When it comes to food the Philippines has it all - a fabulous
mix of foreign cuisine plus its own mouth-watering
delicacies.
Background
As a result of its successful
mix of Eastern and Western cultures and cuisine, the
Philippines is considered the melting pot of Asia. Philippine
food is the result of Malay, Spanish, and Chinese influences
going back over 400 years. These influences, combined with
Filipino ingenuity, have created an array of food that is
totally different from the neighboring Asian countries such as
Thailand, China, Korea, and Japan.
Some people say that Filipino food is bland by comparison with
other Asian food, especially the hot and spicy Thai food.
However, doing away with the hot spices allows Filipino food to
develop its own delicious taste without the overbearing,
eye-watering sting of red hot chilies. The very mildness of
Filipino food makes it suitable for those with appreciative and
sensitive taste buds.
Filipinos love to eat and, like other Asian countries, rice is
the staple food and is served with most meals. Filipinos
typically eat three main meals a day, plus a morning and
afternoon tea called merienda which literally means
"snack." These "snacks" however, are often as filling as main
meals.
In the Philippines you cannot escape the temptations of food;
you are literally surrounded by it. Take a stroll down a beach
and the chances are you will find vendors selling everything
from barbecue sticks to balut - boiled, unhatched
chicken or duck eggs.
Filipino restaurants come in many guises, from small roadside
stalls or canteens to large restaurants like The Seafood
Market in Ermita where you choose not only your seafood,
but also how you want it cooked.
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