Masarap! It’s Delicious! Filipino American History Month Celebrated at the Smithsonian
In celebration of Filipino American History Month, a hundred intent listeners gathered for an evening discussion on “Filipino American Culture and Cuisine” at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden’s Ring Auditorium on October 30, 2008.
Moderating the discussion was Martin F. Manalansan IV, an associate professor of Anthropology and Asian American Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is the author of Cultural Compass: Ethnographic Explorations of Asian America and is currently writing a book entitled Altered Tastes: Beyond a Palatable Multiculturalism, an ethnography of Asian American immigrant spaces, fusion and ethnic cuisines, and olfaction in New York City.
Manalansan began the discussion with almusal, or the first meal of the day. His PowerPoint presentation on “Searching for Filipino Cuisine or, ‘Where is my almusal?'” highlighted the characteristics and influences within Filipino cuisine. As a former colony, the Philippines endured “300 years in a convent” under the Spanish and spent another “50 years in Hollywood” under the Americans. This blend of tastes and flavors has created a unique Philippine cuisine filled with pan de sal bread, chorizo sausages, and other breakfast foods.
Manalansan also noted that the Philippine diaspora has made significant contributions to the U.S. agriculture and economy. In the early 1900s, the manong generation tilled the asparagus fields of California and worked seasonally in the salmon fisheries of Alaska.
Joining Manalansan were Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan, owners of Cendrillon, an acclaimed restaurant in Manhattan’s Soho district since 1995. Chef Dorotan’s cooking has been featured in and praised by Gourmet, New York Magazine, New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. The husband and wife team are the authors of Memories of Philippine Kitchens, an award-winning cookbook.
Besa explained that cooking Filipino food in the U.S. is like cooking from memories of the homeland. She noted that Filipino American cooking is “authentic” because the older generations in the States have preserved the traditional recipes. In contrast, the contemporary population in the Philippines has transformed the local cuisine into something different over the last half-century.
Dorotan discussed his experience as a French cuisine chef before tackling the restaurant business. When Cendrillon first opened, Besa and Dorotan were hesitant to market it as a Filipino restaurant because of the lack of mainstream visibility. They have expanded the typical menu of pancit and lumpia to fine dining Filipino cuisine. As forerunners in the chic restaurant business, they have helped Filipino food become more visible in the U.S.
Jennifer Aranas added her perspective on Filipino American cuisine as an accomplished chef, teacher, and writer of The Filipino-American Kitchen: Traditional Recipes, Contemporary Flavors. After years of cooking in restaurants in Chicago and Napa Valley, she opened the critically acclaimed Rambutan restaurant in 1998 and later sold it in 2002. She currently works as a Corporate Chef for Sysco Foods in Chicago and is a culinary instructor at Kendall College.
Aranas’ parents immigrated from the Philippines to Chicago where she was born. Her experience in preparing Filipino American cuisine is a little different because fresh Philippine ingredients are not readily available in American supermarkets. Although some of the ingredients may not be as “authentic,” the Filipino dishes she prepares are still “genuine.”
Aranas also cited some challenges on why fine Filipino dining has not broken into the mainstream. When most Filipinos think of Filipino food, they think of it as homestyle or how their nanay or lola has prepared it. Aranas also explained that most Filipino parents think of the restaurant business as being “blue collar” and do not encourage it as a career for their children. Our palates are thankful that this image is changing with stalwart restaurateurs who are paving the way for Filipino restaurants.
The night ended with a lively talkback session with the audience and book signings with the authors. Check out their cookbooks – you too can make these fabulous Filipino dishes at home!
I like filipino cuisine and their culture too. Filipino are very hospitable people. MABUHAY!
I am just back from the Philippines. I was on the Island of Cebu. I couldnt get over how much American influence was in the country. Even more surprising was the American food that is the staple of the every day diet/. I loved the place and the people were fantastic.
I love Filipino food. Here in Los Angeles, there are lots of Filipino restaurants. I have been to several restaurants. My favorite is Max in Glendale. I especially like their crisp pata. Filipinos are very friendly and warm. I am glad such event is taking place.
thanks for providing this information,i will definetly going to try Filipino cuisine.
thanks
“obese dog”
Filipino food is very delicious. I had no idea that the food was influenced by the spanish and Americans but it definitely explains the Chorizo prevalent in the food. It is always a pleasure to go to the westwood area in LA and eat at the Filipino restaurant.
I grew up in the Philippines while my dad was stationed their in the Navy. I was a great time in my life. I got to learn so much about the Filipino culture and traditions. The food was also fantastic. If you get a chance to visit you should.l
It is a privileged that i’ve been to Philippines to spend my summer. Most of them says that Boracay is the best summer destination in the Philippines. Yes, they are right. However, i went to a place called Camsur and it was awesome. food were so delicious especially “adobo”. WOW! Love it.
SALAMAT.
John Absco
I am just back from the Philippines. I was on the Island of Cebu. I couldnt get over how much American influence was in the country. Even more surprising was the American food that is the staple of the every day diet/. I loved the place and the people were fantastic.
Filipino food are just so delicious. Still can’t get over with their so called “adobo”.
Definitely the best culture in the world same with the great cuisines. Yup I know that Filipinos are hospitable coz i’m one of them, lol. MABUHAY P-NOY!:)
I never thoght of filipino food until you give this information, thank you very much for having shared about this, makes me wanna try filipino food.
it great to be a Filipino. thanks for posting a great article.
