Gordon Ramsay has famously dubbed Filipino cuisine the "Sleeping Beauty of Asia,"suggesting it is a culinary powerhouse that is finally "waking up" to achieve global front-runner status. During his 2025 visit to Manila, he expressed deep admiration for the country's "explosive" flavors and its unique standalone identity. He particularly values the regional complexity of the food and the high quality of local ingredients like Lapu-Lapu (grouper), which he now uses in a specialized version of "Fish and Chips" at his Manila restaurant.
Top Rated Dishes
Ramsay's appreciation for Filipino food centers on a few iconic dishes and modern reinterpretations:
- Sisig: Ramsay has repeatedly cited Sisig as his favorite Filipino dish. He has described it as "chopped up delicious pork" and even praised creative variations like Sisig Tacos, which use crispy pig ears and snout. His admiration for the dish is shared by the late Anthony Bourdain, as noted by Yahoo Lifestyle.
- Sinigang: He has also identified Sinigang, a sour tamarind-based soup, as a favorite. He appreciates the dish's ability to balance bold flavors, a hallmark of the Filipino palate.
- Modern Twists: During his visit, Ramsay collaborated with "Lumpia Queen" Abi Marquez to create a Beef Wellington Lumpia, bridging his signature British dish with the beloved Filipino spring roll. Serai (Melbourne): Ramsay often cites the restaurant Serai in Australia as a prime example of the "evolution" of Filipino food. He was particularly impressed by their bone marrow luges torched with vodka and their nostalgic use of evaporated milk in desserts.
Culinary Philosophy & Impact
Ramsay's perspective on Filipino cuisine emphasizes a balance between respecting tradition and pushing for innovation. He encourages Filipino chefs to be "unapologetically bold" while executing their native tastes with world-class discipline. His official Rappler feature highlights how he views the current food scene as a cultural melting pot ready to captivate the world's palate.
Watch Chef Gordon Ramsay explore and react to the vibrant flavors of the Philippines:
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Ramsay has since become a fan of Filipino cuisine, praising its unique flavors and ingredients. He likened Filipino food to the "Sleeping Beauty of Asia," believing it has the potential to become one of the frontrunners of Asian cuisine. He appreciates the use of fresh ingredients, citing the wet markets in Manila, and admires dishes like sisig, spring rolls with beef Wellington, and halo-halo.
Some specific moments that changed his opinion include :
Spring Rolls with Beef Wellington: He praised Abby, a Filipino chef, for creating "absolutely stunning" spring rolls incorporating beef Wellington.
Halo-Halo Challenge: Ramsay judged a halo-halo challenge, where he appreciated the creativity of combining traditional ingredients with unique flavors.
Meeting Filipino Chefs: Ramsay was touched by the passion and dedication of Filipino chefs, encouraging them to stay true to their culinary heritage while innovating and pushing boundaries.
Overall, Ramsay's experience with Filipino food and chefs changed his opinion, and he now recognizes the value of this underrated cuisine.


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