What role do fish sauce (patis), vinegar, and calamansi wedges play in Filipino dining culture?
Answer
Essential tools for balancing the meal according to individual preference via sawsawan.
A fundamental aspect of the Filipino dining philosophy is personalization, executed through the use of sawsawan, which are small bowls of condiments placed on the table. Ingredients like patis (fish sauce), vinegar, and calamansi wedges are not mere afterthoughts; they are crucial tools provided to the diner. This allows individuals to actively manage the inherent salty, sour, or sweet tendencies of the main dish, adjusting the flavor profile of their own serving moment by moment, making the meal an interactive experience.

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