From Adobo to Halo-Halo: 10 Pinoy Foods Foreigners Adore

Filipino cuisine is winning hearts worldwide. With its bold flavors, rich history, and comforting dishes, it’s no surprise that many foreigners fall in love with Pinoy food after just one bite. Whether it’s the savory kick of adobo or the sweet, colorful layers of halo-halo, Filipino food offers something for every taste bud.

Here are the Top 10 Filipino dishes that foreigners adore:

1. Adobo

Often called the unofficial national dish, adobo is made with chicken or pork simmered in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices. Foreigners love its savory-sour balance and tender meat.

2. Sinigang

This tamarind-based soup is a comforting favorite. Its sour broth combined with pork, shrimp, or fish and fresh vegetables gives a refreshing taste that surprises many first-time eaters.

3. Lechon

The star of every Filipino fiesta! With its crispy skin and juicy meat, roasted lechon is a dish foreigners often rave about long after trying it.

4. Pancit

Whether it’s pancit canton or bihon, this stir-fried noodle dish symbolizes long life and celebration. It’s flavorful yet light—perfect for sharing.

5. Kare-Kare

A peanut-based stew made with oxtail, beef, or vegetables, kare-kare has a unique nutty taste. Pair it with bagoong (shrimp paste), and foreigners are instantly hooked.

6. Lumpia

The Filipino version of spring rolls—crispy, golden, and addictive. Lumpia is a go-to snack foreigners often can’t stop eating.

7. Bicol Express

Spicy, creamy, and full of flavor, this coconut milk dish with chilies and pork wins over adventurous eaters who love a little heat.

8. Chicken Inasal

A grilled chicken specialty from Bacolod, marinated in calamansi, vinegar, garlic, and annatto oil. Juicy, smoky, and unforgettable.

9. Sisig

A sizzling plate of chopped pork with calamansi and chili—sisig is crunchy, tangy, and best enjoyed with rice or beer. A foreigner’s instant favorite!

10. Halo-Halo

No list is complete without this iconic dessert. Halo-halo is a colorful mix of shaved ice, sweet beans, fruits, leche flan, ube, and ice cream. It’s the ultimate Filipino treat foreigners find both fun and delicious.

Why foreigners love Pinoy food?

Filipino cuisine combines sweet, sour, salty, and savory flavors in ways that surprise and delight. Each dish tells a story of tradition, family, and celebration. That’s why once foreigners try it, they often keep coming back for more.

Have you introduced a foreign friend to Filipino food? Which dish did they love the most? Share this list with them and see if their favorite made it here!