Filipino cuisine has ramped up its presence on the global stage, with six dishes making it to the TasteAtlas 50 Best Rated Pork Dishes in the World list for 2024, up from last year’s four.
The Philippines’ inihaw na liempo climbed to the top 50 from last year’s 53rd spot, while the de facto national dish, adobong baboy, entered the rankings. The list now includes lechon (29th), lechon kawali (33rd), Bicol Express (34th), inihaw na liempo (40th), adobong baboy (42nd), and sisig (46th).
Lechon: Filipino Fiesta Centerpiece
Topping the list for the Philippines with a 4.3-star rating is the beloved lechon. This slow-roasted suckling pig is a centerpiece at every Filipino celebration. TasteAtlas describes lechon as “stuffed with lemongrass, tamarind, garlic, onions, and chives, then roasted on a large bamboo spit over an open fire.” They added that the succulent meat and crispy skin make it a universal favorite.
The TasteAtlas feature observes, “Once the meat is properly roasted and falls off the bone, people tend to eat every part of the pig, and the crispy, reddish-brown, crackling skin is especially beloved.”
Lechon Kawali: Crispy Outside, Tender Inside
Next for the Philippines, also with a 4.3-star rating, is lechon kawali. This deep-fried pork belly is boiled in water, rubbed with salt, and deep-fried until the skin turns golden brown and crispy while retaining tenderness inside. TasteAtlas remarks that it’s typically eaten with lechon liver sauce (Mang Tomas) on the side.
Bicol Express: A Regional Adventure
Bicol Express, earning a 4.3-star rating, is a sliced pork dish enveloped in a creamy and spicy coconut-based sauce, seasoned with shrimp paste and chili peppers. Named after the train service running from Manila to the Bicol region, Bicol Express offers a flavorful journey for your palate.
Inihaw Na Liempo: Grilled to Perfection
Rated 4.3 stars is inihaw na liempo, a traditional Filipino dish of grilled pork belly. Typically marinated in soy sauce, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic, the pork belly is often basted with leftover marinade, banana ketchup, and oil while grilling. It is usually served with white rice, spiced vinegar, or toyomansi dipping sauce (soy sauce, vinegar, and chopped onions).
Adobong Baboy: National Pride
Adobong baboy, also rated 4.3 stars, is a traditional Filipino stew made with pork belly, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt. The pork is marinated, browned, and then simmered with the ingredients. It’s served hot with thick sauce and white rice.
Sisig: Kapampangan Offering
Last but not least, with a 4.2-star rating, is sisig. This Kapampangan dish involves “boiling, chopping, and grilling parts of the pig’s head such as ears, cheeks, and jowls, which are then seasoned with salt, pepper, and vinegar,” according to TasteAtlas. The meat is combined with fried onions, chili pepper, liver, pork cracklings, and topped with an egg.
The updated TasteAtlas Top 50 list was released on May 27, 2024. The May 15 publication of the Top 100 list included two other Filipino dishes in the top 51-100: binagoongan and crispy pata.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of their audience, filtering out bot, nationalist, or local patriotic ratings, and giving additional value to recognized knowledgeable users. For the “Top 100 Pork Dishes in the World” list until May 15, 2024, 10,129 ratings were recorded, with 6,654 recognized as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings aim to promote local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and spark curiosity about new foods.
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