Filipino Food: The Next Big Culinary Trend
While Filipino cuisine has been delighting taste buds for centuries with its incredible flavors, it’s finally stepping into the spotlight as culinary experts and restaurant forecasters predict it as the “next big thing.” This growing recognition is largely due to the country’s rich multicultural influences. Filipino food, shaped by its colonial history, has evolved into a unique fusion of Eastern and Western flavors, with some even describing it as “Asian fusion before Asian fusion even existed.” From crispy lumpia rolls to sweet leche flan, Filipino dishes showcase influences from Chinese, Spanish, and over 182 Indigenous groups.
Filipino food is not only simple to prepare but also a joy to serve and eat. Its bold flavors and diverse textures make it stand out. A typical Filipino meal includes a mix of vegetables, seafood, dairy, meat, and rice. During fiestas, food is beautifully displayed in every home, creating an inviting and appetizing feast. The aroma alone—thanks to a blend of vegetables, herbs, oils, citrus, and spices—is enough to captivate anyone. Filipino cuisine often relies on a few key spices that pack a powerful punch.
What Does Filipino Food Taste Like?
Filipino food is known for its combination of sweet, sour, and salty flavors. Unlike other Southeast Asian cuisines that heavily feature spices and heat, traditional Filipino dishes use garlic, ginger, bay leaves, and black pepper. Dipping sauces, or sawsawan, play a crucial role in Filipino cuisine. These sauces often include calamansi (a type of Philippine lime), soy sauce, vinegar, fish sauce, onions, garlic, and chilies. Rice is a staple in the Philippines, typically steamed and served with meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. Leftover rice is often fried with garlic to make sinangag, a popular breakfast dish paired with a fried egg and cured meats or sausages.
The State of Filipino Agriculture
Filipinos have a strong belief in using the freshest ingredients. Markets are bustling in the morning with people selecting freshly harvested produce, fish caught at dawn, and meat from local butchers. Despite challenges such as poverty, climate change, and inadequate infrastructure, the food system in the Philippines is improving. Thanks to nonprofit organizations and global initiatives like the United Nations and the Global Food Banking Network, agriculture, fishing, and poultry sectors have seen nearly a 5% increase in recent years. Filipino farmers and fishermen are dedicated to developing sustainable practices and modern technologies to secure a stable food supply.
Filipino Cuisine and Community
Food is an essential part of Filipino culture, often enjoyed family-style. This communal approach to dining emphasizes the idea that more is merrier, with everyone encouraged to serve themselves. Meals typically feature plenty of white rice, with various dishes served alongside it. Small bowls of vinegar, fish sauce, bagoong (fermented seafood sauce), and calamansi slices are provided to season the food to each diner's preference.
Popular Traditional Filipino Dishes
Adobo: No list of Filipino foods is complete without adobo. This beloved dish, which can be made with chicken, pork, or seafood, is cooked in a mixture of vinegar, salt, garlic, pepper, soy sauce, and other spices. Originally of Mexican origin, adobo was adapted by Filipinos as a way to preserve meat without refrigeration.
Lumpia: Influenced by Chinese cuisine, lumpia are delicious deep-fried spring rolls filled with a mixture of chopped vegetables and minced meat. Paired with the right sauces, these rolls are a flavorful treat that redefines spring rolls.
Inasal: This is a unique take on grilled chicken, marinated in lemongrass, calamansi, salt, pepper, and garlic, then brushed with achuete (annatto seeds) oil. The entire chicken, from drumsticks to liver, is grilled and served with garlic rice and a drizzle of the marinating oil.
Pancit: A versatile noodle dish that can be customized with various meats and vegetables. The name “pancit” comes from the Hokkien term “pian e sit,” meaning “something conveniently cooked.” Despite its simplicity, pancit is packed with flavor.
Sinigang: This sour stew, made with ingredients like spinach, eggplant, tomatoes, onions, ginger, and fish sauce, can be prepared with pork, beef, fish, or shrimp. It’s a mouthwatering stew that’s either enjoyed with rice or on its own as a hearty soup.
Arroz Caldo: This comforting chicken rice porridge, often garnished with hard-boiled egg, toasted garlic, and green onions, is the Filipino equivalent of chicken soup. Sold at street stalls, it’s a go-to dish for soothing colds and hunger alike.
Leche Flan: A popular Filipino dessert inspired by Spanish cuisine, leche flan is a creamy custard topped with a smooth layer of caramel. Its rich and sweet flavor makes it a standout treat.
