Key Takeaways
- Baon doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few Filipino pantry staples, you can prepare delicious lunches without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Mix and match your staples. Rice, canned goods, noodles, sauces, cheese, and snacks can be turned into a variety of baon combinations.
- Make-ahead meals save time. Dishes like pancit, spaghetti, lumpia, and fried rice can be prepared in larger batches and portioned for several meals.
- Keep snacks interesting. Filipino crackers, biscuits, wafer sticks, cornicks, and juice drinks make easy additions to school and work baon.
- Kim’s Grocer makes stocking up easier. From Filipino favorites to everyday pantry essentials, you can find plenty of ingredients for your next baon run.
What’s for baon?
If you’ve ever stared into your pantry at 6 AM trying to answer that question, you’re definitely not alone.
The good news? You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated recipes to make a baon that everyone will actually look forward to eating. With the right Filipino pantry staples, you can put together everything from crispy chicken and longanisa rice to pancit, sandwiches, spaghetti, and even simple snack boxes.
At Kim’s Grocer, you can find a wide selection of Filipino food products that make preparing everyday meals a whole lot easier. Whether you’re packing lunch for school, work, or a family day out, here are 10 easy Filipino baon ideas to add to your weekly rotation.
1. Crispy Chicken with Rice
You really can’t go wrong with crispy chicken and rice. It’s simple, filling, and one of those baon meals that rarely comes home untouched. Use Ajinomoto Crispy Fry Original, Garlic, or Spicy to give your chicken a crunchy coating without having to make your own batter from scratch. Serve with steamed rice and a small container of UFC Banana Ketchup or Mang Tomas All Purpose Lechon Sauce for dipping.
Kim’s Grocer picks:
- Ajinomoto Crispy Fry Original
- Ajinomoto Crispy Fry Garlic
- Ajinomoto Crispy Fry Spicy
- UFC Banana Ketchup
- VMJ Jasmine or Hom Mali Rice
Baon tip: Keep the chicken and sauce separate so the coating stays crispy.
2. Tuna Calamansi Rice Bowl
Need something quick for a busy morning? Turn canned tuna into a flavorful rice bowl. Mix Century Tuna Calamansi with freshly cooked rice, then add a little Datu Puti Toyomansi for extra flavor. You can also add a fried egg if you have a few extra minutes.
For kids who prefer milder flavors, try Century Tuna Flakes in Vegetable Oil instead. It’s a simple way to turn pantry staples into a satisfying lunch with minimal preparation.
Kim’s Grocer picks:
- Century Tuna Calamansi
- Century Tuna Flakes in Vegetable Oil
- Datu Puti Toyomansi
- VMJ Rice
3. Filipino-Style Spaghetti Baon
Some things are simply made for baon and Filipino-style spaghetti is definitely one of them. Cook your favorite pasta and toss it with Del Monte Filipino Style Spaghetti Sauce or UFC Spaghetti Sauce Sweet Filipino Style. Add sliced hotdogs, ham, or meatballs, then finish with plenty of grated cheese.
For a creamier version, add a little Nestlé All Purpose Cream to your sauce. Pack it in a microwave-safe container and you’ve got an easy lunch that feels more like a treat.
Kim’s Grocer picks:
- San Remo Spaghetti Pasta
- Del Monte Filipino Style Spaghetti Sauce
- UFC Spaghetti Sauce Sweet Filipino Style
- Swifts Frozen Juicy Pork Hotdogs
- Magnolia Cheese Block
4. Easy Pancit Canton Baon
Pancit Canton is practically a Filipino baon classic. For a quick meal, cook Lucky Me Pancit Canton and add whatever protein or extras you have available. You can mix in sliced hotdogs, leftover chicken, vegetables, or even a fried egg.
For a bigger family-sized baon, use Super Q Special Pancit Canton or UFC Canton Noodle and turn it into a full pancit meal. Add a splash of Datu Puti Soy Sauce or Knorr Liquid Seasoning if you want a little extra savory flavor.
Kim’s Grocer picks:
- Lucky Me Pancit Canton Kalamansi
- Lucky Me Pancit Canton Sweet & Spicy
- Lucky Me Pancit Canton Chillimansi
- Super Q Special Pancit Canton
- Datu Puti Soy Sauce
- Knorr Liquid Seasoning
5. Sardines Fried Rice
Canned sardines can do much more than sit in a can waiting for a rainy day. Turn leftover rice into flavorful fried rice by sautéing 555 Sardines in Tomato Sauce or 555 Fried Sardines with Tausi with garlic and rice. Add an egg for extra protein and season to taste with soy sauce. For those who like a little heat, try 555 Hot Sardines in Tomato Sauce with Chili. It’s inexpensive, quick, and perfect for using up leftover rice.
Kim’s Grocer picks:
- 555 Sardines in Tomato Sauce
- 555 Fried Sardines with Tausi
- 555 Hot Sardines in Tomato Sauce with Chili
- Datu Puti Soy Sauce
- VMJ Rice
6. Longanisa or Chorizo Rice Baon
Sweet and savory Filipino sausage plus garlic rice? Yes, please. Cook H&J Longanisa or H&J Chorizo de Cebu and serve it with steamed or garlic-fried rice. Add a fried egg and a small portion of Tita Ely Atchara Mixed Vegetables Pickles on the side to balance out the richness.
