ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Philippine condiments

Okay kiddo, do you know what condiments are? They are sauces, spices, or other things that we add to our food to make it taste even better. In the Philippines, they have some very special and unique condiments that people love to use with their dishes. Let me tell you about some of them!

First, there is soy sauce. It's a brown liquid that tastes salty and a little bit sweet. We usually use it to flavor our rice, vegetables, and meats. It's like adding a little bit of extra flavor to your food.

Another popular condiment is vinegar. It's a clear liquid that tastes sour, kind of like sour candy. Filipino people use it for dipping sauce, marinating meat, and adding a tangy taste to their dishes.

Have you heard of fish sauce? It's also quite popular in the Philippines. It's made by fermenting fish with salt and water. It smells really strong, like stinky socks, but it adds a delicious umami flavor to dishes like pancit (a type of noodle dish) or adobo (chicken or pork stew).

And of course, we can't forget about chili peppers! They are small and often red or green, and they have a spicy taste that makes our mouths tingle. Filipinos love to use chili peppers in their dishes to add some heat and spice.

So there you have it, kiddo! These are just a few of the popular condiments in the Philippines. They may sound a little bit different from what you're used to, but they are beloved by many people and add some really delicious flavors to dishes.