Move over, trendy food hacks—your lola’s recipes might just be the next big culinary star. From the sour surprise of batwan to the bold bite of buro, old-school Filipino dishes are making a flavorful comeback. And yes, the stuff you once side-eyed on the family dining table? It's now cool, creative, and kind of iconic.
What’s That? Oh, Just a Flavor Bomb Called Batwan
If you've never heard of batwan, you're not alone. This tiny green fruit has been hiding out in Visayan kitchens for generations, mostly used to sour dishes like kansi (think bulalo meets sinigang). While most people outside Iloilo or Negros wouldn’t recognize it, foodies and chefs are suddenly falling in love with its bright, tangy kick.
Same goes for buro—a fermented rice dish with shrimp or fish that smells strong but tastes amazing. Once unfairly labeled “acquired taste,” it’s now winning fans for its complex flavor and gut-friendly benefits. Suddenly, the “weird food” on your childhood plate is getting gourmet treatment.
Lola Really Knew What She Was Doing
Filipino grandmothers were masters of flavor long before food blogs or fancy gadgets. They fermented, smoked, pounded, and preserved everything—often out of necessity, but always with love.
Remember binurong hipon (fermented shrimp), nilupak (pounded cassava with butter), or inangit (sticky rice in coconut cream)? These dishes were made for sharing, and now, they’re being reimagined for a new generation. Some are even popping up on restaurant menus, while others are going viral in quick home videos online.
Heritage Cooking Is the New Food Trend
Thanks to TikTok and Instagram, traditional Filipino food is having a major glow-up. Young creators are showing off their family recipes, adding a twist here and there, and reminding everyone just how rich our culinary roots really are.
The best part? You don’t need fancy ingredients or skills to join in. Just ask your lola, your tita, or even that friendly neighbor who makes dinengdeng every Sunday.
Who knew the future of Filipino food would taste so much like home?
