• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Recipes by Nora
  • Recipe Index
  • About me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About me
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Filipino Cuisine 101

    Kamayan Feast: Bringing Family and Friends Together

    Published: Dec 9, 2022 by Nora Reyes · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. · 2 Comments

    389 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    Filipinos are renowned for their warm and hospitable nature, which is beautifully expressed through our culinary traditions, like the Kamayan Feast. It is a communal meal that brings friends and family together over a love for good food, fostering a strong sense of togetherness and connection.

    Kamayan feast with a colorful arrangement of foods on banana leaves.
    Kamayan feast or "boodle fight"
    Jump to:
    • What is kamayan?
    • Why is it called a boodle fight?
    • How do you prepare a kamayan feast at home?
    • Kamayan food ideas
    • Other Filipino Cuisine 101 you may like
    • 💬 Comments

    What is kamayan?

    The Kamayan feast, also known as a boodle fight, is a cherished Filipino tradition. The term kamayan itself means "to eat with hands" in Tagalog.

    During this communal meal, a colorful assortment of food is piled in the center of a long table, served family style without utensils on banana leaves.

    Participants joyfully embrace the traditional way of eating with bare hands, a custom rooted in Filipino heritage that predates the introduction of spoons and forks by the Spaniards.

    Continuing the homage to our roots, explore how this practice translates to the first meal of the day with my post on Breakfast Kamayan. It's a spin on the classic feast, another unique way to savor a delicious meal and start your day with a sense of Filipino tradition.

    Why is it called a boodle fight?

    Boodle fights are thought to have originated as a military tradition, where soldiers gathered around a table to engage in a spirited "food fight" by devouring as much food as possible before their fellow comrades.

    Today, boodle fights represent a delicious communal experience, where a community comes together to share a scrumptious feast and cultivate camaraderie.

    How do you prepare a kamayan feast at home?

    When hosting a traditional kamayan meal at home, there are no strict guidelines to follow. Begin by selecting your desired menu and preparing the table. Banana leaves will immediately create the perfect ambiance for a boodle fight.

    Wiping banana leaves overlapping each other.
    A table covered with banana leaves

    A selection of your favorite Filipino dishes, presented in a buffet-style setting, is generously piled at the center of a table that can comfortably accommodate everyone.

    Rice takes on a central role as an essential component, while the addition of flavorful sawsawan or condiments like soy sauce or fish sauce is equally important to complete the dining experience.

    The choice of having it indoors or outdoors is entirely yours. Don't worry if you prefer not to eat with bare hands, as it's completely okay. Plates and utensils are widely accepted, especially considering the current concerns regarding coronavirus, food safety, allergies, and individual preferences.

    Kamayan is more than just a way of eating; it's a remarkable experience of community, shared through the enjoyment of Filipino food and culture. The vibrant flavors, lively conversations, and warm connections forged during a kamayan gathering make it an unforgettable celebration of togetherness.

    A modern take on kamayan feast with plates and utensils.
    A modern approach to a kamayan feast using plates and utensils.

    Kamayan food ideas

    A kamayan feast does not have a fixed menu or set amount of food. Rice is an essential component, whether you prefer plain white rice, orange-colored Java Rice with annatto, or aromatic Sinangag (garlic rice). It's all about creating a delicious spread that suits your taste buds and serves the central goal of encompassing a full experience of Philippine culture.

    Filipino classics are often featured in kamayan feasts, with a focus on dry and finger-friendly options like grilled or fried foods. However, don't hesitate to include your personal favorites in the spread.

    Here are some ideas for what to include in your next boodle fight. A main dish or ulam like Adobo is the first thing that comes to mind. Chicken Adobo and Adobong Puti are delicious variations.

    Chicken Adobo in a cast iron skillet.
    Chicken Adobo

    Add a selection of crispy fried favorites, like Escabeche or Sweet and Sour Fish, Crispy Fried Whole Fish, Lechon Kawali (fried or air-fried pork belly), Lumpiang Shanghai (fried spring rolls), and Lumpiang Gulay (fried vegetable spring rolls). These dishes are guaranteed to hit the spot and bring an extra level of deliciousness

    Pouring sweet and sour sauce on the fried fish.
    Fried fish with sweet and sour sauce

    Boost your boodle fight with a selection of mouthwatering grilled foods, like Inihaw na Tuna Belly, Barbecue Pork Skewers, Inihaw na Liempo (grilled pork belly), and an assortment of charred vegetables like eggplant and corn. These dishes will add a rich, smoky aroma to your spread.

    Grilled tuna belly with pork skewers and vegetables.
    Grilled tuna belly with vegetables

    You won't want to miss on the flavorful stews, such as Kare-Kare, Binagoongan with shrimp paste, Pochero with saba bananas, and Caldereta. These hearty dishes add a comforting touch and are perfect for rounding out your Kamayan feast.

    Bicol Express in a cast iron skillet.
    Bicol Express

    Consider Chili Garlic Shrimp, Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Ukoy (shrimp and vegetable fritters), and Fried Calamari as seafood selections. For those who enjoy a variety, think about including crab legs or perhaps Grilled Tilapia and Butter Garlic Mussels to diversify your kamayan feast.

    Chili Garlic Shrimp in a cast iron skillet.
    Chili Garlic Shrimp

    Add some regional specialties by including crowd-pleasers like Bicol Express, Laing (taro leaves in coconut milk), Pork Belly Sisig, or go meatless with Tofu Sisig. These beloved dishes will bring unique flavors to your feast, showcasing the diverse culinary heritage of the Philippines.

