Filipino keto guide
Hostile
324 dishes140 keto as served119 with a photo
Keto friendliness
A massive keto trap; even seemingly safe meats are heavily marinated in sugar, and rice is non-negotiable in traditional eating.
Top ingredients
Lechon (roast pork belly), crispy pata (deep-fried pork knuckle), and plain grilled fish.
Danger zones
Sweet soy glazes, banana ketchup, hidden sugar in adobo and longganisa, and the ubiquitous mounds of white rice.
Best for
Experienced dieters who know how to order dry-rubbed or plain meats and are comfortable refusing all sauces.
324 dishes · page 1 of 6
Chicharon Bulaklak
Deep-fried Pork Mesentery
A popular Filipino appetizer or pulutan (bar snack) made from deep-fried pork mesentery, known for its crispy,…
0 net0 total0 fibre35 protein75 fat800 kcal
Pritong Isda (e.g., Tilapia)
Fried Fish (e.g., Tilapia)
A whole fresh fish (such as Tilapia or Lapu-Lapu) simply seasoned with salt and pepper, then deep-fried until …
0 net0 total0 fibre60 protein40 fat600 kcal
Balut
Fertilized Duck Egg
A unique Filipino delicacy of a developing duck embryo, boiled and eaten from the shell. Rich in fat and prote…
1 net1 total0 fibre13 protein14 fat188 kcal
Chicharon (Plain)
Plain Fried Pork Rinds
Deep-fried pork rinds, often seasoned simply with salt. A naturally high-fat, high-protein, zero-carb snack or…
1 net1 total0 fibre35 protein35 fat450 kcal
Tawilis
Deep-fried Freshwater Sardines
Small, silvery freshwater sardines endemic to Taal Lake, deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. Often serve…
1 net1 total0 fibre55 protein65 fat800 kcal
Inihaw na Bangus Belly
Grilled Milkfish Belly
Fatty milkfish belly, marinated simply in vinegar, calamansi, garlic, and pepper, then grilled to a tender, fl…
2 net3 total1 fibre40 protein55 fat650 kcal
Inihaw na Sugpo
Grilled King Prawns
Large king prawns, lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic, then grilled until perfectly cooked and sli…
2 net2 total0 fibre60 protein20 fat450 kcal
Inihaw na Tuna Belly
Grilled Tuna Belly
Thick and succulent cuts of tuna belly, prized for their rich flavor and high natural fat content, simply mari…
2 net3 total1 fibre55 protein55 fat700 kcal
Lechon (Balat at Karne Lamang)
Whole Roasted Pork (Skin and Meat Only)
A whole roasted pig, where only the crispy skin and tender, fatty meat are consumed. Naturally low in carbs, h…
2 net3 total1 fibre70 protein70 fat900 kcal
Piniritong Bangus
Deep-Fried Milkfish
Whole milkfish, typically butterflied, seasoned simply with salt and pepper, and then deep-fried until its ski…
2 net2 total0 fibre45 protein65 fat750 kcal
Pritong Dilis
Crispy Fried Anchovies
Small whole anchovies (dilis) that are lightly seasoned, typically with salt and pepper, and deep-fried until …
2 net2 total0 fibre40 protein42 fat550 kcal
Pritong Manok (Unbreaded Fried Chicken)
Unbreaded Fried Chicken
Chicken pieces (typically thighs and drumsticks) marinated simply in garlic, salt, and pepper, then deep-fried…
2 net2 total0 fibre60 protein50 fat700 kcal
Sinugba na Isda (Keto Modified)
Grilled Fish (no sweet marinade, served with vinegar dip)
Fresh whole fish, often Tilapia or Bangus (Milkfish), simply grilled. For keto, ensure the marinade is free of…
2 net3 total1 fibre70 protein25 fat500 kcal
Steamed Alimango
Steamed Crabs
Fresh, whole mud crabs (alimango), simply steamed to perfection, allowing their natural sweetness and rich mea…
2 net2 total0 fibre40 protein30 fat450 kcal
Gambas al Ajillo
Filipino Style Garlic Shrimp
