Filipino cuisine is a melting pot of flavours and influences, thanks to the Philippine’s culinary and cultural diversity. Deeply ingrained in the country’s history and traditions, it reflects the Filipino way of life.
From the heartily served breakfasts to the colourful and festive fiesta dishes, Filipino food mirrors Pinoys’ resilience, creativity, and hospitality.
Did you know that Philippine cuisine is a unique fusion of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American culinary traditions that have evolved over time?
This Southeast Asian archipelago — the thirteenth-most-populous country in the world — boasts of a culinary heritage that is being influenced by various foreign cuisines.
A Celebration of Culture and Cuisine
To showcase, appreciate and preserve the Philippines’ vast gastronomic heritage, Filipino Food Month (FFM) also called ‘Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino,’ is celebrated in the country in April every year by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 469 signed in 2018.
This year, with the theme, ‘Pagkaing Sariling Atin, Mahalin at Pagyamanin’, the month-long event is not only a celebration of food, but also a testament to the nation’s rich and diverse culture.
The Philippine Embassy in Qatar, headed by HE Ambassador Lillibeth V. Pono, marked this year’s FFM by collaborating with several participating Filipino restaurants, to recognise the Filipino chefs and restaurateurs who bring the unique taste of the Philippine cuisine to Qatar.
From the tangy and savoury adobo (the world-famous Filipino chicken dish, also featured in a Google Doodle last March 15, 2023) to the sweet and creamy leche flan, the Embassy explored the country’s culinary traditions and showed us why Filipino cuisine is undeniably a feast for the senses.
FlaminGo
Recently, the Embassy kicked off FFM at FlaminGo restaurant featuring an array of Filipino dishes.
The event was graced by Ambassador Pono, who introduced and shared the Filipino-inspired dishes and delicacies to Qatar-based foodies and social media influencers and from different expatriate communities. She thanked its Filipino owner Leo Pasia for participating in the annual gastronomic celebration.
Among the Filipino food specials served include Balbacua, Kare-Kare, Sisig, Isaw, Pichi-Pichi, Puto Bumbong and Bibingka. The guests also enjoyed the staple comfort food Taho and the popular cold dessert Halo-Halo.
FlaminGo is an Asian Fusion restaurant that brings the traditional taste of Filipino and other Asian cuisine to Qatar, but with a modern and contemporary twist.
Deqada
As part of the Embassy’s FFM observance last April, Qatar foodies and social media influencers of different nationalities dined at Deqada restaurant for an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
From sizzling chicken sisig to mouth-watering seafood Kare-kare, Deqada has a menu that will delight one’s taste buds. Most of its dishes including New Chef’s Special Crispy Pata, are best served as viands with rice (Filipinos’ major food staple) and dipping sauces and condiments like bagoong (fermented shrimp paste).
Deqada originated from the word "decade,” which means 10 years. The restaurant was in fact conceptualised by ten aspiring people. Its founders have been in Qatar for at least ten years hence its name was established.
Participating Restaurants
Other Filipino restaurants that participated in the Embassy’s Filipino Food Month celebration were Loming Barako, Pearl of Beirut, Maya’s Kitchen, Cocina de Rose, Maharlika Park Restaurant, Filipino Hot Pack, and Gerry’s Grill. These restaurants and food establishments showcased their specialties during the event.
Third Secretary and Vice Consul Monica Remsy S Calangian, Vice Consul Jeffrey Batac, and Cultural Attache Camille Manlapaz were also present during the restaurant visits.
A Fusion of Flavors
Filipino food is often referred to as one of the world’s earliest fusion cuisines, having its ancestral cooking influenced mostly by the Mexicans from the galleon trade period and the Muslims from neighboring countries.
In Doha, there’s a rich and diverse Filipino culinary landscape waiting to be explored. All Filipinos in Qatar were encouraged to take part in the FFM celebration and invite their non-Filipino friends to taste the uniqueness of Philippine flavors.