5 popular Filipino dishes

The Philippines attracts visitors from different parts of the world because of its beautiful beaches and historical places. If traveling to the country, traditional Filipino food is a must try for a complete experience. Filipinos love to eat. Aside from the three main meals of the day, there’s also merienda or snacks in between. Their way of cooking was influenced by various nationalities including Spanish, Chinese, Malay, as well as American. However, it still has its unique blend of sweetness, saltiness and sourness. Rice is a staple in this country. While there are dishes that are popular as main Filipino dishes, each province or region also has their famous local cuisines. Here are some of the foods that are truly Filipino.

Lechon

Lechon could be a suckling pig, whole roasted pig or cattle calves. This is often prepared on special occasions and celebrations like fiestas, birthdays, weddings, Christmas and christenings. But you can easily find restaurants, eateries or lechon stands selling them per single order so you can have a taste of it without having to buy the whole thing.

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Adobo

This is one of the most popular dishes in the Philippines. Though the country does not have a national food, many people consider adobo as the unofficial national food of the country. The main ingredients of this dish are pork or chicken, oil, garlic, vinegar and soy sauce. It has a sour and salty taste and it can last for several days without being spoiled.

Chicken Adobo

Sinigang

Sinigang is another favorite dish among Filipinos. While some consider adobo as the national dish, others are rooting for sinigang. This dish is seafood or meat boiled in sour broth. The souring ingredients often used are guava and tamarind.

sinigang

Kare-Kare

This dish is also known as peanut stew as it is cooked in peanut oil. Its main ingredients are ox tail and vegetables; though pork can also be used as an alternative for ox tail. It’s often served with fermented shrimp paste or what the locals call bagoong.

kare-kare

Dinuguan

If you’re adventurous, you can try this stew, which uses pig blood. Other ingredients include chili, meat or offal, garlic and vinegar. It’s usually paired with a type of bread called puto.

dinuguan

EL Nido: a paradise away from home

Elnindo

Imagine white fine sand and clear blue waters. Then imagine yourself relaxing on a hammock under the green leaves of the coconut trees, looming in to give you shade. Then you can dig your toes under the sand and bask under the sun on a perfect beach. CNNGo considers this place as the Best Beach and Island destination in the Philippines due to its “extraordinary splendour and ecosystem.” This tropical paradise is called El Nido, a first class municipality in Palawan, Philippines. El Nido is just 420 kilometres southwest of Manila, and 238 kilometres northeast of Palawan’s capital, Puerto Princesa.

Features

El Nido offers you a wonderful location for island hopping, diving, and kayaking. It is home to 888 species of fish and five species of marine turtle, with a quarter billion year-old limestone cliff, four archeological sites, 45 islands and over 2,000 hectares of mangrove. El Nido is also home to over a hundred species of birds.

Island Hopping

El Nido is perfect for island hopping because it is home to 1,780 islands. Unlike other countless tourism beach destinations in the Philippines, El Nido is still scarcely populated, which means, you can enjoy the islands without much disturbance from other tourists or party people and their loud music.

Attraction

Palawan is considered as “The Last Ecological Frontier of the Philippines,” and El Nido is one of its main tourist attractions. El Nido offers you crystal-clear water, flora and fauns, and pristine beaches.

Transportation

It takes about 55 minutes of flight time from Manila to El Nido. This travel path may be a bit expensive, but it is the easiest and fastest way to get there.  The cheapest way to get to El Nido is via land from Manila to the capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa. There are travel tours online that can give you the best tour packages to El Nido.

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Visiting Asia’s Bests: Five Outstanding Attractions and Things to Do

Asia is home to a total of 49 different nations. Each country boasts some of Earth’s wonders—from towering infrastructures up to nature ranges. With countless places to go to, it’s actually bewildering where to head on for vacation. But with some tidbits from travelers who went there, we’ll surely have an idea of the best destinations in Asia.

Bangkok

Getting around Bangkok is like entering the magical world of fairy tales. Thailand’s capital city ranked first with its majestic museums and architectures. It’s where you’ll see the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho or the Reclining Buddha Temple, and City Pillar Shrine. Bangkok is a great terminus for day trips. Get to see the world’s largest crocodile farm at Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo or revisit the past at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. For those who are up for adventures, Bangkok also has eco-friendly bike tours anyone can try. It’s also a better way of touring the city as you see more of its picture-perfect views.

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Tokyo

A stay in Tokyo is a one of a kind in way that you’ll get amazed with its tradition and pop culture. Go to Minato for antique and art museums. Then watch the city’s breath-taking view at the Tokyo City View in Mori Tower. Or go along Sumida River to catch some cherry blossom trees in full bloom. But stay keyed up, as nightlife in Tokyo is as colorful as its day-time activities. Bring your friends at a karaoke bar and sing along while munching on yummy sushi and udon noodles.

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Beijing

China’s pride is among the best destinations in Asia with its many historic sights and tourist attractions. Beijing is heaping with parks, castles, and gardens. Aside from the famous Great Wall, this is where you’ll also find the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and Palace Museum. This place is the perfect destination for adventure seekers as one could hike and camp while touring Beijing. With its big demographics, there are more types of tours to choose from and most of them are private tours.

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Shanghai

Another pride from China is its largest metropolitan. Shanghai is divided into two districts, Pudong and Puxi. You’ll get to see a stunning skyline in Pudong. On the other hand, you’ll get to see the old Shanghai at Puxi. This China giant is also the most cosmopolitan of all its cities. Stop over Shanghai Museum for stunning state-of-the-art galleries. Then watch an extraordinary acrobat show at Shanghai Circus World. Or go to Shanghai Confucian Temple for a peaceful and religious place. Shopping at People’s Square is also a nice experience as you explore more of China’s largest city.

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Cambodia’s highflier is last but not the list on our top five best destinations. Watch the sunrise at Ankor Wat while being amazed at the overgrown temples nearby. Then head on to Angkor Thom for a royal city experience. This is where you can enjoy a boat ride while watching the breath-taking sunset. The night market in this place is also very lively with its food vendors and shopping stalls.

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