Filipino Food

The food in Philippines is often labelled as a unique mix of eastern and western cuisine. With 400 years of outside influence, the food is a fascinating blend of Malay, Spanish and Chinese cultures. Filipino food is often labelled as mild and bland. Rice is their staple food and served with almost every meal. Coconuts are used liberally. The waters surrounding Philippines provide over 2,000 species of fish, which is why fish is eaten very regularly. For a country comprising of over 7,000 islands, there are just a handful of 'national' dishes found in the Philippines' common menu. These 'national' dishes include adobo, lumpia, sinigang, bistek and lechon among others.

 

Since Philippines is made up of these different cultures, they all brought with them uniqueness into the food culture which makes it what it is. Malays, from Malaysia, were among the first inhabitants of the Philippines. They brought with them the knowledge of preparing hot chilies and the use of coconut milk, in sauces to balance the spiciness. The Chinese established colonies in the Philippines between 1200 and 1300. They introduced Chinese noodle dishes, and bean curds. Later came egg rolls, and soy sauce. Like the Chinese, the Filipinos consume a wide array of dipping sauces to accompany their dishes. Spain occupied the Philippines for almost 400 years, beginning in 1521. This colonization had a major impact on Filipino cuisine. Everyday Filipino dishes resemble Spanish cooking more than native meals. The Spaniards introduced a Mediterranean style of eating and preparing food. Techniques such as braising and sautéing, and meals cooked in olive oil, are examples. Spain also introduced cooking with seasonings such as garlic, onions, tomatoes, sweet peppers and vinegar. The United States took control of the Philippines after the Spanish-American War in 1898, staying through World War II (1939–1945) until 1946. The U. S. military introduced goods shipped in from their country such as mayonnaise, hot dogs, hamburgers, and apple pies. Canned evaporated and condensed milk often replace the traditional buffalo milk used in desserts. Nowhere else in Asian cuisine can cheese and canned tomato sauce be found in recipes. All of these foods are still favorites of the Filipinos and can be found almost anywhere in the country. Also, Philippines is made up of 16 regions, therefore leading to regional diversity in food as well.

 

Unlike in much of the Western world, burping is not considered rude in the Philippines where it means you are full and enjoyed the meal. Sometimes a burp is followed with the expression “Ay, salamat” which means, "Ahh, thank you."

 

Anyone who visits a Filipino home, no matter what time of day, is offered food. If the guest interrupts a meal, which is common because most Filipinos eat five or more meals a day, they are invited to join the diners.