10 Must-Try Filipino Dishes for First-Time Visitors 

The Philippines is a paradise for food lovers, offering a mix of flavors influenced by Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American cuisines. If you're visiting the country for the first time, don't miss these must-try Filipino dishes!

1. Adobo

Considered the unofficial national dish, adobo is a savory and slightly tangy stew made with chicken or pork, slow-cooked in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. Each region has its own take on adobo, but all are delicious!

2. Sinigang

A comforting sour soup, sinigang is often cooked with pork, shrimp, or fish, flavored with tamarind, tomatoes, and various vegetables. The balance of sour and savory flavors makes this a unique and refreshing dish.

3. Lechon

A festive staple, lechon is a whole roasted pig with crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat. Cebu is particularly famous for its version, served with a vinegar-based dipping sauce.

4. Pancit

Filipinos love noodles, and pancit comes in many varieties. Try pancit canton (stir-fried egg noodles with vegetables and meat) or pancit palabok (rice noodles with shrimp sauce, chicharrón, and hard-boiled eggs).

5. Kare-Kare

This rich and hearty peanut stew features oxtail, beef, or tripe, served with vegetables and bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) for extra flavor. It’s a must-try for those who love thick, nutty sauces.

6. Halo-Halo

A refreshing dessert perfect for the tropical heat, halo-halo is a mix of shaved ice, evaporated milk, sweetened fruits, jelly, and topped with a scoop of ube (purple yam) ice cream. It’s the ultimate summer treat!

7. Balut

For the adventurous foodie, balut is a fertilized duck egg with a partially developed embryo, boiled and eaten with salt and vinegar. It’s an iconic Filipino street food that’s both daring and delicious!

8. Sisig

Originating from Pampanga, sisig is a sizzling dish made of chopped pig’s face and ears, seasoned with calamansi, chili, and topped with an egg. It’s a popular pulutan (beer match) but also great with rice.

9. Laing

A flavorful dish from the Bicol region, laing consists of dried taro leaves cooked in coconut milk, chili, and shrimp paste. It’s creamy, spicy, and pairs well with steamed rice.

10. Bibingka & Puto Bumbong

A classic duo during Christmas season, bibingka is a soft rice cake cooked in banana leaves, while puto bumbong is a purple sticky rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes, both best enjoyed with butter and coconut.

Filipino cuisine is diverse and packed with bold flavors, and these ten dishes are just the beginning! Be sure to explore local eateries, street food stalls, and home-cooked meals for an authentic taste of the Philippines. What dish are you excited to try first? Let us know in the comments!