Filipino cuisine continues to thrive in Saudi Arabia, thanks to the large Filipino community and growing interest from locals and expats alike.
Here’s an updated guide on the most popular Filipino dishes you can find, where to enjoy them, how they differ from their Philippine counterparts, tips for cooking at home, and where to source authentic ingredients.
Popular Filipino Dishes in Saudi Arabia
- Adobo: Chicken or pork stewed in vinegar, soy sauce, and spices.
- Sinigang: Tangy tamarind-based soup with meat or seafood.
- Pancit: Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and meat.
- Lechon Kawali: Crispy deep-fried pork belly (often substituted with chicken/beef).
- Filipino-style Spaghetti: Sweet tomato sauce with hotdogs.
- Paella: Filipino-style rice dish with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables.
Where to Find Filipino Food in Saudi Arabia
Restaurants: Filipino restaurants such as Pinoy in Batha, Riyadh, are popular for group dining and serve dishes like paella and sinigang. Many Filipino eateries are found in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, catering to both the Filipino community and adventurous locals.
Where to Find Filipino Food
- Filipino restaurants in major cities (see list below).
- Online grocery platforms serving the Filipino community.
- Supermarkets & Hypermarkets: Chains like LuLu Hypermarket and Carrefour stock Filipino ingredients and ready-to-eat products, including sauces, noodles, and snacks.
- Specialty Stores: Al Rasheed Trading Est. and other Asian grocery stores offer a wide range of Filipino products, from sweet sugar palm fruit (kaong) to mixed fruit preserves.
Differences: Filipino Food in Saudi Arabia vs. the Philippines
- Ingredients: Some native Filipino ingredients are substituted with local alternatives (e.g., lime for calamansi, tamarind concentrate for fresh tamarind).
- Pork: Due to dietary laws, pork dishes are often replaced with chicken, beef, or omitted.
- Spice Level: Dishes may be less spicy or adjusted for local preferences.
- Serving Style: Larger, shareable portions are common, reflecting both Filipino and Saudi hospitality.
Cooking at home & where to find ingredients
- Essential ingredients (soy sauce, vinegar, bagoong, noodles) are available at major supermarkets and Asian stores.
- Online grocery delivery is popular for Filipino products.
- Local produce can be used as substitutes for some Filipino vegetables and fruits.
Top Filipino Restaurants in Saudi Arabia’s Biggest Cities
Riyadh
- Asian Taste Restaurant – Al Malaz (2 branches). Known for beef sinigang, sizzling beef sisig, kare-kare, and halo-halo. Family-friendly, minimalist setting. SAR 45–60 per meal. Try their authentic Filipino desserts.
- Cusina: Filipino x Japanese – Unique Filipino-Japanese fusion. Try the barkada mix, beef sisig, and maki rolls. Modern décor. SAR 80–110 per meal. Great for groups and adventurous eaters.
- Blue Ribbon Filipino Food and Bakery – Two branches. Famous for sinigang na bulalo, sizzling boneless bangus, pancit bihon, and baked goods. SAR 40–60 per meal.
Grab some pastries to go. - Tagpuan – Lulu Hypermarket Food Court, Al Murabba. Offers adobo, sinigang, lechon, and desserts like leche flan and halo-halo. Affordable and lively atmosphere. Visit during lunch hours for the freshest dishes.
- Kabayan Restaurant – Popular with the Filipino community, known for authentic home-style meals. This venue is good for gatherings and casual dining.
Jeddah
- Filipino restaurants are concentrated in neighborhoods with large expat communities. Look for “Pinoy” eateries and Asian food courts in major malls and hypermarkets.
Dammam
- Dammam’s Filipino restaurants are often found near labor camps and expat residential areas. Asian groceries and local diners offer Filipino staples and snacks.
Differences between Filipino food in Saudi Arabia and the Philippines
Ingredient substitution
Some ingredients native to the Philippines, such as certain souring agents (kamias, alibangbang leaves), may be replaced with more readily available alternatives like lime or tamarind concentrate.
Spice levels
Dishes may be less spicy or adjusted to cater to the broader palate in Saudi Arabia, where local taste preferences tend to favor milder flavors.
Pork substitution
Due to dietary restrictions in Saudi Arabia, pork dishes are often substituted with chicken or beef, or omitted entirely in some restaurants.
Serving style
Communal dining is common in both cultures, but Filipino restaurants in Saudi Arabia often serve dishes in larger portions suitable for sharing, reflecting both Filipino and Saudi hospitality traditions.
Cooking Filipino food at home
Ingredient sourcing
Many essential Filipino ingredients—such as soy sauce, vinegar, bagoong (fermented shrimp paste), and even Filipino-style spaghetti sauce—are available at major supermarkets and specialty stores.
Online shopping
Filipino grocery products can also be ordered online for home delivery through platforms like LuLu KSA.
Adapting recipes
Home cooks sometimes adapt recipes by using local produce and available proteins, experimenting with spices, or incorporating Saudi ingredients into traditional Filipino dishes
Tips for enjoying Filipino food in Saudi Arabia
Try Filipino restaurants for authentic communal dining experiences, especially for festive dishes like paella and lechon kawali.
Explore local and online stores for hard-to-find ingredients, or experiment with local substitutes to recreate classic flavors at home.
Don’t hesitate to ask Filipino friends or community groups for recipe tips or ingredient sources—they’re often happy to share their culinary heritage.