"Kain na!” – a Filipino expression which means “Let’s Eat!”
Hey everyone….
How are you guys doing?
I’ve just noticed, we’ve been talking about food from different parts of the world. But there’s no post on Connect about Filipino food.
So here I’m introducing some of the indispensable Filipino dishes from my dashing experience in the Philippines from the last six years. Most of them are my favorites and I’ve learned to cook at least some of them. Almost all the dishes are non veg but the majority is a fusion of meat and vegetables.
Adobo
One of the most famous and widely available dishes in the Philippines. Made by stewing marinated chicken or pork in soy sauce and vinegar. I never miss out on adding veggies like carrots, potatoes and bell peppers when I cook it at home.
Bulalo
One savory soup like dish that I never say no to. Made with slow cooked beef with bone marrow inside. There will be plenty of veggies like baby corn, potatoes, beans and Chinese cabbage in the soup. I love the bulalo from here; Grillily
Bicol express
Hell of a spicy dish made with pork/chicken in coconut milk and lots of green chillies. Said to have originated from Bicol island. My Filipino friend from Bicol makes this dish often and I was very surprised to see Filipinos eating spicy food.
Chicken inasal
My mostly eaten and personal favorite of them all. Chicken marinated in vinegar, kalamansi, ginger and lemon grass is grilled to perfection. The chicken is eaten with rice, annatto oil and soy sauce. This combo is a rice stealer. I can always eat more than 4 cups of rice at a time.
Sisig
One of my most favorite dishes. A classic sisig is made with pork face, but I’ve eaten pork meat and milk fish varieties only. Stir fried meat is served hot on a sizzling plate with chillies. I love it when they add egg yolk on top which makes it creamier. My favorite sisig and Chicken inasal spot is Inasal in Las Pinas City.
Lechon
An always served dish at any Pinoy gatherings or fiesta. A full pig is roasted on a charcoal grill until the skin is crispy and the meat is juicy. I’ve got to watch the extraordinary way of preparation so many times.
Kare kare
A rich stew made with grinding peanuts and tomatoes. Originally made with oxtail but you can choose your choice of meat and the vegetables. My favorite is beef Kare kare.
Sinigang
A classic curry made with tamarind, a meat of choice mainly fish, and veggies. This one reminds me of sour and creamy Fish curry from my homeland Kerala.
Crispy pata
A scrumptious deep fried pork meat with perfect crispy skin and well cooked inside. The dipping sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and chillies brings it to another level.
Pancit Guisada
Sauteed Pancit (noodles), vegetables and meat with soy and fish sauce. I’ve had this one so many times from my Filipino neighbor, especially on birthday occasions. She says this dish is a symbol of long life.
Palabok
Made with bihon variety of Pancit. Topped with a gravy of prawns and fish sauce along with boiled egg and chicharon(crispy pork skin).
Ginataang Gulay
I love any dish with coconut milk. So this one is on top of my list. It’s a simple, easy to cook dish made by boiling veggies in coconut milk. I choose this dish when I need to take a break from all other meat-heavy dishes.
Menudo
A pork/beef curry like dish made with tomato paste and lots of veggies like potatoes and bell peppers. It is mildly spicy and sometimes made with liver too. As always I love the beef version.
Liempo
Grilled pork belly which I consider as the tastiest part of the pig. The meat, the fatty part and the chewy skin makes it a perfect combo for me with a glass of beer. The dipping sauce with kalamansi(lemon) and chillies makes it on the top. I love the liempo from here; Ranco Lorenzo.
Lugaw
I like this one because it reminds me of Kanji (a rice porridge) from my motherland. This one is usually served as a breakfast. It’s very flavorful with ginger, garlic, green onion and kalamansi.
Kaldereta
A fusion of beef and lots of veggies in a rich tomato gravy. I love the flavor of liver paste added to the spicy gravy which goes well with the rice.
Some facts I’ve learned in the past years about Filipino dishes;
- The dishes are incomplete without rice
- Dipping sauces play an important role
- They use unique ways of cooking that no part of the animal goes to waste.
- Considering Filipino history, we can see a lot of influence from Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Indian delicacies in these dishes.
It was really surprising for me to know most of their dishes are not sea food based even though Philippines comprises different Islands. I know I’m missing a lot of other dishes here. But this post is my impression on Filipino cuisines from my experiences. Going to miss all these wonderful foods when I’m going back to India.
Masarap talaga!!! ( Means Really Delicious in Tagalog)
Thanks in advance to everyone for the love and support.
dishes from Filipino. I would love to try theChicken inasal Recipe. Thanks for sharing Girl 
Thank you for sharing Di…
(for making me hungry!)