I can’t help but rave about the variety and flavors of Filipino adobo. This versatile dish has won the hearts of many, including my own, with its savory, tangy, and garlicky goodness. Today, I’ll be your culinary guide on an adobo adventure, exploring the different types of this fabulous Filipino dish, and even throwing in a vegan option for my plant-based pals. So buckle up, grab a fork, and let’s dive into the wonderful world of adobo!
Adobo is like the chameleon of Filipino cuisine, adapting and changing to suit the tastes and preferences of whoever’s preparing it. With so many regional and personal variations, it’s no wonder this dish has become a national treasure. Here are some of the most popular types:
- Chicken Adobo (Adobong Manok): The classic adobo, the one that started it all. Tender, juicy chicken cooked in adobo sauce, it’s like a warm hug from your Lola (grandma) on a rainy day.
- Pork Adobo (Adobong Baboy): Similar to its chicken counterpart, this version uses pork and is a favorite among many Filipinos. If you’re lucky, you might even get some fatty bits that melt in your mouth. Yum!
- Adobo sa Gata: For those who like it rich and creamy, this version adds coconut milk (gata) to the traditional adobo sauce, creating a luxurious flavor that’ll have you going back for seconds (or thirds).
- Adobo sa Dilaw (Adobong Dilaw): A golden twist on adobo, this version includes turmeric (dilaw), giving the dish a vibrant yellow color and an earthy taste that pairs perfectly with a side of sunshine.
- Adobong Pusit: Squid enthusiasts, rejoice! This adobo variation features squid cooked in adobo sauce along with its ink, creating a dark and mysterious dish that’s both delicious and conversation-worthy.
- Adobo Flakes: The perfect solution for leftover adobo, this dish takes shredded chicken or pork and fries it until crispy, creating delightful little morsels that are perfect for topping rice or stuffing into tacos. It’s like a delicious phoenix rising from the ashes of yesterday’s adobo.
- Adobong Kangkong: A green and glorious vegetable adobo, this dish features water spinach (kangkong) cooked in adobo sauce, often with pork or shrimp to add a little extra oomph. Who says you can’t have your veggies and adobo too?
- Adobong Sitaw: Yet another veggie-packed adobo, this variation uses long beans (sitaw) as the star ingredient. Eat your greens, they said. Well, with this dish, you’ll be more than happy to oblige!
- Adobong Labong: This adobo dish brings bamboo shoots (labong) into the spotlight, cooked in the adobo sauce and often accompanied by pork or shrimp for added flavor. It’s an adventurous take on adobo that’ll have you feeling like Indiana Jones on a culinary quest.
- Adobong Mani: Last but not least, a unique spin on adobo that you probably never saw coming: peanuts (mani) cooked in adobo sauce! This one’s perfect for snack time, happy hour, inuman sa kanto, or just about any time you’re craving something crunchy, salty, and oh-so-satisfying.

Now, for my vegan friends who’ve been patiently waiting, I’ve got a plant-based adobo option that’ll knock your socks off:
Vegan Adobo (Adobong Gulay): Who says adobo is just for meat lovers? This vegan version uses a medley of veggies like eggplant, bell peppers, and potatoes, cooked in adobo sauce with a secret ingredient—mushroom soy sauce—to mimic the umami of traditional adobo. Serve it over steaming hot rice, and you’ve got a vegan feast fit for a Filipino king or queen!
Filipino adobo is a magical dish that transcends borders and taste buds. With so many variations, there’s an adobo out there for everyone—even your picky Aunt Linda who only eats plain rice. So next time you’re in the mood for some comforting, delicious food, why not whip up a batch of adobo and share the love? After all, as they say in the Philippines, “Kain na!” (Let’s eat!)