Our complete Filipino Food Guide gives you an insight into the dishes served in the Philippines.
Food in the Philippines is in our opinion, not great compared to other Asian countries we have visited. They say the reason for this is the Spanish colonisation of the Philippines which was then taken over by the Americans. You would also think there would be great options for vegetarians and vegan but again there isn’t unless you want to spend more money and head to the western style restaurants. Having said that, there is tones of Spanish and American influence within their food. We hope you enjoy our Filipino Food Guide.
Filipino Foodie Words worth knowing
Ginataan means cooked in coconut milk. 🥥
Kilawimn means raw or vinegared seafood🦐
Inihaw means grilled meat or fish 🐟
Maanghang means spicy 🔥
Our Filipino Cusine Food Guide
Adobo
The national Philippine dish which is either chicken or pork or sometimes both. It is marinated in vinegar and garlic and stewed till tender.
Adobong Pusit
Squid or cuttlefish cooked adobo style.
Arróz caldo
Spanish style thick rice soup with chicken, garlic, ginger and onions.
Check out our Siquijor Travel Guide Here.
Batchoy
Broth containing onion, rice noodles, beef, pork and liver.
Balút
Boiled duck egg containing a partially formed embryo. Are you brave enough to try this local dish?
Bibingka
Sweet coconut cake.
Biko
Sweet sticky rice.
Calamares/Chicharon
Crispy fried squid.
Crispy Pata
Deep-fried pork hock or knuckles.
Dessert Lumpia-
sweetened bananas baked in lumpia wrappers, then drizzled with caramel and chocolate.
Goto
Rice porridge made with pork or beef innards.
Halo-Halo
Fruit Preserves served in shaved ice and milk.
Kaldereta
Hearty meat stew with potatoes, peppers and liver sauce.
Kare-Kare
Oxtail Stew.
Leche Flan
Caramel Custard.
Lechón
Spit roast whole pig served with liver sauce.
Lechón Kawali
Crispy fried pork.
Longganisa
Filipino sausage.
Lomi
Noodle dish.
Lumpia
Spring rolls filled with either meat or vegetables.
Mami
Noodle soup.
Menudo
Pork bits sautéed with garlic and onion and usually garnished with sliced hot dog.
Pansit Bihon
Thick or thin noodle soup.
Pinakbét
Mixed veg stew.
Pochero
Hotpot of beef. chicken, pork, Spanish sausage and vegetables, principally cabbage.
Rellenong Bangus
Fried stuffed milkfish.
Pork Sisig
Pork parts (often: head, liver, cheeks) mixed with onions, chiles, citrus, and egg.
Tapsilog
A modern compound combining three words: Tapa (dried beef), Sinangag (Garlic fried rice), and itlog (Fried Egg) usually eaten for breakfast.
Tocino
sweetened Cured pork.
Sinigang
Hot and sour soup.
Ukoy
Crispy shrimp fritters with tangy vinegar dipping sauce.
Fast Food
Filipinos love fast food and sometimes that is the only air-conditioned place around. Jollibee is their version of McDonald’s and the locals favourite. Many tourists opt for the traditional Mcdonalds/Subway or Greenwich Pizza.
Street Food
The cheapest option to eat in the Philippines is to try out street food. Many cities have BBQ stands down little streets with hundreds of meat on skewers for you to choose from. These can be as cheap as £0.40 a stick. We tried out many different types of chicken which were all delicious.
Pin our Filipino Food Guide for later!
All looks quite appetizing apart from the little canine!