Think of Asian cities with a buzzing food scene and Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo come to mind but not Manila. That, however, does the capital of Philippines a disservice. The food in this nation of more than 7,000 islands has a rich history refined over millennia, moulded by influences near and far. The Philippines has 135 different tribes, each with their own language, customs, and its food culture was initially shaped by Austronesians from Southern China and methods of preparation from Malaysia and Indonesian. Immigration and colonisation over centuries, most recently by the Spanish and Americans, have added elements to the cuisine. Today, Filipino food is as multilayered, complex, and sophisticated as any in Asia, with frequent notes of salty, sweet, and sour, often all together in the same…
