TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Filipino Foods
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Inasal na manok is a unique Filipino grilled chicken dish which originated in Western Visayas and became the signature dish of the entire region. It employs various chicken cuts marinated in a mixture of vinegar and numerous spices such as lemongrass, garlic, and ginger.
During grilling, the meat is brushed with the annatto-infused oil which provides the chicken with an appetizing golden color and a unique peppery flavor. The dish is usually served alongside annatto-flavored garlic rice and spiced vinegar. In 2022, the city of Bacolod declared the dish an important cultural property.
MOST ICONIC Inasal na manok
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Bulalô is a traditional Filipino soup that is prepared by cooking beef shanks and marrow bones until the fat and collagen dissolve into the broth, resulting in a robust flavor of the dish. The soup is a specialty of the Luzon region, where it is traditionally consumed during cold weather, when it is usually served for dinner.
Most versions of the soup include vegetables such as cabbage, string beans, onions, and corn. It can be found in most upscale restaurants in the Philippines, due to the fact that beef shank and bone marrow are not among the cheapest cuts of meat in the country.
MOST ICONIC Bulalô
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Lumpiang Shanghai is the most popular variety of lumpia, the crispy deep-fried Filipino snack that evolved from Chinese spring rolls. Even though lumpia appears in numerous variations, the Shanghai version is characterized by a savory filling which combines ground pork or beef with carrots, onions, various seasonings, and (occasionally) shrimps.
Lumpiang Shanghai is usually sold at numerous street stalls throughout the country, but it is also a staple dish served on special and festive occasions. This delicious and crispy snack is usually served accompanied by sweet and sour dipping sauce.
MOST ICONIC Lumpiang Shanghai
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
This variety of sinigang - Filipino savory and sour soup - consists of various pork cuts that are simmered along tamarind fruit. Tomatoes, onions, garlic, okra, white radish, water spinach and green long peppers are also commonly used for this soup.
There is also a similar dish in Malaysian cuisine called siniggang. A version of the pork sinigang is sinigang na miso, which uses the Japanese seasoning made from fermented rice and barley or soybeans. Nowadays, sinigang mix is available in supermarkets, but enjoying the dish made from scratch represents the full experience.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Sinigang
MOST ICONIC Sinigang na baboy
Tortang talong is a simple Filipino dish made with a combination of roasted eggplants and lightly beaten eggs. Whole eggplants are dipped into the egg mixture and are then shortly pan-fried until the entire dish starts to resemble a crispy omelet.
This versatile delicacy is easily adapted with additional ingredients such as ground meat and vegetables, and it is traditionally served accompanied by steamed rice and tomato or banana ketchup. Inexpensive and quickly prepared, tortang talong can be enjoyed at any time of day as a hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Omelet
MOST ICONIC Tortang talong
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Lechon, derived from a Spanish word for roasted suckling pig is one of the most popular dishes in the Philippines. The slowly-roasted suckling pig is usually stuffed with lemongrass, tamarind, garlic, onions, and chives, and is then roasted on a large bamboo spit over an open fire.
It is traditionally served whole on a platter, at celebrations and festive events such as weddings and Christmas. Once the meat is properly roasted and falls off the bone, people tend to eat every part of the pig, and the crispy, reddish-brown, crackling skin is especially beloved.
MOST ICONIC Lechon
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Leche flan is a Filipino dessert that is essentially a caramel custard consisting of milk, sugar, and eggs, with the addition of vanilla flavoring. Traditionally, it's oval-shaped due to the use of tin molds called llaneras. It is recommended to serve it chilled and coated with leftover caramel syrup.
Leche flan is very popular at numerous Filipino celebrations and social gatherings. Originally, it was brought over to the Philippines during the Spanish colonization, so it is believed that it has origins in the regions on the border of Spain and France.
MOST ICONIC Leche Flan
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Lechon kawali is the Filipino version of deep-fried pork belly. Primarily boiled in plain or seasoned water, the meat is rubbed with salt, cut into chunks, then deep-fried until it develops a golden-brown, crispy skin, but remains juicy and tender on the inside.
It is one of the most famous Filipino dishes eaten throughout the country. Always served hot, lechon kawali is usually accompanied by spicy vinegar sauce or a traditional lechon liver sauce on the side.
MOST ICONIC Lechon kawali
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Bicol express is a popular Filipino dish consisting of sliced pork that is doused in a creamy coconut-based sauce and seasoned with shrimp paste and spicy chili peppers. According to popular belief, Cely Kalaw invented the dish in her Manila restaurant.
She was inspired by the traditional Bicolano coconut-infused dishes and named the new invention after a Filipino train service operating from Manila to the Bicol region. Creamy and spicy Bicol express is usually served with plain steamed rice on the side.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Ginataan
MOST ICONIC Bicol Express
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Arroz caldo is the Filipino variety of congee, a thick rice porridge that is ubiquitous in many Asian countries. It is also one of many congee varieties found in the Philippines. Distinguished by the addition of chicken, arroz caldo is usually cooked in a ginger-infused broth and served with various accompaniments and seasonings.
