Filipino cuisine often gets underscored in international culinary conversations, often unfairly labeled as less healthy and not particularly scrumptious. Let's shatter this myth once and for all. Read all about healthy & delicious Filipino Food in Siargao Island!
Photo credit: @bayani.siargao
The culinary treasures of the Philippines offer a vibrant array of flavors, techniques, and ingredients that can satisfy both your palate and well-being.
Here are our top picks for healthy and mouth watering Filipino foods available in Siargao Island that are going to take your tastebuds on a gastronomic adventure.
1. Delicious Filipino "Ceviche": Kilinaw
Photo credit: @cevsiargao
Kicking off the list is Kinilaw. This dish is often compared to Latin America's Ceviche – it's a raw seafood salad bathed in vinegar or calamansi (a local citrus) juice. The acid from the vinegar or calamansi juice "cooks" the seafood without any heat. Traditionally filled with chunks of tuna, cucumbers, onions, and chili peppers, this tangy, spicy and refreshing dish is light on the stomach yet flavorful.
2. Sinigang: An immune-boosting Soup.
Sinigang, a quintessential Filipino soup, is as healthy as it is comforting. This sour and savory soup uses tamarind as a base flavor, filled with various vegetables like water spinach, radish, okra, and tomatoes, and often a protein such as pork, beef, or shrimp. The robust set of vegetables and the lean protein provide a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, and loads of vitamins - a perfect immune-boosting dish.
3. Ensaladang Talong: Filipino Eggplant Salad
Photo credit: @bayani.siargao
Ensaladang Talong, also known as Eggplant Salad, is a simple, vegan-friendly dish that's packed with nutrients. The smoky, roasted eggplants are peeled and mashed, then mixed with tomatoes, onions, and occasionally fresh cilantro. A pour of vinegar adds the tangy top note, making the salad a refreshing companion to heavier dishes.
4. Adobo
Arguably the most iconic Filipino dish, Adobo, is simply savory meat -- often chicken or pork -- stewed in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices. Despite its ordinary appearance, it's the combination of these everyday ingredients that creates an extraordinary flavor. Opt for lean meat or skinless chicken to cut off the extra fat and enjoy this tangy, soy-infused dish guilt-free.
5. Ginataan: Cooked in Coconut Milk
Photo credit: @bayani.siargao
Ginataan is a broad term for any dish cooked with "gata" or coconut milk. This creamy, rich milk adds a subtly sweet, velvety flavor to any ingredient it's cooked with. You'd often find ginataan dishes that involve vegetables like squash and string beans or fish and seafood. All the insoluble fibers from the coconut milk make it an excellent choice for a hearty, healthy meal.
6. Kare-Kare: Traditional Filipino Stew
Photo credit: @bayani.siargao
Kare-Kare is a traditional Filipino stew featuring a thick, savory peanut sauce. It usually contains oxtail, beef, and occasionally offal, supplemented by vegetables such as eggplant, Chinese cabbage, and long beans. While it's souvent paired with a shrimp paste side dish (bagoong), which is high in salt, limiting its use or substituting with a low sodium option can keep the dish on the healthier side.
Healthy diets can be diverse and exciting - and Filipino cuisine certainly has plenty to offer in that department. So, let's drop the misconception and embrace Filipino food with an open heart and a curious palate.
These dishes highlight that healthful local food in Siargao Island can also be flavorful, bursting with unique, delightful tastes that satisfy both the body and soul.
At Awake Siargao Retreats, where wellness meets paradise, we present the culinary treasures of the Philippines in their most authentic, nutritious, and tasty form. Every meal is a balance of flavor and nutrition and a play between the Philippines’ local tastes and special western dishes. Whether you're here to chase the waves, find tranquility, or simply savor the local cuisine, we invite you with sumptuous dishes that satisfy both body and soul. Come, let's embark on a gastronomic adventure, steeped in wellness and genuine Filipino hospitality. Kainan na (Let's eat)!
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