best filipino dishes list

11 Best Filipino Dishes You Need to Try

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We can be poetic about Filipino dishes all day. And the best part, we all love Filipino food. We love the way it smells, the way it tastes, and the way it makes me feel. It is a reflection of my culture and my heritage. So, we created a list of the best Filipino dishes.

We’re not alone in our love for Filipino food. And many others feel the same way. You can also find websites and social media accounts celebrating Filipino dishes. If you’re ever homesick or want to try something new, check out some of these resources. And, of course, read our list of Filipino dishes.

Filipino Dishes List

  1. Sinigang na Baboy
  2. Pinakbet
  3. Pork Menudo
  4. Chopseuy
  5. Lechon Paksiw
  6. Bicol Express
  7. Dinuguan
  8. Adobo
  9. Tinolang Manok
  10. Pork Sisig
  11. Kare-kare

Some of Our Favorite Filipino Dishes

Food in the Philippines is as diverse as its culture. Traditional Filipino food is a delicious mix of Spanish, Chinese, and Malay influences.

One of my favorite Filipino dishes is sinigang, a tamarind-flavored soup typically made with pork or shrimp. Another dish I love is Adobo, chicken or pork in vinegar, garlic, and soy sauce. No matter your taste, you’ll find a dish in the Philippines that you’ll love! Enjoy our favorite Filipino dishes list.

Sinigang na Baboy

Sinigang na Baboy
The ultimate pinoy comfort food is sinigang na baboy! It is filling and tasty on its own or when paired with steamed rice. It is made with pork ribs, veggies, and a broth flavored with tamarind. You’ll undoubtedly love this sinigang na baboy recipe for these very reasons.
Check out this recipe
sour pork soup

Food in the Philippines Sinigang na baboy is one of the best Filipino dishes. It is a traditional Filipino sour soup with pork and vegetables as the main ingredients. You can serve this with rice. The soup is typically very sour and has a strong flavor. You can cook this with tamarind, but you can also use other sour fruits, such as kamias or calamansi.

Sinigang na baboy is a popular dish in the Philippines and is often eaten for special occasions. It is a comfort food for many Filipinos and will surely please everyone at the table.

Thanks to its delicious flavor and simple ingredients, this Filipino cuisine is one of the most iconic Filipino dishes.

Pinakbet

Pinakbet Recipe
Pinakbet is a hearty Filipino vegetable stew made of an assortment of vegetables and root crops in the Philippines, with pork as the meat of choice. This healthy dish is best served as the main entree, with steamed rice, or as a side to grilled meat or fish.
Check out this recipe
filipino food pinakbet

Regarding Filipino food, there are few dishes more iconic than pinakbet. You can find this traditional dish in the Ilocos Region. It is made with vegetables and meat cooked in a shrimp paste-based sauce.

While the exact main ingredients can vary depending on the province, some of the most common include eggplant, squash, and bitter melon. The result is a hearty and flavorful meal that is as nutritious as delicious.

For many Filipinos, pinakbet is a comfort food at its finest. It is the perfect dish to enjoy on a fantastic evening or to share with friends and family. Whether you are looking for a taste of home or a new culinary adventure, pinakbet is sure to please.

Pork Menudo

Pork Menudo Recipe
Filipino menudo, also is a traditional stew dish cooked made of pork and sliced liver simmered in tomato sauce with carrots and potatoes. The dish is often referred to as ginamay or ginagmay. Contrary to the traditional Mexican dish of the same name, this dish does not include tripe or red chile sauce.
Check out this recipe
how to cook pork menudo

Pork menudo is a traditional Filipino dish renowned for its delicious flavor and tantalizing aroma. The main ingredients are pork, pig liver, hotdog, onion, garlic, and tomato sauce.

You can serve this dish with rice for dinner or lunch. Pork menudo is a popular dish in the Philippines. You can serve this at special occasions such as weddings and parties. The dish is also a favorite of Filipino families and is often eaten on weekends or holidays.

Pork menudo is a delicious Filipino dish that everyone should try.

