The Most Delicious Filipino Food: A Culinary Journey through Traditional Filipino Cuisine

Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most delicious!

Jun 16, 2023 10:17 (Updated on Dec 2, 2023 06:20)

Welcome to StrawPoll, where your taste buds are in for a scrumptious adventure! We're diving into the vibrant and mouthwatering world of Filipino cuisine, and we need your help to determine the ultimate champion of deliciousness. With thousands of polls and rankings on various topics, we're now on the quest to find the most delectable Filipino dish. From the rich and savory Adobo to the sweet and satisfying Halo-halo, vote for your favorite taste sensation or suggest a missing gem that deserves a spot in our flavorful ranking. Unleash your inner foodie and let the gastronomic battle commence! Join us now and indulge in the exquisite flavors of the Philippines, while helping us crown the most delicious Filipino food of all time.

What Is the Most Delicious Filipino Food?

1

77
votes
Adobo

A classic Filipino dish made with tender chicken or pork cooked in a savory blend of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices. The balance of salty, sour, and sweet flavors make it a crowd favorite.
Description

Adobo is a popular Filipino dish that is known for its rich and savory flavor. It is typically made by marinating meat, usually pork or chicken, in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices, and then simmering it until the meat is tender. The resulting dish is tender, flavorful, and has a perfect balance of tanginess and saltiness.

Meat: Pork or chicken

Marinade: Vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices

Cooking Method: Simmering

Taste: Rich, savory, tangy, and salty

Texture: Tender and juicy
2

24
votes
Sinigang

A sour soup made with tamarind broth, meats such as pork, beef, or fish, and vegetables like kangkong, okra, and radish. It's a comforting dish that's perfect for rainy days.
Description

Sinigang is a traditional Filipino soup characterized by its sour and savory flavors. It is typically made with tamarind as the souring agent, although variants using other sour fruits like guava, calamansi, or kamias can also be found. The soup is known for its comforting and refreshing taste.

Main Ingredients: Typically includes meat (pork, beef, shrimp or fish), tamarind, tomatoes, onions, leafy greens, and various vegetables like radish, string beans, and eggplant.

Sourness Level: Sinigang is known for its distinct sour taste, which can vary from mild to very sour depending on the amount of souring agent used and personal preference.

Cooking Method: The main ingredients and vegetables are simmered together in the sour broth until tender, resulting in a hearty and flavorful soup.

Variations: Aside from the traditional tamarind-based sinigang, there are also other versions using alternative souring agents and additional ingredients, such as sinigang sa miso (with miso paste), sinigang sa bayabas (with guava), or sinigang sa calamansi (with calamansi juice).

Regional Differences: Sinigang recipes can vary from region to region in the Philippines, with each area having its own unique twist on the dish.
3

6
votes
Lechon

A whole roasted pig that's crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It's a centerpiece dish for special occasions and celebrations.
Description

Lechon is a popular and mouthwatering Filipino dish known for its crispy and succulent roasted pig. The pig is marinated and stuffed with a variety of herbs and spices, then slowly roasted over an open fire or in a specialized rotisserie until the skin becomes crispy and golden brown, while the meat remains tender and juicy.

Method of Cooking: Slow-roasted over an open fire or in a specialized rotisserie

Main Ingredient: Whole pig (usually around 20-30 kg)

Marinade: Mixture of various herbs, spices, and sauces

Stuffed With: Infused with aromatics like lemongrass, garlic, onions, and other local spices

Cooking Time: Several hours (4-6 hours or more) depending on the size of the pig
4

15
votes

Kare-Kare

An oxtail stew in a peanut sauce, with a variety of vegetables such as eggplant, string beans, and bok choy. The richness of the peanut sauce and tender meat make it a luxurious dish.
5

11
votes
Pancit

A stir-fried noodle dish made with rice noodles, vegetables, and meat or seafood. It's a staple dish in Filipino gatherings and a symbol of long life.
Description

Pancit is a popular Filipino noodle dish known for its delightful combination of flavors and textures. It is typically made with thin rice noodles, mixed with a variety of ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and soy sauce-based seasoning. Pancit is served as a main dish or as part of a festive spread during special occasions in Filipino culture.

Noodle Type: Thin Rice Noodles

Meat Options: Chicken, Pork, or Shrimp

Vegetable Ingredients: Cabbage, Carrots, Green beans, and Scallions

Seasoning: Soy Sauce-Based

Garnish: Lemon Wedges and Chopped Parsley
6

10
votes
Lumpia

Filipino-style spring rolls filled with ground meat, vegetables, and sometimes shrimp. It's a popular appetizer or snack and can be served fresh or fried.
Description

Lumpia is a popular Filipino snack that consists of a savory filling wrapped in a thin crepe-like wrapper made of flour and water. It is similar to a spring roll or egg roll, but with a distinctly Filipino flavor. The filling usually includes a combination of minced meat (such as pork, shrimp, or chicken), finely chopped vegetables (such as carrots, cabbage, and green beans), and sometimes spices and seasonings. The lumpia is typically deep-fried until golden and crispy, resulting in a delicious and satisfying snack or appetizer.

Wrapper: Thin crepe-like wrapper made of flour and water.

Filling: Combination of minced meat (such as pork, shrimp, or chicken), finely chopped vegetables (such as carrots, cabbage, and green beans), and sometimes spices and seasonings.

Cooking Method: Deep-fried until golden and crispy.

