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What to eat in the Philippines? Check out the famous and delicious Filipino specialties to enjoy during your upcoming trip.
The Philippines, a beautiful country in Southeast Asia, is known for its stunning beaches, diverse mountain landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. Traveling here offers a unique experience with destinations like Palawan’s El Nido Bay, Bohol, and Manila.
However, an essential part of the Philippine travel experience is indulging in local cuisine. The variety of dishes, rich in flavors and made from fresh ingredients, will leave a lasting impression. Be sure to note down the following famous Filipino dishes for your upcoming food-tour adventure!
1. Tocino - Filipino Style Fried Pork
Tocino, a signature dish from the Philippines, consists of pork fried to perfection. The meat is sliced thinly and marinated for hours in a mixture of sugar, salt, garlic, and spices. Each well-marinated piece of pork is then fried in hot oil. Once cooked, the pork develops a distinctive crispy red outer layer and aromatic flavor. For the best experience, visit Mila's Tokwa't Baboy at San Andres St, Angeles, Pampanga.
2. Kinilaw - Filipino Ceviche
Kinilaw, a signature dish from the Philippines, is a delightful combination of fresh seafood and bold spices. Made with ingredients such as shrimp, mackerel, or tuna, this dish is "cooked" with calamansi lime and vinegar, creating a refreshing and tangy flavor. Visitors can enjoy this dish at Harbor View Restaurant in Manila, where they can savor the ceviche while enjoying the scenic view. The spacious atmosphere and fresh seafood make it an ideal spot to explore the unique culinary culture of the Philippines.
3. Sinigang - Sour Soup from the Philippines
Sinigang, one of the Philippines' most beloved dishes, is a popular sour soup that stands out for its unique and appealing taste. It is typically served with pork, beef, shrimp, or fish in a tangy broth made from beef ribs, tomatoes, onions, and tamarind. The broth's distinctive flavor is complemented by leafy greens, usually water spinach and spinach, adding depth and nutrition to the dish.
4. Kare-kare - Filipino Oxtail Stew
Kare-Kare is a must-try stew from the Philippines, blending local vegetables with tender beef, tripe, and oxtail to create a rich and savory flavor. The broth is slow-cooked with beef bones and seasoned with shrimp paste (Bagoong Alamang), giving it a distinctive fragrance and deep flavor. Each piece of meat is tender and flavorful, combining perfectly with the creamy sauce and fresh vegetables, offering a full and memorable culinary experience. Max's Restaurant in Metro Manila is a well-known spot to sample this dish.
5. Sisig - Filipino Pork Sisig
Sisig, a renowned Filipino specialty, is famous for its bold flavors and variety of ingredients. Traditionally cooked on a sizzling hot plate, the aroma of this dish fills the streets. Pork cheek is fried crispy along with scallions, vegetables, and a fried egg, creating its signature taste. This dish is often served with steamed rice or bread, making for a satisfying and nutritious meal. You can find Sisig at street food stalls all over the Philippines.
6. Adobo - Filipino Stewed Meat
Adobo is an iconic dish that cannot be missed when exploring Filipino cuisine. The secret to its special flavor lies in marinating the meat in soy sauce and spices, which makes each piece tender and flavorful. Once cooked, the sauce's savory aroma blends with a slight tanginess, creating a deliciously memorable culinary experience. Adobo is typically served with steamed rice or bread, making for a hearty and flavorful meal. No matter where you are in the Philippines, from high-end restaurants to street food stalls, you'll find Adobo.
7. Humba - Filipino Braised Pork with Banana Blossom
Humba, a Filipino delicacy, closely resembles Adobo but is uniquely cooked with banana blossoms and tausi (fermented black beans). This gives the dish a sweeter flavor compared to Adobo, yet it still maintains a balance of savory, spicy, and sweet. While Adobo is often made with various meats and vegetables, Humba is usually prepared with just pork. You'll encounter Humba dishes in eateries across the southern islands of the Philippines.
8. Lechon - Thịt Heo Quay Kiểu Philippines
Một trong những món ăn đặc sản mà bạn không nên bỏ lỡ khi đến Philippines chính là Lechon - một biểu tượng của ẩm thực quốc gia này. Lechon, hay còn gọi là heo sữa quay, là một món ăn truyền thống được du nhập từ thời kỳ Tây Ban Nha đô hộ. Thịt lợn được quay chín đều bằng than củi, tạo ra lớp da giòn, thịt mềm và ngọt ngào. Ở
Cebu, nơi được mệnh danh là trung tâm sản xuất Lechon hàng đầu thế giới, món này trở thành một phần không thể thiếu trong thực đơn của mọi nhà hàng. Du khách có thể dễ dàng tìm thấy những quán bán Lechon trên các con phố, và cũng có thể tham gia vào lễ hội riêng dành cho món ăn này để trải nghiệm sâu hơn về văn hóa và ẩm thực Philippines.
