Imagine a cuisine with the solid base of Chinese cooking techniques, a whiff of subtle flavours from Malaysia, a dash of Indian spices and finally the sensuous salsas of Spanish cuisine. Don't you think that's a heady cocktail? Add to that the natural creative spark of the local people, abundance of naturally grown, farm fresh products and a constant supply of seafood.

In Philippines you will never be short of choices while eating out. The key is to be a little adventurous and go beyond the ‘Fish n' Chips' and ‘Spaghetti Napolitaine' orders and revel in the local flavours and customs.

Click here for a list of Accredited Restaurants in Philippines. Just reading this Philippines Cuisine and Food Guide will surely make you hungry! For more local information and suggestions on where to eat, take a look at our Boracay Restaurants. So, after some Shopping for presents from Philippines, relax in beautiful surroundings and taste a variety of dishes from the restaurant of your choice.

Philippines Cuisine & Food Guide

To the Filipinos, food is considered very important as it represents an integral part of local art, culture and communal existence. In the Philippines, people eat five times a day, and so it is not unusual to find many restaurants in the Philippines. In the following sections, we have attempted to give you a brief synopsis of teh cuisine of the Philippines.

The best way to experience a Filipino feast is to attend a salu-salo, a communal dining experience where amidst good humoured bantering and bonhomie, you'll witness people enjoying the simple pleasure of eating in company. So dig out that contact and get invited to a salu-salo by hook or crook. You can always reciprocate by taking a nice gift for the host but the effort is every bit(e) worth it. As an array of dishes capture your olfactory nerves with their delicious aroma, there's no looking back. Sample each dish with a connoisseur's aplomb and let your low carb diet simmer on the backburner.

Quick Reference Glossary

English                       Filipino

Rice                             Kanin
Maize                           Mais
Milkfish                        Bangus
Shrimp                        Hipon
Crab                            Alimango
Mackerel                    Galunggong
Clams                        Tulya
Mussels                     Tahong
Sausages                  Longganisa
Stir fried Noodles     Pancit
Rice noodles            Bihon

Filipinos are basically meat eaters with a large emphasis on seafood. Popular meats range from beef to lamb, pork and chicken. These are usually braised in quick stir fries, roasted or simmered into classic stews with unusual flavours. Fish can be served smoked, deboned and stuffed, deep fried or in the form of a sweet and sour dish. And there's always the best accompaniment to these dishes on the side - a bowl of simple fragrant boiled rice! It not only soaks up the elaborately prepared sauces but lends itself beautifully to the crisp vegetable textures too.

Gracing all Filipino tables are an array of veggies such as potatoes, carrots and yams that tease the palate and add a definite wholesome finish to any meal. Philippines also has a wealth of exotic fruits such as jackfruit, shaddock, durian, oranges, avocados, lanzones, papayas, and watermelon.

10 dishes you must try in Philippines

- Adobo: Chicken and pork simmered to perfection with soya sauce, vinegar and oodles of garlic.
- Kare-Kare: A stew of oxtail and beef in a velvety peanut sauce.
- Lechon: A succulent roasted pig or calf similar to Suckling pig, but oozing delicious oriental flavours.
- Kalderang Kambing: A delectable dish of goat in rich gravy.
- Fish Paksiw: Large fish cooked in a melange of vinegar and peppers.
- Sinigang: A melting pot of assorted seafood simmered with local spices akin to Bouillabaisse.
- Kamote-cue: Sweet yam coated with brown sugar and glazed to a caramelised finish on a skewer.
- Halo-halo: A chilled milk pudding garnished with an assortment of tropical fruits.