Binalot

{{Short description|Technique in Filipino cuisine}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Use Philippine English|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox food | name = Binalot | image = File:Binalot- local rice meal in the Philippines.jpg | image_size = 240px | country = Philippines | course = Main dish | similar_dish = ''pastil'', ''pusô'', ''suman'' }}

'''''Binalot''''' is a method of wrapping and serving food in the Philippines using banana leaves and alike.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Polistico |first=Edgie |url=https://www.google.pt/books/edition/Philippine_Food_Cooking_Dining_Dictionar/STSWDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Binalot&pg=PT639&printsec=frontcover |title=Philippine Food, Cooking, & Dining Dictionary |date=2017-11-15 |publisher=Anvil Publishing, Inc. |isbn=978-621-420-087-0 |language=en}}</ref> The term is derived from the root word ''balot'' (wrap) + -''in''- meaning "wrapped".<ref>{{cite web |last=Baga-Reyes |first=Vangie |date=September 27, 2018 |title=Adobo, the ‘binalot’ way|url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/307636/adobo-binalot-way/ |website=Lifestyle.INQ |location=Manila, Philippines |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=October 4, 2025}}</ref> This wrapping technique<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hardon |first=Anita |url=https://www.google.pt/books/edition/Packaged_Plants/wPAuEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=binalot+method&pg=PA205&printsec=frontcover |title=Packaged Plants: Seductive supplements and metabolic precarity in the Philippines |last2=Tan |first2=Michael Lim |date=2024-11-12 |publisher=UCL Press |isbn=978-1-80008-746-0 |language=en}}</ref> can be combined with a variety of dishes, including meat like pork and chicken.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-09-27 |title=Wrap chicken and pork adobo in banana leaves |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/wrap-chicken-and-pork-adobo-in-banana-leaves |access-date=2025-10-12 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Newport |first=Maria Regina Tolentino |url=https://www.google.pt/books/edition/Coconut_Kitchen/-zWWDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=binalot+method&pg=PT117&printsec=frontcover |title=Coconut Kitchen: Appetizers and Main Dishes |date=2018-07-18 |publisher=Anvil Publishing, Inc. |isbn=978-971-27-3435-9 |language=en}}</ref> In 2017 ''binalot'' was presented by Filipino chefs in Washington through a range of 800 dishes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PH Proudly Presents Binalot, Rizal at Embassy Chef Challenge 2017 |url=https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/news-from-our-foreign-service-postsupdate/12766-ph-proudly-presents-binalot-rizal-at-embassy-chef-challenge-2017 |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=dfa.gov.ph}}</ref> It is considered a traditional culinary technique of the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arnaldo |first=Steph |date=2024-08-15 |title='Binalot' book project and art of food wrapping |url=https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/interview-students-ciit-college-arts-technology-binalot-book-project/ |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Catienza |first=Kleo |last2=mvillegas |date=2023-09-05 |title=11 traditional Filipino cooking techniques that aren’t adobo and sinigang |url=https://usa.inquirer.net/135975/11-traditional-filipino-cooking-techniques-that-arent-adobo-and-sinigang |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=INQUIRER.net USA |language=en}}</ref>

== Legacy == The word was adopted as the name of the Filipino restaurant chain Binalot Fiesta Foods, commonly known as ''Binalot'', which serves Filipino staples such as ''adobo'' and ''tocino'' in traditional ''binalot'' style, presented in a contemporary fast-food setting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Inquirer |first=Philippine Daily |date=2017-10-15 |title=Binalot unwrapped |url=https://business.inquirer.net/238660/binalot-unwrapped |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref> Founded in 1996 in Makati, the chain later expanded nationwide through delivery and franchising.<ref name="BFF2023">{{Cite web |last=Antivola |first=Miguel Hanz |date=July 26, 2023 |title=Purpose is key to business growth — Binalot founder |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/bw-launchpad/2023/07/26/535952/purpose-is-key-to-business-growth-binalot-founder/ |website=BusinessWorld |access-date=October 4, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Binalot unveils Komiks-themed store |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/11/12/binalot-unveils-komiks-themed-store-at-franchise-asia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118165525/https://mb.com.ph/2023/11/12/binalot-unveils-komiks-themed-store-at-franchise-asia |archive-date=2023-11-18 |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}}</ref> As of 2025, the chain operates 29 branches across 10 cities in Metro Manila, as well as one in Antipolo, and five in Cavite.<ref name="BFFStores">{{Cite web |title=Stores - Binalot Fiesta Foods |url=https://www.binalot.com/stores/ |access-date=October 4, 2025 |website=Binalot Fiesta Foods}}</ref>

==See also== *Pastil - A similar but Halal meal whose preparation requires adherence to Muslim standards. *Pusô *Suman - A ricecake. *Bibingka

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Filipino cuisine