I’m altogether an Asian food fanatic and can honestly say I’ve never tried Filipino food before, but this has definitely given me ‘food for thought’. Thanks.
In Filipino, Chef Dorotan’s cooking is awesome
Filipino cuisine are great and I been to couple here in Singapore, I couldn’t agree more and keep up the good work.
Jim
Americans have put alot of influence into this country.But rice is still a main part of the diet. Although American and Spainsh cusine is very popular this is still Asia. Philippines is the Asian america. Filipino American History Month celebratory events take place all over the United States…
Filipino taste on foods is unique. And filipino foods really taste great even Americans do love it.
Very nice combination!
It is hardly surprising that Filipino food is often labeled as somewhat strange but in its own way, a unique mixture of eastern and western cuisine….
Filipino History months is an excellent way to become more familiar with our own history because they are so intertwined.
Adobo. Never fails to capture Americans 🙂
It is great to see the traditions being kept alive particularly with food however i wonder if the young Philipino folk are also as keen to keep the food culture alive in USA. great article . thanks for posting and i wish them all the best. Cheers Louise
I remember I went to party of Filipino best friend of mine, it is so delicate their cusine, fit’s well into my tounge.
The night ended with a lively talkback session with the audience and book signings with the authors. Check out their cookbooks – you too can make these fabulous Filipino dishes at home!
The Philippines is a great country to travel around in and the people are super friendly but Filipino food is lacking a bit in vegetarian options. This is surprising in a way since there is such a variety of delicious fruits and vegetables available. The traditional diet just seems too obsessed with meat and cooking nearly every vegetable dish with meat (not unlike the American diet).
Filipino History months is an excellent way to become more familiar with our own history because they are so intertwined.
I want to learn more about Filipino American History. Can anyone give me a link of some pdf based on Filipino American History?
Filipine cuisine is varied. remember there are many provinces in phillipines and the same dishes taste diffrently
Philippine cuisine is exquisite. The food tastes good and is uniquely prepared. Philippines has a lot of provinces and each province has their own specialty to brag about. Filipino cuisine is definitely something that Filipinos can be truly proud of.
I love the Filipino dish and the many variation of a single dish. An adobo for instance can be cooked in so many different ways.
I am filipino.. yeah right filipino cuisine is great.. masarap talaga luto nila.. especially sinigang and adobo
I am filipino.. yeah right filipino cuisine is great..
I have a filipino buddy who eats a live chick!!! ugh… looks bad but tastes really really good!!!
Also he told me about this weird soup they have which has a little blood, after trying it the first time became addicted to it!
For me this food a is a step up from caribean food.
I am a pure Filipino. The live chick that we eat is called ‘balut’. Anyhoo, a Filipino American cuisine sounds mouth-watering to me. I would love to try it.
yeah right filipino cuisine is great. but I prefer Indian cusine
RE: ( Filipino American cooking is “authentic” because the older generations in the States have preserved the traditional recipes. In contrast, the contemporary population in the Philippines has transformed the local cuisine into something different over the last half-century.) Having traveled to the Filipinos myself the food is fantastic and although transformed I recommend anyone wanting to get a real taste of the culture should try and make the trip at least once in their life time.
Filipino here too.. Am i right? head chef of White House is a Filipina?
I like menudo and adobo of my kabayans. But i really like italian cuisine.
I love filipino cuisine. Great post!
Filipino dishes really are sumptuous. I’ve tried adobo and kare-kare. Awesome taste! There are a lot of good chefs in the Philippines.
Balut ay masarap!
I definitly should try Filipino food one day! This article made me curious!!
Nadia
I come across this great blog searching Martin Manalansa, my great professor at the University of Illinois – Urbana! This made me proud being a Filipino… Mabuhay ang Pilipinas
why fine Filipino dining has not broken into the mainstream?
well, Good to hear!
Balut ay masarap!
My friends are Filipino and the foods they cook are out of this world….yum…
Balut is good!
Filipino dishes are mostly good. It caters to all tastes and tongues. It may be attributed to the different cultural and ethnic inheritance that Filipinos are able to make mouth watering dishes 🙂 Writing this blog makes me think of ADOBO and KARE KARE.
Very interesting and informative article indeed about Phillipine cuisine. I have to admit that I always follow all news about this, so it was quite interesting to read your post about this subject. Thanks a lot for sharing this interesting post and I will be waiting for other great news from you in the nearest future.
This article makes me really want to try some Masrap! Thanks for sharing
This article makes me really want to try some Masrap! Thanks for sharing
This article makes me really want to try some Masrap!
Filipino foods are certainly one of my favorite foods among Asian delicacies that I’ve tried so far. Like what Toro said here regarding Balut, it’s really true one of their trademark.
Where can you get filipino food in boston?
I used to enjoy Masrap in Manila, very delicious, very tasty. I would love to eat it again, again and again. Thanks for great post
PINOY PRIDE!!!!!!!
Very interesting and informative article about Phillipine cuisine.i want to test it- Masarap woow
Great event ! I would like to know more about this interesting country. Now i just know that Filipino food is amazing 🙂
I am from England and was in the Phillipines two years ago, food was great had to get used to rice for breakfast tho lol.
Adobo was the best.
Yes Balut is really good
Yes Balut is really good
Yes Balut is really good…
Where i can find Filipino restaurant in the U.S?
I would like to have the opportunity to go through this restaurant.
I will definitely try these cuisine. By the way, can anybody tell the location of the restaurant Cendrillon, or do they have websites? I really love Filipino Dishes.