If you've ever stepped foot in the Philippines, you know eating is a celebration for Filipinos. It's not just about filling your belly; it's a whole experience! Food is at the heart of everything – it brings people together and is a reason to celebrate. Filipinos are all about sharing their food and festivities with anyone up for a good time. Stick around and this article will show you how to dive into this amazing aspect of local life.

Filipino Food - Image via Flickr

In the Philippines, eating is much more than just a necessity – it's a chance for everyone to come together. You'll rarely see a Filipino family having their meals at different times or just absent-mindedly watching TV while they eat. Instead, mealtime is family time – even if they order food from Mang Inasal Philippines, it will be for the whole family, not just for one person.

It's a special part of the day when they can share stories, catch up on the day's events, and simply enjoy each other's company. And when it comes to celebrations, food is at the heart of it all, turning any gathering into a festive feast that's central to the Filipino way of life.

You'd be amazed at the hearty eating schedule in the Philippines. They really love their meals big and plentiful – the search for ‘inasal near me’ isn’t just a lunch or dinner-related affair.

There’s a full spread for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Picture a typical Filipino breakfast loaded with rice, eggs, and a serving of meat to kickstart the day. But that's just the beginning. Their appetites don't stop there; throughout the day, there are smaller bites, known as merienda, to keep the hunger at bay. These aren't your average snacks either; there’s a variety of sweets, pastries, sandwiches, and noodles – anything that doesn't involve rice.

In the Philippines, rice is the star of every meal. Picture a generous bowl of rice set right in the centre of the table, surrounded by a variety of viands, or ulam, as they call them. Rice is such a staple that you won't find a meal without it. Because rice has a subtle flavour, it's the perfect partner to the richly flavoured dishes it's served with, creating a delicious balance that's a hallmark of Filipino dining.

In the Philippines, the fork and spoon rule the table, not the knife. It's all about scooping up that perfect bite of rice and viand with ease. While you might spot knives at restaurant tables, most Filipinos are pros at slicing their meat with just the side of their spoon. So, unless there's a hefty steak that calls for some serious cutting, the sharper utensil often takes a backseat at mealtimes.

There's a certain art to how Filipinos set up their plate. They have it down to a science. The rice lands smack in the centre at the bottom of the plate. Then, they arrange the viands around it in a sort of culinary ring. This setup isn't just for looks – it's all about efficiency. When it's time to eat, they'll nab a bit of viand, nudge it onto their spoon with the fork, and then scoop up a generous pile of rice to join it. It's all about minimal effort with the utensils, just a simple dance in the middle of the plate, and voilà, the perfect bite every time.

You've probably heard Filipinos say that food just tastes better when you eat with your hands. Now, it might not actually jazz up the flavour, but it sure makes the whole dining experience a lot more hands-on and enjoyable. Plus, it's a breeze when you're dealing with seafood or meats that are still on the bone. Sure, you might need both hands to peel those shrimps, but when it comes to eating them, it's all about one-handed mastery.

Eating with your hands is something that's usually saved for home, big community feasts, or when you're hanging out with people you're really comfortable with. It's not something you'd typically see at a restaurant.