Taiwan and the Philippines strengthen agricultural and cultural ties at a Manila culinary event featuring chef demonstrations, local produce and a xiaolongbao-making challenge.
More than 350 people attended a three-day Taiwanese culinary event in Manila last week that highlighted agricultural cooperation and cultural exchange between Taiwan and the Philippines.
The Overseas Community Affairs Council held its 2026 International Tour of Taiwan Gourmet Cuisine from Sept. 17 to 19 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, alongside the Taiwan Expo in the Philippines. The Taiwanese Association of the Philippines organized the event.
Taiwanese chef Kuo-chih Wen and assistant chef Jui-chang Chen led live cooking demonstrations and food tastings for Filipino audiences throughout the three days.
The opening program spotlighted agricultural cooperation between the two sides. With support from the Taiwan Technical Mission in the Philippines, the chefs used locally grown okra, cucumber, bitter melon, tomato, cabbage and spring onions to prepare Taiwanese salted chicken and garden salad.
Taiwan Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chin-Tsang Ho, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines Representative Wallace Minn-Gan Chow, Manila Economic and Cultural Office Directors Norman Q. Villanueva and Wilson Tecson and Taiwan External Trade Development Council chairman James Huang attended the opening program.
Chow said the Taiwan Technical Mission had long worked with Filipino farmers by sharing agricultural technology suited to local conditions. He said using Philippine-grown vegetables in Taiwanese dishes gave visitors a direct experience of cooperation “from farm to table.”
Villanueva said the initiative demonstrated opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, trade and culture.
On Sept. 18, the chefs prepared Taiwanese salted chicken, pan-fried dumplings, thick pork soup and winter melon tea at the Taiwan Expo main stage. ERSAO Taiwanese Restaurant, an Overseas Community Affairs Council “i Compatriot Card” partner establishment, supported the program.
Chow said food offered an enjoyable way to learn about a country and its culture. Manila Economic and Cultural Office Director Tecson said food could connect people and encourage them to discover the stories behind each dish.
Filipino food content creator The Chui Show featured the event online, helping introduce Taiwanese cuisine to a wider Filipino audience.
The program concluded on Sept. 19 with demonstrations of popcorn chicken, beef noodle soup, xiaolongbao and bubble milk tea. One highlight was a xiaolongbao-making challenge, in which Filipino participants attempted the traditional 18-fold technique.
A Filipino Grade 12 student introduced himself in Mandarin and said he planned to improve his language skills and apply to a university in Taiwan after graduation. He said learning to make xiaolongbao and tasting Taiwanese food deepened his appreciation of Taiwanese culture and strengthened his desire to study in Taiwan.
Organizers said the event, through food, agriculture and direct interaction, demonstrated how cuisine can promote cultural understanding and strengthen people-to-people ties between Taiwan and the Philippines.