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Dishes that define the Philippines

Filipino cuisine can be described by its blend of sour, sweet, salty and spicy, sometimes all in the same dish

Filipino food can be best described as a unique amalgamation of something sweet paired with something salty, which results in surprisingly delicious combinations. It can be defined by its blend of sour, sweet, salty and spicy, sometimes all in the same dish. The cuisine has been influenced by Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and Malaysian, and offers a diverse palate that has evolved over many centuries. Each island of the archipelago further adds its own distinctive flavour to the cuisine.
The Chinese brought soy sauce, noodles, frying and stir frying to the Philippines, while the Spanish brought cattle, grains, tomatoes, potatoes and other staples.
Despite the diversity, one ingredient that is common in most of their dishes is vinegar, which is a much-healthier option when compared to mayonnaise or ketchup. They have no shortage of vinegar as it comes from coconut, rice, cane, and palm. Basically, Filipinos have found a way to ferment vinegar out of anything that has natural sugars in it. Fermented shrimp paste and fish sauce are also commonly used as salting agents to flavour foods.  
Another trait that makes the cuisine universally loved is that it does not include a lot of dairy or gluten, making it suitable for a variety of diets and is great for those health conscious folks.
Some of their most common dishes include meat stews and vegetables, grilled fishes, and a wide variety of soups and noodles. Filipinos are also huge rice eaters, and breakfast is no exception for them. Plus, meals are traditionally consumed in a family style, allowing the concept of sharing plates and communal dining to take over their gatherings.
Ube ice cream
Scoops of Ube ice cream are all the rage on Instagram and are a feast for the senses. It is made of purple yam, a root vegetable that has a sublime deep purple colour, and makes for a highly photogenic dessert. The ice cream has a gentle flavour that can be described as a mixture of vanilla with the nuttiness of pistachio. Ube cakes, breads and pies, are also quite popular. Max's Restaurant (04-2891342) offers a decadent version of this treat and serves it with a chocolate wafer stick.
 
Adobo
Known as the national dish of the Philippines, Adobo is famous for its simplicity and ease of preparation. It is also a practical dish, as it can be stored for days without it getting spoiled. According to connoisseurs of Filipino cuisine, the dish even improves its flavour with a day or two of storage. Adobo translates to marinade in Spanish and is a chicken dish made from a combination of vinegar, bay leaves, soy sauce, garlic and black pepper. It's a dish that has as many variations as each region and households often end up adding their own twist to this classic staple. Sample this dish at Zuri (04-4554835), located in Auris Plaza Hotel Dubai.
 
Tapa
Another speciality of the land is Tapa, a dish that consists of thin slices of dried marinated beef served with fried egg and garlic rice. It is a must-have breakfast fare, but it can also be had at anytime of the day and makes for a quick and satisfying meals. It comes in both sweet and spicy versions, and is served with a side of sliced tomato or a spicy vinegar dipping sauce. Tapa King (04-2943930) in Al Ghurair Centre offers a tantalising version of the dish.
 
Chicken Inasal
This sensational grilled chicken is a tantalising delight. The meat is marinated in lemongrass, calamansi, salt, pepper and garlic. Chicken inasal is served with a generous portion of rice, and some of the orange oil used to marinate the chicken is poured over the rice, along with vinegar and soy sauce and is a speciality in the city of Bacolod. You can tuck into this dish at Little Manila (04-2999315) located in Al Muraqqabat, Deira.

Lumpiang
Lumpiang is a popular snack made of thin crepe pastry and the dish envelopes a mixture of savoury fillings, which includes chopped vegetables such as carrots or cabbages, and minced chicken, shrimp, or beef. It is quite similar to spring rolls, and apparently Chinese immigrants first introduced the snacks to the Philippines. Max's Restaurant (04-2891342), a popular Filipino food joint located in Mankhool, Al Rigga and International City, offers this crispy delight.

Sinigang
This fish stew is known for its sour and savoury taste, which is often associated with tamarind. Rice water forms the base of the soup and gives Sinigang a cloudy hue. It is flavoured with tamarind juice and tomatoes, together with fish sauce. Veggies usually used include radishes or spinach. Happy Home Restaurant (04-4227832) in International City serves up a tasty shrimp sinigang that is sure to whet your appetite.