Filipinos who live overseas undeniably experience periods of homesickness, especially when they’re reminded of the happier days back home – most of which include feasts of food on the table during grand fiestas and festivities!
This is why most OFWs either cook Filipino meals at home or search for restaurants that would satisfy their cravings for Filipino food.
With the upcoming 3-day Filipino Food Festival here in the UAE taking place at Rove Trade Centre Hotel from April 4-6, organized by the Philippine Consulate-General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and The Filipino Times, here are a few of the most popular methods of cooking that Filipinos do to make themselves feel more at home no matter where they are in the world – some of which, you’ll get to enjoy at the festival!
Adobo. Most Filipinos would probably include Adobo when asked of their top 5 Filipino food choices. Adobo has its own varieties across the Philippines – but most of them include cooking the preferred choice of meat in soy sauce, garlic, oil, with a dash of vinegar.
Sinigang. With the prevalent rainy weather in the Philippines, Filipinos love to have a sip of their traditional soup dish – the Sinigang. Its sour broth is usually made from powder mixes these days – but many chefs still use the actual tamarinds, kamias, bayabas, and other fruits to generate that unique, sourness for the dish. Couple that with your choice of meat and selected vegetables and you’ll now enjoy a bowl of happiness with your own sinigang!
Ginataan. Coconuts are everywhere in the Philippines – which is why it isn’t surprising that many Filipinos have created and innovated their very own dishes from Coconut Milk! From the varieties of the ginataan to the very popular Bicol Express and Gising Gising dishes, to name a few – it isn’t a surprise that many Filipinos simply love their coconuts!
Guisado. By this time – you’ll already notice a pattern: Most Filipino dishes involve sautéing dishes in garlic and/or onion before including their main flavors. This is why sauté dishes in their base form are also included in the top choices of Filipinos for their dishes!
Paksiw. This is like adobo – minus the soy sauce. The dish banks on the sourness of the vinegar to infuse the taste with the base of the dish, which usually a variety of fish like galunggong or bangus.
Highlighting the Philippines’ rich culinary experience, the Filipino Food Festival coincides with the celebration of the Filipino Food Month this April, instituted by President Rodrigo Duterte through Presidential Proclamation no. 469 s. 2017.
Filipino Food Festival: All you need to know
What: Filipino Food Festival – a celebration of Philippine cuisine
Where: Rove Trade Centre Hotel, Dubai
When: April 4-6, 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Who: All Filipinos and expats are invited to attend. The festival is organized and spearheaded by The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and The Filipino Times, UAE’s biggest Filipino newspaper and the largest digital platform for Filipinos in the Region
Manila-based Chef Michelle Adrillana will be bringing signature Filipino dishes with some twists, along with a live cooking demo
Cost: Dh 79 for a complete Filipino buffet meal including soft beverages
For reservations, contact:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +971 4 241 9300