    Laing (Taro Leaves in Coconut Milk) in a cast iron skillet.
    Laing (Taro Leaves in Coconut Milk)

    Treat your guests to classic Filipino pancit noodles like Pancit Canton, Pancit Bihon, or Pancit Palabok. These classic dishes are always a hit at gatherings.

    Pancit Canton (Filipino Stir-
Fried Noodles) in a bowl.
    Pancit Canton (Filipino Stir-Fried Noodles)

    Round off your meal with desserts like Ube Kalamay, Pichi-Pichi (steamed cassava cakes), Cassava Cake, Turon (banana spring rolls with jackfruit), Ube Turon with purple yam, Ginataang Bilo Bilo, or fresh tropical fruits like mangoes or papaya. Calamansi juice and buko juice (coconut juice) are refreshing drinks you can serve.

    Grilled and fried foods, rice, sides, condiments, vegetables, desserts, and calamansi juice on banana leaves.
    Grilled and fried foods, rice, vegetables, sides, condiments, desserts, and calamansi juice

    Filipino meals are never complete without a selection of sides, such as Achara (pickled green papaya), Ensaladang Talong (eggplant salad), Mango Salad (ensaladang mangga), and Ensaladang Itlog na Maalat (salted egg salad).

    Sawsawan, or dipping sauces, are indispensable to any Filipino feast, the perfect accompaniment that personalizes each bite. Some examples are toyo-mansi (soy sauce and calamansi), spiced vinegar dipping sauce, lechon sauce, and sweet chili sauce.

    Elevate the experience with tasty extras like Chicharon (fried pork rinds) or prawn crackers, which are essential components that add an extra level of flavor and enjoyment to your feast.

    Achara (Quick Pickles) and Chicharon (Fried Pork Rinds) with grilled meats and desserts on the table.
    Achara (Quick Pickles) and Chicharon (Fried Pork Rinds) with grilled meats and desserts

    Create a menu that speaks to your tastes, adding in dishes that you're excited about. This personal touch turns a meal into a shared adventure. It's about creating an atmosphere as much as a meal, where every dish contributes to the communal vibe and enjoyment.

    Ensaladang Talong (Eggplant Salad) with salted egg, Turon (Banana Spring Rolls), sliced watermelon, vegetables, and grilled meats on banana leaves.
    Ensaladang Talong (Eggplant Salad) with salted egg, Turon (Banana Spring Rolls), sliced watermelon, vegetables, and grilled meats

    Kamayan feast is a celebration of Filipino culture and community, fostering a strong sense of unity and camaraderie. It brings people together, transcending ethnicity and cultural backgrounds, to bond over a shared experience of delicious food and wonderful company. It's a heartwarming celebration of togetherness and enjoyment.

    Other Filipino Cuisine 101 you may like

    • A Collage of Filipino Foods with a banner of Beginner's Guide to Filipino Food.
      A Beginner's Guide to Filipino Food
    • A Collage of green vegetables and a purple sweet potato.
      Exploring Unique Filipino Vegetables
    • Corned beef silog served on a plate.
      The Ultimate Guide to Filipino Silog Breakfast
    • Assorted Filipino foods on a table covered in banana leaf for breakfast kamayan.
      Breakfast Kamayan: A Twist to Kamayan Feast

    Do you like this post? I would love to know! Your feedback helps me make better recipes.  Please rate, review, or comment below. Questions about this post are welcome, too!

    Let's connect on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, and Youtube. Be sure to tag me when you try any of my recipes @recipesbynora!

    More Filipino Cuisine 101

    389 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    About the author

    Hi, I'm Nora! 

    Whether you're new to Filipino food or have loved it for so long, I sure am happy you're here!  I hope you'll find useful recipes that you can enjoy and share with family and friends.

    Learn more about me →

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Espie Hartshorne

      May 05, 2022 at 3:58 am

      Hi Nora,
      Am browsing all your recipes, but did not find any recipes for pandesal, siopao, dim sum, ensaymada etc.
      Hopefully, you can make the time to cook and publish the recipes.
      Regards,
      Espie Hartshorne from New Zealand

      Reply
      • Nora Rey

        January 05, 2023 at 2:03 pm

        Hello Espie, I'm sorry for the super late response. Thank you for taking the time to browse my recipes. I will definitely work on adding more recipes, especially those you mentioned. =) Thank you!!!

        Reply

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Nora! Whether you're new to Filipino food or have loved it for so long, I sure am happy you're here!  I hope you'll find useful recipes that you can enjoy and share with family and friends.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Grilled Pork Belly on a plate with pickled vegetables and spicy vinegar dipping sauce.
      Inihaw na Liempo Recipe
    • Beef stir fry with onions and peppers in a wok zoomed in.
      Beef Stir Fry with Onions & Peppers
    • Mackerel on Olive oil on a plate.
      Mackerel in Olive Oil
    • Beef Caldereta topped on a rice served on a plate.
      Beef Caldereta Recipe
    • Buko Pandan on a glass dish cup topped with ice cream covered be rice crisps.
      Buko Pandan Salad Recipe
    • Assorted Filipino foods on a table covered in banana leaf for a Kamayan Feast.
      Kamayan Feast: Bringing Family and Friends Together

    Seasonal Desserts

    You must use the category name, not a URL, in the category field.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Accessibility Statement
    • Cookie Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Image Use & Copyright
    • Privacy Policy

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2023 RECIPES BY NORA

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    389 shares