Although congee is originally Chinese, this particular variety is believed to have been developed and adapted to suit the tastes of the large Spanish community that was present in the country during colonial times. This comforting rice dish is usually enjoyed as a filling breakfast or a satisfying midday meal.
MOST ICONIC Arroz caldo
View more
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Filipino Food Producers
Auro Chocolate is a bean-to-bar chocolate company based in Taguig, Philippines, established in 2015. The company is dedicated to producing high-quality, fine cocoa and chocolate products while also focusing on sustainability and fair trade practices.
Auro Chocolate sources its cacao from local farming communities in the Philippines, supporting local farmers and their families. The company has been recognized internationally, securing various awards for its chocolate products.
AWARDS
International Chocolate Awards - Gold
2023
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2020, 2019
International Chocolate Awards - Bronze
2023, 2019
Dalareich Chocolate House is a chocolate producer based in the Philippines, specifically in Bohol. The company is involved in producing chocolate products using locally sourced cacao. They focus on bean-to-bar production, a method where the entire chocolate-making process—from roasting the cocoa beans to forming the chocolate bars—is controlled in-house to ensure quality.
Dalareich Chocolate House also engages in initiatives to support local cacao farmers by promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
AWARDS
The Rum & Cachaça Masters - Master
2023
BEST Bleeding Heart Rum Company Spirits
AWARDS
World Liqueur Awards - Country Winner
2024
BEST Cervia Global Trading Inc. Liqueurs
AWARDS
World Liqueur Awards - Country Winner
2024
BEST Destileria Barako Corporation Liqueurs
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024
The Asian Spirits Masters - Gold
2022
BEST Tanduay Distillers Spirits
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2022
BEST La Salvaje del Litoral Spirits
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2022
BEST Bodegas Callia Wines
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Filipino Food Products
The product 42% Milk Hojicha made by Auro Chocolate is a sophisticated blend that combines the rich flavors of roasted green tea (Hojicha) with creamy milk chocolate. Auro Chocolate, renowned for its high-quality bean-to-bar products, ensures a harmonious balance between the roasted notes of Hojicha and the smoothness of milk chocolate.
This particular product exemplifies Auro’s dedication to creating unique and refined flavors, utilizing sustainably sourced cacao beans. The result is a unique chocolate experience that brings out the nuanced flavors of both the tea and the chocolate.
AWARDS
International Chocolate Awards - Gold
2023
Auro Chocolate's 50% Dark Milk Chocolate Vetiver with Freeze Dried Pineapple and Rice Crispies is a product that blends distinct flavor profiles and textures. The chocolate is a premium offering made by Auro Chocolate, a company renowned for its bean-to-bar approach, ensuring high-quality and ethically sourced ingredients.
This particular bar combines the depth of 50% dark milk chocolate with the aromatic notes of vetiver, a fragrant grass with a slightly woody and earthy scent. The inclusion of freeze-dried pineapple adds a sharp, tangy sweetness, while the rice crispies provide a delightful crunch, creating a complex yet harmonious tasting experience.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2020
Auro Chocolate produces a unique product known as 64% Dark Chocolate with Ylang Ylang and Roasted White Chocolate. This artisanal chocolate bar combines the robust flavors of 64% dark chocolate with the floral and aromatic notes of ylang-ylang, creating a complex and luxurious taste experience.
In addition to the dark chocolate and ylang-ylang, this bar is complemented by the richness of roasted white chocolate, adding a creamy and slightly caramelized dimension to the overall flavor profile. The combination aims to offer a distinctive and indulgent treat for chocolate enthusiasts.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2020
Auro Chocolate's 32% White Davao Origin is a high-quality white chocolate product. The chocolate is crafted from cacao sourced directly from Davao, a renowned cacao-growing region in the Philippines, known for its rich and diverse flavors. This artisanal chocolate showcases Auro's commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices.
The 32% cocoa content offers a balanced flavor profile that is less sweet than typical white chocolates, appealing to both traditional white chocolate lovers and those seeking a more nuanced experience.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2020
Auro Chocolate's 100% Cacao Unsweetened Chocolate is crafted from high-quality cacao beans sourced directly from Filipino farmers. The chocolate boasts a pure, intense cocoa flavor with no added sugars or artificial ingredients, making it ideal for baking, cooking, or enjoying as a robust snack.
The product undergoes meticulous processing to ensure the retention of natural flavors and nutritional benefits typically associated with pure cacao. Auro Chocolate emphasizes sustainability and ethical sourcing practices, contributing to the welfare of local farming communities.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2019
100% Unsweetened is a premium chocolate product crafted by Dalareich Chocolate House. It is made using high-quality cacao beans and contains no added sugars, making it ideal for those who prefer a pure, intense chocolate flavor or wish to control the sweetness in their recipes.
This unsweetened chocolate is often used in baking, cooking, and creating gourmet chocolate confections. Dalareich Chocolate House is committed to producing chocolate that celebrates the rich heritage and robust flavors of Filipino cacao.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2019
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2024
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2016
AWARDS
The Rum & Cachaça Masters - Master
2023
AWARDS
World Liqueur Awards - Country Winner
2024
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Filipino Foods” list until March 20, 2025, 6,527 ratings were recorded, of which 4,018 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.