Chopseuy

Chopsuey Recipe
Chop suey typically contains meat and vegetables including chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, quail eggs, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, bell pepper, young corn, and pak choi. The dish also contains a thick sauce. 
Check out this recipe
vegetable chopsuey recipe

Chopseuy is a traditional Filipino dish popular among locals and tourists. This Filipino dish contains fresh vegetables, including chicken, shrimp, and pork. You can typically serve Chopseuy with rice, making it a complete meal.

The main ingredients in chopseuy are usually garlic, onions, tomatoes, and peppers. Chopseuy is a healthy dish that is low in fat and calories. The dish is also relatively easy to cook, making it a popular choice for busy families. Chopseuy is a versatile dish you can serve with various side dishes.

It is also a popular choice for potlucks and parties. This Filipino cuisine is famous for its unique flavor and is one of the most popular dishes among locals and tourists.

Lechon Paksiw

Lechon Paksiw Recipe
For Filipinos, lechon gives life to the group and party as a whole. A proper celebration for Filipinos always includes a lechon. Whether the gathering is small or large, one usually roasts an entire pig for the occasion. 
Here’s an amazing lechon paksiw recipe: 
Check out this recipe
lechon paksiw recipe

Lechon paksiw is a traditional Filipino dish made by cooking a roasted pig in soy sauce and vinegar. It is a popular dish in the Philippines and is often served on special occasions.

You can make lechon paksiw by simmering the leftover roasted pig in soy sauce, vinegar, and water. The resulting dish is hearty and flavorful, and the pork often falls off-the-bone tender.

You can enjoy Lechon paksiw with rice for lunch and dinner. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Filipino dish to perform at your next party or you’re simply looking for something new to try, lechon paksiw is guaranteed to please.

Bicol Express

Bicol Express Recipe
When you think of completing a Bicol Express recipe, what’s the first image that comes into mind?
Most likely, you think of a creamy pork dish from the Southern Philippines with lots of spicy local chili or siling labuyo. Well, congrats because you’re not far off from that description!
Bicol Express refers to a simple yet delicious dish made of our two favorite ingredients: pork and gata or coconut cream.
Cooks make it even more delightful by adding that extra oomph from chili. If you love this combination, we present this creamy and spicy recipe that takes you beyond your wildest food dreams.
Check out this recipe
easy bicol express recipe

Regarding Filipino food, there are few dishes as iconic as Bicol Express. You can prepare this traditional dish with pork, shrimp paste, chili peppers, and coconut milk.

You can simmer all the main ingredients in coconut milk until you cook the mixture, resulting in a rich and flavorful stew. Afterward, you can serve Bicol Express over steamed rice for a complete and hearty meal.

While it is certainly not for the faint of heart, Bicol Express is a delicious and spicy dish many Filipino families enjoy.

Dinuguan

dinuguan ulam

Dinuguan is a famous Filipino dish traditionally made with pork blood and intestine. The main ingredients are simmered in vinegar and garlic until cooked through. You can serve this dish with rice, and you can also eat it with puto.

Dinuguan is a popular dish in the Philippines. You can serve this dish on special occasions like weddings and holidays.

Dinuguan is a traditional Filipino dish and one of the best Filipino dishes.

Adobo

adobo pinoy ulam

Adobo is a famous Filipino dish typically consisting of chicken or pork cooked in soy sauce and vinegar. The dish is thought to have originated in the Philippines, and it remains one of the most popular dishes in the country today.

You can typically make Adobo with chicken as the main ingredient, but you can also make it with fish, vegetables, or tofu. You can serve this dish over garlic fried rice with green onions and black pepper.

While there are many variations of Adobo, the Adobo ingredients remain the same: soy sauce, vinegar, and chicken or pork. As a result, Adobo is a dish anyone can enjoy, regardless of their dietary preferences.

Tinolang Manok

tinolang manok filipino dishes list

Tinolang manok is a famous Filipino cuisine that originated in the Philippines. It is a chicken soup dish cooked with ginger, onion, garlic, fish sauce, and green papaya as the main ingredients. Tinolang manok is a popular food in the Philippines because it is healthy and flavorful. You can serve Tinolang Manok with rice for lunch or dinner.

