Southeast Asian American Food: Filipino

Filipinos are unique among Southeast Asian settlers in America, having arrived first and in greatest numbers in several waves of immigration. As residents of a U.S. colonial territory for thirty-five years beginning in 1902, Filipinos held American passports and traveled freely to and from the United States. By 1990 there was a large concentration in New York City. In 1992 Filipinos accounted for 20 percent of the total Asian American population. There were large Filipino communities around U.S. naval bases and major hospitals because Philippine nurses are trained by American protocol and can easily obtain U.S. licenses. Although it is a developed cuisine with potential appeal, Filipino cooking has had less influence than other Southeast Asian cuisines. Some social scientists believe the many years of colonial rule—first by Spain, then by the United States—robbed Filipinos of much cultural identity. In addition, restaurants have not been a major source of mobility for Filipino Americans and are more often basic eateries catering to immigrant workers.