5 Filipino Foods That OFWs In Kuwait

Living and working abroad as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. For many Filipinos in Kuwait, one of the biggest challenges is being away from the familiar tastes of home. Filipino cuisine is rich, diverse, and deeply comforting. Here are five Filipino foods that OFWs in Kuwait often find themselves missing the most:

Contents

1. Adobo

Adobo is the quintessential Filipino dish, often referred to as the unofficial national dish of the Philippines. Made with either chicken or pork, this savory stew is cooked in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices. The rich and tangy flavor of adobo brings a sense of home with every bite. For many OFWs, a plate of adobo is synonymous with family gatherings and celebrations back in the Philippines.

Adobo Varieties

Chicken Adobo (Adobong Manok)
- The classic version made with chicken, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. The chicken is marinated and then simmered until tender, resulting in a savory and slightly tangy dish.
Pork Adobo (Adobong Baboy)
- This variation uses pork, typically pork belly or shoulder, cooked in the same flavorful marinade of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices. The rich, fatty pork enhances the depth of the adobo sauce.
Adobo sa Gata
- A creamy version of adobo where coconut milk (gata) is added to the traditional marinade, giving the dish a rich and creamy texture with a hint of sweetness that balances the tanginess of the vinegar.
Adobo Flakes
- Leftover adobo, typically chicken or pork, is shredded and fried until crispy. These crunchy flakes are often served with rice and eggs, making for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Adobong Pusit
- A seafood version that uses squid cooked in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and black ink from the squid. This dish has a unique, slightly briny flavor and a striking black color.

2. Sinigang

Sinigang is a sour soup that embodies the bold flavors of Filipino cuisine. Made with a variety of meats like pork, beef, or shrimp, and soured with tamarind, sinigang is often loaded with vegetables like kangkong (water spinach), radish, and eggplant. The comforting and hearty nature of sinigang makes it a dish that many OFWs crave, especially when they’re longing for a taste of home on a cool day.

Sinigang Varieties

Pork Sinigang (Sinigang na Baboy)
- A traditional version made with pork ribs or belly, soured with tamarind, and loaded with vegetables like kangkong, radish, and eggplant. This hearty soup is a comfort food staple.
Beef Sinigang (Sinigang na Baka)
- Similar to pork sinigang but made with beef shanks or brisket. The beef adds a rich, meaty flavor to the sour soup, which is also complemented by a variety of vegetables.
Shrimp Sinigang (Sinigang na Hipon)
- This seafood version features plump shrimp cooked in a tamarind-based broth with vegetables like kangkong, tomatoes, and radish. The shrimp adds a subtle sweetness to the sour soup.
Sinigang sa Miso
- A unique twist on the traditional sinigang, this version incorporates miso paste into the tamarind broth, giving it a savory umami flavor. It’s often made with fish, such as bangus (milkfish).

3. Lechon

Lechon is a Filipino delicacy that is often the star of any fiesta or special occasion. The crispy skin and succulent meat are the result of hours of slow roasting over an open flame. While lechon is not an everyday meal due to its elaborate preparation, its absence is strongly felt during holidays and celebrations. For OFWs in Kuwait, missing out on lechon during festive seasons can be a poignant reminder of being away from home.

Lechon Varieties

1. Lechon Baboy (Traditional Pork Lechon)

Description: The most iconic version of lechon, Lechon Baboy features a whole pig marinated with a blend of spices and herbs, then slowly roasted over a charcoal pit. The result is crispy, golden-brown skin and succulent meat.
Flavor Profile: Savory with a hint of sweetness and smokiness from the roasting process.

2. Lechon Manok (Roast Chicken)

Description: A variation of the traditional lechon, Lechon Manok uses chicken instead of pork. The chicken is marinated with a flavorful mix of spices and herbs and roasted until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender.
Flavor Profile: Savory and aromatic with a distinct flavor from the marinade.

3. Lechon Cebu

Description: Originating from Cebu, this version of lechon is known for its distinct taste due to the use of local ingredients like lemongrass, garlic, and various spices. The pig is usually stuffed with a mixture of these ingredients before roasting.
Flavor Profile: Tangy and herbaceous with a rich, smoky flavor.

4. Lechon Paksiw

Description: A dish made from leftover lechon, Lechon Paksiw is a stew where the meat is simmered in a sweet and sour sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar. This dish is often enjoyed as a way to repurpose leftover lechon.
Flavor Profile: Sweet, tangy, and slightly savory.

5. Lechon Kawali

Description: Unlike the whole roasted pig, Lechon Kawali is a Filipino-style deep-fried pork belly. The pork is boiled until tender, then deep-fried until the skin is crispy. It’s often served with a side of dipping sauce, such as liver sauce or vinegar.
Flavor Profile: Crispy and crunchy with a rich, fatty flavor.

6. Lechon Liempo

Description: A variant of Lechon Kawali, Lechon Liempo features pork belly that’s marinated and then roasted or grilled until the skin is crispy. It’s often enjoyed in slices and served with a variety of dipping sauces.
Flavor Profile: Savory with a crispy, caramelized skin and tender meat.

7. Lechon Baka (Roast Beef)

Description: For a twist on the traditional pork lechon, Lechon Baka uses beef, often a whole cow or large cuts like prime rib. The beef is seasoned and roasted, resulting in a rich and flavorful roast with a crispy exterior.
Flavor Profile: Rich and hearty with a smoky and savory taste.

4. Pancit

Pancit, or Filipino noodles, comes in many varieties, such as pancit canton, pancit bihon, and pancit palabok. These noodle dishes are usually stir-fried with vegetables, meat, and sometimes seafood. Pancit is a staple at Filipino gatherings and is often associated with long life and prosperity. Many OFWs in Kuwait find themselves yearning for this versatile and flavorful dish, which is a mainstay at birthdays and other celebrations.

Pancit Varieties

Pancit Canton

Stir-fried egg noodles with a mix of vegetables, meat (often pork or chicken), and shrimp. It’s a popular choice for celebrations and gatherings, symbolizing long life.

Pancit Bihon

Thin rice noodles stir-fried with vegetables, meat, and seafood. This version is lighter than pancit canton but equally flavorful and often served with a squeeze of calamansi for added zest.

Pancit Malabon

Known for its thick, yellow-orange noodles and rich, savory sauce made from shrimp and crab fat. It’s typically garnished with hard-boiled eggs, shrimp, and chicharron (pork cracklings).

Pancit Palabok

Rice noodles topped with a rich, orange sauce made from shrimp and annatto. It’s garnished with hard-boiled eggs, shrimp, smoked fish flakes, and chicharron. The layers of flavor and texture make this a crowd favorite.

Pancit Molo

A noodle soup from the Iloilo region made with wonton-like dumplings filled with ground pork and shrimp. The soup is rich and flavorful, often garnished with green onions and fried garlic.

5. Halo-Halo

Halo-Halo is the ultimate Filipino dessert, perfect for beating the heat in Kuwait’s desert climate. This colorful and refreshing treat is made with a mix of shaved ice, evaporated milk, sweetened beans, fruits, and a variety of toppings like leche flan and ube (purple yam) ice cream. The sheer joy and nostalgia that halo-halo brings make it a beloved comfort food that many OFWs miss dearly.

The longing for these beloved Filipino dishes is more than just about food; it’s about the connection to home, culture, and family. While living in Kuwait offers new experiences and opportunities, the taste of home remains irreplaceable. For OFWs, recreating these dishes or finding Filipino restaurants that serve authentic cuisine can offer a comforting slice of home away from home.

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Filipino, Food Review, Kuwait, OFW, Reviews

5 Filipino Foods That OFWs in Kuwait