Glossary

Filipino food glossary with Baybayin

This glossary of Filipino food dishes, items, and ingredients is a work-in-progress. So far 48 dishes have been illustrated, links are below. Do follow Filipino Food Art on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr for updates!

Last updated December 17, 2023

Filipino food that starts with A

  • Adobong sitaw /a-do-bong see-taw/ Noun. Tagalog. Adobong sitaw are long beans cooked in vinegar and/or soy sauce (though adobo can also be something braised – lightly fried and then cooked in a stew – with salt and vinegar)
  • Afritada /ap-ri-ta-da/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, Spanish, others. A tomato-based stew that uses meat (typically chicken), bell pepper, carrot, potato, and tomato sauce and/or tomatoes. Fritada means fry in Spanish, possibly referring to the roasting or braising process of the meat. 
  • Alimango /a-li-ma-ngo/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Mangrove or mud crab. Alimango typically refers to mangrove crabs or “mud crabs,” which are different from Alimasag (blue swimming crabs) and Talangka (river crabs). Alimango and Talangka live in or near mangrove areas, which gives further importance to our mangrove forests.
  • Ampalaya /am-pa-la-ya/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Bittermelon or bitter gourd is a bitter vegetable used in pinakbet, ginisang ampalaya, and others.
  • Apa /a-pa/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. A versatile flat cake, wrapper, wafer, or cone, depending on where you are in the country. 
  • Asin tibuok /a-sin ti-bu-uk/ Noun. Bisaya, Cebuano. Sea salt made in Albur, Bohol. The months-long process involves soaking coconut husks with sea water, burning them, and filtering brine from their ashes. Next, it is poured and boiled into clay pots over and over until they are filled to the brim with salt from the sea. When finished, those unfamiliar with the salt liken it to a dinosaur egg, because the final product is a smooth, round, ball of salt.
  • Atsara or Achara /at-sa-ra/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Pickling of an ingredient, today primarily associated with the pickling of shredded or julienned green or unripe papaya in a vinegar and sugar solution.

Filipino food that starts with B

  • Banana cue or Q /ba-na-na kyu/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Typically made with saba bananas, brown sugar, and oil. The saba are deep fried, as brown sugar is added and caramelizes over the saba while being stirred. Once cooked, it is set to drain and ready to serve.
  • Banana ketchup /ba-na-na ket-chup/ Noun. English. Ketchup made with ripe bananas, vinegar, and spices.
  • Bangus /bang-os/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Milkfish, with white flaky and bony flesh when cooked. Can also be de-boned. Popular fried, dried, or even fresh in kilawin or kinilaw.
  • Bawang /ba-wang/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Garlic, an herb related to onion, leeks, and chives commonly used in sangkap (Tag), sakot (Bis), or ingredients or elements for flavoring and aroma.
  • Bicol express /bi-kol eks-pres/ Noun. Bicolano, Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. A coconut and chili dish typically made with pork slices or cubes, originally from the Bicol region.
  • Binangkal /bi-nang-kal/ Noun. Bisaya, Cebuano. Binangkal are round fried sesame seed covered dough balls from the Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao.
  • Bistek /bis-tik/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Thinly-sliced beef steak braised in soy sauce, calamansi, garlic, and black pepper.
  • Buwad /bu-wad/ Noun. Typically fish that has been processed in an age-old practice in the Visayas involving three simple but important ingredients: fish, salt, and sun.

Filipino food that starts with C

  • Cacao or Kakaw /ka-kau/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Kakaw or cacao is a fruit that grows on the kakaw tree. Inside each fruit are small seeds or kakaw beans which are the main ingredient for chocolate.
  • Calabasa or Kalabasa /ka-la-ba-sa/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Calamansi /ka-la-man-see/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Caldereta or Kaldereta /kal-de-re-ta/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Champorado /tsam-po-ra-do/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Champorado is made with sticky rice, ground raw kakaw molds or tablea, and hot water. Add sugar and milk to your liking and that’s it!
  • Chicken Inasal /chi-kin in-a-sal/ Noun. Hiligaynon and English, others. An Ilonggo dish. Made with chicken that is marinated, grilled, and basted with calamansi and atsuete (aka annatto or Bixa orellana). See also inasal.
  • Cornick or Cornix /kor-nik/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with D

  • Dahon ng Saging /da-hon nang sa-ging/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Dinuguan or Dugo-dugo /de-no-gu-an/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Made with chopped pork innards and meat, stewed in a broth of cooked pork blood. It is further flavored by certain ingredients depending on the region.
  • Durian /do-ree-an/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Large fruits known mostly for their smell, and the durian pulp inside; which is creamy and sweet depending on the variety.

