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Thali

🇵🇭 The food of the Philippines

55 dishes from the Philippines, best known first, across 9 cities and regions.

Filipino cooking brings together native traditions and influences from China, Spain, Mexico, and the United States, shaped by centuries of trade and colonization. Meals center on rice, with a balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors, and dishes range from simple salted fish to elaborate stews and roasts. Communal eating and adaptability to local ingredients define the cuisine.

  • Rice is eaten at almost every meal.
  • Adobo keeps well and improves with time.
  • Meals are served all at once, not in courses.
  • Spoon and fork are the main utensils.
  • Lechón is a centerpiece for fiestas.

The cooking of the Philippines

Filipino food reflects a mix of indigenous practices and outside influences. Austronesian roots show in the use of rice, tubers, and seafood, while Chinese traders introduced noodles and spring rolls. Spanish colonization brought tomatoes, peanuts, and new cooking methods, leading to dishes like adobo and paella. Later, American rule added fast food and processed items. Meals are often built around rice, with a focus on balancing sweet, sour, and salty tastes. Spices such as ginger, lemongrass, and tamarind add depth, and local fruits like kalamansi provide acidity. Food is usually served all at once, encouraging sharing and conversation.

Staple foods in the Philippines

Rice is the main staple, eaten at nearly every meal and used in both savory dishes and desserts. Other basics include fish (fresh, dried, or smoked), pork, chicken, and a variety of vegetables like eggplant, squash, and bitter melon. Vinegar, soy sauce, and shrimp paste are common seasonings. Native fruits such as kalamansi and pili nuts, as well as imported crops like tomatoes and peanuts, are widely used. Noodles and bread, introduced by Chinese and Spanish influences, are also part of everyday fare.

From region to region in the Philippines

Different regions have their own specialties shaped by local ingredients and history. The Bicol region is known for spicy dishes with coconut milk, while the Cordilleras use root crops and mountain vegetables. Muslim Filipino communities often feature spicier foods. Ilocano cooking highlights vegetables and fermented fish, while Kapampangan cuisine is famous for its rich, elaborate stews. Spanish and Mexican influences are stronger in Luzon and the Visayas, seen in dishes like mechado and afritada.

At the table in the Philippines

Meals are informal and often shared by family or friends, with all dishes placed on the table at once. Traditionally, people ate with their hands (kamayan), especially during gatherings or outdoor meals. Today, most use a spoon and fork, cutting food with the side of the spoon. Communal feasts, sometimes served on banana leaves, are common during celebrations. The knife is less used at the table, a custom dating to Spanish colonial times.

Festival and religious food in the Philippines

For fiestas and special occasions, families prepare elaborate dishes such as lechón (whole roasted pig), paella, and various stews. Rice-based sweets and delicacies are often made as offerings or treats during important ceremonies. Some dishes, like adobo, are valued for their ability to keep well, making them popular for gatherings and celebrations.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Filipino cuisine", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Cities and regions of the Philippines

