What are the iconic dishes to taste in the Philippines?
The Philippines' iconic dishes include adobo (meat braised in vinegar and soy sauce), kare-kare (beef stew in peanut sauce), sisig (minced grilled pork), bicol express (spicy coconut milk dish), pancit (stir-fried noodles), sinigang (tamarind soup), and lechon (roasted pig).
Must-try Filipino cuisine dishes
- Adobo: meat (chicken or pork) stewed in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and bay leaf. Considered the national dish.
- Kare-Kare: beef or tripe stew with a peanut-based sauce, vegetables and bagoong (fermented shrimp paste).
- Sisig: grilled pork finely minced, served on a hot plate with chili and kalamansi (local lime).
- Sinigang: tangy tamarind soup with pork, fish or shrimp, and local vegetables.
- Lechon: roasted suckling pig, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, a specialty for celebrations.
Other popular specialties
- Bicol Express: spicy dish of pork or shrimp cooked in coconut milk with chili peppers.
- Pancit: stir-fried noodles with vegetables, chicken or shrimp. Popular varieties: Pancit Canton and Pancit Bihon.
To remember
Plain white rice accompanies every meal in the Philippines and is the foundation of the local diet.