Kimberly Marie Gayeta
Filipino Fiesta Menu: Popular Filipino Dishes Served on Every Filipino Occasion
The local food scene here in the Philippines is genuinely something to be proud of. Even with the fact that so many diverse cultures have influenced the country over the years, which also reflects beautifully in the culinary scene, there are a lot of Pinoy dishes that stand out on their own.
Also, Filipinos are well known to be rice-loving folks. The rice or Kanin is the food that is always served at the table first. As the saying goes, you know you are Filipino when you have both spoon & fork in hand instead of the knife & fork because every Filipino meal involves rice. And of course, what are the favorite dishes commonly paired with rice that go so well with it.
Here are the top 15 favorite Pinoy Fiesta dishes best served with rice. Plus, you will not be surprised to see these Filipino Fiesta dishes that will ever be present on any and every Filipino occasion.
Chicken Adobo
Your ultimate “Fiesta Ulam” spread will not be complete without Adobo on the spread. Adobong Manok, as it’s known locally, is a classic Filipino Fiesta dish connected to the Spanish roots because Adobo translates to “marinade” in Spanish.
This dish starts with marinating the chicken in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, black peppercorn, and garlic and then is left to simmer in a pot until the chicken meat is tender. Also, the pork adobo recipe is cooked the same way.
Lechon
Lechon, or roast pig, has never been absent in any celebration like fiestas and most especially on any grand occasion. It is always considered to be one of the star dishes served.
Because honestly, what is a Filipino fiesta without its counterpart in the form of a whole roasted pig, with its thick and crunchy pork skin and succulent pork meat?
Pansit
Pancit Canton
The pancit (or pansit) is undoubtedly a favorite classic dish on any Filipino fiesta menu. This dish is cooked in many different ways due to the variety of noodles available per region. Popular regional noodle varieties are Pancit Lucban, Pancit Cabagan, and Pancit Bato of Bicol.
But the usual take for a classic pansit is cooking it with stir-fried veggies and your chosen lahok (chicken or pork).
Barbecue
Barbecue is also on the list since kids and adults love the good ‘ol barbecued meat of chicken, pork, and hotdogs. Because when there is a Pinoy party, you’ll be sure to find smoke billowing out of the backyard and the aroma of meat being grilled to perfection.
Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is a popular cold side dish that is made with cooked macaroni pasta, mayonnaise, raisins, shredded chicken, and various other ingredients. The dish can be customized to personal taste, but some common ingredients include diced celery, onions, bell peppers, hard-boiled eggs, and sometimes shredded carrots.
To make macaroni salad, the cooked macaroni pasta is usually rinsed with cold water to cool it down, then mixed with mayonnaise and other ingredients. The salad is typically chilled in the refrigerator for several hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Morcon
Morcon is the Filipino version of a meat roll with hotdogs, pickles, carrots, cheese, liver, and egg as stuffings. Morcon is considered a local Christmas dish so expect this dish to turn up on your dining table this Christmas season and on New Year’s Eve.
Lumpia
Lumpia is one of the favorites as well, and this dish is an influence of Chinese cuisine. Lumpia or spring rolls are trendy in the Philippines and almost always served on any occasion because it is very easy to make a large serving in less time.
Bistek Tagalog
Bistek Tagalog, more commonly called the Philippine Beef Steak, is prepared by marinating strips of beef sirloin in a sauce composed of soy sauce, pepper, and garlic before it is fried alongside white onions.
Once it’s done, it usually is finished with a bit of lime or calamansi juice to counteract the soy sauce flavor. The end result, of course, is the Filipino version of a saucy beef steak.
Kare-Kare
Some have called it the peanut stew of the Philippines, mainly because kare-kare is, in fact, a dish composed of oxtails and tripe with a peanut-based stew, along with a few sets of vegetables that includes petsay, long beans, and eggplants. This dish is usually paired with shrimp paste or alamang.
Crispy Pata
Aside from the lechon, the Crispy Pata is also a Filipino favorite because no one can resist the crispy skin and moist, tender pork meat.
The deep-fried pork leg is best served with some tasty dipping sauce, or its partner called the atsara, a pickled papaya relish. Every Filipino Occasion is not complete without Crispy Pata.
Caldereta
Caldereta is a popular Filipino dish that is typically made with beef or goat meat, tomato sauce, potatoes, pickles, carrots, and bell peppers, as well as other seasonings and spices like laurel leaves and liver spread. The meat is usually simmered in the tomato sauce until it is tender, and the vegetables are added towards the end of the cooking process. Some variations of the dish may also include other ingredients such as olives, green peas, and liver spread.
Caldereta is often served with rice and is a favorite dish for special occasions and family gatherings in the Philippines. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is beloved by many Filipinos and has become popular in other countries as well.
Pork Menudo
Pork Menudo is a classic Filipino stew that is made with diced pork, tomato sauce, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and other ingredients such as green peas, raisins, and diced pork liver. The dish is typically seasoned with soy sauce, fish sauce, and other spices to give it a savory and slightly sweet flavor.
To make pork menudo, the pork is usually first sautéed with garlic and onions until it is browned. Then the tomato sauce and other ingredients are added and simmered until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. The dish is often served with steamed rice and is a popular main dish for family gatherings and special occasions in the Philippines.
Like many Filipino stews and dishes, pork menudo is a hearty and flavorful comfort food that has become a beloved part of Filipino cuisine.
Bulalo
Bulalo is a popular Filipino beef soup dish that is made by cooking beef shanks with marrow bones and various vegetables. The dish is known for its rich and savory broth, which is made by simmering the beef shanks and bones for several hours with onions, garlic, and spices.
To make bulalo, the beef shanks and bones are first blanched in boiling water to remove any impurities. The meat is then added to a large pot with water, onions, garlic, and spices such as peppercorns and bay leaves. The mixture is simmered for several hours until the meat is tender and falls off the bone. Vegetables such as corn, cabbage, and bok choy are then added towards the end of the cooking process to add flavor and nutrition to the dish.
Bulalo is a hearty and comforting dish that is enjoyed by many Filipinos, especially during the colder months. It is often served with steamed rice and is best enjoyed by scooping out the marrow from the bones and adding it to the soup. Some variations of the dish may also include other ingredients such as potatoes or carrots.
Halo-halo
And lastly, for dessert, the one and only Halo-halo! It’s a very well-known Filipino dessert that is made of shaved ice, mixed in with local fruits, banana and sweet potato, sweet corn, macapuno, coconut, sweetened beans as well as the two stars of the dessert – a scoop of ube and a piece of Leche flan and a scoop of ice cream to make it “special.” Of course, traditionally, you mix all of it together hence the name, Halo-Halo (meaning mix and mix).
Filipino Fruit Salad
Filipino Fruit Salad, also known as Buko Salad, is a popular dessert or snack in the Philippines. The dish typically includes a variety of canned or fresh fruit, such as canned fruit cocktails, fresh pineapple chunks, and sliced bananas, along with young coconut meat and sweetened condensed milk.
To make Filipino Fruit Salad, the canned or fresh fruits are usually drained and mixed together with the young coconut meat. The mixture is then sweetened with condensed milk, which gives the salad a creamy and rich flavor. Some variations of the dish may also include other ingredients, such as cubed jelly or tapioca pearls, to add texture and color.
Filipino Fruit Salad is a beloved part of Filipino cuisine and is often served at special occasions such as fiestas, holidays, and family gatherings. It is a refreshing and sweet dish that is perfect for hot weather and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
Want more updates about Pinoy recipes and other Filipino Fiesta Foods in the Philippines? Follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
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