted chocolate, ice cream…..do I really need to sell this?
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How Bacolod’s Mushu Stands on Its Own
Does Bacolod’s Mushu still feel relevant? Absolutely. It still pulls in hardcore locals and traveling food lovers who know JP Anglo’s name is attached to it. In a city where restaurants come and go, Mushu has stayed a constant, not just because of its history, but because it continues to hold its place in Bacolod’s food culture.
People love to call Pampanga the food capital of the Philippines, but in my opinion, Bacolod takes that title easily. You won’t find a bad meal in this city, and that means the bar is set extremely high for every restaurant. The reason restaurants come and go, is the people of Bacolod won’t put up with meh food. They have a very strong mindset and if they experience the bad they will never return and tell everybody they know about it. Basically if you open up and make sub par food in this city, you’re guaranteed to be closed pretty quickly. Mushu isn’t chasing the title of best in the city. They’re just another example of why Bacolod’s food scene is as strong as it is.
Mushu is one of the few places in Bacolod I’ve returned to on multiple visits, and that list isn’t long. Some restaurants leave an impression the first time, but not all of them hold up when you come back. Mushu does. It’s consistent, the food’s fantastic every time, and it hasn’t lost its edge over the years. That’s not something you can say about every restaurant in a city where bad food doesn’t survive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Bacolod’s Mushu has two locations:
📍 Mushu Lacson (Main Branch) – https://maps.app.goo.gl/j9u9QmatyHdwmUvy8
📍 Mushu The Row (New Expansion) – https://maps.app.goo.gl/TqWURJikSwLxM4VW8
Weekend dinners are packed, so unless you enjoy waiting while other people eat, reserve a table. Your stomach will thank you.
It’s not cheap by Filipino standards, but every dish I’ve ever ordered was under $8 USD. You’re paying for quality, not hype, and it’s worth it.
All of them. But if you want a direct answer, the Fish Tausi and Sizzling Cansi are the standouts for me.
You bet your ass they do. The bar days might be gone, but you can still pull up for drinks and bar chow if that’s your vibe.
Bacolod’s Mushu: Final Thoughts
Bacolod’s Mushu has held its place in the local food scene for years. The food’s solid, the service is outstanding, and it remains a go-to for both locals and visitors.
There aren’t many restaurants I’ve made a habit of returning to, but Mushu is on that short list. Whether you’re here for the name attached to it or just looking for a good meal, this is a spot worth making time for.
If you’ve been to Mushu, let me know what you thought. Drop a comment, share your favorite dish, or tell me if there’s another Bacolod spot that deserves some attention.
