Tropical Hut Foodmart, Inc - Manila, Philippines

Philippine cuisine has numerous indigenous and foreign influences. Throughout the centuries, the islands have incorporated the cuisine of the early Malay settlers, the Chinese traders, and Spanish and American colonizers. But while most of its Asian neighbors like Thailand pour generous spices on their food, Philippine cuisine tries to balance a subtle combinations of sweetness, saltiness and sourness to their palate.The strongest culinary influence is from Spain, which ruled the Philippines for almost 400 years. Food historians claim that 80% of Philippine dishes are of Spanish origin. Because the Spaniards formed the elite, dishes adapted by upper-class Filipinos were also Spanish-inspired. Thus, many of the party and fiesta dishes and those served for special occasions bear names like relleno, morcon, paella, callos, embutido, caldereta, lechon, etc.