Have a soft spot for bread? Whether it is paired with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, Pinoy breads are always a delight to have!
Filipino bread has something in it that is just so irresistible that when you pass by a bakery, there is some sort of magnet that makes you walk toward them.
The lusciousness of Filipino bread is exceptional, and that is why every Filipino household grew up loving it.
Fit for your merienda cravings or even for a coffee breakfast, here are the classic Pinoy breads you definitely want to treat yourself to.
1. Pandesal
Pandesal has to be the staple bread for Filipinos. Pandesal is a yeast-raised bread that has just the right sweet taste. It is usually golden brown in color, coated with crumbs, and has a soft and fluffy texture.
It is the perfect bread for any time of the day. You can dunk it in your coffee or any hot drink you are pleased to dunk it into. Any spread or filling would also complement the exceptional taste of pandesal.
A chocolate spread, peanut butter, salted margarine, cheese spread, hotdogs and eggs, liver spread, and even pancit canton—the choice is endless! Regardless, you can enjoy your pandesal the way you like it because, literally, anything goes!
2. Ensaymada
With its oh-so-cheesy, sugary, and buttery top, who would not want to have the indulging taste of ensaymada?
It is a sweet, soft, doughy pastry that every Filipino just loves! The recipe for Ensaymada was originally from Spain and adapted in the Philippines.
It has evolved over time depending on the baker’s taste. It already has many variations, such as putting a filling inside, using cheese cream instead of just grated cheddar cheese, and incorporating other flavors like ube.
It does not really matter what variations of ensaymada you really like. All of them are surely delicious and can be perfectly enjoyed with a cup of coffee while sitting on your veranda on a lazy afternoon.
3. Pianono
This one should definitely not miss the list! For the sweet-toothed, pianono has to be one of their favorites!
Pianono is a sponge cake roll that is traditionally filled with margarine and sugar. It has a melt-in-your-mouth feeling your tongue would not resist. It can also be made with different kinds of fillings and flavors, such as yema (dulce de leche), chocolate, strawberry, mango—the list goes on!
You can always find pianono in any local bakery. So, if you are craving some, it’s time to head out and buy the classic piano for your delectation!
4. Pan de Coco
Enough with creams, margarine, and sugar? Be delighted by pan de coco instead!
You can never go wrong with these coconutty yet soft and chewy treats! It makes a perfect pair for your glass of milk—more so, for your black coffee!
These breads can come with their tops toasted a bit for extra crunch upon biting. The milky goodness of the desiccated coconut filling is the one to welcome your tastebuds!
Just like the ensaymada, pan de coco is said to have Spanish roots and is a very popular bread in parts of Honduras as well.
Although that is the case, how Filipinos make pan de cocos is especially unique because of its grated or desiccated coconut filling and extra creamy coconut milk. In countries like Honduras and Colombia, the coconut flakes are said to be directly mixed with the dough during the process.
5. Ube or Monggo loaf
Another pastry you’ll probably only find in our local bakeries is the ube and monggo loaf.
With the original delicacy, chunks, and paste of the monggo beans and ube, your mouth will definitely celebrate! Who would have thought that monggo beans and ube tasted so good in bread?
Talking about classics, these ube and monggo loaves are engrained in the hearts of Filipinos. They also come in a pull-apart version, which makes them even more enjoyable with your hands pulling them apart.
Aside from being a perfect merienda, they are also great “baon” for your travels.
6. Monay
Not a fan of flavor-filled bread? Then the ever-classic Monay is here to satisfy your indulgence without too much sweetness.
It might seem plain to the eye, but it is actually milky and tasty. You can dunk or dip it into your coffee, milk, or chocolate drink. Having it on the side of any pancit dish is also a 5/5!
If you are fancy, it can be toasted with a spread of butter, too! This dense, round white bread also comes in a sliced version, which saves you time cutting your bread in half. But nothing is more fun than enjoying your bread with your own hands as you take pleasure in it.
Monay is so versatile, you can pair it with almost anything! Merienda’s all packed with a soft and fluffy bun!
7. Kababayan
Here comes the ultimate classic our parents, aunties, uncles, and grandparents love—the kababayan bread!
Shaped like a salakot,” or farmer’s hat, this bread is moist, crumbly (but good crumbs!) in texture, yellowish or tan brown in color, and absolutely a delight to every Filipino!
It is considered the Filipino version of muffins. Enjoy the goodness of the kababayan in every crumb. Its taste settles on your tongue and makes you want to take bite after bite.
Nothing beats the kababayan with a cup of creamy, yet not too sweet, coffee.
Bread and pastries hold a very special place in the hearts of Filipinos. After siesta time, it’s time for merienda, and what completes our lazy afternoon? These breads reflect Filipinos’ love for delightful treats filled with goodness.
These classic Filipino breads are ours. They make us feel at home.
