Summary of Filipino Cuisine
Filipino Food: 20 Best Dishes to Try in the Philippines
The Philippines is probably one of the most popular destinations in South-East Asia. Roughly eight million tourists visited the Philippines in 2019 and they spent more than $11 billion inside the country.
There is no doubt that the beaches and culture are the main reasons for this, but Filipino food is another big draw. The Philippines offers numerous culinary experiences, combining Asian and European influences for truly unique flavors.
Traditional Filipino Food
When you are in the Philippines, it can be difficult to know what to order and understand exactly what all the dishes are. The most common questions are:
- What are the most popular dishes in the Philippines?
- What are the best meat and vegetable dishes with Filipino ingredients?
- What should you order if you like stews and desserts?
By answering these questions, you can broaden your horizons by sampling the cuisine of one extraordinary country. Here are 20 spectacular dishes from the Philippines.
1. Chicharon (Deep-Fried Pork Belly)
You may have heard of Chicharon from Spain. The term “Chicharron” refers to deep-fried pork rinds that people eat as a snack or a quick appetizer.
In the Philippines, you can find deep-fried pork rinds in stores and restaurants. However, the term is broader, referring to deep-fried appetizers made with different meats.
Chicharon has many variations. Chicharon Manok consists of deep-fried chicken skin, while Chicharon Bulakak is a deep-fried intestinal membrane. Restaurants typically serve Chicharon with vinegar to add a sour flavor to the dish. Check out this traditional recipe of Chicharon that you can make at home with ease.
2. Lumpia (Spring Rolls)
Lumpia are Filipino spring rolls. They are similar to spring rolls you may find in Vietnamese cuisine.
These rolls use a very thin crepe as a wrapper. You can fill your rolls with different Filipino ingredients, including dried fruits. The rolls are then deep-fried and served with vinegar. If you want a little sweetness, you can dip them into banana ketchup. You can enjoy them alongside Chicharon or on their own. Make these amazing Spring Rolls for your next appetizer!
3. Balut (Fertilized Duck Egg)
Balut is perhaps the most infamous food in the Philippines. Chefs prepare balut by fertilizing and incubating duck eggs for a few weeks, then boiling the eggs and serving them to customers, who eat the embryos from their shells. The embryos are seasoned with salt and chilis, and some restaurants may sauté them and serve them with vegetables.
Many find balut challenging due to its appearance and nature, as it may contain bones or feathers. However, most residents of the Philippines enjoy it, and it can be found in many restaurants at low prices.
4. Torta (Omelette)
Torta is another Filipino dish with roots in Spain. In Spanish cuisine, it is a general term that refers to many dishes, while in Filipino cuisine, it specifically refers to omelets. Torta typically contains scrambled eggs and various other ingredients, including ground meat and vegetables.
Many restaurants offer their own styles of torta. Tortang Alimasag resembles crab cakes, with egg and sautéed crab meat served inside the crab shells. You can enjoy torta for breakfast or lunch, often paired with a salad or fried potatoes. This Torta recipe is perfect for trying at home.
5. Longganisa (Sausage)
Longganisa is considered by many Filipinos to be the best local food. It is a popular breakfast dish but can also be enjoyed at lunch.
This spiced pork sausage boasts unique flavors due to an array of spices and ingredients, which might include brown sugar, saltpeter, and paprika.
There are two main variants of Longganisa. A Longganisa de Recado is savory and spicy, while Longganisa Hamonado is sweeter and may contain brown sugar or dried fruits. Both can be enjoyed by themselves or as part of a complete dish, often served with fried rice and vegetables in the morning.
6. Adobo
Adobo is another significant dish in the Philippines. It is a national dish that you can find almost everywhere in the country.
Chefs create Adobo by marinating proteins and vegetables in sauces such as a mix of vinegar, soy sauce, black pepper, and garlic before simmering them on low heat until a thick sauce forms.
Vegetarians can opt for Adobong kangkong, a non-meat version that features water spinach, while meat eaters may enjoy the classic dish with their choice of protein and rice. It’s a dish you should not miss, whether in the Philippines or at home.
7. Lechon (Roasted Pig)
Lechon is commonly found at holiday gatherings and is a highlight at Filipino fiestas. It is a pig roasted over a fire while being turned on a spit, a process that involves communal participation, making it a joyous occasion.
Some enjoy Lechon on its own, while others serve it with a liver sauce made from vinegar, garlic, and breadcrumbs or stuffed with spices like lemongrass.
You may also come across Lechon Manok, which refers to spit-roasted chicken available at stores or events. When discussing “lechon” in the Philippines, most refer to the roasted pig.
8. Sinigang (Tamarind Soup)
Sinigang is a beloved Filipino stew, primarily featuring tamarind fruit, which lends it a naturally sour flavor that pairs beautifully with savory meats and tangy fish sauce.
This dish can be prepared with various proteins or as a vegetarian option, often featuring shellfish like shrimp. While achieving the perfect balance of flavors may be challenging, this recipe provides a great starting point.
