Rice

Rice — Bigas…

Jasmine Rice, Malagkit Sweet Rice, Pirurutong…

We can learn how important rice is in Philippine cuisine from the fact that most of our ulam (entrees) wouldn’t make sense taste-wise without the accompaniment of rice. No real Filipino would think it normal to eat ulam without rice.

And the words we have for rice! Fresh off the plant, unhusked rice grains are called palay. Husked uncooked rice is called bigas. Cooked rice is kanin. Rice fallen off the table is mumo.

You get the picture! Make sure to get a rice cooker as well.