A Visitor’s Guide to Filipino Dishes to Try in Metro Manila

Last Updated on September 18, 2026 by Martina Ericka Berania

Filipino dishes to try in Manila range from vinegar-forward comfort food to grilled seafood, noodle dishes, and cold desserts. A first visit becomes much easier when you know what each dish tastes like, how it is usually served, and which style of restaurant is most likely to prepare it well.

Recipes vary by region and household, so no single version represents the entire cuisine. Use this list as a starting point, then compare preparations across traditional restaurants, neighbourhood eateries, and modern Filipino dining rooms.

A Visitor’s Guide to Filipino Dishes to Try in Metro Manila

Courtesy of Jeremy Pawlowski

10 Essential Filipino Dishes to Order in Manila

1. Adobo

Chicken or pork is braised with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Some versions are dry and deeply reduced; others keep more sauce. Manam is a convenient starting point with several Metro Manila branches.

Taste: Savoury, tangy, garlicky · Good first order: Chicken or pork adobo with rice

2. Sinigang

This sour soup often uses tamarind with pork, shrimp, fish, or beef and vegetables. The acidity should taste bright rather than one-note. Sentro 1771 is known for a corned-beef version, while many Filipino restaurants serve classic styles.

Taste: Sour and comforting · Good first order: Pork or shrimp sinigang

3. Kare-Kare

Kare-kare combines meat or vegetables with a thick peanut-based sauce and bagoong served on the side. The fermented shrimp paste adds salt and depth, so newcomers can add it gradually.

Taste: Nutty, rich, savoury · Good first order: Oxtail kare-kare

4. Sisig

Traditionally linked to Pampanga, sisig uses finely chopped pork seasoned with calamansi, onions, and chilli, often served sizzling in Manila. Modern versions may use seafood, chicken, tofu, or mushrooms.

Taste: Savoury, citrusy, crisp-edged · Good first order: Classic pork sisig

5. Lechon

Whole roasted pig is valued for crisp skin and tender meat. Manila restaurants may serve Cebu-style lechon, lechon belly, or portions with liver-based sauce. Order a smaller plate unless dining with a group.

Taste: Rich and savoury · Good first order: Lechon with rice and atchara

6. Pancit Palabok

Rice noodles are topped with a shrimp-based sauce, egg, seafood, crushed chicharon, and calamansi. Via Mare and other long-running Filipino restaurants offer accessible versions for first-time diners.

Taste: Briny, savoury, citrus-bright · Good first order: Palabok with extra calamansi

7. Fresh Lumpia

Unlike fried lumpia, fresh lumpia wraps vegetables, tofu, and sometimes meat in a soft wrapper with a sweet garlic-peanut sauce. Binondo is a strong place to compare traditional versions.

Taste: Fresh, sweet-savoury, garlicky · Good first order: Fresh lumpia as a shared snack

8. Bulalo

Bulalo is a beef shank and marrow soup associated with Southern Luzon but widely served around Metro Manila. It is best shared because portions can be large and the broth is intentionally rich.

Taste: Beefy and peppery · Good first order: One pot for two or more diners

9. Kinilaw

Raw fish is cured with vinegar or citrus, then seasoned with ginger, onions, chilli, and other aromatics. Choose a reputable seafood restaurant because freshness and cold handling matter.

Taste: Bright, sharp, clean · Good first order: Tuna or tanigue kinilaw

10. Halo-Halo

Shaved ice, milk, sweet beans, jellies, fruit, and other components are mixed together, often with leche flan or ube on top. Razon’s offers a simpler style, while other shops build more elaborate versions.

Taste: Cold, creamy, varied · Good first order: Classic halo-halo

Before You Go

Order family-style when possible so you can compare several dishes without committing to ten full portions. Ask staff about spice, allergens, seafood paste, and serving size. Branch menus and availability vary, so check the restaurant’s current menu before making a special trip.

Which Filipino dish would you order first? Tell us in the comments, and follow @OverHereManila for more Manila food guides.

References

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