Shrimp quickly sautéed in olive oil with generous amounts of garlic, chili, and sometimes a splash of white wi…
3 net4 total1 fibre40 protein30 fat450 kcal
Kilawing Baboy
Pork Kilawin (Vinegar-Marinated Pork)
A dish of tender, often grilled or boiled, pork (typically belly or skin) marinated in vinegar, ginger, onions…
3 net4 total1 fibre45 protein60 fat720 kcal
Lechon Kawali
Crispy Fried Pork Belly
Deep-fried pork belly, typically boiled until tender then air-dried and fried to achieve an incredibly crispy …
3 net3 total0 fibre65 protein95 fat1100 kcal
Tinapang Isda (Plain)
Smoked Fish (Unsweetened)
Whole smoked fish, commonly Bangus (milkfish) or Galunggong (round scad), prepared simply with salt and smoke,…
3 net4 total1 fibre45 protein25 fat420 kcal
Inihaw na Atay
Grilled Pork or Chicken Liver
Succulent pieces of pork or chicken liver, marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic, then…
4 net4 total0 fibre45 protein20 fat400 kcal
Inihaw na Balunbalunan
Grilled Chicken Gizzards
Chicken gizzards, marinated in a savory and tangy mixture, then skewered and grilled until tender with a satis…
4 net4 total0 fibre40 protein20 fat380 kcal
Inihaw na Manok (Keto Grilled Chicken)
Grilled Chicken (Keto-Modified Marinade)
Flavorful grilled chicken, typically marinated in a blend of soy sauce, calamansi juice, garlic, and spices. F…
4 net5 total1 fibre60 protein45 fat650 kcal
Inihaw na Tadyang ng Baka (Keto Grilled Beef Ribs)
Grilled Beef Ribs (Keto-Modified Marinade)
Succulent beef short ribs (tadyang) marinated in a savory and tangy blend, then grilled to tender perfection. …
4 net5 total1 fibre70 protein65 fat850 kcal
Nilasing na Hipon
Drunken Crispy Shrimp
Whole shrimp (shell-on or peeled), deep-fried until perfectly crispy, infused with garlic and traditionally a …
4 net5 total1 fibre40 protein50 fat650 kcal
Paksiw na Isda
Fish in Vinegar Stew
A simple and tangy Filipino dish featuring whole fish (like Tilapia or Milkfish) stewed in vinegar, ginger, ga…
4 net7 total3 fibre65 protein30 fat550 kcal
Papaitan (Pares-Pares/Pinapaitan na Baka)
Beef/Goat Bitter Offal Soup
A sour and bitter soup from the Ilocos region, traditionally made with beef or goat innards (tripe, liver, hea…
4 net5 total1 fibre55 protein35 fat550 kcal
Pinatisang Baboy
Pork in Fish Sauce with Leafy Greens
Pork belly or cubes simmered in a savory broth predominantly seasoned with fish sauce, garlic, and ginger, fin…
4 net7 total3 fibre60 protein60 fat800 kcal
Pinatisang Manok
Chicken Simmered in Fish Sauce
A deeply savory and aromatic dish where chicken pieces are simmered until tender in a broth predominantly seas…
4 net5 total1 fibre60 protein35 fat600 kcal
Sugpo sa Aligue
Prawns in Crab Fat Sauce
Luxurious prawns or large shrimp sautéed and simmered in an incredibly rich and flavorful sauce made primarily…
4 net5 total1 fibre45 protein55 fat680 kcal
Tuna Panga (Inihaw)
Grilled Tuna Jaw
A popular grilled dish featuring the fatty and flavorful jaw portion of the tuna, seasoned and grilled to perf…
4 net5 total1 fibre70 protein35 fat600 kcal
Adobong Kangkong
Water Spinach Adobo
A simple, savory Filipino vegetable dish made with kangkong (water spinach) cooked in the classic adobo style …
5 net8 total3 fibre5 protein20 fat250 kcal
Crispy Pata
Deep Fried Pork Hock
A whole pork hock (pata), deep-fried until the skin is golden brown and crackling crispy, while the meat insid…
5 net5 total0 fibre110 protein170 fat2000 kcal
Dinakdakan
Grilled Pork Salad with Creamy Dressing
An Ilocano delicacy made from grilled pork maskara (face), ear, and liver, chopped and mixed with red onions, …
