Filipino American Food: Adaptation and Immigration

Eventually these products achieved a higher status in the country than the organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh-caught fish, and backyard-raised pigs of the pre-American diet. The Filipino American diet was thus under way long before significant numbers of Filipinos began immigrating to the United States. As influence layered itself upon influence, Spam began appearing in steamed buns, a legacy of the Chinese, while canned Vienna sausage frequently took the place of the more expensive longanisa and chorizo in Spanish-inflected dishes. Long after independence in 1946 the pattern of tastes fostered under U.S. colonial rule kept Filipinos eagerly following American food trends. Burgers, hot dogs, fries, fried chicken, and spaghetti showed up in restaurants and on the table at home.