Filipino dishes come from a rich and flavorful culinary history, with Chinese, Spanish, and Mexican influences. Every chef will put a personal spin on traditional recipes, but several ingredients are customary to Filipino cooking. From meat to fruit and veggies, here are five of the most popular.

The Top 5 Ingredients in Filipino Dishes

1. Meat

Filipino kitchens regularly include meats such as beef and chicken, but pork is the most prevalent. Animal protein is used in a variety of dishes ranging from afritada, a meat and vegetable stew, to pork hopia, a pastry that utilizes candied pork fat.

2. Coconut

Filipino cooks use coconut for several purposes. Flesh from young fruit can be cooked and is often used in macapuno sweet rolls, while mature coconut flesh can be pressed into a cream and incorporated into cold desserts like halo-halo. Coconut vinegar — an acidic product derived from fermented coconut water or sap — is also used in savory dishes. 

3. Rice

Filipino dishes are similar to other Asian and Pacific Island cuisines in their use of rice. You might find rice served as a side item, in a soup or stew, or even as part of a sticky, sugary cake like biko.

4. Vegetables

Filipino chefs use various plants to impart flavor and unique texture to savory meals like soups and stews, or to accompany meat dishes. Some of the most commonly used include cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, string beans, and okra.

5. Banana

Ripe bananas are the star of sweet treats like banana lumpia, a spring roll that’s coated in brown sugar. Banana blossoms, the purplish flowers that grow on banana trees, are also a popular ingredient—and their flaky, fish-like texture makes them a good substitute for seafood in vegan stews and noodles.

If you’re looking for delicious Filipino dishes, visit Plantation Grindz in Kahului, HI. Visitors and locals alike adore this unique establishment. Their cuisine is a distinct blend of sweet and spicy Asian flavors, traditional ingredients from Spain, cooking techniques from China, and local Maui flavors. Call (808) 873-3663 to place an order, and don’t forget to rate your visit on Yelp, Facebook, and Google.