Aimee Liza Soriano Ravelo

The Most Loved & Most Common Filipino Food from Region to Region Photo by SJ Baren on Unsplash The Philippines -- seven thousand one hundred seven islands strong, one hundred seventy-five spoken languages, and one common love for food. Philippine cuisine is as diverse as its demographics and geography, where each specialty reflects the country’s diversity. Are you ready to dive in? Tara na, biyahe tayo (Let’s go and travel) as we look at the most loved and most common Filipino food from region to region. Luzon Photo by Leonard Villasis via 123RF Vigan longganisa – a classic favorite amongst Filipinos, breakfast is usually served with longganisa together with sunny side-up eggs and garlic fried rice. The most renowned longganisa comes from Vigan in the Ilocos region up north, where the pork and spices are mixed together to create a savory flavor. This is the Filipino version of the chorizo or breakfast sausage. Photo by Webstocker via Adobe Stock Baguio fruits and vegetables - only the freshest produce come from the mountainous Cordillera region where you also breathe in fresh mountain air. Image by 412designs from Pixabay There’s no doubt in their offering of bright ripe strawberries, green leafy white cabbage, flowery broccoli, and unblemished garlic and onions to season your cooking. Making Baguio’s fruits and vegetables a common kitchen staple in the Filipino household. Baguio also offers their own versions of longganisa which are just as delicious as Ilocos’! Photo by Ivan Torres on Unsplash Pampanga’s Kare-Kare- Kapampangans are well-known for their cooking, from preserved meats to desserts, and delectable stews like kare-kare. Kare-kare is a thick peanut stew that combines soft flavorful meat (ox tripe being the classic) and fresh vegetables such as eggplants, Chinese white cabbage, and string beans served with salty shrimp paste on the side to enhance the whole experience. A cup of rice accompanies this hearty meal too. This is commonly served at Filipino celebrations as a main course because of the effort needed to create the dish and the complexity of flavors adding to its specialness. Photo by Create Hot Look via Adobe Stock National Capital Region (NCR) Photo by Akarat Phasura via 123RF Most cities in the NCR enjoy these three dishes nearly everyday at home with some of these dishes being involved in fusion cuisine in modern Manila, Bonifacio Global City at Taguig, and Quezon City. Adobo – this soy and vinegar-based stew comes in a variety ways through pork, chicken, or squid. A popular combination is cooking pork and chicken meat together as their flavors compliment each other in the stew. Photo by Eiliv-Sonas Aceron on Unsplash Sinigang – Sinigang is another household and Filipino restaurant favorite. This is a spicy stew that brings the flavors of your choice of meat (pork, beef, or seafood) with vegetables similar to kare-kare’s. What makes the difference though is the use of tamarind, tomatoes, and green chili to sour and spiceup the broth. Perfect with soft inviting white rice! Photo by cokemomo via 123RF Pork barbeque – grilled skewered pork meat marinated in soy sauce, ketchup, onions, calamansi, and spices. The savory flavors of pork barbeque are enhanced by the smoke coming from the grill. Served both in the everyday home and Pinoy celebrations. Photo by Joshua Resnick via Adobe Stock Visayas Photo by Wilmer Olano on Unsplash Cebu’s Slow-Roasted Lechon – Cebu is home to the beautiful white sand beach of Mactan and also to the famous slow-roasted suckling pig. Lechon is usually stuffed with flavorful garlic, lemongrass, tamarind, and spices which vary from each lechon maker. Often served at celebrations, Filipinos enjoy this even on a normal day as smaller cuts of lechon are made available for everyday consumption. Photo by ElyaQ via Adobe Stock Bicol Express – no, this is not a train ride to Visayas, but your taste buds will definitely go on a ride with this spicy coconut pork stew. Bicol Express is known across the nation and has become a household dish too because of its simplicity in cooking. It is prepared by sauteing pork slices with garlic and shrimp paste. After a little browning on the meat, you’ll add creamy coconut milk and green chili peppers to add a spicy kick to the dish. Simmer until it thickens and serve with a bowl of steamy hot rice for the perfect comfort dish. Photo by FomaA via Adobe Stock Mindanao Photo by ontheraks via 123RF Davao’s Inihaw na Panga ng Tuna – if you’re a fan of tuna, then this grilled salmon collar is for you. Dip this in soy sauce and calamansi and you’re good to go. Photo by jia xin kwok/EyeEm via Adobe Stock Inihaw na panga is common at Davao for being near the sea where tuna is abundant and freshly caught. Davao’s Kilawin – Filipinos enjoy raw seafood through this dish called Kilawin. Kilawin is raw seafood (with tuna being the most popular) marinated in vinegar and the local lemon (calamansi). It is also a spiced dish where red or green chili peppers are seasoned over the fish together with chopped onions, a little bit of ginger, and a dash of salt. Photo by junpinzon via Adobe Stock To Conclude Sweet, salty, spicy, or sour, Filipino food can satisfy these cravings for you. And not only that, you’ll also get to know the people more as you taste the flavors that define the word “home” for their beloved home dishes. Photo by Sergii Koval via 123RF