Philippines
Food Safety Tips
Essential food safety information to help you enjoy Philippines's cuisine safely and confidently.
Avoid tap water
Tap water is not safe to drink in the Philippines. Stick to bottled water with sealed caps and avoid ice in drinks unless at higher-end establishments.
Street food precautions
Filipino street food is popular and delicious, but choose busy stalls with high turnover where food is cooked fresh at high temperatures.
Seafood caution
With over 7,000 islands, seafood is abundant but should be thoroughly cooked. Be cautious with raw seafood dishes like kinilaw (similar to ceviche) unless at reputable establishments.
Wash fruits and vegetables
Fresh produce should be washed with bottled water or peeled before consumption to avoid contamination.
Dietary Options
vegetarian
LOW AVAILABILITYTraditional Filipino cuisine is meat and seafood-heavy. Even vegetable dishes often contain fish sauce or shrimp paste. Vegetarian options are increasingly available in tourist areas and major cities but remain limited.
vegan
LOW AVAILABILITYVegan options are very limited outside specialized restaurants in Manila and tourist hubs. Many dishes contain animal products in some form.
gluten-free
MEDIUM AVAILABILITYRice is a staple of Filipino cuisine, making many dishes naturally gluten-free. However, be cautious of soy sauce and other condiments that may contain gluten.
halal
MEDIUM AVAILABILITYHalal food is widely available in regions with significant Muslim populations, particularly in Mindanao and some areas of Manila.
Common Allergens
Seafood
HIGH PREVALENCEAs an archipelagic nation, seafood is fundamental to Filipino cuisine and present in many dishes, even as hidden ingredients.
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Peanuts
MEDIUM PREVALENCEPeanuts are used in several Filipino dishes and snacks.
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Soy
HIGH PREVALENCESoy sauce (toyo) is a staple condiment in Filipino cuisine.
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Coconut
HIGH PREVALENCECoconut milk and coconut-based products are staples in Filipino cooking.
COMMONLY FOUND IN:
Essential Food Experiences
These iconic dishes represent the must-have culinary experiences that define Philippines's food culture for travelers.
Adobo
Considered the national dish, adobo is meat (usually chicken or pork) marinated and simmered in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices until tender and flavorful.
Sinigang
A sour soup made with tamarind, vegetables, and meat or seafood. The tanginess varies by region and family recipe.
Lechon
Whole roasted pig with crispy skin and tender meat, particularly famous in Cebu where it's served with a liver-based sauce.
Halo-Halo
A popular dessert consisting of shaved ice, sweetened beans, fruits, jellies, and ice cream, all mixed together for a refreshing treat.
Sisig
A sizzling dish made from parts of a pig's head and liver, seasoned with calamansi and chili peppers. Often served as a bar snack with beer.
Pancit
Noodle dishes influenced by Chinese cuisine, with many regional varieties like Pancit Canton (with wheat noodles) and Pancit Bihon (with rice noodles).
Regional Specialties & Local Favorites
Discover the authentic regional dishes and local favorites that showcase Philippines's diverse culinary traditions.
Sisig (Sisig)
A popular pulutan (beer snack) made from chopped pig's face, onions, and chili peppers, often served sizzling on a hot plate.
Pancit (Pancit)
A general term for Filipino noodle dishes, which come in various forms using different noodles, meats, and vegetables.
Allergens:
Lumpia (Lumpia)
Deep-fried spring rolls filled with various ingredients, such as ground pork, vegetables, or shrimp.
Allergens:
Regional Cuisine Highlights
Explore the diverse culinary landscapes across different regions of Philippines.
Ilocos Region
Known for its flavorful dishes using bagoong (shrimp paste), including bagnet (crispy pork belly) and longganisa (sausages).
Cultural Significance:
Ilocano cuisine reflects the region's coastal location and agricultural traditions.
Signature Dishes:
- Bagnet
- Longganisa
- Pinakbet
Key Ingredients:
Central Luzon
Home to the popular sisig, as well as other dishes like kare-kare (oxtail stew with peanut sauce) and morcon (stuffed beef roll).
Cultural Significance:
The region's cuisine showcases influences from Spanish and Chinese culinary traditions.
Signature Dishes:
- Sisig
- Kare-kare
- Morcon
Key Ingredients:
Bicol Region
Known for its spicy dishes, particularly those using coconut milk and chili peppers, such as laing (taro leaves in coconut milk) and Bicol Express (pork stew with coconut milk and chili peppers).
Cultural Significance:
Bicolano cuisine reflects the region's abundance of coconuts and chili peppers.
Signature Dishes:
- Laing
- Bicol Express
- Kinunot
Key Ingredients:
Sweet Delights & Desserts
Indulge in Philippines's traditional sweet treats and desserts.
Halo-halo (Halo-halo)
A shaved ice dessert with layers of sweetened beans, fruits, jellies, and leche flan, topped with ice cream.
Leche Flan (Leche Flan)
A rich custard dessert with a caramel topping, similar to crème caramel.
Ginataang Bilo-Bilo (Ginataang Bilo-Bilo)
A sweet soup made with coconut milk, glutinous rice balls, and various root crops.
Traditional Beverages
Discover Philippines's traditional drinks, from locally produced spirits to regional wines.
Lambanog (Lambanog)
A distilled coconut liquor.
Tuba (Tuba)
A fermented coconut wine.
San Miguel Beer (San Miguel Beer)
A popular commercially produced beer.
Soft Beverages
Discover Philippines's traditional non-alcoholic drinks, from local teas to refreshing juices.
Calamansi Juice (Calamansi Juice)
A refreshing juice made from calamansi, a small citrus fruit native to the Philippines.
Sago't Gulaman (Sago't Gulaman)
A sweet beverage made with tapioca pearls, agar-agar, and brown sugar syrup.
Buko Juice (Buko Juice)
Juice extracted from young coconuts.