Filipino Dishes That Will Make You Wow!

Filipino dishes are loved by many. There are a lot of reasons why Filipinos love to cook. One reason is that it’s a way to express their love for the family and friends they’re cooking for, and another is because it’s an opportunity to show off their skills (and maybe even learn some new ones).

Filipino dishes mix different cultures, and spices are used daily. Some of our cuisines are indigenous, while traditional Chinese, Spanish, and American cuisines influence others. In this article, I’ll review some of the most popular dishes that Filipinos enjoy cooking and eating.

Here are some of the most popular Filipino dishes that you will surely love:

Filipino Dishes – #1 ADOBO

Adobo is a classic Filipino dish that’s easy to make and flavorful. It’s made by simmering meat in vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic, which gives it a tangy, salty taste—and the longer it simmers, the more tender the heart gets. You can use any meat for adobo, but traditionally it’s pork or chicken.

The process of making this dish is a stew with vinegar, garlic, soy sauce, and peppercorns. The meat is usually pork or chicken, but it can also be fish or vegetable. You can serve this dish with rice or throw a few vegetables in for good measure.

Filipino Dishes – #2 SINIGANG

When you think of Filipino food, you probably imagine all kinds of meat dishes, right? Sinigang is a popular dish in the Philippines, but not made with meat! Instead, it can be made with vegetables and fish, one of the country’s most popular ways to eat vegetables.

Sinigang is a traditional Filipino dish made by boiling various vegetables in a sweet and sour broth. The word “sinigang” translates to “sour soup,” which gives you an idea of how intense the sourness is to this dish is. The broth is usually made with tamarind juice or vinegar, including anything from eggplant to okra. The broth is traditionally seasoned with onions, garlic, and ginger root.

This soup is made from tamarind juice and is usually served with meat, fish, shrimp, and vegetables. It’s a great way to get your daily dose of veggies!

Filipino Dishes – #3 KARE-KARE

Kare-kare is a Filipino dish that combines meat, various vegetables, and a thick peanut sauce.

The most common meats used in this dish are beef and pork, but you can also find versions with chicken, goat, or shrimp. The vegetables in kare-kare include eggplant, string beans, green banana heart, cabbage, and carrots. The thick peanut sauce is usually made from ground-roasted peanuts mixed with water or coconut milk and seasonings like garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and shrimp paste (bagoong).

Another version of cooking this stew is with ingredients such as oxtail or ox tongue (the latter being more traditional). It’s a rich dish full of complex flavors that will satisfy you—and maybe even make you a little sleepy!

Filipino Dishes – #4 SISIG

Sisig is a dish made from pork or chicken cooked in vinegar and garlic, then chopped up into small pieces and served with onions and tomatoes. The dish is traditionally served with a raw egg on top and eaten with rice.

Some versions of sisig are made from pork parts, including the snout and ears, which are boiled for hours until they are tender. These are then chopped and mixed with onions, chilies, and spices. Some Filipinos best enjoy this dish with a beer or some orange juice—the acidity will cut through the dish’s richness!

Filipino Dishes – #5 BICOL EXPRESS

Bicol Express is a Filipino-style rice dish that originated in Bicol, Philippines.

It is a Filipino dish that combines the flavors of vinegar, soy sauce, and other ingredients to make a delicious pork dish. The dish has been popular in the Philippines for many years, but it has recently become trendy outside of the country as well.

This dish consists of meat cooked in coconut milk and chili peppers until tender and served over rice. It may also be served with fried eggplant slices as an appetizer before the main course.

Pinoy Foods – #6 PINAKBET

Pinakbet is a Filipino dish made of many different vegetables and greens. It is cooked with meat and shrimp paste and tastes very good. Pinakbet is a vegetable dish from the Ilocos region in the Philippines but has become famous throughout the country. Pinakbet is usually served as a main dish on Sundays or special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, although it can also be eaten any day of the week.

The dish’s main ingredients are vegetables and seafood. It can also serve as a side dish or a main course and be eaten hot or cold. It’s made from different vegetables, including eggplant, string beans, okra, tomatoes, onions, and cabbage. Other ingredients that may be added include shrimp paste (bagoong), shrimp crackers (puso), and pork cracklings (chicharron).

Pinoy Food – #7 TINOLA

Tinola is one of the Filipino dishes that people love. This Filipino stew is made with chicken, vegetables, and ginger. It’s traditionally served on special occasions or as a main course for a casual meal. It’s an easy soup that uses only a few ingredients but is still filling and flavorful.

Pinoy Food – #8 NILAGA

Nilaga, or nilagang baka, is a traditional Filipino dish with beef and vegetables. The dish’s name refers to the cooking process, which involves boiling ingredients in water until tender.

Nilaga can also be made with pork belly and other vegetables, such as bean sprouts, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, and onions, boiled together in water. This dish is usually served with rice and other side dishes such as fried chicken or fish.

Pinoy Food – #9 MECHADO

Mechado is a Filipino dish of beef chunks cooked until they become tender and fall off the bone. The meat is then sautéed with garlic, onions, tomatoes, green bell peppers, and spices like black pepper and bay leaves.

Mechado is a Filipino dish often made with beef but can be prepared with pork or chicken. This dish was traditionally served during special occasions like weddings and baptisms because it’s meant to be eaten with rice. But it has become more common on menus at restaurants throughout Southeast Asia.

Pinoy Food #10 CALDERETA

Caldereta is a Filipino dish that has its roots in Spanish cuisine. It’s a stew that traditionally uses beef but can also include chicken, pork, and vegetables. Caldereta is flavored with tomato sauce and sometimes coconut milk often served with rice on the side.

Caldereta is probably most similar to American stews like beef stew or chili—a hearty, warming meal perfect for colder months. However, it’s more commonly eaten year-round in the Philippines because of its popularity among street vendors and home cooks.

Food makes us all the same, no matter where we come from or where we live in this world. Food is universal, yet they have its distinct taste. The Philippines are well known for its delectable dishes you should not miss tasting during your vacation.

I hope that this article has helped you understand some Filipino dishes. It’s just a start to your ingredient list, but better than going into it blind. If you’re looking for a good recipe for Filipino cuisine, you may want to try Quintessential Filipino Cooking: 75 Authentic and Classic Recipes of the Philippines.

What are your favorite Filipino dishes? Let us know in the comments below!

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