About
Welcome to Panlasang Pinoy!
I’m Vanjo Merano. I’ve been cooking for over 30 years, starting when I was 12 years old. Back then, I spent a lot of time in my Mom’s kitchen watching her cook. I learned by watching, then by doing.
I started Panlasang Pinoy in 2009 while living in the northern suburbs of Chicago. I noticed that Filipino recipes online were hard to find, and the ones that existed were incomplete or confusing. I wanted to change that. So I started documenting my recipes, one dish at a time.
The name Panlasang Pinoy means “Filipino Taste.” That’s exactly what this blog is about.
Now I live in Tampa, Florida with my family. Panlasang Pinoy has grown into one of the largest Filipino food blogs, with thousands of recipes and millions of readers every year. I also run a YouTube channel and post regularly on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
Why I Do This
Filipino food deserves more recognition. Our dishes are flavorful, practical, and made for sharing. But for a long time, Filipino cuisine was not well represented outside the Philippines. I wanted to help change that.
I write recipes the way I cook at home. Simple instructions. Easy to follow. No unnecessary steps. If a shortcut works without sacrificing flavor, I’ll tell you. If a technique matters, I’ll explain why.
Whether these dishes bring back memories or you are cooking Filipino food for the first time, I want you to enjoy the process and get great results.
Where You May Have Seen Panlasang Pinoy
My recipes have been featured by a range of well known food and lifestyle publications.
I also developed ready-to-eat meals that were sold nationwide in 7-Eleven stores across the Philippines. That partnership showed me that Filipino flavors can compete anywhere when done right.
Where to Start
If you’re new here, try these reader favorites:
Chicken Adobo — the dish that defines Filipino cooking
Sinigang — sour soup that tastes like home
Leche Flan — the dessert on every Filipino celebration table
Kare-Kare — rich peanut stew for special occasions
Or visit the Start Here page for a guided tour of the site.
Let’s Connect
I read messages from readers and appreciate every one. If you have questions, recipe requests, or feedback, reach out through the Contact page.
You can also find me on:
Salamat sa pagbisita. (Thanks for visiting!)
— Vanjo