Philippines Food and Drink: Bites. Brews, and Bliss

Are you planning to visit Manila with your family or friends for the first time? You’ll find the best food and drink in the Philippines waiting for you. The variety is such that it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. We present the tastiest Filipino dishes and beverages so you can quickly discover what suits your palate. Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal or a light snack, there’s something for everyone. We’ve also included some lesser-known traditional Filipino dishes.

Best Food & Drink in the Philippines | Filipino Favorites

• Adobo: Many consider this savory dish a “national treasure of the Philippines.” It mixes meat (usually chicken or pork) with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Every household has its version, with some adding chilies for a kick and coconut milk for richness. It’s a versatile dish enjoyed at any meal and a delicious introduction to Filipino cuisine.
• Lechon: This is a whole roasted suckling pig, a centerpiece for Filipino celebrations. The pig is meticulously seasoned and slow-roasted over charcoal or open fire, producing crispy skin and juicy meat. Lechon symbolizes prosperity and merriment, making it a must-have at festivals, weddings, and other special occasions.
• Pancit: This Filipino noodle dish is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for parties or a satisfying meal. There are many variations of pancit, each using different types of noodles and ingredients. Popular varieties include pancit bihon (thin rice noodles) and pancit canton (thick egg noodles). There’s also pancit palabok (shrimp and pork in a thick sauce).
• Bistek: This Filipino take on beef steak comprises thinly sliced beef marinated in soy sauce, citrus juice, and garlic. Locals cook it by pan-frying or grilling, resulting in a savory and slightly tangy dish. They serve bistek with onions and fried eggs, making it a complete and flavorful meal.
• Kare-Kare: This rich and flavorful stew combines oxtail, tripe, and vegetables in a thick peanut butter sauce. Locals serve it with bagoong (shrimp paste) on the side for an extra savory punch. This dish is a unique and decadent experience, perfect for those who enjoy a complex and hearty meal.

Food & Drink in the Philippines | Regional Dishes

​There are many delicious, popular, and regional dishes in the Philippines. Here are just a few of the many mouth-watering options available:

• Kinilaw (Visayas and Mindanao): This dish features fresh, raw, cubed fish cured in vinegar, calamansi, ginger, and onion. Variations include sinuglaw (with grilled pork belly) and sutukil. Filipinos prepare the dish in three ways: sugba, which means grill, tuwa, stew, and kilaw, raw.
• Dinakdakan (Ilocos): Often compared to Pampanga’s sisig, dinakdakan is a popular pulutan (appetizer) in the Northern region. It consists of boiled and grilled pig parts like face, ears, liver, and tongue, made creamy with mashed pig brain.
• Pinais na Hipon (Quezon): Locals wrap shrimp and grated young coconut in banana leaves. They slow-cook them in coconut milk (gata) before grilling them over charcoal for a smoky flavor.

Food & Drink in the Philippines | Filipino Seafood Dishes

• ​Sinigang: This sour and savory soup is a staple in Filipino kitchens. Sinigang uses a souring agent like tamarind, guava, or unripe mangoes to create its distinct flavor. Filipinos put meat, seafood, or vegetables in the soup, along with onions, tomatoes, and leafy greens. Sinigang is a perfect comfort food.
• Daing na Bangus: This dish consists of butterflied, marinated milkfish. The marinade usually combines vinegar, garlic, and various spices. Locals pan-fry the fish until crispy, cooking it with the skin intact to add crunch.
• Camaron Rebosado: This simple seafood delight combines large shrimp with lemon juice, flour, eggs, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and oil. Locals marinate the shrimp with lemon juice, pepper, and salt. They later coat the shrimp with a batter of flour, cornstarch, water, eggs, and salt. Next, they deep-fry the shrimp in hot oil until golden and crisp.

Food & Drink in the Philippines | Deliciously Strange Foods

Are you an adventurous eater who wants to try something new even if it looks weird? The Philippines has a load of such deliciously weird foods. They include the following:

• Balut: This delicacy is a fertilized duck egg embryo that you directly eat from its shell. People eat the duckling whole and spit out the beak because it’s too hard to swallow. You eat balut with salt or with a vinegar dip.
• Dinuguan: This dish features diced pork meat cooked in a rich, dark stew. The stew consists of pork blood, garlic, chili peppers, and vinegar. Puto rice cakes always accompany this flavorful dish. The name dinuguan stems from dugo, the Filipino word for “blood.”
• Chicharon Bulaklak: This food refers to deep-fried pig or chicken intestines and chicken skin. Deep-fried, it assumes a frilly, flower-like appearance, hence the chicharon bulaklak. The Filipino word for “flower” is bulaklak.

Food & Drink in the Philippines | Favorite Sweet Treats and Desserts

​There’s no shortage of options for Filipino desserts and sweet treats. Whether you crave fruity, creamy, or deep-fried and sugary treats, Filipino desserts have you covered.

