Vegans avoid animal ingredients such as “meat,” sea life, eggs, dairy, and honey, all of which are products of suffering and exploitation. Fortunately, many foods from the Philippines are packed with flavorful spices, fruits, and vegetables and are just as delicious without the use of animal-based ingredients.

Before being colonized and named “the Philippines,” the archipelago was diverse in distinct cultures and languages. Prior to 300 years of Spanish colonization, Japanese occupation, and (ongoing) U.S. imperialism, the islands had already been trading with merchants from all over Asia, and over thousands of years, the Philippines was forever changed by foreign influence. Modern Filipinx identity, traditions, and diet have thus developed to be both fiercely resilient as well as open to adaptation. Filipinx culture places a high value on caring for our community and for the land that sustains us. By bringing a vegan spotlight to Filipinx cuisine, we hope to carry our traditions of growth, compassion, and respect for the environment into the 21st century.

Now, enjoy delicious versions of some of your favorite Filipinx dishes—or try new ones!

Thanks to everyone who contributed recipes for this site.

Kain na tayo! (Let’s eat!)