Are you planning to visit the Philippines or are you dating a Filipino and trying to get to know the foods in our culture? No worries, I’ve got you. Here is a list of some of the most famous dishes in the Philippines.
To be honest I had some hard time cultivating what the best Filipino Food are because all of the food is so good and make my mouth water.
From adobo, to lumpia, to sisig, this list of the Philippines most popular food will definitely help immerse you in the culture. And if you are Filipino, let me know if there’s anything I should add to this list!
Here it is, the Top 8 Most Popular Filipino Food that you must try
1. Adobo
Of course this had to be number 1 on our Filipino food list!
Considered the national dish of the Philippines, Adobo features meat (often chicken or pork) marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices, then braised until tender.
If you ever plan on visiting the Philippines or have a friend that is Filipino, you will for sure be introduced to Adobo. This is one of my favorite dishes, that is super easy to make!
Like most Filipino dishes this is best paired with rice!
Check out the Filipino Recipe Chicken Adobo!
2. Pancit
Pancit is one of the most popular noodle dishes in the Philippines.
It is typically stir-fried with vegetables, meat, and sometimes seafood. Varieties include Pancit Canton, Pancit Bihon, and Pancit Palabok.
Besides Adobo this is one of the more popular dishes. If you know a Filipino who just so happens to be a nurse, they will most likely bring pancit to work potlucks or celebrations. (I know this because my Moms a nurse and so is my boyfriend’s sister haha). Every Filipino party I have been to has pancit as this is a classic favorite Filipino dish.
This post is about the Top 8 Most Popular Filipino Food you must to try!
3. Lumpia
Classically, this Filipino dish, lumpia are Filipino spring rolls filled with a mixture of vegetables, meat (often pork or chicken), and sometimes shrimp.
They can be served fresh or fried and are often accompanied by a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
The ones that are more commonly eaten and paired with rice are the lumpia shanghai which are fried. For me lumpia is more of a side dish to pair with your overall meal.
4. Sinigang
This one may or may not be an acquired taste for most because of the sourness of the soup.
This Filipino dish is a sour soup is made with tamarind or other souring agents, combined with meat (commonly pork, beef, shrimp, or fish) and vegetables such as kangkong (water spinach), radish, and eggplant.
This is often eaten with rice (of course like most of our dishes). My favorite sinigang is pork singing 😀
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For real, halfway through this post and my mouth is already watering lol
5. Kare-Kare
Kare kare is a rich and flavorful stew made with oxtail, tripe, and/or pork hocks cooked in a peanut-based sauce, flavored with shrimp paste (bagoong) and served with vegetables such as eggplant, string beans, and banana blossoms.
I would describe it as a very thick soup, idk if it’s comparable to a chowder? In actuality this soup does not taste like peanut butter.
This is one of my FAVORITE Filipino dishes and not often introduced to or tried by non-Filipinos. In. my opinion, those who haven’t had it will either like it or not. But again, this is one that I recommend you try at least once 🙂
Don’t forget to eat it with RICE and you can pair it with the bagoong (only use a pinch small amount if its your first time trying it!)
6. Lechon
I didn’t wanna scare anyone off by posting a whole image but basically, lechon is a whole roasted pig. Traditionally cooked over an open flame or in a pit until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender and flavorful.
If you have ever been to a major Filipino celebration like a birthday, graduation party, wedding, they will probably have lechon.
I know I say this about every dish, but this is one of my FAVORITE Filipino dishes as well. Its skin is super crispy and the meat inside is so juicy and tender. This is best paired with the “brown” sauce. I think its usually Mang Tomas.
SO GOOD and of course even better with rice. But tbh I could eat it on its own as well.
This post is about the Top 8 Most Popular Filipino Food you must to try!
7. Chicken Inasal
This Filipino dish is grilled chicken marinated in a mixture of calamansi juice, vinegar, garlic, and lemongrass, resulting in a flavorful and juicy dish.
I used to have this all the time when I was on vacation with my family. Especially at Chicken Inasal (the restaurant) because they have unlimited rice. Another franchise is Bacolod Inasal (where my moms from) – also recommend trying it here.
The best is when they have the chicken oil and you lather it all over your rice and your chicken. Then you dip the chicken in a soy sauce or the chicken oil is just fine on its own!
Not kidding – you also have to try this if you’re planning on visiting the Philippines.
8. Sisig
Okay so this is a sizzling dish made from chopped pig’s face and ears, seasoned with calamansi juice, onions, and chili peppers. I try not to think about what it is made of LOL but this is for real so good so good.
When I was in school in the Philippines this is what I would get for lunch ALL THE TIME because it was only 80 pesos. Prob also why I gained a lot of weight in Pinas lol
Usually when you try it in a restaurant it comes out SIZZLING which makes it so appetizing. It’s often served on a hot plate and topped with a raw egg. Don’t forget to mix the raw egg into the sisig to let it cook!
If you want a “healthier sisig” I recommend Max’s tofu sizzling sisig!
This post is about the Top 8 Most Popular Filipino Food you must to try!
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