Adobo

Adobo is the closest thing to a national dish in the Philippines, consisting of seared and browned chunks of meat, seafood, fruit, or vegetables mixed with white vinegar or soy sauce (or both), bay leaves, garlic, salt, sugar, oil, and black pepper.

The combination of these ingredients is left to simmer over low heat, resulting in succulent, juicy, and tender ingredients covered in thick, rich, and savory sauce. Adobo got its name from the Spanish word adobar, meaning marinade or pickling sauce.

In English, the word adobo translates to braised in vinegar. With its rise in popularity, it is no wonder that there are a number of varieties of the dish, so adobo can be made in spicy, mild, saucy, or dry versions. Additional ingredients can also be added, such as onions, ginger, lemongrass, chili peppers, and coconut milk.

The most popular adobo dishes include local favorites such as chicken, beef, or pork adobo, white adobo, crispy adobo, squid adobo, and water spinach adobo. The dish is traditionally served over white rice, an ideal accompaniment that absorbs the tangy sauce.