01A family of dishes, not a single recipe
Adobo
Say it: ah-DOH-boh
Meat or vegetables simmered with vinegar, garlic, and other seasonings. Every household seems to have its own version.
Discover Filipino Food
Where to begin, if you are new to the table
Short, friendly guides to dishes you are likely to meet first. Each one is less a single recipe than a family of related dishes.
02A family of fresh and fried rolls
Lumpia
Say it: LOOM-pee-ah
Fillings wrapped in a thin wrapper and served fried and crisp, or fresh and soft. Often a favorite at gatherings.
03A broad family of noodle dishes
Pancit
Say it: pahn-SIT
Noodles cooked with vegetables, meat, or seafood. The noodles, sauce, and toppings change from dish to dish.
Food and culture
Every home has a version
Filipino recipes tend to change from one kitchen to the next. A dish may be cooked one way in one family and quite differently in another, shaped by region, by what ingredients are on hand, and by who taught the cook.
Meals are often shared, with several dishes and rice set out together. So if a dish you try tastes different from one you had before, that is part of the experience, not a mistake.