Tinolang manok is a simple dish with ingredients readily available in the Philippines. The dish is also inexpensive, making it a popular choice for families on a budget.

Tinolang manok is a delicious and nutritious way to eat chicken that will surely please everyone in the family.

Pork Sisig

pinoy pork sisig

Pork sisig is one of the best-known Filipino dishes, and it’s easy to see why. You can traditionally make this dish with pork belly, roasted until crisp and then chopped into small pieces. Alternatively, you can make this traditional Filipino dish with pork shoulder, pig ears, and chicken liver as its main ingredients.

The pork is then mixed with onions, chili peppers, and other seasonings and served with vinegar and soy sauce as a dipping sauce. The resulting dish is rich and tangy, making it a perfect match for rice.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional Filipino meal or something new, pork sisig is an excellent choice.

Kare-kare

kare kare filipino dishes

Kare kare is a famous Filipino food typically made with stewed oxtail, beef or pork, vegetables, and peanut sauce. The dish is thought to have originated in the Philippines. You can often serve this dish as a main course.

Adding vegetables such as eggplant, string beans, and bok choy to the dish is also common. You typically cook Kare kare in a clay pot, which helps to infuse the food with flavor. After that, you can serve this dish with rice, shrimp paste, or fish sauce as a dipping sauce.

Kare kare is a hearty and flavorful dish that will satisfy any appetite.

  1. Champorado
  2. Halo-halo
  3. Puto
  4. Maja Blanca
  5. Pan de sal
  6. Leche flan
  7. Suman
  8. Arroz Caldo

Filipino food is unique and famous all over the world. The most famous and delicious dishes include champorado, halo-halo, puto, and suman.

Champorado is a chocolate rice porridge served for breakfast or as a snack. In contrast, the Halo-halo is a cold dessert that consists of shaved ice, fruits, beans, and sweetened condensed milk. Puto is a steamed rice cake with many flavors, such as cheese or ube. Lastly, suman is a sweet rice pudding usually wrapped in banana leaves.

These are just some of the many delicious and famous food dishes from the Philippines! Enjoy our Filipino dishes list.

Champorado

Champorado Recipe
Ready to dig into the perfect bowl of champorado? Hold your spoon. We know the wait can be infuriating, but you have to be patient. After all, good champorado comes to those who wait.
Check out this recipe
champorado

Champorado is a traditional Filipino food with glutinous rice, chocolate, and milk. You can serve this for breakfast or a snack with tuyo (dried fish) as your side dish. You cook the rice in water until it becomes soft, then add the chocolate and milk to create a thick and rich sauce. Champorado is a popular food in the Philippines, and its unique flavor has made it a favorite among locals and visitors. If you’re looking for something different, be sure to give champorado a try!

Halo-halo

Halo-halo is a popular Filipino dessert made with shaved ice, condensed milk, and various fruits and beans. The name halo-halo means “mix-mix” in Tagalog, and the dish mixes sweet and savory flavors. Halo-halo typically includes:

  • Jackfruit.
  • Macapuno (a type of coconut).
  • Ube (purple yam).
  • Tapioca pearls.
  • Pinipig (crispy rice).
  • Leche flan (a custard dessert).

The shaved ice is then topped with condensed milk and served with a spoon. Halo-halo is a refreshing treat on a hot day and a reminder of the Philippines’ rich culture and food tradition.

Puto

Puto with Cheese Using Rice Flour Recipe
This is a simple and easy recipe for making puto with cheese using rice flour.
Check out this recipe
puto recipe using rice flour

Puto is a traditional Filipino food made from glutinous rice. You pour the rice flour mixture into small, round molds and then steam it afterward. In the Philippines, you can serve Puto with other Filipino food, like dinuguan, and you can also add flavors by using toppings such as cheese or chocolate. While puto is not as popular as other Filipino dishes, it is still a Unique food worth trying.