Filipino food that starts with E

  • Ensaladang Itlog Maalat /en-sa-la-dang it-log ma-a-lat/ Noun. Tagalog, others. A quick salad made with itlog na maalat or salted egg mixed with sliced tomatoes, and other fresh ingredients.
  • Ensaladang Talong /en-sa-la-dang ta-long/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. A simple salad made with peeled grilled (or boiled) eggplant, chopped tomatoes, and chopped onions.
  • Escabeche /es-ka-be-tse/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Typically a fried fish drenched in bell peppers and onion in a vinegar, sugar, and/or ketchup sauce. 

Filipino food that starts with F

  • Fishbol or Fishballs /fish-bol/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Fishballs are typically made from ground fish, tapioca starch, and other ingredients. Also a popular street food, and used in other dishes such as pancit.
  • Fresh Lumpia /fresh loomp-ya/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Fruit Salad /frut-sa-lad/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. A sweet, creamy concoction of fruit typically made with a base of canned fruit cocktail and canned condensed milk.

Filipino food that starts with G

  • Ginamos /gi-na-mos/ Noun. Bisaya, others. Also known as Bagoong Isda in Tagalog, Ginamos is predominantly made in the Visayas using partially-fermented Bolinao or Bulinaw (Dilis in Tagalog), or anchovies.
  • Ginanggang /gi-nang-gang/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Grilled banana typically coated in butter and sugar. Ginanggang in Bisaya means grilled or broil.
  • Ginataang Alimango /gi-na-ta-ang a-lee-mang-o/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. A coconut-based dish made with mangrove crabs or “mud crabs.” 
  • Ginataang Kalabasa /gi-na-ta-ang ka-la-ba-sa/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Ginisang Ampalaya /gi-ni-sa-ng am-pa-la-ya/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. A dish made of bitter melon (ampalaya) that is stir-fried with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and eggs.
  • Ginger or Luya /lo-ya/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with H

  • Halang-halang /ha-lang ha-lang/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. A Bisaya spicy coconut chicken recipe.
  • Halo-halo or haluhalo /ha-lo-ha-lo/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. A refreshing dessert made with a variety of ingredients, including shaved ice, milk, fruits, beans, and sweets.
  • Hopia /hop-ya/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with I

  • Inanag /i-na-nag/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Inasal /i-na-sal/ Noun. Hiligaynon, Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. An Ilonggo method of grilling, now popularly associated with chicken. It is marinated, grilled, and basted with calamansi and atsuete (aka annatto or Bixa orellana). See also chicken inasal.
  • Inunun /in-un-un/ Noun. Bisaya, others. Inunun, Inun-unan, or Paksiw na Isda is an age-old recipe with at least two basic elements: vinegar and fish. 
  • Itlog Maalat /et-log ma-a-lat/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. See also salted egg.

Filipino food that starts with J

  • Junay or Junai /hu-nay/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with K

  • Kakaw or Cacao /ka-kau/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Chocolate is derived from the seeds of Kakaw or Cacao trees.
  • Kalamay /ka-la-mai/ Noun. Bisaya. Made with coconut milk, brown sugar, and glutinous rice flour, which is cooked until it reaches an appropriate consistency.
  • Kalabasa or Calabasa /ka-la-ba-sa/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Kaldereta /kal-de-re-ta/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. A popular tomato-based stew made with meat, commonly goat, and stewed in a base of tomatoes and/or tomato sauce, liver spread, chili peppers, and filled with carrots, potatoes, and bell peppers.
  • Kamunggay (or Malunggay) /ka-moo-ng-gai/ Noun. Bisaya, others. See also Malunggay.

