What are Your Top 10 Favorite Filipino Foods?

We Filipinos are known for our positive values, hospitality, being hard-working, and our ability to face whatever challenges that life brings – with a smile in our face. On top of that, we are also known to have a great passion for food – to the point of considering eating as a hobby.

Of course, the last statement does not apply to all; although it covers the majority.

Let’s talk about food, our favorite Filipino Foods.

What are your comfort foods? What are the foods that you find irresistible?

By the way, we are also known for being shy and quiet. I think that I should start the conversation by posting my food list first as an ice breaker, then you’ll follow by sending-in your comments.

How does that sound? Alright, here it goes…

Kalderetang Kambing

Kalderetang Kambing is goat meat stewed in tomato sauce. The adult goat meat, Chevon, is commonly used for this dish. The meat is sautéed with garlic, onions, and tomatoes then stewed in tomato sauce until it becomes tender.

Preparing goat meat requires some extra procedures compared to beef or pork. Since goat meat is gamey, a common practice to eliminate the odor and gamey flavor is to marinate it in vinegar, salt, and ground black pepper mixture for an hour or two before cooking.

Compared to the other Kaldereta dishes (sometimes spelled as Caldereta), Kalderetang Kambing is considered more special. It is commonly served in special occasions such as town fiestas and birthday parties (usually for grown-ups). It also goes well as an appetizer (pulutan) and is best when beer is around.

Try this Kalderetang Kambing recipe.

Beef Kaldereta

Another favorite Filipino dish is the Kaldereta. It is a hearty meat dish using chevon (goat meat), beef, or pork combined with potatoes, carrots, tomato sauce, and liver spread or liver paste. This is a popular dish served during special occasions and a regular in every Filipino cookbook.