Maja Blanca

Recipe of Maja Blanca
This recipe of Maja Blanca can be adapted to your liking by adding lemon or orange zest, cinnamon for a more exotic flavor, or even chocolate to give it some flair. Our Maja Blanca Recipe can produce 2 8 x8 in baking pans and can serve up to 10 people.
Check out this recipe
ingredients for maja blanca

Maja Blanca is a popular Filipino food typically made with coconut milk, cornstarch, and sugar. You can serve Maja Blanca during special occasions and holidays and usually decorate it with cheese and corn kernels. Maja Blanca is believed to have originated in the Philippines and is now widespread in parts of the world with a big Filipino community. You can typically make the dish by boiling coconut milk and cornstarch until the mixture thickens. After that, you add sugar and other flavorings to fit your taste. After cooling, you can garnish it with cheese before you serve it.

Pan de sal

Ube Pandesal with Cheese Recipe
A great and easy way to make this Filipino favorite recipe is by using our Ube Purple Yam Flavor Emulco. The dough needs only a few ingredients, but it will be worth the effort as you bite into your warm pandesal with its fluffy bread and ube-cheese filling inside!
Check out this recipe
easy baking recipe ube cheese pandesal

Pan de sal is one of the most popular Filipino foods. It is a type of bread with the main ingredients of flour, water, sugar, shortening, yeast, and salt, and it is famous for breakfast or as a snack. Pan de sal is usually round, but it can also be oval-shaped. The bread is soft and fluffy and has a slightly chewy texture. You can eat Pan de Sal as plain or fill it with various toppings, such as cheese, jam, or peanut butter.

Leche flan

Leche Flan Recipe
This Leche Flan recipe is good enough to produce 6 llaneras. Each llanera can serve up to 4 people.
Check out this recipe

Leche Flan is a popular Filipino food with eggs, milk, and sugar. The main ingredients are combined and then cooked until they form a thick custard. After that, you can make the custard into a mold, steam it, and refrigerate it until it sets. You can serve the chilled Flan with caramel sauce on top.

Leche Flan is a popular dessert in the Philippines you can serve at parties and special occasions. It is also a popular gift to give to friends and family. The rich, creamy taste of the custard makes it a favorite among many Filipino food lovers. If you want a unique dessert to try, check out Leche Flan!

Suman

suman

Suman is a popular Filipino food made with glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. You can eat suman as a snack or dessert and find it in most Filipino markets. The main ingredients in suman are glutinous rice, sugar, and coconut milk. You can soak the rice in water for several hours, then drain and mixed with sugar and coconut milk. Afterward, you spread the mixture onto banana leaves, roll it up, and steam. Once cooked, you can garnish the suman with shredded coconut or chocolate. Suman is a delicious and popular Filipino food that will satisfy any craving.

Arroz Caldo

Arroz Caldo

Arroz Caldo is one of the most popular Filipino foods. It is a rice porridge with chicken, garlic, ginger, and green onions. You can serve Arroz Caldo with hard-boiled eggs, chili, salt, and pepper, making it a trendy breakfast food in the Philippines, but you can also eat it for lunch or dinner. You can easily prepare this dish in just a few minutes. It is a very healthy and filling meal that is perfect for any time of day. Whether you want a quick breakfast or a hearty dinner, Arroz Caldo is an excellent choice.

FAQ About Filipino Dishes

What is a typical Filipino meal?

A typical Filipino meal usually includes steamed white rice, a meat dish (pork or chicken), a vegetable dish, and soup.
Filipino cuisine is known for being flavorful and aromatic, with influences from Spanish, Chinese, Malay, Indian, and American cultures. Popular dishes include Adobo (a stew made of Pork or chicken), sinigang (a sour soup made with pork, shrimp, or fish), lumpia (spring rolls), and pancit (noodles).

What is the most popular Filipino food?

There are many delicious Filipino foods, but the most popular include Adobo, lechon, sinigang, and pancit. Each dish has its unique flavors and textures that make it special and loved by many people. Give them all a try to see which one is your favorite!

What food are Filipinos known for?

Filipinos are known for their adobo dish. It is a stew or casserole made from pork or chicken, usually cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, black pepper, and garlic.

Conclusion 

This Filipino dishes list is undoubtedly a hit. If you haven’t tried them before, I urge you to do so. You will not be disappointed. And if you have tried them before, you know what I’m talking about when I say they’re delicious!

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