Filipino Meals and Snacks
Looking for more information? Check out:
Manong Ken's Filipino Cuisine
The Radical Chef
Vegetarian Filipino Recipes
 |
Achara (Pickled
Papaya and Veggies) - Filipino Much what you'd expect it to be - papaya slivers, veggies, sugar, salt and vinegar. Tastes like it reads - much like other pickled food stuffs - very nice and satisfying as a side dish. Would I try again? Yes Where I found it: Filipino Food Center |
 |
Arroz Caldo
(and Goto) - Filipino Like its Chinese (congee) predecessor, Arroz Caldo and Goto are rice porridge, flavored with Filipino flavorings such as garlic and vinegar, studded with chunks of chicken or beef tripe, respectively. A thin gruel, with a mild subtle flavor, they make for good comfort food (just like dear old Mom's chicken soup, with just a bit more substance.) Would I try again? No hurry...not exotic enough for my tastes. Where I found it: Bayan |
 |
Baluut -
Filipino I can now say I've tried Baluut. It's, well, exotic. A fertilized egg, complete with veins, some bird embryo, and egg. It tastes slightly cheesy, and sort of like if you took day old Thanksgiving turkey and scrambled it into a dry omelet. (Which makes sense if you think about it.) I had it about an hour ago, and the taste and smell still lingers. I'm not thrilled, really.... Would I try again? No. After Baluut, and my experiences with 1000 year old eggs, I'm starting to think that man was not meant to do funky things with eggs... Where I found it: Elvies |
 |
BBQ - Filipino Don't know if this has any particular name, but Filipino BBQ is really good. Moist, juicy chicken, surrounded by a sweet-spicy BBQ exterior. Definitely a winning meal. Would I try again? Yes. Where I found it: At a place that specializes in Filipino BBQ: Ihawan |
|
Picture not found |
Cassava Roll
(Suman Sa Balingoy) - Filipino Grated cassava, grated coconut, and brown sugar, steamed inside of a banana leaf. This was really very nice. About a foot long cylinder, with a pleasant (slightly gritty) texture, and lightly sweetened. Yum. Would I try again? Yes. Where I found it: Filipino Food Center |
 |
Champurado
- Filipino Chocolate rice porridge - made with malagit (glutinous) rice, and cocoa. Often eaten for breakfast, along with milk. While I couldn't find cooked Champurado in NYC, I did find a ready mix kit in the Filipino Food Center in my neighborhood, and enjoyed it there. Can't imagine it was all that nutritious, what with all the chocolate. But yes, it was tasty! Would I try again? Yes (on occasion) Where I found it: Filipino Food Center |
| Danggit -
Dried, Fried Mullet - Filipino Very crispy, very fried and very dry and salty fish. I think I would've like this, if it weren't for the Danggit amount of salt! (Although it's kind of weird eating something with dried eyes...) Would I try again? Nah - waaaay too salty. Although, it does improve if you dip it in the soy bean oil that's included.... Where I found it: Filipino Food Center |
|
 |
Dinuguan (Pork
Blood Stew) - Filipino It's called chocolate stew, due to the rich dark taste and flavor. What it *is*, is a stew of pork blood and entrails, simmered in garlic and vinegar. And you know what? It's not bad, not bad at all! It's not as good as Soondae (Korean Pork Blood Sausage) by far, and the pork is a little tough, but the blood-gravy is tangy, and rich, and really nice. Would I try again? Yes, especially if I have it with a grain, or bread side dish to sop up the gravy! Where I found it: Filipino Food Center |
| Empanada
(Chicken) - Filipino A sweet flaky turnover outside, with chicken and peas and various veggies inside. Wonderfully portable, and cheap ($1.50). I hear it's Latino inspired. Would I try again? Yes, it was filling and tasty. Where I found it: Filipino Food Center |
|
 |
Lumpia
(Filipino Spring Rolls) - Filipino Light flour crepe/wrappers, with lots of fresh stuffings, like vegetables, and chicken, and bamboo shoots. They're very similar (to my taste) to Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon). When they're fresh and not deep fried, they're beyond wonderful! (The fresh version is known as Lumpiang Sariwa, as opposed to the fried rendition, Lumpiang Prito). 3.25 stars. Would I try again? Yes! Where I found it: New Manilla Food and Ihawan |
 |
Noodles -
Filipino Like absolutely every culture, Filipino has its own variations of pasta (despite Atkins, it's a standard fact of life). For Filipinos, here are a few noodles to be had: Palabok - Thick, soft white noodles, covered with a not-so-spicy but flavorsome brown-orange sauce characteristic of palabok. The thickness of the noodles alone made this pasta a clear choice on the day it was ordered. Beat Pansit by a mile.... Pansit - There are different types of Pansit: Pansit Kanton (egg noodle), Pansit Bihon (rice noodle). Pansit Luglug (thick noodle) and Pansit Molo (like Wonton Soup). The kind I had was Pansit Bihon, which was curly, short and fried, and looked suspiciously like regular ramen noodles. Okay, but no big whoop. Would I try again? The Pansit - nah - it's too much like regularly ramen. Palabok? Oh yeah. Soft, fat and chewy, with a distinctive sauce. Very yummy - a neat find. Where I found them: Ihawan |
 |
Pandesal -
Filipino Pan de sal is the Filipino version of a bread roll. A little bit of sugar, a little bit of salt (the name means salt bread). It's nice - sweet, tasty, edible even by itself. At the end of the day, it's still just bread - but good bread. Nice - and after you've had it a few times...it grows on you. Would I try again? Occasionally. Where I found it: Filipino Food Center |
 |
Sinigang Na
Hipon - Filipino A tamarind sour soup (Sinigang), complete with several large shrimp (in my instance still shelled with eyes that looked at me, pleading eat me!!) Okay - dramatics aside, it was a nice sour soup with shrimp, and turnip - but nothing spectular. Kinda mild. My friend Mike informs me that it's stronger and has more character when homemade. So maybe I'll try it again in some other venue. Would I try again? Only homemade Where I found it: Ihawan |
 |
Turon - Filipino Deep fried Filipino springrolls, filled with banana, jackfruit and a small amount of sugar. Crispy on the outside, sweet (natural) fruit filling on the inside. It was tasty, and also portable... (And only $.60!) Would I try again? No - too deep fried for me. (Although it is tasty.) Where I found it: Filipino Food Center |
Home