9. Pancit Guisado - Mì Xào Philippines
Món pancit guisado là một trong những món ăn đặc sản của Philippines mà bạn nên thử ít nhất một lần. Đây là một biến thể nổi tiếng của mì xào, thường được chọn làm món chính trong các buổi tiệc sinh nhật hoặc các dịp đặc biệt. Món ăn này thường được chế biến bằng cách xào mì với rau cải, thịt và hải sản, tất cả được nấu trong nước dùng thơm phức từ nước tương và nước mắm. Pancit guisado không chỉ là một món ăn ngon mà còn mang trong đó ý nghĩa về sự may mắn và cuộc sống lâu dài.
10. Sinangag - Cơm Chiên Tỏi Kiểu Philippines
One of the must-try Filipino dishes is sinangag, a garlic fried rice commonly served during traditional breakfasts. This dish is often made by stir-frying leftover rice from the previous evening with minced garlic and oil from adobo dishes, creating a unique and flavorful taste. The rice is carefully selected, usually long-grain, cooked, and fried until golden brown. Sinangag is typically paired with sautéed vegetables, curry, or braised chicken, making for a delicious and nutritious breakfast.
11. Balut - Filipino Balut Egg
When discussing Filipino specialties, balut is a must-mention, as it is a cultural culinary icon of the country. Balut is a fertilized duck egg, but unlike in Vietnam, where it is typically a snack, it is considered a breakfast dish in the Philippines.
Filipinos usually enjoy balut with white salt or vinegar mixed with garlic, chili, and onions, enhancing its flavor and offering a distinct culinary experience compared to the balut of Vietnam.
In addition to boiled eggs, balut can be prepared in various ways, such as stewed, fried, or used as a filling for pastries. Pateros, a small city in Metro Manila, is renowned as one of the best places to enjoy balut.
12. Lumpia Rolls - Filipino Lumpia Spring Rolls
If you're looking for a unique culinary experience in the Philippines, Lumpia Rolls is a must-try dish. Often found in cities with a significant Chinese community, Lumpia Rolls are made from finely chopped bamboo shoots mixed with minced chicken or shrimp, seasoned with spices, and then wrapped in a spring roll wrapper and fried to a crisp. Typically, this dish is served with spring onions and a traditional sweet dipping sauce. It's a key part of the Filipino food scene that you should definitely try during your visit.
13. Halo-Halo - Filipino Halo-Halo Dessert
No list of Filipino specialties would be complete without Halo-Halo. This unique tropical fruit dessert is a true Filipino favorite. The name 'Halo-Halo' means 'mix' in Filipino, and true to its name, diners mix together ingredients like ice cream, beans, jam, and coconut milk. Each bite offers a delightful range of flavors, from the rich creaminess of the ice cream to the crunch of the jam, the savory beans, and the sweetness of the fruit. Halo-Halo is not only delicious but also widely available and affordable across the Philippines.
14. Karioka - Filipino Rice Cake Skewers
Karioka, also known as rice cake balls, is a popular street food in Manila. These sweet, chewy rice cakes are perfect for recharging your energy after a day of sightseeing. Made from sticky rice flour, these rice balls are rolled in grated coconut and coated with a layer of caramel. The crispy, sweet caramel exterior surrounds the chewy rice cake, giving it a mochi-like texture. You can easily find this delicious treat at street vendors throughout Manila.
15. Bibingka - Filipino Baked Rice Cake
Bibingka is a traditional dish that holds a special place in Filipino culture, especially during Christmas. The cake is made from rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, eggs, and flour. In the past, bibingka was traditionally baked over a charcoal stove, but today, using an oven has become more common. To enhance its flavor, ingredients such as grated cassava, durian, condensed milk, and bananas are often added. With its delicious and nourishing taste, bibingka is definitely a must-try Filipino delicacy that visitors should not miss when traveling to the Philippines.
16. Suman - Filipino Sticky Rice Cake
Suman is a popular Filipino delicacy, a traditional cake made from sticky rice and coconut milk. The sticky rice is mixed with coconut milk, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until cooked. When ready to eat, simply unwrap the banana leaves to reveal the soft, smooth cake inside, and sprinkle a little sugar on top. The chewy rice blends perfectly with the richness of the coconut milk and the aromatic flavor of the banana leaves, making Suman a unique culinary experience that visitors shouldn't miss when in the Philippines.
