The Philippines 🇵🇭

El Nido, Philippines

The Philippines for vegan & vegetarian travelers

Philippines

🥕 Moderate

Vegan Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5)
Vegetarian Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Best For: Tropical fruits, vegetable dishes, international cafés, markets
Challenging Because: Fish sauce, shrimp paste, and meat broths are widely used

🥗 What to Eat

Laing (taro leaves in coconut milk) — ask if vegan
(lah-eeng)
Pinakbet (mixed vegetable stew) — request no shrimp paste
(pee-NAHK-bet)
Ginisang gulay (sautéed vegetables)
Fresh lumpia (vegetable spring rolls)
Tropical fruits (mango, banana, coconut, papaya)

🚫 Watch Out For

Bagoong (shrimp paste)
Patis (fish sauce)
Meat or fish stock in soups
Eggs in vegetable dishes
Dairy in desserts and drinks

🗣️ Survival Phrases (Filipino / Tagalog)

I am vegetarian: Vegetarian po ako
(veh-jeh-TAHR-ee-ahn poh ah-KOH)
I am vegan: Vegan po ako
(VEE-gan poh ah-KOH)
No meat or fish: Walang karne o isda
(WAH-lang KAR-neh oh ees-DAH)
No shrimp paste: Walang bagoong
(WAH-lang bah-GOH-ohng)

🧭 Veggie Trip Tip

Always ask specifically about bagoong and patis — many vegetable dishes contain them by default. Health cafés and surf towns are your safest bet for fully vegan meals.

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