Mindanao 3Ilocos 2Bicol Region 1Davao Region 1Leyte 1Mandaue 1Pampanga 1Pateros 1Visayas 1
MealBreakfastLunchTea timeDinnerSupperSnacks
KindMain dishStreet foodSoupStew or curryRice dishNoodle or pasta dishDumplingBreadGrill or roastSandwich or wrapPie or savoury pastrySalad or sideCheese or dairy foodSausage or cured foodSauce, pickle or fermentSweet or dessertDrink
DietVegetarianVeganFish and seafoodMeat
SpaghettiVegan 🇮🇹 Italy and 2 moreLong, thin pasta strands made from durum wheat and water Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner Hot chocolate 🇲🇽 Mexico and 5 moreA warm drink made from chocolate or cocoa, milk or water, and sugar Drink, Breakfast, Snacks Paella 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreRice cooked with meat, seafood or vegetables in a wide shallow pan from Valencia Main dish, Lunch Rice pudding 🇮🇳 India and 4 moreSweetened rice cooked in milk, found in many forms worldwide Sweet or dessert, Breakfast, Lunch Palm wineVegan 🇳🇬 Nigeria and 5 moreA lightly alcoholic drink made by fermenting the sap of palm trees Drink Inihaw 🇵🇭 PhilippinesGrilled meats and seafood, often on skewers, from the Philippines Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Oxtail stewMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreStew made with oxtail, found in many world cuisines Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner Christmas hamMeat 🇸🇪 Sweden and 3 moreCured ham served at Christmas, with local glazes and traditions Main dish, Dinner Puto bumbóngVegetarian 🇵🇭 PhilippinesPurple Filipino rice cake steamed in bamboo tubes for Christmas Sweet or dessert, Breakfast, Snacks TocinoMeat 🇵🇭 Philippines and 5 moreCured or fried pork enjoyed in Spain, the Philippines, and the Caribbean Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch BreadfruitVegan 🇵🇭 Philippines and 4 moreLarge tropical fruit cooked as a starchy staple in many island cuisines Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Laing 🇵🇭 PhilippinesTaro leaves and meat or seafood simmered in spiced coconut milk Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner Mu kropMeat 🇹🇭 Thailand and 4 moreThai-style fried pork belly with a crunchy golden skin Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Kinilaw 🇵🇭 PhilippinesRaw seafood or vegetables marinated in vinegar and citrus juices from the Philippines Salad or side, Snacks Cheesecake 🇬🇷 Greece and 5 moreA chilled dessert of sweetened soft cheese on a crumb or pastry base Sweet or dessert, Snacks Udonうどん / 饂飩 🇯🇵 Japan and 4 moreThick wheat noodles served hot or cold in Japanese cooking Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner ChorizoMeat 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreA seasoned pork sausage from the Iberian Peninsula, made in many regional styles Sausage or cured food, Breakfast, Lunch Fried rice 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreCooked rice stir-fried with eggs, vegetables, meat or seafood, and seasonings Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Congee粥 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreRice simmered in water to make a soft, comforting porridge Main dish, Breakfast, Dinner Empanada 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 morePastry turnovers filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables, baked or fried Pie or savoury pastry, Lunch, Dinner Satayꦱꦠꦺ 🇮🇩 Indonesia and 5 moreGrilled skewers of seasoned meat or seafood, often served with peanut sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner BalutMeat 🇵🇭 Philippines and 3 moreA fertilized duck egg incubated, then boiled and eaten from the shell Street food, Snacks Sponge cakeVegetarian 🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreA light, airy cake made with eggs, flour and sugar, often served plain or with fillings Sweet or dessert, Tea time Spring roll春卷 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA thin wrapper rolled around vegetables or meat, served fried or fresh Main dish, Snacks, Lunch Chicken soupMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 4 moreA hot soup of chicken simmered with vegetables, noodles or grains Soup, Lunch, Dinner Crème caramelVegetarian 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreCustard dessert topped with a layer of liquid caramel Sweet or dessert RendangMeatRandang 🇮🇩 Indonesia and 4 moreMeat simmered with coconut and spices until coated in a rich, dry sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Baozi包子 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreSteamed wheat buns filled with meat or vegetables, common across China and beyond Main dish, Breakfast, Snacks Wonton云吞 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreChinese dumplings with a thin wrapper, filled and served in soup or fried Dumpling, Lunch, Dinner Zongzi粽子 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreSticky rice parcels with sweet or savoury fillings, wrapped in leaves and steamed or boiled Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Snails as foodMeat 🇲🇦 Morocco and 5 moreLand and sea snails prepared and eaten in many world cuisines Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Adobo 🇵🇭 PhilippinesMeat, seafood, or vegetables simmered in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and spices Main dish, Lunch, Dinner TurrónVegetarian 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreHoney and nut nougat, shaped into bars or cakes, enjoyed at Christmas in Spain and Italy Sweet or dessert, Snacks EdamameVegan枝豆 🇯🇵 Japan and 3 moreYoung green soybeans boiled or steamed in their pods, often served salted Main dish, Snacks, Lunch Halo-halo 🇵🇭 PhilippinesA layered Filipino dessert of crushed ice, milk, and sweetened fruits and beans Sweet or dessert Jian duiVegetarian 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreFried glutinous rice balls coated with sesame seeds and filled with sweet paste Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time Adobo 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreA marinade or sauce of paprika, garlic, salt, vinegar and spices from Iberia Sauce, pickle or ferment Arròs negreFish or seafood 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreRice cooked with squid ink, cuttlefish or squid, and seafood broth Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Polvorón 🇪🇸 Spain and 4 moreCrumbly Spanish shortbread made with flour, sugar, milk, and nuts Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks Shumai烧卖 / 燒賣 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreChinese dumplings filled with seasoned meat, often served as dim sum Dumpling, Breakfast, Lunch Chicharrón 🇪🇸 Spain and 6 moreCrispy fried pork belly or skin, enjoyed as a snack or dish in many countries Street food, Snacks, Lunch Lamian拉麵 🇨🇳 China and 3 moreHand-pulled wheat noodles stretched into long strands Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner Twelve GrapesVegan 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreA Spanish New Year’s Eve custom of eating twelve grapes at midnight Sweet or dessert Oyster omelette 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA chewy egg and oyster dish fried with starch, popular across East and Southeast Asia Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Cha siu baoMeat叉燒包 🇨🇳 China and 2 moreCantonese steamed or baked buns filled with barbecue-flavored pork Street food, Lunch, Snacks Ginger teaVegan 🇮🇩 Indonesia and 5 moreA hot drink made by steeping ginger root, often with tea, sweetener or milk Drink, Breakfast, Snacks Ensaïmada 🇪🇸 Spain and 2 moreSweet, coiled bread from Mallorca made with flour, eggs, sugar and pork lard Bread, Breakfast, Snacks PandesalVegetarianpan de sal 🇵🇭 PhilippinesSoft Filipino bread roll, lightly sweet and often eaten hot for breakfast Bread, Breakfast
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