Traditional Filipino Food Perfect for Sharing

Gathering together to eat is a part of Filipino culture. Filipinos love to bond over food, from extended families to whole communities or barangays coming together for special occasions, celebrations, and fiestas. Whether it’s a family reunion, a birthday, or a local event, no Filipino party is complete without a table laden with traditional dishes.

Let’s explore the rich flavors of traditional Filipino food ideal for parties and Filipino restaurants in Makati where you can enjoy these dishes with Eatigo’s fantastic dining deals.

Filipino Food Included in Most Party Menus

Filipino cuisine is a vibrant mix of flavors and textures, with dishes often prepared to be shared in a group setting. Here are some of the must-have Filipino dishes at any gathering:

Lumpiang Shanghai

These crunchy spring rolls are filled with ground pork, minced onion, carrots, and spices. They’re tightly wrapped in a thin wrapper and fried until golden brown. This irresistible finger food is served with a sweet and sour sauce or a vinegar garlic dip.

Pancit

In Filipino culture, this dish symbolizes a long life, making it essential for birthdays. Varieties like Pancit Canton and Pancit Bihon are cooked by sautéing noodles with soy sauce and a bounty of toppings such as shrimp, sliced pork, vegetables, chicken, or whatever ingredients are preferred or available.

Filipino Spaghetti

This dish is a must on most Filipino party food menus. The Filipino version of spaghetti is on the sweet side, made with sweet-style spaghetti sauce, banana ketchup, with ground beef or pork, and slices of hotdogs or sausages, and topped with lots of grated cheese.

Kaldereta

This stew is traditionally made with goat meat, but beef, chicken, or pork are now more commonly used. It’s cooked with potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and peas in a thick, spicy tomato-based sauce. Liver spread or peanut butter is added to make the sauce richer and denser.

BBQ Liempo

BBQ Liempo is pork belly marinated in soy sauce, calamansi juice, garlic, and pepper, then grilled over charcoal. It’s often served with a soy sauce and vinegar dipping sauce.

Kare-Kare

Kare-Kare is made with a variety of meats, but most commonly oxtail. Vegetables such as eggplant, string beans, and banana blossoms are cooked in a rich, mildly sweet peanut sauce. It’s traditionally served with bagoong, a fermented shrimp paste, on the side.

Dinuguan

This savory, tangy stew might be an acquired taste for some, but it’s a beloved dish in many Filipino households. Pork offal stewed in pig’s blood, vinegar, and spices. It’s often paired with steamed rice or puto (steamed rice cake).

Lechon

Celebratory feasts in the Philippines often feature Lechon, a whole pig meticulously roasted over coals for several hours until its skin turns crisp and its meat tender. It’s served with a liver-based sauce.

Macaroni Salad

Elbow macaroni mixed with mayonnaise, condensed milk, and cheese, giving it a sweet and tangy flavor. It often includes diced carrots, boiled eggs, ham, chicken, pineapples, and raisins.

Leche Flan

A staple dessert at any Filipino party, Leche Flan is a creamy, caramel-topped custard made from egg yolks, evaporated milk, and condensed milk.

Enjoy Filipino Food at These Restaurants

With Eatigo, you can have your fill of traditional Filipino food without spending hours in the kitchen doing all that cooking. Enjoy modern dining conveniences at Eatigo partner restaurants!

Circles Event Cafe at Makati Shangri-La, Manila, offers a luxurious buffet setting where you can indulge in a wide array of Filipino specialties, while The Pantry at Dusit Thani offers a farm-to-table concept that includes Filipino dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.

Have your fill of signature Filipino dishes at Cafe 1228’s all-you-can-eat buffet at New World Makati Hotel, available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Or, feast like a king at Vikings Luxury Buffet at SM Jazz Mall and enjoy a large selection of dishes, including your Filipino party favorites!

The Strand Cafe at One Pacific Place also serves all-day breakfasts, like pork tocino and daing na bangus, and other Filipino classics. Meanwhile, Nonya Cafe in Somerset Central Salcedo offers Filipino favorites along with Asian and international dishes.

Looking for delicious Filipino merienda or a light snack? Head to Flavors Restaurant at Holiday Inn and Suites Makati for their best-selling puto bumbong and bibingka or some heartwarming arroz caldo or lugaw (rice porridge) at Lugaw ni Lola Atbp at San Antonio, Makati.

Dine With Eatigo

If you love to dine out, Eatigo will be your best friend. Booking with Eatigo comes with several perks, most importantly, significant discounts of up to 50% off your bill, making it easier to host or enjoy parties without breaking the bank.

Eatigo offers a range of restaurants serving traditional Filipino food, ensuring you can find the perfect spot for any occasion. And with real-time booking confirmations, you can secure your table in advance at any of these restaurants and avoid long waiting times! Eatigo’s time-based discounts mean you can choose a time that offers the best value.

Ready to feast on Filipino party food? Book your table with Eatigo and enjoy a delicious feast at a fraction of the regular price.