Variations: Lumpiang Shanghai (pork lumpia), Lumpiang Gulay (vegetable lumpia), Lumpiang Sariwa (fresh lumpia)

Dip: Often served with a sweet and tangy dipping sauce made of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and sugar.
7

8
votes
Halo-halo

A dessert that literally means "mix-mix" in Filipino. It's a shaved ice treat with a variety of toppings such as sweet beans, fruits, jellies, and milk. It's a refreshing dessert perfect for hot weather.
Description

Halo-halo is a famous Filipino dessert that is known for its refreshing taste and colorful appearance. The name 'halo-halo' means 'mix-mix' in Tagalog, which perfectly describes its preparation method. It is a combination of various ingredients, such as shaved ice, sweetened fruits (like kidney beans, jackfruit, and palm fruits), sweetened bananas, red and green gelatin, sweetened yam, and tapioca pearls. Additional toppings often include leche flan (caramel custard), ube (purple yam) ice cream, and crunchy rice crispies. All the ingredients are layered in a tall glass and mixed together before eating.

Ingredients: Shaved ice, sweetened fruits, sweetened bananas, gelatin, sweetened yam, tapioca pearls, leche flan, ube ice cream, and rice crispies

Preparation: Layered in a tall glass and mixed before eating

Flavor: Sweet and refreshing

Appearance: Colorful and vibrant

Texture: Combination of creamy, chewy, and crunchy
8

7
votes
Sisig

A sizzling dish made with chopped pig ears, cheeks, and belly, seasoned with calamansi, onion, and chili peppers. It's a flavorful and indulgent dish that's perfect for beer drinking.
Description

Sisig is a popular Filipino dish made from finely chopped parts of pig head and liver, seasoned with calamansi juice, onions, and chili peppers. It is then grilled, fried, or served sizzling on a hot plate. The dish originated in Pampanga, a province in the Philippines known for its culinary heritage.

Main Ingredients: Pig head (cheeks, ears, snout), liver

Seasonings: Calamansi juice, onions, chili peppers

Cooking Methods: Grilled, fried, or served sizzling on a hot plate

Origins: Pampanga, Philippines

Texture: Crispy and tender
9

3
votes
Bistek

A beef steak dish cooked in soy sauce and calamansi juice with onions. It's a simple yet delicious dish that's perfect with rice.
Description

Bistek is a classic Filipino dish that combines tender beef slices marinated and cooked in a savory sauce, typically made with soy sauce, calamansi juice, onions, and garlic. The dish has a delicious tangy and slightly sweet flavor profile. Bistek is usually served hot and pairs well with steamed rice.

Main Ingredient: Beef

Marinade: Soy sauce, calamansi juice, onions, garlic

Cooking Method: Sautéing

Flavor Profile: Savory, tangy, slightly sweet

Serving Temperature: Hot
10

0
votes
Bibingka

A rice cake made with coconut milk and baked in banana leaves. It's a popular dessert during Christmas season and can be served with salted egg and cheese.
Description

Bibingka is a traditional Filipino rice cake that is widely enjoyed as a sweet and filling snack. It is often prepared during Christmas season and other special occasions. The cake has a soft and slightly dense texture with a subtle sweetness and a hint of coconut flavor.

Ingredients: Rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, eggs

Toppings: Salted eggs, grated coconut, butter/margarine

Cooking Method: Traditionally, Bibingka is cooked in clay pots lined with banana leaves and placed on top of hot coals or over charcoal burners. Modern variations may use oven baking.

Texture: Soft, slightly dense

Flavor: Subtle sweetness, coconut undertones

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Discussion

Ranking factors for delicious food

Flavor profile

Consider the balance and depth of flavors in the dish, including the combination of sweet, salty, sour, and umami flavors that are characteristic of Filipino cuisine.
Texture and consistency

Evaluate the dish based on the texture and consistency of its ingredients, such as the tenderness of the meat, the crispiness of the vegetables, and the overall mouthfeel.
Authenticity

Determine how well the dish represents traditional Filipino ingredients, cooking techniques, and presentation.
Aroma

Assess the aroma of the dish, as a pleasant and appetizing smell contributes to its overall appeal and enjoyment.
Creativity and uniqueness

Look for dishes that offer a unique twist or showcase a distinctive regional variation of a classic Filipino dish.
Popularity

Consider the popularity of the dish among Filipinos and non-Filipinos, as this can be an indication of its overall taste and appeal.
Visual presentation

Evaluate the dish's presentation, including color, arrangement, and garnishing, as this can affect the overall dining experience.
Balance of ingredients

Ensure that the dish has a balanced ratio of ingredients, such as proteins, vegetables, and carbohydrates.
Cultural and regional relevance

Consider the historical and regional significance of the dish, as this can contribute to its overall importance and enjoyment in Filipino cuisine.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most delicious Filipino food. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1545 views
161 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most delicious filipino food

Filipino cuisine is a diverse and exciting blend of flavors and ingredients. With influences from Spanish, Chinese, Malay, and indigenous cultures, it's no wonder that Filipino food is known for its bold and intricate flavors. From savory dishes like adobo and sinigang to sweet desserts like halo-halo and leche flan, Filipino cuisine offers a wide range of delicious options. The use of vinegar, soy sauce, and coconut milk as key ingredients in many dishes is what sets Filipino cuisine apart from other Asian cuisines. So, if you're looking to explore new and exciting flavors, Filipino food is definitely worth a try!