17. Cassava Cake - Filipino Baked Cassava Cake
Cassava Cake is one of the traditional Filipino desserts you should try. Made from freshly grated cassava and coconut milk, it is then baked over a charcoal fire. This dish is not only easy to eat but also has the rich, creamy scent of coconut. With its smooth, golden-brown texture and sweet flavor, each bite of Cassava Cake is irresistibly delightful. Its perfectly balanced sweetness makes it a great treat for your taste buds, and being a street food, you can easily find it to try during your visit.
18. Leche Flan Philippines
One of the must-try delicacies in the Philippines is leche flan. This sweet dessert is made from eggs and milk. In the Philippines, leche flan is commonly served during celebrations or special events. With its smooth texture and delicious flavor, it is quite similar to the Vietnamese flan. You can enjoy leche flan in the traditional way, or pair it with fruits to enhance the taste.
19. Ube Halaya - Filipino Purple Yam Cake
Among the Filipino specialties, ube halaya is a standout. Its distinctive purple hue from purple yams makes ube halaya not only visually striking but also delicious. This dessert is made by combining purple yam with cream, condensed milk, coconut milk, butter, and sugar. The special feature of ube halaya is that it is typically served cold, offering a delightful and delicious experience for anyone who tries it.
20. Turon - Filipino Banana Spring Rolls with Caramel
Turon is a Filipino delicacy that you should definitely try. It combines ripe bananas, shredded jackfruit, and a smooth lumpia wrapper. After being fried to a golden crisp, the aroma of Turon fills the air. The special highlight of this dish is the sweet and rich flavor of the bananas, combined with the distinct taste of jackfruit and a touch of coconut syrup. The mild sweetness and richness will make you crave it from the very first bite.
21. Lechon Kawali - Filipino Crispy Pork Belly
Lechon Kawali is a must-try Filipino specialty when visiting the Philippines. This dish features roasted pork that is deep-fried after being cooked. It is typically served with vinegar and a spicy chili sauce. Lechon Kawali can be enjoyed as an appetizer or as a side dish. With its crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior, this dish will certainly give you a complete taste of Filipino cuisine's irresistible flavors.
22. Buko - Philippine-style Shredded Coconut Dessert
Buko is a quintessential Filipino dessert, found in various places from street vendors to restaurant menus. With just five simple ingredients—fresh coconut, gelatin, condensed milk, fresh milk, and pandan leaves—this dessert offers a refreshing and sweet flavor that will linger in your memory. The fresh coconut chunks, soft gelatin, and the sweetness from the condensed and fresh milk combine to create a delightful treat. Don't forget to grab a cup of buko while strolling along the beach!
23. Kamaro - Filipino Insect Dish
One unique Filipino delicacy that visitors should not miss is Kamaro, or fried crickets. This dish is prepared using crickets, which are first boiled with garlic, then sautéed with oil, tomatoes, and onions. The distinctive flavor of this dish comes from the aromatic garlic, the sweetness of the tomatoes, and the unique taste of the crickets.
24. Arroz Caldo - Filipino Rice Porridge
One of the famous Filipino dishes that you must try at least once is arroz caldo. This hearty chicken porridge is made from sticky rice infused with flavorful chicken broth, complemented with onions, garlic, and ginger. Shredded chicken, crispy fried garlic, and chopped onions are added to enhance the unique and appetizing flavor. Arroz caldo is not only the perfect breakfast choice but also a comforting dish for any occasion, helping to soothe feelings of boredom or fatigue. Beyond street vendors and restaurants, arroz caldo is also served as a 'comfort food' in the business lounges of Philippine Airlines.
25. Tsitsaron - Crispy Pork Belly Philippines
If you're seeking a unique culinary experience in the Philippines, Tsitsaron is a must-try dish. It primarily uses pork fat combined with some meat, which is then seasoned with salt and spices before being deep-fried until crispy. Crispy pork belly is often served with pickled green papaya and chili to balance the richness. You can find this dish at various street stalls along the roads of Manila.
Among the many Filipino delicacies featured by Mytour Vietnam, which one would you like to try the most? If you're planning a trip to the Philippines for an exciting food tour, don't forget to visit the Mytour blog for more helpful travel tips: Latest Philippines Travel Policy Update, Philippines & Kuala Lumpur DIY Travel Journey, 16 Beaches in the Philippines You Must Visit At Least Once in Your Life, Most “Instagram-worthy” Spots in the Philippines!!!, 9 Beautiful Photography Spots in the Philippines for Instagram Enthusiasts.
Which Filipino delicacy would you most like to try?