5 net7 total2 fibre40 protein65 fat750 kcal
Ensaladang Ampalaya
Bitter Melon Salad
A refreshing and tangy salad featuring thinly sliced blanched bitter melon, fresh tomatoes, and red onions, ty…
5 net8 total3 fibre3 protein10 fat150 kcal
Imbaliktad
Ilocano Stir-fried Beef with Bile
A unique Ilocano dish featuring thinly sliced beef, often with liver or other offal, quickly stir-fried with a…
5 net6 total1 fibre45 protein45 fat600 kcal
Inihaw na Liempo
Grilled Pork Belly
Succulent slabs of pork belly marinated and grilled to perfection, resulting in a smoky, juicy, and crispy ext…
5 net5 total0 fibre45 protein75 fat850 kcal
Inihaw na Pusit
Grilled Squid
Fresh squid marinated in a simple mixture and grilled until tender, often stuffed with tomatoes and onions. A …
5 net6 total1 fibre50 protein15 fat380 kcal
Pinikpikan
Cordilleran Beaten Chicken Soup
A traditional Igorot chicken soup from the Cordillera region, featuring tender chicken and intensely smoky cur…
5 net7 total2 fibre58 protein48 fat680 kcal
Tortang Giniling
Ground Meat Omelette
A hearty and flavorful omelette made with seasoned ground pork or beef, mixed with onions, garlic, and sometim…
5 net7 total2 fibre50 protein40 fat600 kcal
Adobong Labong with Pork
Bamboo Shoots Braised in Vinegar and Soy Sauce with Pork
A savory Filipino dish featuring tender bamboo shoots (labong) cooked in the classic adobo style, with a tangy…
6 net10 total4 fibre55 protein65 fat800 kcal
Balbacua
Oxtail and Skin Stew
A hearty, long-simmered stew from the Visayas and Mindanao regions, featuring tender oxtail and beef skin in a…
6 net8 total2 fibre70 protein75 fat950 kcal
Bistek na Tuna
Tuna Steak ala Bistek
Pan-seared or grilled tuna steaks marinated in soy sauce, calamansi juice (or lemon), and black pepper, topped…
6 net8 total2 fibre60 protein35 fat600 kcal
Dinuguan
Pork Blood Stew
A rich, savory Filipino stew made from pork offal (intestines, lungs, heart) and meat simmered in a spicy, tan…
6 net8 total2 fibre60 protein55 fat750 kcal
Ensaladang Lato
Seaweed Salad
A refreshing salad made with fresh lato (sea grapes) tossed with chopped tomatoes, red onions, and ginger, dre…
6 net12 total6 fibre7 protein8 fat180 kcal
Ensaladang Talong (Grilled Eggplant Salad with Pork Chicharon)
Grilled Eggplant Salad with Pork Cracklings
A refreshing salad featuring tender grilled eggplant, peeled and mashed, then mixed with diced tomatoes, onion…
6 net12 total6 fibre25 protein40 fat500 kcal
Kansi (Keto Modified Ilonggo Beef Soup)
Keto Modified Ilonggo Beef Soup
A unique Ilonggo beef soup combining the richness of Bulalo with the sourness of Sinigang, often achieved with…
6 net8 total2 fibre60 protein40 fat650 kcal
Kinilaw na Tanigue (Spanish Mackerel Ceviche)
Spanish Mackerel Ceviche
A classic Filipino appetizer featuring fresh, raw Spanish mackerel (tanigue) fillets 'cooked' in a vibrant mar…
6 net8 total2 fibre50 protein20 fat400 kcal
Molo Soup (Keto-Style with Wrapperless Meatballs)
Keto Molo Soup (Wrapperless Dumplings)
A comforting Filipino clear broth soup, typically made with wonton-like dumplings. Modified for keto by omitti…
6 net8 total2 fibre55 protein45 fat650 kcal
Pesa na Isda (No Miso/Starch)
Ginger Fish Soup (Keto Modified)
A light and clean Filipino fish soup, featuring flaky white fish fillets simmered in a clear, aromatic broth w…
6 net8 total2 fibre35 protein20 fat350 kcal
Pinatisang Isda (Fish in Fish Sauce with Leafy Greens)
Fish Cooked in Fish Sauce with Leafy Greens
A simple yet flavorful dish featuring whole fish (such as Tilapia or Pompano) simmered in a savory broth predo…