For dipping, pack some Datu Puti Toyomansi or vinegar. This is especially good for adults who want a hearty work lunch that feels like breakfast and lunch had a very delicious meeting.
Kim’s Grocer picks:
- H&J Longanisa
- H&J Chorizo de Cebu
- Tita Ely Atchara Mixed Vegetables Pickles
- Datu Puti Toyomansi
- Datu Puti Vinegar
- VMJ Rice
7. Tuna or Sardines Sandwich
Not every baon needs rice. For an easy no-fuss lunch, make a Filipino-style sandwich using Lady’s Choice Real Mayonnaise or Lady’s Choice Sandwich Spread, then add tuna, sardines, cheese, or a combination of your favorites.
Try Century Tuna Flakes, mayonnaise, and a little calamansi for a simple tuna sandwich. You can also add lettuce, cucumber, or boiled egg if available. Pair it with SkyFlakes, fruit, or a small snack for a complete baon.
Kim’s Grocer picks:
- Century Tuna Flakes
- Lady’s Choice Real Mayonnaise
- Lady’s Choice Sandwich Spread
- Eden Original Filled Cheese
- M.Y. San SkyFlakes Crackers
8. Easy Lumpia Shanghai Baon
Lumpia is another Filipino favorite that works beautifully as baon. Prepare your filling, wrap it using Little Chef Frozen Spring Roll Wrapper, and fry until golden and crispy. Make a batch ahead of time and save extras for another meal.
Pack the lumpia with rice and UFC Banana Ketchup, or serve it alongside pancit for a more substantial lunch. For something different, experiment with your favorite fillings and dipping sauces.
Kim’s Grocer picks:
- Little Chef Frozen Spring Roll Wrapper
- UFC Banana Ketchup
- UFC Hot & Spicy Banana Sauce
- Datu Puti Vinegar
9. Bihon Guisado
Looking for a baon that can feed the whole family? Make a big batch of bihon. Use Hobe Special Bihon or Super Q Golden Bihon and add chicken, pork, shrimp, or vegetables.
Season it with Datu Puti Soy Sauce, Knorr Liquid Seasoning, or Maggi Magic Sarap for that familiar savory Filipino flavor. Bihon is also a great make-ahead option because it’s easy to portion into individual containers for school or work.
Kim’s Grocer picks:
- Hobe Special Bihon
- Super Q Golden Bihon
- Datu Puti Soy Sauce
- Knorr Liquid Seasoning
- Maggi Magic Sarap
10. Filipino Snack Box
Of course, baon doesn’t always have to mean a full meal. Create a simple Filipino snack box by combining a few favorites from Kim’s Grocer. Add crackers, wafer sticks, cookies, a juice drink, and perhaps a piece of cake or cupcake. Mix and match depending on what your family likes.
Classic Snack Box
- SkyFlakes
- Junior Stik-O Chocolate
- Zest-O Mango Juice
Sweet Treat Box
- Fudgee Barr
- Lemon Square Cupcake
- Zest-O Strawberry Juice
Crunchy Snack Box
- Boy Bawang Garlic
- Cheez-It Crackers
- Mogu Mogu Drink
Just remember to balance snack foods with more filling options when packing for a full school or work day.
Conclusion
The best baon ideas don’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, the easiest meals come from the ingredients you already know and love. With Filipino staples like rice, canned tuna and sardines, noodles, sauces, cheese, sausages, crackers, and snacks, you can create plenty of baon combinations without cooking something completely different every single day.
And when you want to stock up on the flavors that remind you of home, Kim’s Grocer makes it easy to find Filipino favorites and pantry essentials in one place. So the next time you’re wondering “Ano ang baon natin?”, take a look at your pantry, you might already have everything you need to make something delicious. 🇵🇭
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some easy Filipino baon ideas?
Some easy Filipino baon ideas include crispy chicken with rice, tuna rice bowls, Filipino-style spaghetti, pancit Canton, sardines fried rice, longanisa or chorizo with rice, tuna sandwiches, lumpia Shanghai, bihon guisado, and Filipino snack boxes.
What Filipino products are good for making baon?
Versatile pantry staples such as canned tuna, sardines, noodles, rice, spaghetti sauce, mayonnaise, cheese, sausages, banana ketchup, crackers, and juice drinks are useful for preparing different types of baon.
Where can I buy Filipino ingredients for baon?
Kim’s Grocer carries a variety of Filipino food products, pantry staples, snacks, sauces, noodles, canned goods, and other ingredients that can be used for everyday meals and baon.
What are good make-ahead Filipino baon meals?
Pancit, bihon, spaghetti, lumpia, fried rice, and cooked sausages are good options for make-ahead baon. Prepare them in larger batches, portion them into containers, and refrigerate them properly until needed.
What are good Filipino snacks to add to a baon box?
Popular options include SkyFlakes, Fudgee Barr, Stik-O, Boy Bawang, Cheez-It crackers, Piattos, Nova, Lemon Square cupcakes, and Zest-O juice drinks. You can mix and match sweet and savory snacks depending on your preference.
How can I make baon preparation easier?
Plan a few meals for the week, keep versatile pantry staples on hand, and prepare larger batches of food when possible. Shopping at Kim’s Grocer can also make it easier to keep your pantry stocked with Filipino ingredients and snacks for quick meal preparation.
