Filipino adobo is a popular dish that is sometimes considered the national dish of the Philippines. It is a stew made with meat, usually chicken or pork, that is marinated in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and black peppercorns. The meat is then cooked in the marinade until it is tender, the sauce has thickened and the seasoning has fully developed.
What is Filipino Adobo
Adobo is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as rice, vegetables, or noodles. It can also be eaten as a main course. Adobo is a popular dish for both everyday meals and special occasions.
The origins of adobo are unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The Spanish introduced vinegar and soy sauce to the Philippines, and these ingredients were combined with local ingredients such as garlic and black peppercorns to create adobo.
Adobo has evolved over time, and there are many different variations of the dish. Some regions of the Philippines use different types of meat, such as beef or seafood. Others use different types of vinegar, such as coconut vinegar or palm vinegar. Some recipes also include other ingredients, such as onions, pork belly, potatoes, or tomatoes.
Despite the variations, all adobo dishes share some common characteristics. They are all made with a marinade of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and black peppercorns. They are also all cooked until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Filipino Adobo vs. Mexican Adobo
Filipino adobo and Mexican adobo are two dishes that share a name, but they are actually quite different. Filipino adobo is a braised dish made with meat, usually chicken or pork, that is marinated in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and black peppercorns. The meat is then cooked in the marinade until it is tender and the sauce has thickened. Filipino adobo is typically served with rice.
Mexican adobo is a marinade and sauce made with dried chilies, spices, and vinegar. It is often used to grill or braise meats, but it can also be used as a condiment or dipping sauce. Mexican adobo is typically made with a variety of chilies, including ancho chilies, guajillo chilies, and chipotle chilies. It is also typically seasoned with spices such as cumin, oregano, and black pepper.
Where to Find Filipino Adobo in Seattle
If you want to know where to find Filipino adobo in Seattle, you're in the right place. Seattle is home to a number of restaurants serving Filipino food, and the following are just a few places where you'll find Filipino adobo on the menu or available by request.
Fou Lee Market, Beacon Hill
Fou Lee Market is a grocery store located in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood. The market has a wide selection of Filipino and Asian groceries, including fresh produce, meats, seafood, and snacks. Fou Lee Market also has a deli counter that serves up Filipino favorites like pancit, lumpia, and adobo. The market is a popular spot for both locals and visitors alike, and it's a great place to find hard-to-find Asian ingredients.
Website: Fou Lee Market
Menu: Menu
Phone: 206-764-9607
Musang, Beacon Hill
Another Beacon Hill destination for Filipino foods, Musang is a community-driven restaurant that opened in 2019 by Chef Melissa Miranda. The restaurant's menu features a variety of Filipino dishes, including sisig, laing, and halo-halo. Musang also offers a variety of Filipino desserts, such as leche flan and cassava cake. Musang is a great place to learn about Filipino cuisine and culture.
Oriental Mart, Pike Place Market
Oriental Mart is a Filipino grocery store and lunch counter located in Pike Place Market. The store has been in business since 1971 and is owned by the Apostol family. Oriental Mart offers a wide variety of Filipino and Asian groceries, including fresh produce, meats, seafood, and snacks. The lunch counter serves up classic Filipino dishes like adobo, pancit, and sinigang.
Website: Oriental Mart
Menu: Menu
Phone: 206-622-8488
Grill City / Seafood City, Tukwila
Grill City is a Filipino grill restaurant located inside Seafood City Supermarket in Tukwila, WA. It is known for its authentic Filipino grilled dishes, such as pork barbecue, chicken barbecue, and inihaw na liempo (grilled pork belly). Grill City also offers a variety of side dishes, such as adobo, kare-kare, sinigang, and pancit.
Website: Grill City
Menu: Menu
Phone: 206-316-4258
Fil-Cuisine, Kent or Lynnwood
Fil-Cuisine was opened in 2010 by Chef Sonia Eagan, who is originally from the Philippines. Chef Sonia learned to cook from her mother and grandmother, and she brings her passion for Filipino cuisine to Fil-Cuisine. The restaurant's menu features a variety of Filipino dishes, including adobo, kare-kare, sinigang, and pancit. You'll also find a variety of Filipino desserts, such as halo-halo, leche flan, and cassava cake.
Website: Fil-Cuisine
Menu: Menu
Phone: 253-239-4429
Archipelago, Hillman City
Archipelago is a fine-dining restaurant in Seattle that serves modern Filipino cuisine. Unlike other destinations included on this list, the menu at Archipelago is typically served as a 10-course tasting menu, which means you may not always find adobo on the menu. Archipelago was opened in 2017 by Chef Junebaby Lim, a James Beard Award semifinalist. She grew up in the Philippines and learned to cook from her mother and grandmother. The restaurant seats only 30 guests, so you'll feel like you're dining in someone's home.
Website: Archipelago
As always, restaurant menus change and dish availability can vary throughout the year. Before you head out, give one of the locations above a call to ensure they have Filipino adobo on the menu.