6 net10 total4 fibre60 protein50 fat750 kcal
Pork Inasal
Grilled Marinated Pork
Grilled pork marinated in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, calamansi juice, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and an…
6 net8 total2 fibre55 protein50 fat700 kcal
Sarsyadong Isda
Fried Fish with Tomato and Egg Sauce
A comforting dish featuring a whole fried fish (commonly tilapia or milkfish) topped with a rich and savory sa…
6 net8 total2 fibre50 protein40 fat580 kcal
Steamed Lapu-Lapu
Steamed Grouper with Ginger and Soy Sauce
A whole fresh grouper (lapu-lapu) steamed to perfection, typically adorned with generous amounts of fresh ging…
6 net8 total2 fibre65 protein30 fat550 kcal
Tinolang Manok
Ginger Chicken Soup
A warm and comforting Filipino chicken soup flavored with ginger, garlic, and fish sauce. It typically include…
6 net9 total3 fibre60 protein25 fat480 kcal
Tiyula Itum
Black Beef Soup
A unique and flavorful Tausug beef stew or soup, characterized by its distinctive black color derived from bur…
6 net8 total2 fibre60 protein50 fat700 kcal
Tokwa't Baboy
Tofu and Pork Belly in Vinegar Soy Sauce
A popular appetizer or side dish featuring deep-fried firm tofu and boiled pork belly (or sometimes pork ear),…
6 net8 total2 fibre35 protein55 fat650 kcal
Adobong Atay at Balunbalunan
Chicken Liver and Gizzard Adobo
A classic Filipino adobo dish featuring tender chicken liver and chewy gizzards, braised in a savory and tangy…
7 net8 total1 fibre60 protein55 fat750 kcal
Adobong Kambing
Goat Adobo
Tender goat meat braised in the signature adobo sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercor…
7 net8 total1 fibre70 protein60 fat850 kcal
Adobong Pusit
Squid in Vinegar and Soy Sauce
Tender squid cooked in the classic adobo style with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and peppercorns, often enhance…
7 net8 total1 fibre55 protein35 fat550 kcal
Adobong Tahong
Mussels Adobo Style
Fresh mussels simmered in a classic adobo sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, abundant garlic, and bay leaf, deliveri…
7 net8 total1 fibre30 protein25 fat380 kcal
Beef Salpicao
Garlic Butter Beef Cubes
Tender beef cubes quickly stir-fried with generous amounts of garlic and butter, often seasoned with Worcester…
7 net8 total1 fibre45 protein45 fat600 kcal
Questions people ask
What can I eat at a Filipino restaurant on keto?
Good orders that are keto as served include Chicharon Bulaklak (0g net carbs), Pritong Isda (0g net carbs), Balut (1g net carbs), Chicharon (1g net carbs), Tawilis (1g net carbs) and Inihaw na Bangus Belly (2g net carbs). Of the 324 Filipino dishes in this guide, 140 are keto as served.
Is Filipino food keto-friendly?
Keto Atlas rates Filipino food "Hostile" for keto. A massive keto trap; even seemingly safe meats are heavily marinated in sugar, and rice is non-negotiable in traditional eating.
What Filipino dishes should I avoid on keto?
Sweet soy glazes, banana ketchup, hidden sugar in adobo and longganisa, and the ubiquitous mounds of white rice. Dishes to skip include Binuhang na Isda (19g), Pochero (17g) and Ginataang Kamias with Pork (16g).
How do I order Filipino food keto-style?
Many dishes become keto with one small request. For Pritong Dilis: confirm no flour, cornstarch, or any form of breading is used for frying. Ensure it's plain deep-fried. For Pritong Manok: absolutely no breading, flour, or cornstarch. Confirm only basic salt, pepper, and garlic seasoning is used in the marinade or rub.