Here’s a list of the Top 10 Foods to Try in the Philippines, perfect for anyone wanting to experience the country’s rich and flavorful cuisine:
1. Adobo
- Considered the national dish, this savory stew made with chicken or pork is braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices — tender, flavorful, and absolutely iconic.
2. Sinigang
- A comforting, tangy soup made with tamarind, vegetables, and meat (often pork, shrimp, or fish), loved for its sour and refreshing taste.
3. Lechon
- A whole roasted pig, known for its crispy skin and juicy meat, often served during festivals and special occasions. Cebu is famous for some of the best lechon.
4. Kare-Kare
- A rich and hearty oxtail stew cooked with peanut sauce, often served with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) for an extra punch of flavor.
5. Halo-Halo
- A colorful and refreshing dessert made with crushed ice, sweet beans, jellies, fruits, leche flan, and topped with ube (purple yam) ice cream — perfect for the tropical heat.
6. Pancit
- Traditional Filipino noodles stir-fried with vegetables, meat, and seafood. Pancit Canton and Pancit Malabon are popular variations.
7. Bulalo
- A beef marrow soup made by simmering beef shanks and bone marrow until tender, best enjoyed in cooler places like Tagaytay.
8. Bicol Express
- A spicy dish made with pork, coconut milk, chili peppers, and shrimp paste — a fiery and flavorful specialty from the Bicol region.
9. Tapsilog
- A beloved Filipino breakfast meal made of tapa (cured beef), sinangag (garlic fried rice), and itlog (fried egg).
10. Balut
- A fertilized duck egg with a partially developed embryo inside — a famous and daring street food delicacy that adventurous eaters should try at least once.