Our favourite places to stay on this sleepy Cebu island.
When the rainy season sweeps across the Philippines, nothing beats settling in with a warm, hearty meal that comforts both the body and soul. Filipino comfort food holds a special place in every Filipino’s heart during the rainy season, from rich soups to sweet treats, these dishes bring a sense of home and warmth even on the gloomiest days.
Whether you’re craving something savoury like bulalo or a sweet snack like champorado, these iconic foods are the perfect way to brighten up any rainy afternoon.
Also read: Mid-Year Travels: 14 Local Destinations Best Visited During Rainy Days
Arroz Caldo | Matthew Mendoza via Flickr
Arroz caldo is a fragrant, ginger-infused rice porridge with tender chicken pieces, topped with spring onions, boiled eggs, and sometimes a squeeze of calamansi. It’s perfect for warming up during cold, wet days and is a staple in Filipino households.
Where to eat: For some of the best arroz caldo, try Gerry’s Grill or Lugawan sa Tejeros in Manila.
Sinigang | Copperhead02 via Wikimedia Commons
Sinigang is a classic Filipino sour soup known for its tangy tamarind broth combined with pork, shrimp, or fish and loads of fresh vegetables. It’s the perfect rainy day dish that stimulates your appetite while warming you up.
Where to eat: Visit Abe’s in Manila for traditional Ilocano sinigang or Romulo Café for a modern twist on this beloved soup.
Champorado | Jean Claudine Panel via Wikimedia Commons
Champorado is a rich and creamy chocolate rice porridge, often enjoyed with salty dried fish (tuyo) to balance the sweetness. It’s a favourite comfort dessert or snack during rainy afternoons.
Where to eat: Street vendors in Quezon City serve hot, freshly made champorado for a quick, comforting treat.
Lugaw | SJasminum via Wikimedia Commons
Lugaw is the simpler cousin of arroz caldo, plain rice porridge that’s often served with salted eggs, fried garlic, and sometimes tokwa or meat. It’s humble yet perfect for rainy days.
Where to eat: Local lugawan eateries in Manila are great places to enjoy authentic lugaw.
Bulalo | Demon Head via Canva Pro
Bulalo is a rich beef marrow soup simmered for hours with corn, potatoes, and leafy greens. It’s especially popular in cooler areas like Tagaytay, where the weather complements the warm broth perfectly.
Where to eat: Try Bulalo Point or Mahogany Beef Market in Tagaytay for the freshest, most flavourful bulalo.
Lomi | Whologwhy via Flickr
Lomi is a thick, egg noodle soup loaded with meat, vegetables, and sometimes liver or quail eggs. It’s comforting, filling, and always hits the spot on rainy days.
Where to eat: Lomi King and Lomi House in Batangas are famous for their tasty and generous bowls of Lomi.
Sopas | Pansalang Pinoy Official Website
Sopas is a creamy chicken macaroni soup with evaporated milk, vegetables, and hot dogs or chicken bits. It’s like Filipino chicken noodle soup with a creamy twist.
Where to eat: You can find excellent sopas at many local carinderias around Metro Manila and other parts of the Philippines.
Ginataang Bilo-Bilo | Pansalang Pinoy Official Website
This warm dessert features sticky rice balls (bilo-bilo), sweet potatoes, saba bananas, and tapioca pearls cooked in creamy coconut milk. It’s a soothing treat on a rainy day.
Where to eat: Many local kakanin stalls in the Philippines offer ginataang bilo-bilo.
Monggo Guisado | Pansalang Pinoy Official Website
Monggo guisado is a nutritious stew made from mung beans, sautéed with garlic, onions, tomatoes, and often pork or shrimp. It’s simple, filling, and a popular rainy day meal.
Where to eat: Check out Abe’s in Manila or local eateries around Quezon City for classic monggo guisado.
Pandesal and Coffee | Jessartcam via Wikimedia Commons
A warm pandesal fresh from the oven, paired with a hot cup of coffee, is a simple yet perfect
rainy-day breakfast or snack. This pairing is quintessentially Filipino and always hits the spot.
Where to eat: Enjoy fresh pandesal at Pan de Manila or local bakeries like Goldilocks. For coffee, cafés such as Bo’s Coffee or Figaro provide excellent brews to complement your bread.
Also read: 10 Staycations Near Manila Perfect for a Rainy Season Getaway
Rainy days in the Philippines call for classic dishes that not only satisfy hunger but also provide a comforting embrace against the cool, wet weather. Filipino comfort food during the rainy season offers a delicious reminder of tradition and home, with flavours that are both familiar and soothing.
These meals turn any rainy day into a cosy, memorable experience. So next time the skies open up, dive into these timeless favourites and let the warmth of Filipino cuisine brighten your day.
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