9. Kare-Kare (Oxtail and Peanut Sauce Stew)
Kare-Kare is more akin to a curry than a stew, originating from South Indian chefs who settled in the Philippines during the British occupation. The dish, known as “Kari-Kaari,” evolved into Kare-Kare.
This dish features meats and vegetables simmered in peanut sauce for extended periods. Traditional ingredients include uncommon cuts like oxtail and pork trotters, served alongside vegetables and plain white rice.
10. Bicol Express (Spicy Pork Stew)
Bicol Express hails from the Bicol region, known for its spicy cuisine. This creamy stew incorporates coconut milk and chilis, with chefs cooking pork belly and shrimp paste in the spicy coconut mixture for hours. It is best served with rice.
11. Inihaw na Liempo (Grilled Pork Belly)
If stews aren’t your preference, Inihaw Na Liempo is an excellent alternative. It involves marinated pork grilled over charcoal.
The pork may be marinated in garlic, soy sauce, and chilis, then served with a flavorful dipping sauce made from the same ingredients. These flavors can be powerful; therefore, they are best enjoyed with rice or noodles.
12. Bangus (Milkfish)
Bangus, also known as milkfish, is considered the national fish of the Philippines. Its tender meat makes it ideal for grilling or baking.
You can find Bangus in a variety of locations, including Cebu City. Grilled Bangus often comes with various stuffings like chopped onions and tomatoes. Alternatively, Paksiw Na Bangus refers to milkfish cooked in vinegar and chopped garlic for extended periods.
13. Tinapa (Smoked Fish)
Tinapa is the term for smoked fish in the Philippines, with a variety of fish types, including milkfish, being smoked for hours. Chefs brine the fish in salt to enhance its flavors.
This dish is a common breakfast item, often paired with eggs and tomatoes, and can also be found in stews and vegetable-based soups.
14. Kinilaw (Filipino Ceviche)
Ceviche consists of raw fish cured in citrus juices and vinegar to keep the fish fresh while killing harmful bacteria.
Kinilaw is the Filipino version of ceviche, typically using fish like Bangus, yellowfin tuna, or shellfish. Its tender and salty flavor creates a satisfying dish. Alternatively, you might enjoy Kilawin, which consists of marinated meats cooked in vinegar mixtures—ideal for those who prefer not to eat raw meat.
15. Batchoy (Noodle Soup)
Batchoy, a noodle soup, is particularly popular in La Paz but can be found throughout the Philippines. It is prepared with egg noodles in a flavorful pork and beef broth, including tender pieces of pork and chopped liver.
La Paz Batchoy often features additional ingredients like fried garlic and raw eggs, which cook when mixed into the hot broth.
16. Silog (Fried Rice)
Silog is a fried rice dish always accompanied by meat. The combination of the dish usually describes the meat used—Cornsilog contains corned beef, for example, while Hotsilog features hot dogs.
This popular breakfast option can be enjoyed with a vinegar dipping sauce, just like many other Filipino meals.
17. Halo-Halo (Shaved Ice Dessert)
Halo-halo has grown in popularity outside the Philippines, resembling a yogurt parfait, albeit using condensed milk instead of yogurt. It incorporates coconut, sugar plum fruit, and plantains layered in a glass, topped with crushed ice and custard.
18. Kakanin (Sticky Rice Cake)
Kakanin encompasses any dessert made with glutinous rice paste. Puto, a steamed rice cake, can incorporate fruit juice for colorful variations, while Kutsinta features lye to create a sticky and chewy texture.
If cakes aren’t your preference, consider Suman, a porridge made from glutinous rice and coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves, which adds subtle hints of flavor.
19. Taho (Sweet Tofu)
Taho is a popular variant of Chinese douhua, fresh tofu custard, often sold by street vendors in suburban areas.
This treat is topped with simple syrup and may include sago pearls—similar to tapioca—and occasionally cut fruit with flavored syrups. The custard is whipped until liquid, allowing for various eating styles—either sipping from the bowl or scooping with a spoon.
20. Ube (Purple Sweet Potato)
Ube is a distinctive purple sweet potato popularized on social media, particularly among food bloggers. It is used in many desserts across the Philippines.
Ube Halaya is a jam made by boiling and mashing Ube, often used in cakes and cookies or served over ice cream, especially vanilla flavors.
The Best Filipino Food
Filipino cuisine is more than meets the eye. Grilled and marinated meats form the basis for several appetizers, including balut. Curries and soups often serve as the centerpieces of Filipino meals, while roasted pig is a staple at parties and holiday gatherings.
If you enjoy seafood, sampling ceviche and salt-cured dishes is a must. Light yet flavor-packed desserts like Halo-halo and Ube showcase some of the Philippines’ cultural exports that are loved by locals and visitors alike.
If traveling to the Philippines is on your bucket list, consider trying some of these Filipino dishes at home first to familiarize yourself with the culinary delights that await you.
Plan Your Trip to the Philippines with These Resources
Make your travel planning more efficient with these useful resources:
