Filipino Comfort Food | Rainy Season Favourites

These 20+++ Filipino comfort food surely gets you through the rainy season. Yes, that’s about four months of excuses to indulge on calorie-dense well-adored Pinoy favourites.

It’s the rainy season once again and many of us are tempted into bowls of hot bulalo, extra sweet champorado with tuyo on the side and super rich lomi. While they may be common kitchen fare, they’re most requested at this time of the year.

But this year’s rainy season cravings are probably more intense than ever. As Covid-19 locks us down at home, we have more time playing Masterchef. Plus the overflowing food porn on social media are making us all hungry all the time.

Filipino Comfort Food: Rainy Season Favourites

When there’s chill in the air, each island in the Philippines truly has its own go-to dish to share. From the kulay with wakay of Batanes to the bang-bang sug in Tawi-Tawi, everything is filling as it is exciting.

We rounded up some of our striking cravings and here are our all-time favourites.

BULALO

Who doesn’t know this artery clogging beef shank and bone marrow soup dish? Although Tagaytay claims to serve the best, most  regions in the country has its own yummy version. In fact, each one probably claims to be the best.

CHICKEN ARROZ CALDO

We’ve never met a person who doesn’t like Arroz Caldo. This simple chicken porridge is one of the stars of any rainy season table. Just by imagining the sprinkles of ginger, toasted garlic, black pepper, scallion and patis already make us drool.

GOTO

Where do you go to for your goto? And do you agree that it goes best with tokwa’t baboy on the side? Tell us your best combi for this much-loved ox tripe-rice congee.

LOMI

No doubt, Batangas is popular for its pancit lomi. And the more you add on the noodles, the more it becomes exciting, right? Extra kikiam and meatballs, please!

CHAMPORADO

Truly, we don’t wait for the rainy season to enjoy a bowl of sweet and creamy champorado with crispy tuyo. It’s a delicious breakfast meal as it is a snack too!

TINOLA

Especially with lots of ginger, tinola is always a good idea. Shoutout to all those who love their fish tinola for breakfast! Yes, for breakfast.

SOPAS

Of course, one of the best Filipino comfort food is the creamy sopas. Some love bits of ham and aromatic herbs on it too. Do you, like we do?

INSTANT NOODLES

Whether you argue or not that instant noodles doesn’t have any nutrient, the truth is, it’s a no fuss, no nonsense meal. And whether you like it mami-style or pancit canton, sweet or spicy, chicken, seafood or beef flavor — relax, it got you covered.

GINATAAN

This sweet cocomilk-based snack with hodgepodge of fruits and what-not go by many names. Simply ginataang halo-halo in the north, Bisaya-speaking call it tabirak or binignit. So what is it called in your language? Check out the bilo-bilo version too!

HOT PANDESAL WITH COFFEE

Hot pandesal with coffee is an all-season, all-day favourite. This surely tops any Filipino comfort food list. No need for fancy spreads, just dunk it on your coffee and you won’t even notice the cold.

SUMAN WITH HOT TSOKOLATE

While every region has its delicious version of the suman, some towns are just so popular for this timeless snack. Have your tried Negros Oriental’s budbod-ug-sikwate combo or Clarin’s amazing suman house or the tinambiran of Oroquieta?

TUYO / DAING

Oppps…aren’t you drooling yet? Because we are! Tuyo may not be the best decision if you’re on a diet because for sure you’d be hailing for second or third helpings of rice!

SINABAWANG GULAY

Ilocanos call it inabraw or dinengdeng. Tagalogs and Kapampangans call it bulanglang. Others in Visayas and Mindanao call it law-uy or bas-uy. Whatever it is in your part of the country, this one’s a classic vegetable favourite.

PORK SINIGANG

Would you agree that nothing beats using the real kamyas to make sinigang asim-kilig? Also, are you like us who love the ribs part over the usual adobo-cut?

REGIONAL FAVOURITES

While we share so many common food cravings, there are many local dishes that may not be readily available in other places across the country. We thought of sharing some of our popular gustatory stars in the region.

Pancit Miki – Abra

Abra’s miki is to die for. Okay, too much. Yeah, it’s to die for — final answer.

Batchoy and Pancit Molo – Iloilo

Surely, Iloilo is more than just La Paz Batchoy and Pancit Molo, but these will surely make anyone filled to the brim!

Pinikpikan – Cordillera

Pinikpikan goes beyond just a chicken soup — it narrates an age-old tradition and time-honoured culture of the people of the Cordilleras.

Kaleskes and Pigar Pigar – Pangasinan

The people of Pangasinan surely aren’t shy about their love for meat. Take pigar-pigar done in carameat or beef. Then comes this sure-slug innards soup called kaleskes.

Kinalas – Bicol

So how do we explain Naga City’s kinalas? Oh well, it is the happiest thing that happened to a pig or cow’s head and brain. Masiramon!

Halang Halang – Iligan

This one’s unbeatably delicious! Iliganons are so proud of this savoury chili-fired innards broth. And yes, the reason is lip-lickin’ good!

Satti – Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City is any foodie’s paradise. But Satti surely makes everyone happy!

Bang Bang Sug – Sulu/Basilan/Tawi-Tawi

Bang-bang sug collectively refers to the great snack spread among the people of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. Don’t even get us started talking about their deliciously bold kahawa or coffee.

Sorol – Camiguin

Think of tender chicken wallowing in a creamy coconut soup. That is Camiguin’s chicken sorol —- too hearty that a bowl isn’t enough.

Humba de Calbayog – Calbayog City

Calbayog’s nutty version of the beloved humba is no less than sinfully divine.

-oOo-

What are the typical Filipino comfort food that you crave during the rainy season?
Send us your suggestion and we’ll include them in this list.

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