Taste the Philippines through its Halal Food and Heritage Destinations

MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Part of the charm of traditional Filipino hospitality is making sure that visitors have their fill of the best food that their home can offer. The first thing a Filipino will ask their guest is, "have you eaten?" Wherever you go in the country, the dishes offered will vary, as each region has something unique to offer, using their best and freshest ingredients. 

The Philippines Department of Tourism (PDOT) highlights the country's food traditions through different programs that encourage new dining discoveries such as the Halal Culinary Heritage Series. Launched in July 2021, the initiative showcases unique food finds in Mindanao through a video series posted on the Department's social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

"Food is an important part of a tourism experience. It gives us a glimpse of a place's culture and heritage. Through the development of our Halal Culinary Tourism, we are encouraging the discovery and familiarity with the culinary traditions of our Muslim brothers and sisters in the Philippines," says Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat.

The Mindanao Halal Culinary Tourism is a project of the PDOT with the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). Aside from promoting the heritage of Mindanao and familiarity with its culture, the project also aims to document culinary practices of the area through food mapping. With this initiative, there will be more knowledge and a better understanding of Filipino Halal cuisines and cooking traditions. The Philippines is creating new experiences and attractions in its different regions, so there is always more to explore.

Halal food trip

Halal food takes on many forms throughout the Philippines. In Manila, there are restaurants and eateries that offer Halal-certified food, ranging from the stalls located at the area known as Muslim Town near the Golden Mosque in Quiapo that offer culinary delights such as Bakas or Bamboo-smoked tuna and a glutinous rice cake called Dodol. For Halal-certified Filipino fare in the Makati district, the El Prado dining outlet of the Berjaya Hotel Makati offers dishes such as Tinolang Manok (chicken in ginger broth with vegetables), a Halal Nilagang Baka (boiled beef with vegetables) and Sinigang na Baka (Beef simmered in a clear sour soup with vegetables).