• Halo-halo: This Filipino dessert mixes shaved ice, milk, and a variety of fruits, beans, and other sweet toppings. Halo-halo means “mix-mix,” and that’s what you’ll do with its ingredients when you eat this delicious dessert.
• Ube Halaya: If you’re looking for something more decadent, you can’t go wrong with Ube Halaya. Filipinos blend purple yams with milk, butter, and sugar for a creamy delight.
• Banana-cue: These deep-fried banana fritters are a popular choice among Filipinos. They make this by coating slices of ripe banana in a batter of flour, eggs, and sugar. They fry the bananas until they’re golden brown and crispy. The result is a sweet and indulgent treat that’s impossible to resist.

Food & Drink in the Philippines | Popular Drinks and Cocktails

​There’s no doubt that Filipinos love to drink. Filipinos know how to party, whether beer, wine, or hard liquor. Here are some of the most popular Philippine drinks and cocktails among locals and tourists.

• San Miguel Beer and Red Horse Beer: Filipinos love these beers. San Miguel Beer is a well-known brand, and Red Horse Beer is known for its higher alcohol content. Both are staples in Filipino gatherings and celebrations.
• Tuba: Locals make this traditional drink from the sap of coconut palms. It’s a type of palm wine and has a distinct flavor. People enjoy it during festivals and special occasions.
• Gin Pom (Gin Pomelo): This drink is the most popular and affordable cocktail in the Philippines. It’s a refreshing blend of gin, powdered pomelo juice, water, and ice. Some use fresh pomelo for an authentic taste.
• Philippines Tea Drinking is gaining in popularity.

Food & Drink in the Philippines | Street Food and Fast Food

​If you want quick and easy meals, street food is the answer. You can find street food vendors all over the Philippines, selling everything from noodles to grilled meats. Street food is a great way to try new things and is very affordable.

Want a quick bite? Jollibee is the trendiest fast-food chain in the Philippines. The most popular item on their menu is the ChickenJoy, a distinctive fried chicken with a dipping sauce.

Food & Drink in the Philippines | Fine Dining

If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, you can find them in many places in the Philippines. Metro Manila, in particular, offers a wide variety of fine-dining restaurants. Whether you seek a romantic dinner for two or a night out with friends, the metropolis boasts excellent restaurants.

One of the best restaurants in the city is Spago. This celebrity chef restaurant in Paranaque City (just outside Manila) offers a modern take on Filipino cuisine.

You can also try Vikings, the largest eat-all-you-can buffet restaurant in the Philippines. It serves a wide variety of local and international dishes. The restaurant has numerous branches. One is at the Mall of Asia, the biggest mall in Asia, located in Pasay City, bordering Manila.

Food & Drink in the Philippines | Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are must-try regional dishes in the Philippines?

Kinilaw (raw seafood ceviche) and dinakdakan (chopped pork with chilis and vinegar) are flavorful regional specialties.

Q2: What are the best seafood dishes in the Philippines?

For seafood lovers, try Sinigang na Hipon (shrimp in sour broth) or Daing na Bangus (dried milkfish).

Q3: What are “strange” Filipino foods? Are they safe to eat?

Adventurous eaters can try the balut (boiled duck embryo) and dinuguan (stew with pork offal). But they’re not for everyone. Ask a local for recommendations before diving in!

Q4: What are the best Filipino desserts?

Don’t miss halo-halo (shaved ice with beans, fruits, and leche flan) and ube halaya (purple yam jam).

Q5: What Filipino drinks can I try?

Sample fresh fruit juices like mango or guava. You can also try local favorites like gulaman (jelly drink) and taho (silken tofu with tapioca pearls). Local beers like San Miguel Pale Pilsen and cocktails like Calamansi Margarita are refreshing options.

Q6: What are the best restaurants in Metro Manila?

Metro Manila offers a wide range of restaurants. Visit Harbor View Restaurant to enjoy scenic views of Manila Bay while savoring Filipino and international cuisine. Cafe Ilang-Ilang in the historic Manila Hotel offers a diverse buffet selection. Yabu is famous for its authentic Japanese katsu dishes.

Food Lover’s Paradise Beckons You!

The Philippines is undoubtedly a food lover’s paradise. This amazing country has excellent options whether you crave a fast meal or a luxurious dining experience.

In the words of a recent Philippine visitor from New York City, NY:

“I was surprised by the variety and deliciousness of Filipino food! Every meal was an adventure, from the fresh seafood dishes to the unique regional specialties. I loved the sweet treats like halo-halo and ube halaya, and the local drinks were refreshing.”

Embark on a Philippine Culinary Adventure with ILX Travel

Let ILX Travel be your guide in your culinary journey to the Philippines. We specialize in crafting itineraries that take you into the heart of this Southeast Asian wonderland’s food scene. We’ll help you savor the unique flavors that make the Philippines’ food and drink scene extraordinary. Contact ILX Travel today, and let’s get your Philippine food adventure started!