Your vacation in the Philippines will never be complete if you do not partake in the rich, unique and delectable array of Filipino dishes.
The country's dishes are widely influenced by Spaniards, its first colonizers. The Westerners introduced various ingredients and spices such as chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, as well as the method of sauteeing to local folks. Dishes such as arroz valencia, a rice dish garnished with vegetables and chicken meat, and adobo or meat cooked in soy sauce and vinegar, are adaptations of traditional Spanish dishes like paella and adobado.
Arab, Chinese, Indians, and Japanese traders also influenced the Philippines' culinary practices. The use of toyo or soy sauce, patis or fish sauce, and the method of stir frying were largely inherited from these Asian countries. The Chinese in particular, shaped the Filipino's love for pancit or noodle-based dishes.
Rice is a staple in the Filipinos' dining experience. Rice is often boiled and served during main meals. Left over rice is usually fried and flavored with soy sauce and garlic. It is served with other breakfast staples like fried eggs, longanisa which is the local version of sausage, tapa or dried beef meat, and tocino which is sweetened cured meat. Rice is also used to make sweets such as kakanin or glutenous rice cooked in coconut milk and sugar.
Meat from chicken, pork, beef, and fish are mostly used to prepare savory dishes. Popular dishes include sinigang which is pork in tamarind sauce, lechon or whole roasted pig, kare- kare or oxtail in peanut sauce and kaldereta or goat in tomato sauce.
Filipinos are also known for their exotic dishes. Balut or boiled pre-hatched duckling egg is seasoned with salt or vinegar. Isaw or grilled chicken intestine and adidas or grilled chicken feet are also great choices for those who love street food.
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