Our nation’s culture was greatly influenced by our rich history involving people from different nationalities who tried to conquer or traded with our country. We can trace how they contributed to the formation of our own unique culture. Their influence can also be seen in our vibrant food culture.

We Filipinos love to eat snacks. And most of us are fond of eating street food for merienda ever since we were kids. We would usually go to side streets to buy our favorite tusok-tusok - using sticks to get our pick of deep-fried fish balls, squid balls, and kikiam. There is also a choice of dips which include thick sweet, savory, and/or spicy sauces! How yummy and nostalgic since we cannot huddle around the fishball stand for the moment.

Do you remember the kiosk or canteen at the corner street that sells a variety of fried foods for merienda? But now that they’re not as accessible as before due to the pandemic, where are you going to get your merienda cravings? Edi, you make them at home! And usually, merienda choices would include at least one dish wrapped in lumpia.

To commemorate the Philippine Independence Day, COOKMUNITY® features “Kakaibang Pinoy Homemade Snacks” that we can all easily enjoy at the comfort of our homes. So get ready to see and try our unique recipes and share these delicious snacks with the whole family.

A hearty chicken soup never fails to warm the soul. Whenever we run out of ideas on what dish to cook, a bowl of Chicken Tinola often comes on top of one’s mind. This one-pot dish is the perfect choice when you want to whip up easy, nutritious, and tasty chicken soup dish. One slurp of Chicken Tinola after a long day drives any feeling of tiredness away, making it a comfort food indeed for most Filipinos.

Imagine it’s 3PM, pre-pandemic. You and your officemates hurry out to take a quick break. Going from one stall to another, you look for cheap filling merienda to get you through the rest of the day. Aha! You lock eyes with Manong’s glistening deep fryer and you figure out what you crave for! With a bag of Adobong Mani on one hand, and a bag of kamote fries on the other, you walk back to the office with a big, big smile on your face.

Summer is almost here! The sky— cloudless. The breeze—warm. This bright and uplifting summer vibe is not one to ignore. Cherish the weather by making the most out of it with your loved ones. Any birthday celebrations this summer? Why not celebrate it outdoors in the safety of your own home’s backyard!

We can all agree that the beach is missed. It’s where Filipino families head out to spend quality time with each other during summer. Families take advantage of the kids’ 2-month break from school, kaya hindi nawawala ang family outings tuwing summer! Everyone wants a dose of sand and shore, long drives, and of course, by-the-beach foodtrip kaya ‘pag beach trip, game lagi ang family!

In a world where fried food, junk food, and fast food are more accessible than healthier choices, the challenge to eat clean feels more intimidating. And despite knowing how good vegetables can be for the body, we often let our taste buds decide what’s best for us. The winner? Whatever tastes great and makes us happy!