Discover unique dishes that are rich in Filipino identity.
1. Tocino – Filipino Preserved Pork
Tocino, one of the Filipino specialties, is a flavorful preserved pork dish. The meat is sliced thinly and marinated with sugar, salt, garlic, and other spices for hours. Each piece of marinated pork is fried in hot oil. When cooked, the meat has a distinctive fragrant red crust. To enjoy the wonderful taste of this dish, you can visit Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy at San Andres St, Angeles, Pampanga.
2. Kinilaw – Philippine Raw Fish Salad
Kinilaw, one of the Philippine signature dishes, is a delicious combination of fresh seafood and rich spices. With main ingredients such as shrimp, mackerel, or tuna, this dish is “cooked” with calamansi lime and vinegar, creating a fresh and refreshing taste. Visitors can go to Harbor View Restaurant in Manila to enjoy the fish salad while enjoying the view. With an airy space and fresh seafood, this is an ideal destination to explore the unique cuisine of the Philippines.
3. Sinigang – Filipino Sour Soup
Sinigang, one of the top culinary specialties of the Philippines, is a popular hot pot with a unique and appealing flavor. Diners are usually served meats such as pork, beef, shrimp, or fish in a sweet and sour broth along with vegetables. The broth is made from beef ribs, tomatoes, onions, and tamarind, giving the dish its distinctive flavor. Vegetables, usually water spinach and bok choy, are added to the pot to add flavor and nutrition.
4. Kare-kare – Filipino Specialty (Stew)
Kare-Kare is a signature Filipino stew that you should try when traveling here. The dish is a combination of local vegetables with beef, tripe, and oxtail, creating an attractive flavor. The broth is simmered from beef bones and seasoned with Bagoong Alamang shrimp paste, bringing a unique aroma and irresistible rich flavor. Each delicious piece of meat is tender, combined with smooth broth and fresh vegetables, creating a complete and unique culinary experience. One of the restaurants specializing in kare kare that you can refer to is Max’s Restaurant in Metro Manila.
5. Sisig – Philippine Pork Sisig
Sisig, a Filipino specialty, is famous for its rich flavor and variety of ingredients. Sisig is usually prepared on a hot charcoal pan and the aroma of the dish wafts throughout the street. The crispy pork head is stir-fried with green onions, vegetables, and soft-boiled eggs, creating a unique flavor. This dish is often enjoyed with white rice or bread, creating a delicious and nutritious meal. You can easily find Sisig at all street food carts in the Philippines. Sisig is not only limited to pork, fish and chicken are also used.
6. Bibingka – Philippine Rice Cake (Baked)
Bibingka is one of the indispensable traditional dishes in the Philippines, especially during Christmas. The cake is made from rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, eggs, and flour. In the past, bibingka was often baked on a charcoal stove, but today, the use of ovens has become more popular. To make the cake more rich and attractive, people often add ingredients such as grated cassava, durian, condensed milk, and bananas. With its delicious and nutritious flavor, bibingka is a Philippine specialty that tourists should not miss when visiting this country.
7. Turon – Filipino Style Banana Turon Cake
One of the Filipino specialties worth trying is Turon. Turon is a delicate combination of ripe bananas, shredded jackfruit, and soft lumpia skin. After being fried until golden brown, Turon will give off a fragrant, attractive aroma. The special highlight of this dish is the sweet and fatty taste of bananas, combined with the characteristic taste of jackfruit and a little coconut syrup added. The sweet and fatty taste will make you unable to resist the first taste.
8. Kamaru – Fried Crickets in Pampanga
One of the specialties of the Pampanga, Philippines that tourists should not miss is kamaro – fried crickets. This is a unique dish made from crickets. The legs and wings of the crickets are boiled in garlic water, and then stir-fried with cooking oil, tomatoes, and onions. The characteristic flavor of this dish is a combination of the aroma of garlic and the sweetness of tomatoes, along with the unique flavor of crickets.
9. Balut – Fertilized Duck Egg
A balut is a fertilized bird egg, typically from a duck, which is incubated for 14 to 21 days, depending on local customs, and then steamed. The contents are consumed directly from the shell. If incubated longer, the embryo becomes more developed, with recognizable duckling features. The partially formed bones of the embryo are soft enough to chew and swallow whole. Balut is a popular street food in the Philippines and other regions, and it can also be found in stores and malls. It serves as an inexpensive source of protein and calcium. Balut was brought to the Philippines by Chinese traders.
What delicious and strange dishes are there in the Philippines? Contact H&L to join an English study abroad course in the Philippines. You will improve your English and enjoy delicious and unique food. What are you waiting for?
