Top 15 Pinoy Party Foods

Looking for something to bring at a party? Specifically, what to bring to a Filipino party? Or Having one of your own? Then look no further as this list of Top 15 Pinoy Party Foods will range from the simple budget friendly yet yummy dish to the more intricate but still easy to prepare dish that you know can ‘WOW’ a crowd. Filipino dishes exemplify the combination of  sweet, sour, and salty dishes well. From meaty dishes, seafood based dishes, or even vegan to vegetarian dishes. You’ll surely find a great dish that you’ll love in this list of Filipino party foods.

1. Lumpiang Shanghai

One of the most popular dishes in this list of pinoy party food ideas, it has a variety of options from being vegetarian and vegan, to using different types of meats, seafood, or a mix of both, even using canned food or any leftover meats. This Filipino Spring roll recipe linked is the most well-received but still easy to make spring roll dish that’s best served with a side of sweet chili sauce or sriracha for that spicy kick.

Check out the recipe here: https://yummykitchentv.com/lumpia-shanghai-recipe/

You can also make your own wrappers here : https://yummykitchentv.com/lumpia-wrappers/ 

2. Dynamite Lumpia

Another version of the spring roll that’ll surely be a hit on the party table. This time this spring roll only needs at least 3 ingredients; green chillies, cheese, and lumpia wrappers, with some adding a layer of seasoned pork around the cheese and chiles to make them look fuller and meatier. This spicy dish feels like a russian roulette as sometimes you get the sweet green chilli and some really packs a considerable amount of heat.

Check out the recipe here: https://yummykitchentv.com/dynamite-lumpia/ 

3. Jollibee Style Spaghetti

The famous Jollibee fried chicken might be on top of many people’s list of must try Filipino food. What makes this American-Italian fusion dish Filipino? It has a mix of the sweet, salty, and slightly sour flavors in the sauce. This meaty brightly colored cheesy spaghetti dish might not seem appetizing at first bite to some, but like many who gave it a few more bites, it gets addictingly good. You’d understand why every Filipino birthday party has this copycat Jollibee dish served  in large containers.

Check out the recipe here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7_WEmt9ITs 

4. Lechon or Lechon Belly

While a whole roasted pig might be too much to bring at a small get together and might not be as budget friendly. You can still enjoy this delightfully crispy but still tender dish by cooking up this easily portable and smaller ‘Lechon Pork Belly’ . It’s aromatic and delicious, it can also be easily made at home by grilling, frying, or using the oven to bake it. Just make sure to make at least 3 rolls of these to make sure everyone has a bite!

Check out the recipe here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5hCymuOSxY 

5. Okoy

‘Okoy or ‘Filipino Fritters’ are a popular appetizer, side dish, or snack that’s basically a mix of grated vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, potatoes, usually a starchy vegetable, mixed with onions and or garlic, a bit of salt and pepper, or extra seasonings, mixed with all purpose flour and cornstarch. Mix together until it forms a thick colorful batter. These are then deep fried until golden with really crisp edges. Served with a side of sweet and tangy Pink Chili Vinegar sauce.

Check out the recipe here: https://thefoodietakesflight.com/mixed-vegetable-okoy-filipino-fritters/ 

6. Embutido

This Filipino-style meatloaf is the easiest dish to put together. A flexible dish that uses ground pork or any choice of meat, some carrots, onions, sugar, eggs, milk breadcrumbs, raisins, and bell pepper. Some even add some chopped hotdogs to make the dish look even more lively. Everything is mixed together, flattened into a square shaped layer with hard boiled eggs in the middle, then rolled to shape into a log. Steamed then sliced into thick circles to serve.

Check out the recipe here: https://seesfoodwilltravel.com/simple-embutido-filipino-meatloaf/ 

7. Chicharon Bulaklak

A traditional crispy Filipino snack that uses pig mesentery ( ruffle fat ) which looks like a flower thus the name “Chicharon Bulaklak” literally translating to “Pork flower” its something many look forward to, sold in packs at malls or street stalls. This ‘Putok sa Batok’ dish found all over the Philippines is especially popular during the Christmas holidays as it’s usually a time to indulge and have fun. This crunch at every bite dish is perfect finger food or appetizer to share with visitors as they pair well with beer, with many cooking large batches of the dish to sell as a small business online or with fellow foodies.

