Well, let me tell ya, when it comes to breakfast, the Filipinos sure know how to start the day off right! Their breakfasts ain’t like the plain ol’ stuff we might be used to. It’s got flavors, it’s hearty, and it fills you up good. Now, I ain’t no fancy chef, but I’ll try my best to walk ya through some simple and tasty Filipino breakfast recipes that’ll make ya think twice about your usual morning meal. So, listen up, cause these are real easy, even for someone like me who’s just used to throwin’ stuff in a pot and seeing what happens.

Sinangag – Garlic Fried Rice
Now, I’ll tell ya, the backbone of a Filipino breakfast is sinangag, or garlic fried rice. It’s the best way to use up leftover rice from last night’s dinner. Don’t be wastin’ food, ya know? All ya need is a little garlic, some rice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Simple, but oh-so-tasty.
- 2 cups of cooked rice (preferably cold, leftover rice works best)
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced real fine
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of oil (vegetable oil works fine)
First, heat up your oil in a frying pan. Once it’s nice and hot, throw in your minced garlic and let it cook until it’s golden and crispy. Be careful though, cause garlic burns quick! After that, add your rice and just stir it around, makin’ sure all that good garlic flavor gets into every grain. Season it with a little salt and pepper, and keep stirrin’ till it’s all heated through. That’s it! Simple and delicious.
Tocino – Sweet Cured Pork
Now, if ya want somethin’ a little sweeter, you gotta try tocino. This is a sweet, cured pork that’s perfect with your garlic fried rice. Some people might think it’s too much sugar, but trust me, it’s the perfect balance. You can buy it ready-made at the store, but I’ll tell ya how to make it at home if you’re feelin’ adventurous.

- 1 pound of pork shoulder or belly, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Mix up all the ingredients in a bowl, making sure the pork gets coated well. Cover it and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours, or even overnight if ya can. The longer it sits, the sweeter and more flavorful it gets. Once it’s ready, heat a little oil in a pan and cook the pork until it’s browned and caramelized. Serve it with your garlic fried rice and maybe a fried egg, and you got yourself a real Filipino feast!
Lugaw – Filipino Rice Porridge
If you’re lookin’ for somethin’ warm and cozy, then lugaw might be just what you need. It’s a Filipino rice porridge, and it’s perfect for those cold mornings or when you’re feelin’ a little under the weather. It’s really simple, just rice and water, but it’s so comfortin’.
- 1 cup of rice
- 6 cups of water
- 1 tablespoon of ginger, sliced thin
- Salt to taste
- Optional: fried garlic, boiled egg, or even a little chicken
Start by washinn’ the rice and then puttin’ it in a big pot with the water. Bring it to a boil and then turn it down low to let it simmer. Add your ginger and salt, and cook it until the rice breaks down and the porridge thickens. You can add more water if it gets too thick. Once it’s all nice and creamy, serve it hot. You can top it with fried garlic, a boiled egg, or even some chicken if you want to make it a full meal. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl.
Tapsilog – Beef Tapa with Sinangag

tapsilog. It’s a combination of beef tapa, garlic fried rice, and a fried egg. It’s a real breakfast treat, and once you taste it, you’ll be hooked.
- 1 pound of beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper
Marinate the beef with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper for a few hours. Then, just fry it up in a pan until it’s cooked through and a little crispy around the edges. Serve it with your garlic fried rice and a sunny-side-up egg, and you’re good to go. It’s the perfect combination to fill ya up till lunch.
Final Thoughts
Tags:[Pinoy breakfast, Filipino breakfast recipes, garlic fried rice, tocino, lugaw, tapsilog, Filipino rice porridge, Filipino breakfast ideas, Filipino food]