Filipino Food: A taste of World Culture

The Philippines is one of the great melting pots of Asia. The interesting mix of Malay, Polynesian, and Hispanic cultures, along with some Chinese influence as well, result in a fascinating environment and history—and a delightful and unique cuisine.

Spectrum of Tastes

Like most Asian countries, rice is incorporated into every meal, including desserts. Filipino food incorporates a tasty combination of sweet, sour, spicy and salty. Dishes incorporate many of the indigenous tropical flavors such as coconut and tropical fruits. The Philippines is a true melting pot of cultures, and the cuisine is more than just food—when you’re having a meal in the Philippines, you’re sinking your teeth into many different cultures from both East and West. Sound tasty? You bet!

East Meets West

Filipino food is one of those rare combinations that effectively blends East and West, bringing the best of Spanish and Asian cuisine together; and is similar in that respect to the cuisine of Macau, which brings together Chinese and Portuguese food in a delightful mix. Filipino food is quite rich, often incorporating pork, with a particular treat being lechon, or roasted whole pig. Pork cooked in a tomato sauce base, or mechado, is very reminiscent of Mediterranean cuisine. But there’s no doubt that you’re in Asia when you’re eating here, with local touches often incorporated, such as a pineapple sauce used to flavor pork dishes, or a sour tamarind stew called sinigang that can include fish or shrimp. Chinese influence is evident in the many noodle dishes, and lumpia, which is a type of spring roll, and plenty of dim sum-like dumpling offerings.
If you’re lucky enough to be in the Philippines at Christmastime, you’ll find plenty of European-style delights, traditional cakes, and the customary roasted chestnuts, and ensaymadas dipped in chocolate.

National Dish

If you’re ever invited into a Filipino home, come with an empty stomach. Filipinos are friendly and generous, and are proud of their cuisine, and will very likely lay out several mouth-watering traditional dishes for you to sample. A trademark Filipino dish is chicken adobo, which you must try at least once, and you probably will. The tender chicken is cooked with a rich and flavorful sauce made from soy, onion and vinegar, and gives you a true taste of how Filipino food combines Spain and Asia for some of the most delicious treats you’ll ever sample.