Check out the recipe here: https://yummykitchentv.com/chicharong-bulaklak/ 

8. Pork barbecue

Another crowd favorite that can be seen at birthdays, big or small parties, company get-togethers, and even at fiestas. This dish can also be found in many Filipino food chains since it’s such a popular dish that many look forward to. You’d think it would be hard to do. But it’s actually one of the easiest dishes you can make in this Filipino Party Food List. You just need to marinade chopped pork in aromatics, soy sauce, banana ketchup ( regular ketchup ), soda, calamansi or lime, and sugar. Grilled, baked, or pan-fried in a pan while being basted with the leftover sauce and it’s done.

Check out the recipe here: https://yummykitchentv.com/filipino-style-pork-barbecue/ 

9. Chicken Barbecue

Barbecues can make the party table all the more inviting. Another option like chicken can be for those who prefer more protein. This deliciously barbecued chicken has a nutty, slightly sweet, and strong savory taste due to its basting of peanut sauce. The chicken is marinated in a citrus, soy sauce, and soda mix then grilled over a charcoal grill or pan, basting the peanut sauce often on each side when flipping. Best served with some ‘achara’ or Filipino pickled green papaya which tartness helps cut off any of the oiliness this dish or any may have.

Check out the recipe here: https://yummykitchentv.com/aristocrat-style-chicken-barbecue/ 

10. Beef Salpicao

For meat lovers out there, this Filipino-Spanish dish will surely sweep you off your feet. While beef might be a troublesome dish to place at the party table, this recipe will make sure it comes out tender.  Beef cubes seasoned with salt and pepper, while you ‘fry’ garlic with oil until it turns light brown then take this out. Now with the garlic oil, melt some butter, before cooking the beef cubes just until they change in color. Now simmer with the savory sauce mix made of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and worcestershire sauce. Give it a dash of pepper, tossing everything around until you have a wonderfully flavored beef dish decorated with fried garlic on top.

Check out the recipe here: https://www.recipesbynora.com/beef-salpicao/ 

11. Betamax

Another grilled option for those wanting a more unique take of Filipino barbecue. This well-loved classic street food is made out of ‘dried’ chicken blood that’s chopped into cubes. It’s more known for its slightly chewy texture and flavor-which depends on the 3 ingredient basting sauce/marinade you use. It also helps that if you make it at home, you’ll be more assured of the cleanliness, and you can also make this dish your own by customizing how strongly salty, sweet or umami you want it to be. 

Check out the recipe here: https://www.pinoyrecipe.net/betamax-recipe-or-grilled-chicken-blood/ 

12. Chicken Adobo

 Adobo is the number one dish that many think of when they think of Filipino cuisine. It embodies the main Filipino flavors-salty, sweet, and sour. It’s also so versatile that you can use any meat aside from the very popular chicken adobo, you can also find different variations like beef, pork, fish, liver, egg, eggplant, tofu and more ranting from a mix of different meats or vegan to vegetarian versions.

Check out the recipe here: https://yummykitchentv.com/chicken-adobo/ 

13. Pancit Palabok

Also known as “Filipino Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Pork Sauce” This richly flavored and colored rice noodles dish will not only add a splash of color into the party table. Like most Filipino dishes, depending on the household, each dish also has its own personality from being more sauce, to dry, thicker or thinner noodles, getting a simple and delicious noodle sauce to a spice packed sauce, and more. In Addition, what makes it even more lively to look at are the garnishes of eggs, chicharron crumbs, more shrimp, calamansi or any limes, chives and or spring onions, and shredded smoked fish.

Check out the recipe here: https://kitchenconfidante.com/pancit-palabok-filipino-rice-noodles-with-pork-and-shrimp-sauce 

14. Calamares

Fried food has to be one of the most crave-worthy snacks at the party table from fried chicken to fries and many more deep fried dishes. Calamares, which are basically fried squid rings, are one of the best dishes to bring, especially to those who want to reminisce about summer vacation under the hot Philippines sun, eating these as a snack near the beach. Squid rings covered in a batter of flour, seasonings, salt and pepper, dipped in milk, then back in the dry batter. Fried just until golden brown before taking these out to rest. Serve these with a side of lemon sliced or garlic aioli.

