The Philippines is home to world-renowned dishes. With recipes as old as history, these delicacies define our nationality.

But do you ever dislike some of these favorite Pinoy cuisines?

I do!

This is not about my fitness journey. Allergies, religion, or any other health concerns have nothing to do with this list. It's really just a matter of preference.

What are the Filipino dishes that I don't eat?

5. Lechon (Roasted Pig)

Christmas, New Year's Eve feasts, fiestas, and birthday parties will always have this as a centerpiece.

A typical Pinoy celebration wouldn't be complete without lechon on the table. Guests will surely come rushing for the crispy skin more than the juicy meat.

But not me.

I don't eat lechon because:

• The meat is too chewy and almost comparable to bubble gum.

• I don't like the smell of it.

• I can't stand to see a whole pig lying on its stomach on top of the table.

4. Diniguan (Blood Stew)

They say it's the perfect partner for puto or rice cake. But not for me.

You would probably think that I'm a member of the Filipino religious sect Iglesia ni Cristo for including dinuguan in this list. The group prohibits eating animal blood because it said it is dirty.

But I'm not an INC member. I just didn't like how it tasted when I once tried it.

I don't eat dinuguan because:

• Sorry for the lack of a better term but it disgusts me to think of eating pig blood.

• I'm not fond of eating black food.

3. Pork Sisig

This Filipino dish is best served on a sizzling hot plate topped with raw egg.

Originating from Pampanga, sisig is mainly made of chopped pig face, ears, and tongue. It is drizzled with mayonnaise and sprinkled with hot peppers.

It is usually served in bars paired with beers - a perfect match for a long drinking session.

However, I don't eat sisig because:

• I can't stand eating pig face, ears, and tongue because it's gummy

• It's too fatty and oily

• I'm not a fan of sizzling hot food

2. Isaw (Barbeque Pork Intestines)

Isaw is just one of the common grilled street food in the Philippines. It's a hit because it's cheap. You can buy it along with betamax, helmet, adidas, balun-balunan, iwi, and many more.

But I don't dare eat one even if it's free!

I don't eat isaw because:

• I'm not a fan of grilled animal innards.

• I have this connotation that they're dirty even if they're washed and cooked.

• For me, why would you settle for innards or blood if you can eat the meat?

1. Balut (Boiled Fertilized Duck Egg)

If there's one exotic Filipino food that everyone in the world knows, it must be balut. I've seen countless videos of foreigners eating balut and giving it a thumbs up. It was even included in one of the episodes of the reality game show "Fear Factor".

They say you're not a Filipino if you haven't tried one. But I beg to disagree. I'm pretty sure I'm 100% pure Filipino even if I haven't eaten balut once.

I can eat penoy all not but its counterpart balut.

I don't eat balut because:

• I can't stand its smell

• Again, apologies for the lack of a better term, but it looks disgusting especially if you see the fertilized duck looking at you, eye-to-eye.

Wrapping Up

Disliking these dishes boils down to one reason - ang arte ko kasi. I'm choosy and unadventurous when it comes to food.

These are just 5 of the favorite Pinoy dishes that I don't eat. Aside from them, I also don't eat bulalo, crispy pata, tahong, kare-kare, and many more.

You're probably thinking now that I have a poor taste or sad childhood or even parents who don't know how to cook. But no, it's really just me.

Don't get me wrong, I am not bashing our proudly Pinoy dishes. I enjoy a lot of Filipino cuisines, too, such as adobo, sinigang, ginataang langka, biko, sapin-sapin, and anything that my Mommy and Daddy cook.

It's just a matter of preference.

Now it's your turn! Do you have any Filipino food dislikes? Tell me about it in the comment section below.

#pinoy #filipino #food