eat & drink

IT’S TIME TO

BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

Food and drink are something we all need, wherever we are. Adobo, pancit, lumpia, sisig, inasal manok, lechon, bulalo, the list goes on. But if you are not familiar with these Filipino foods you can find out what they are below. But as well as all that you will find great sea food, pizza, burgers, fries and other international favourites around Port Barton. And don't forget that beer on the beach to wash it down!

First we'll explore the food and then where you can get it. Read on for some culinary inspiration, dig in!

BREAKFAST

The most important meal of the day? Wake up to a classic Filipino breakfast or some scrambled egg on toast, here are some popular breakfast choices found in the Philippines:

SILOG. These are very popular breakfasts throughout the country. They generally consist of garlic rice and egg served with the main (Ulam). Sometimes served with toast or other sides. Here are some of the most popular options:

TAPSILOG, Tapa + Sinangag [garlic rice] + Itlog [egg] - TAPA is thinly sliced cured meat such as beef, chicken or pork.

CORNSILOG - Corned beef.
LONGSILOG - Filipino sausage
HOTSILOG - Hotdog

TOCINO - Pork cooked in a sweet, sticky savoury, sauce.

ARROZ CALDO, a thick rice porridge, something like a risotto. Served hot with chicken and usually a boiled egg, plus a few trimmings. Delicious with a squeeze of lemon!

CHAMPORADO, glutinous rice, chocolate, evaporated milk, and sugar.

TORTANG TALONG, eggplant omelette. Eggplant/aubergine, coated in egg and fried to create this delicious omelette. Great served with a mix of soy sauce and calamansi (filipino lime) plus some chilli if you like it a bit spicy! This is also a great dish for lunch.

BANGUS, milk fish, deep fried until golden, may be served with egg or tomato and cucumber slices plus a soy sauce dip.

PANDESAL, small filipino bread rolls with a variety of fillings including corned beef, pork or chicken. Also nice with just butter.

This list could go on and on and also include American or continental type breakfasts, but these are some of the most popular options you will find around Port Barton. Hover over the pictures to see which is which!

LUNCH

Time seems to move at a different pace when away from home. So we'll use the word lunch to mean any time between breakfast and dinner depending on your days itinerary! Some of the breakfasts listed above could be your lunch and also some of the dinner ideas below could fall into this category.

A typical Filipino lunch (tanghalian) is made up of one or two main items, grilled, stewed, or fried and always rice. Normally water, juices, or soft drinks will be the choice of beverage. Here are a few ideas:

ADOBO, the number one, must try Filipino food. Its everywhere! Can be made of meat, seafood or vegetables, cooked in garlic, soy sauce and vinegar. Chicken and pork are my personal favourites. If one food can sum up a nation, this is it!

CHICKEN INASAL, marinated then grilled chicken. It's a staple in the Philippines. served with steamed rice (sometimes unlimited). There are chain restaurants that specialise in it (and name theirselves after it), but the locals simply cook it over charcoal in the open air and its amazing.

PANCIT, noodles in various forms. Pancit Bihon (rice noodles), Pancit Canton (egg noodles), are cooked in a stock with chicken or seafood and vegetables. Somewhat like a chow mein, but a very different taste. This is another must try filipino staple. Squeeze some lime or lemon over the top and dig in!

PANCIT PALABOK is another variation. This is a noodle dish with shrimp sauce and topped with several ingredients such as cooked shrimp, Boiled eggs and crushed chicharon. Pork, fish or other toppings may be added.

LUMPIA in the Philippines, or spring rolls as we known them are another delicious food here. They come in different types such as the usual deep fried spring rolls we are all used to filled with vegetables and minced meat or prawns. But there is another type, Fresh Lumpia. These are served cold, usually with a peanut sauce and are delicious.

LUNCH ON A BEACH ANYONE? If taking a private island hopping trip you can arrange lunch with your provider. On a group tour, lunch may be provided. You will have a variety of meat, fish and seafood, which is grilled while you enjoy your time on one of the gorgeous beaches. It's served with a selection of salad, fruit, drinks and of course rice. Menus do vary so check with your provider.

Bright living room with modern inventory

DINNER

Time to relax with a nice dinner! There are some nice local places that can accommodate you. The lunch ideas above can also be served for dinner so we won't mention those here again. Here are some delicious dishes to wet the appetite. Again this list could be expanded but here's an idea of some great Filipino food. Again, rice will be the side of choice for the majority of people, and in Asia soups and stews generally are part of a main meal and not a starter.

PORK MENUDO consists of tender pork with vegetables in a tomato sauce/stew.

CHICKEN CALDERETA is a delicious stew made with tomato sauce and vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers and potatoes. Generally cooked with a liver paste.

KARE KARE, not curry! An oxtail recipe made with a coconut milk and peanut sauce with vegetables such as green beans and Pak Choy. Other variations may have pork or beef instead of oxtail.

GINATAANG HIPON is shrimp in a thick coconut sauce and green veggies. Very delicious.

BEEF MECHADO is a delicious Filipino beef and veg stew, influenced by the Spanish. Somewhat similar to Caldereta with a tomato based sauce, but the obvious taste difference is the meat used, as well as the addition of calamansi (a lemon like fruit) to give a slight sourness.

CHICKEN AFRITADA. Chicken and veg cooked in a tomato sauce, similar to caldereta without the liver.

CHICKEN TINOLA is a chicken broth soup that is a local comfort food and not too heavy, with ginger, garlic and veggies.

BEEF BULALO. Beef shank soup with sweetcorn and cabbage.

LECHON. Classic!!! Slow cooked pork with a crunchy skin, usually cooked whole over an open fire for hours for a tender and absolutely delicious meal.

The food lists will be expanded regularly with more of Philippine's favourite dishes. What's your favourites? Let us know.

PULUTAN & PICA PICA

These are foods that may accompany drinks. Bar snacks enjoyed with a beer, a quick nibble or something shared with friends. Some more substantial than others....Items from above such as lumpia, fresh lumpia etc could also be included here, but here's a few more favourites, you get the idea! So let's go.....

PORK SISIG. Chopped pork, seasoned with calamansi, onion and chilli peppers, usually served with an egg which you mix into the dish and cooks in the heat of the food. Gorgeous!!!

CROCODILE SISIG. Pretty unique to Palawan, Cooked as above but with crocodile (of course!).

CRISPY PATA is the delicious pork dish, crunchy outside and moist inside. Deep fried pork knuckle and perfect with a beer!

CHICHARON. Deep fried pork skin (chicken is also available) with salt. Very crispy and again perfect with a drink!

CALAMARI RINGS are popular all over the world and also here! Squid fried in batter or sometimes breadcrumbs are a great snack or side for a main meal.