Why Filipinos Love Ulam & Rice – A Look into Filipino Dining Habits

Filipinos have a deep-rooted love for ulam (viand) and rice, a combination that defines their daily meals. This staple pairing isn’t just about tradition—it reflects history, culture, and practical reasons that shape Filipino dining habits.

A Historical & Cultural Staple

Rice has been a primary food source in the Philippines for centuries. As a tropical country with fertile lands, rice cultivation has flourished, making it a widely available and affordable staple. Meanwhile, ulam refers to any dish that accompanies rice, ranging from simple fried fish to elaborate stews like adobo, sinigang, and kare-kare.

This combination reflects the Filipino philosophy of balanced eating, in which rice serves as the energy source and ulam provides flavour and nutrition. Rice is a staple that completes every meal, while ulam (the main dish) provides variety and rich flavours. But why is this pairing so important in Filipino culture? Let’s explore!

1. Rice: The Heart of Every Filipino Meal

🍚 Why is Rice So Important?

• A Daily Staple – Most Filipinos eat rice at least three times a day.
• A Source of Energy – Rice provides the carbohydrates needed for work, school, and daily activities.
• Budget-Friendly – Rice is affordable and can be paired with simple dishes to stretch a meal.
• Versatile – It goes well with almost any dish, from dry meats to saucy stews.

Popular Types of Rice in the Philippines

• White Rice – The most common type, served with every meal.
• Sinangag (Garlic Fried Rice) – A favourite breakfast dish paired with tapa, longganisa, or tocino.
• Malagkit (Sticky Rice) – Used for kakanin (Filipino rice cakes) like bibingka and suman.

2. Ulam: The Star of Every Meal

• While rice is the foundation, ulam brings flavour. Ulam can be anything from meat and seafood to vegetables, cooked in different ways—fried, grilled, stewed, or sautéed.

  🍲 Popular Filipino Ulam Dishes

  • Adobo – Pork or chicken stewed in soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic.
  • Sinigang – A sour tamarind-based soup with pork, shrimp, or fish.
  • Kare-Kare – A rich peanut stew with oxtail and vegetables.
  • Tinola – A comforting ginger-based chicken soup.
  • Daing na Bangus – Marinated and fried milkfish.

  Each ulam has its unique taste, but all are best enjoyed with rice!

3. The Art of “Saw-Sawan” (Dipping Sauces)

Filipinos love to customize their meals with sauces to enhance flavours. These small dips make a big difference!

🥢 Popular Filipino Saw-Sawan

• Toyo’t Kalamansi – Soy sauce with calamansi (Filipino lime), perfect for grilled and fried dishes.
• Suka at Bawang – Vinegar with garlic and chilli, great for crispy dishes like lechon kawali.
• Bagoong – Fermented shrimp paste, often paired with kare-kare and green mangoes.

Everyone has their way of mixing sawsawan, making every meal uniquely personal!

Rice and ulam are more than just food in the Philippines—they represent culture, family, and tradition. Whether it’s a simple meal of tuyo and rice or a grand feast with lechon and kare-kare, Filipinos take pride in their meals, always best enjoyed with good company.

What’s Your Favorite Ulam?

Tell us in the comments! Let’s celebrate Filipino food together. 😊 🍚