Discover the delicious Filipino street food dish, Pares, a flavourful combination of sweet, stewed beef, garlic fried rice, and beef soup. Discover the magic of Filipino street food with Pares! Tender beef, garlic fried rice, and beef soup make for the ultimate comfort combo. #FilipinoPares #StreetFoodLove #ComfortFoodCravings
Before I had my first taste of Pares, I was puzzled by the name. In Tagalog, “pares” means “pairs,” but looking at the dish itself, there didn’t seem to be any obvious pairs involved. Then it hit me—it’s not the dish that’s paired, but the meal! Pares is a complete set, with a sweet, stewed beef dish served alongside garlic fried rice and a hearty beef soup. Together, they make up the perfect “pair,” a combination that’s beloved in the Philippines, especially as street food.
Pares is not just popular—it’s iconic. There are restaurants and street stalls dedicated solely to this dish, which tells you just how much Filipinos love it. But growing up, I wasn’t allowed to indulge in street food. My mom had always warned me against it, believing it to be unsanitary and bad for my health. For a long time, I steered clear, but that all changed when I got my first job.
A friend of mine introduced me to Pares, and at first, I was hesitant. You know the old wives’ tale in the Philippines: if you weren’t born poor, your stomach might not handle the germs in street food. My friend came from an affluent family, so I thought, “If he can eat it, so can I!” And that’s how I took my first bite of Pares.
The result? No illness, no upset stomach—just pure deliciousness! I was hooked. The stewed beef was rich, savory, and slightly sweet, the garlic rice fragrant and addictive, and the beef soup was the perfect comforting complement. I started going back for more almost every lunch break after that. It became clear to me that street food wasn’t just safe—it was a treasure trove of flavour and authenticity that I had been missing out on.
What is Pares?
Pares is traditionally made with tender beef, slow-cooked in a flavourful sauce that’s both sweet and savory. The beef is often marinated in soy sauce and star anise, giving it a rich, aromatic depth. It’s then served with a bowl of garlic fried rice—fluffy, fragrant, and full of crispy bits of garlic—and a simple beef broth on the side.
Together, this trio of beef, rice, and soup forms the quintessential Pares experience. It’s a balanced meal that fills you up, warms you from the inside, and makes you crave more. No wonder it’s such a hit among locals!
My Journey with Street Food
That first experience with Pares opened up a whole new world for me. From that moment on, I made it a point to try the street food in every country I visited. Whether it was the bustling Pasar Malam in SS2, Malaysia, the vibrant food stalls in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, or the infamous fly-by-night street restaurants in Thailand, I couldn’t resist exploring what each place had to offer.
Despite the initial warnings about cleanliness and safety, I found that street food was an integral part of understanding a culture. The flavour, the hustle, the atmosphere—it all combined to create a unique experience that you just can’t get in a restaurant. And honestly, I’ve never regretted a single bite.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never had Pares before, I encourage you to give it a try. It’s a perfect introduction to Filipino street food, offering a balance of flavours that’s both comforting and exciting. And if you’re ever hesitant about trying street food, take it from me—it’s often where you’ll find the most authentic, delicious dishes that a country has to offer.
So next time you’re walking down a busy street and spot a food stall serving up something local and intriguing, go ahead—take that bite! You might just discover your new favourite dish.
Add beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar (adjust according to your liking, the dish is meant to be sweet), star anise, bay leaf, black pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer in low heat for 2 hrs or until the beef pieces are really tender up to a point it’s nearly falling apart.
I love how pretty the star anise and peppercorns sit besides this lovely stew. The name is so interesting, as it was taken from the accompaniments and actually translated to the name of your dish.
Little facts like that, are what make food fascinating to me, especially Asian street-food snacks and meals etc!
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I love how pretty the star anise and peppercorns sit besides this lovely stew. The name is so interesting, as it was taken from the accompaniments and actually translated to the name of your dish.
Little facts like that, are what make food fascinating to me, especially Asian street-food snacks and meals etc!