Check out the recipe here: https://spanishsabores.com/calamares-fritos-recipe/ 

15. Kare Kare

A really nutty, rich in collagen Filipino Oxtail Stew. Kare-kare is absolutely addicting and perfect for those who want a really meaty but still healthy and fiber filled dish to complete the party table. It’s an absolutely delightful dish that exhibits the sweeter and more umami flavors of Filipino cuisine. From the large beef chunks, banana blossoms, pechay or bok choy, eggplant, peanuts, peanut butter, atsuete (annatto oil or water), and chopped oxtail where all that great benefits come from-it also doubles as the thickener of the dish. A tasty dish that adults will love.

Check out the recipe here: https://www.manilaspoon.com/best-kare-kare/ 

16. Pandesal

A very much well known type of bread in the Philippines. Great for small or big afternoon get-togethers when you just need a warm fluffy snack that works with any spread or fillings, to cold and warm drinks like hot chocolate, coffee, or tea. These also have a range of varieties aside from a soft and fluffy pandesal, there’s also the adorably purple ‘Ube Pandesal’, the filled ‘Ube and Cheese Pandesal’, popular with the kids and those with a sweet tooth ‘Chocolate Pandesal’, and an option for those who don’t have an oven ‘Pandesal No-Oven’ which will still create fluffy and slightly dense pandesal.

Check out the recipe here: https://yummykitchentv.com/how-to-make-pandesal/ 

17. Leche Flan

Looking for a dessert recipe to end the party with? This creamy, sweet, and easy to make Filipino custard is the dessert to make! What makes this custard different aside from the shape by using a ‘llanera’ is the slightly burnt or burnt caramel top made by hovering the steel mold with a few tablespoons of sugar over a gas stove, melting this until you have a nice syrupy caramel. Let this cool before you pour a custardy smooth batter made of eggs, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and sometimes with vanilla. Steamed or baked until slightly stable, letting it chill in the fridge for a few hours until very stable then flip it over to showcase this delicious dessert.

Check out the recipe here: https://yummykitchentv.com/leche-flan/ 

18. Turon

Great for a ‘merienda’ or ‘afternoon snack’ and can be done in just a few minutes or prepared overnight. A classic FIlipino street food made by wrapping ripened bananas like saba or plantains with sugar, chocolate or jackfruit in spring roll wrappers, these are deep fried with oil that’s been sprinkled in with brown sugar. Fried until it looks like crisp golden bars. If your looking for a snack to bring to an afternoon party or to double as a dessert this snack is a great choice.

Check out the recipe here: https://iankewks.com/turon/ 

19. Buko Pandan

This Buko pandan dessert is great chilled or frozen into popsicles. Refreshing, colorful and fun to eat, this vibrant green dairy-cream or coconut cream based dessert is mixed with pandan flavored gelatin, tapioca pearls for a nice chewy texture, shredded coconut meat, some households also add some nata de coco (chewy transparent coconut cubes), translucent or green colored kaong (sweet sugar palm), and sweetened with condensed milk. Stir all these ingredients together, leave it in the fridge for a few house to overnight and it’s ready to be served.

Check out the recipe here: https://theunlikelybaker.com/buko-pandan-recipe/ 

20. Halo Halo

For a do it yourself dessert. Make a simple Halo Halo bar by placing a bowl of shaved ice, then have ingredient separated in each bowl like; mung beans, nata de coco, kaong, chickpeas, ube halaya, tapioca pearls, shredded coconut, langka (jackfruit) , leche flan, corn flakes, a jug of evaporated milk on the side, and ube ice cream in the freezer to be scooped up if needed. This helps reduce the cooking time and lets each person decorate their own cup with all the goodies they like. This icy treat is perfect for the summer weather.

Check out the recipe here: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a40543602/halo-halo-recipe/ 

Filipino recipes are almost always made to be shared, some even go as far to say it builds community as it’s a joint effort by family and or friends to create a dish or to fill up the party table. Filipino dishes are fun, tasty, and unique in their ways.  Hope you try out at least on of this Top 15 Pinoy Party Foods list. You can also find more Yummy and Fabulously Filipino food at Yummy Kitchen!