Beyond The Trend: Why Tinned Fish is a Filipino Way Of Life

An aisle at the local supermarket during my last trip to The Philippines

You’ve probably seen it: "Tinned Fish Date Night." It’s all over TikTok: glossy shots of imported Spanish octopus, Portuguese sardines in artisanal olive oil, and expensive crackers arranged on a marble slab. To the Western world, tinned fish is suddenly "having a moment." It’s the new luxury, the chic pantry staple for the modern epicurean.

But for myself and other Filipinos, tinned fish isn’t a trend - it’s a lifestyle. One of the most common tinned fish in the Philippines are sardines. They’re abundantly accessible, high in protein, and affordable. These fish have sustained millions of households for decades, making them a comfort of the home.

In the West people eat tinned fish "straight up" on a cracker. In a Filipino kitchen, we turn them into a warm dish. The sardines also come in a variety of flavors - the most common is packed in tomato sauce. The preparation is simple but the result, so heartwarming:

First, saute what I call “Filipino Sofrito” - onions, garlic, and tomatoes. Add the sardines in tomato sauce and gently fry with cracked black pepper. Serve it over freshly steamed jasmine rice and enjoy.

Tinned fish may be trendy online now, but for Filipino’s it’s been a thing long before it had good lighting. Not to be “cool” but simply, to survive. Glad you could join.

Xoxo,

Chef Michelle