Filipino food that starts with L

  • Labahita /la-ba-hee-tah/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Labong /la-bong/ Noun. See also Rabong.
  • Langka /lang-ka/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. See also Yangka.
  • Lato /la-to/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Leche Flan /le-che Flan/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Lokot-lokot or /lo-kot lo-kot/ Noun. Bisaya. See also Zamboanga Roll.
  • Longsilog /lo-ng-si-log/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. A Filipino breakfast dish made with three ingredients: sinangag, itlog, and longganisa.
  • Luya /loo-yah/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with M

  • Malunggay /ma-loo-ng-gai/ Noun. Tagalog, others. See also Kamunggay.
  • Mango Float or Mango Graham /ma-ngo flo-t/ Noun. A refrigerator cake made with crushed graham crackers (pronounced gra-ham in Filipino, or “gram” in other countries), ripe mangoes, creme, and condensed milk.
  • Menudo /me-nu-do/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Made with pork liver cut into small pieces, and cuts of pork meat in tomato sauce.
  • Mechado /me-cha-do/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with N

  • Ngoyong /ngo-yong/ Noun. Bisaya, others.

Filipino food that starts with Ñ

The ñ character comes from the Spanish period for an already existing sound used in various Philippine languages = Nyo or Nya.

  • Nyog or Niog /nyo-g/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with Ng

  • Ngoyong /ngo-yong/ Noun. Bisaya, others.

Filipino food that starts with O

  • Opia /op-ya/ Noun. Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with P

  • Pancit /pan-sit/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Pancit-pancitan /pan-sit pan-sit-an/ Noun. Tagalog. A small plant native to tropical areas including the Philippines, traditionally used to treat joint pain and uric acid.
  • Palapa /pa-la-pa/ Noun. Maranao, Bisaya, others.
  • Pochero /po-che-ro/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with Q

  • Banana Q or Cue /ba-na-na Cue/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with R

  • Rabong /ra-bong/ Noun. Ilokano. See also labong.

Filipino food that starts with S

  • Saba /sa-ba/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Saging /sa-gi-ng/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Salted Egg /sal-ted egg/ Noun. English. See also itlog maalat.
  • Sambong /sam-bo-ng/ Noun. Filipino. Plant whose leaves are used to treat various ailments, including the reduction of uric acid.
  • Sili /si-li/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Sinigang /Si-ni-gang/ Noun. Tagalog, others.
  • Sitaw /si-taw/ Noun. Tagalog, others. Sitaw (Tagalog), Batong (Bisaya), Utong (Ilokano) is a vegetable known for it’s long and narrow pods.
  • Sorbetes /sor-be-tes Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Soy Sauce /soi saws/ Noun. English. See also toyo.

Filipino food that starts with T

  • Tamales /ta-ma-les/ Noun. Spanish, Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. Depending on the region, Filipino tamales are made with rice flour, coconut milk, and various toppings like chicken, ham, nuts and egg. They are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, and they have a unique flavor that is both sweet and savory.
  • Tablea or Tableya /ta-bley-ah/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Talong /ta-long/ Noun. Tagalog, others.
  • Tiyula Itum /ti-yu-la i-tum/ Noun. Tausug, Bisaya, others. Tiyula itum is a delicious dish from Southern Mindanao made with charred coconut meat, beef, and local spices like sili and lemongrass.
  • Toge /to-gue/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.
  • Toyo /to-yo/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others. See also soy sauce.

Filipino food that starts with U

  • Upo /u-po/ Noun. Tagalog, others.
  • Ube /u-beh/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with V

  • Venes /ve-nes/ Noun. Ivatan.

Filipino food that starts with W

  • Wansoy /wan-soy/ Noun. Bisaya, Ilokano, Tagalog, others.

Filipino food that starts with X

  • X-tra rice /eks-tra ri-s/ Noun. English, others.

Filipino food that starts with Y

  • Yangka /yang-ka/ Noun. Kampampangan, others. See also langka.

Filipino food that starts with Z

  • Zamboanga Roll /sam-bu-ang-ga rol/ Noun. English. See also Lokot-lokot.