Guinataang Tangyuan

(Sweet Potato Tangyuan in Coconut Milk) Soft, chewy tangyuan filled with banana, gently simmered in creamy coconut milk with tropical fruit and tapioca pearls—this Guinataang Tangyuan is my Filipino-inspired take on a dish traditionally enjoyed during Dongzhi (冬至节), the Winter Solstice Festival. Tangyuan (汤圆) are most commonly eaten around Dongzhi to symbolize wholeness, togetherness, and… Continue reading Guinataang Tangyuan

Arroz con Leche de Coco (Coconut Milk Rice Pudding)

Creamy, cozy, and lightly spiced, this Arroz con Leche de Coco brings together the richness of coconut milk with the comforting texture of glutinous rice. It’s warm enough for chilly December evenings but refreshing when served chilled the next morning for a quick filling breakfast. And because it’s naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and wonderfully simple to… Continue reading Arroz con Leche de Coco (Coconut Milk Rice Pudding)

Adobo Turkey

Serves: 8–10Prep Time: 1 hourCook Time: 4 hoursTotal Time: 5 hours 🧡 A Filipino Twist on the Holiday Table If there’s one dish that feels like home, it’s adobo. Every Filipino family has their own adobo… creamy, sweet, saucy, dry, pork-only, chicken-only, a mix of both… and somehow every version is the best one. So… Continue reading Adobo Turkey

🥥 Kabocha and Coconut Pecan Rolls

Yield: 9 rollsPrep Time: 30 minutesWait Time: 4 hoursCook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Soft rolls made with our signature house dough are swirled with homemade coconut jam and filled with toasted pecans and coconut flakes. These Kabocha and Coconut Pecan Rolls bring together the warm comfort of fall baking with flavors rooted in Filipino… Continue reading 🥥 Kabocha and Coconut Pecan Rolls

Agua de Melón Paletas

If you’ve ever cooled down with a chilled glass of agua de melón in Mexico or sipped on sweet melon juice in the Philippines, you already know what inspired these paletas. They’re bright, juicy, and lightly floral from a splash of orange blossom water, with just enough ginger to wake up your taste buds. These… Continue reading Agua de Melón Paletas

Macadamia-Crusted Lumpia

🌴Banana and coconut wrapped in golden crisp lumpia, rolled in caramel and crushed macadamia nuts. It’s dessert. It’s indulgent. It’s your new tropical go-to. A Taste of the Islands, Wrapped in Lumpia This Macadamia-Crusted Lumpia is inspired by the merienda tradition of turon (banana lumpia), but it takes a tropical twist by adding crunchy young… Continue reading Macadamia-Crusted Lumpia

Lemongrass Sage Green Tea Sparkler

Bright. Cooling. Botanical. This Lemongrass Sage Green Tea Sparkler is a multi-sensory throwback and a globally inspired refreshment all in one. It brings together Chinese green tea, Filipino lemongrass (tanglad), and Western sage; creating a drink that’s aromatic, lightly sweet, and just the right amount of fizzy. The idea for this sparkler came from two… Continue reading Lemongrass Sage Green Tea Sparkler

Double Adobo Sopes

Yield: 8 sopesPrep Time: 15 minutesCook Time: 45 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour Crispy, golden masa sopes topped with refried beans, tender shredded Filipino adobo, and a drizzle of smoky Mexican adobo salsa—this recipe brings a flavorful double adobo twist to your table. It’s a playful cross-cultural fusion where two distinct uses of “adobo” come together… Continue reading Double Adobo Sopes

Calamansi Bars with Sesame Crust

Ah, Calamansi. The “lemon of the Philippines.” These small, green, sour-turned-sweet citrus gems are a staple in Filipino cuisine. Also known as Calamondin, they thrive in the heat of the tropics, but surprisingly, both my aunt and my folks have managed to grow them in California. As for me? I have a tall, skinny bush… Continue reading Calamansi Bars with Sesame Crust

Banana Spaghetti, My Take On Grandma’s Filipino Spaghetti

If every Chinese birthday must have Long Life Noodles, then every Filipino birthday must have Filipino-style spaghetti. Unlike its Italian cousin, Filipino spaghetti is sweet, made with Filipino-style hotdogs, and—surprise!—banana ketchup. I’ve previously shared the history of banana ketchup and even have my own recipe if you want to DIY it in [this post]. For… Continue reading Banana Spaghetti, My Take On Grandma’s Filipino Spaghetti