View source for Bibingka

{{Short description|Filipino baked rice cake}}
{{About|the Philippine rice cake|the Indian pudding|Bebinca}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Italics title}}
{{Infobox food
| name             = ''Bibingka''
| image            = [[File:Bibingkas_displayed_on_a_plate.jpg|220px]]
| image_size       = 
| caption          = 
| alternate_name   = ''Bingka'', ''Bingkah'', ''Vivingka''<ref name="polistico"/><ref name="ACD"/>
| country          = [[Philippines]] 
| region           = 
| creator          = 
| course           = [[Dessert]], [[breakfast]], [[merienda]]
| served           =  Hot or warm
| main_ingredient  = [[Glutinous rice]] (''[[galapóng]]''), [[water]] or [[coconut milk]]
| minor_ingredient = [[Butter]], [[muscovado]], grated [[cheese]], [[desiccated coconut]], [[salted duck egg]]
| variations       = ''[[Salukara]]'', [[Cassava cake]], Bibingkang Malagkit
| calories         = 
| similar_dish     = ''[[Panyalam]]'', ''[[Puto (food)|puto]]''
| other            = 
}}

'''''Bibingka''''' ({{IPAc-en|b|ɪ|ˈ|b|iː|ŋ|k|ɑː}}; {{Respell|bi|BEENG|kah}}) is a type of [[baked]] [[rice cake]] in [[Filipino cuisine]] that is cooked in a terracotta oven lined with banana leaves and is usually eaten for breakfast or as [[merienda]] (mid-afternoon snack), especially during the [[Christmas]] season. It is also known as '''''bingka''''' in the [[Visayas]] and [[Mindanao]] islands.<ref name="polistico"/>

Bibingka can also be various other Filipino baked rice cakes, for example, those made with [[cassava]] flour (''bibingkang cassava / bibingkang kamoteng kahoy''), glutinous rice (''bibingkang malagkit''), or [[plain flour]].<ref name="spotph"/>

==Etymology==
[[File:Bibingkang galapong.jpg|right|thumb|''Bibingka Galapong'' cooked with slices of salted egg with toppings of grated coconut and ''[[kesong puti]]'' ([[carabao]] cheese)]]
The origin of the name is unknown. The linguist [[Robert Blust]] hypothesizes that it was originally a [[loanword]], likely from [[Malay language|Malay]] ''[[kue bingka|[kue] bingka]]''. However, the consistent partial [[reduplication]] of the word (''bibingka'') in most [[Philippine languages]], is unexplained.<ref name="ACD"/> In [[Macau]] and [[Portuguese Goa]], there exist also a cake called [[Bebinca]].{{Cn|date=February 2025}}

''Bibingka'' is the name used for the dish in most languages of the Philippines, including [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]], [[Ilocano language|Ilocano]], [[Kapampangan language|Kapampangan]], [[Pangasinan language|Pangasinan]], [[Bikol language|Bikol]], [[Maranao language|Maranao]], and [[Mansaka language|Mansaka]]. It is also known as ''bingka'' in [[Cebuano language|Cebuano]] and [[Hiligaynon language|Hiligaynon]], ''bingka'' or ''bingkah'' in [[Aklanon language|Aklanon]], and ''vivingka'' in [[Ivatan language|Ivatan]].<ref name="ACD"/>

==Description==
''Bibingka'' is a traditional [[Christmas in the Philippines|Christmas]] food in [[Philippine cuisine]]. It is usually eaten along with ''[[Puto (food)#Variations of puto|puto bumbóng]]'' as a snack after attending the nine-day ''[[Simbang Gabi]]'' ('Night mass', the Filipino version of ''[[Misa de Gallo]]'').<ref name="abscbn1"/>

In 2007 the town of [[Dingras]], Ilocos Norte in the [[Philippines]] sought [[Guinness World Records]] certification after baking a kilometer-long cassava ''bibingka'' made from 1,000 kilos of [[cassava]] and eaten by 1,000 residents.<ref name="abscbn2"/>

The 82-year-old "Ferino’s Bibingka" is Philippines heritage [[rice cake]] founded by Ceferino and  Cristina Francisco in October 1938 at their rented apartment in Juan Luna Street, Pritil, [[Tondo, Manila]]. From its 3 [[clay oven]]s, the couple opened a [[Manila Hotel]] complex restaurant in 1957. In 1970, [[J. Amado Araneta]] invited Francisco to open a branch at the old [[Araneta City|Fiesta Carnival]]. 1938 Francisco Food Specialties, Inc.'s President, Sonny Emmanuel V. Francisco and wife Anne, one of the seven children, revealed his father, Alfredo,  who died in 2001, revived Ferino’s Bibingka in 1981, in front of the [[Baclaran Church]] after Ferino's 1975 death. Using the traditional ‘[[Palayok|kalan de uling]],’ the  company sells frozen [[Convenience food|ready-to-eat]] bibingka, minibibingka, extra super, super, special, bibingcute variants and toasted bibingka at its biggest [[Kalayaan Avenue]] store.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Arceo-Dumlao |first1=Tina  |title=Festive Christmas 2020 still possible with Ferino's|url= https://business.inquirer.net/313635/festive-christmas-2020-still-possible-with-ferinos|accessdate=May 14, 2024 |publisher=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |date=December 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Ferino's Bibingka: Keeping a family legacy alive|url=https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/ferinos-bibingka-keeping-family-legacy-alive/ |accessdate=May 14, 2024 |publisher= goodnewspilipinas.com|date=October 11, 2016}}</ref>
===Preparation===
[[File:1146Bibingka Puto bumbong making Philippines 14.jpg|thumb|Traditionally prepared ''bibingka'' in [[Baliwag]]]]
In the traditional recipe for ''bibingka'' [[glutinous rice]] is soaked in water overnight in ''[[tapayan]]'' jars to ferment with wild yeast called ''[[tapai|bubod]]'' or ''tuba'' [[palm wine]], then ground with a [[millstone]] or ''gilingang bato'' into a  batter called ''[[galapong]]''. The fermentation provide a faint aftertaste to the product. To save time, modern versions sometimes use regular [[rice flour]] or Japanese ''[[mochiko]]'' flour in place of ''galapong''. Other ingredients can also vary greatly, but the most common secondary ingredients are eggs and milk.<ref name="gonzalez"/><ref name="nocheseda"/><ref name="lilles"/>

Bibingka is cooked over coals in a shallow [[banana leaf]]-lined [[terra cotta]] bowl into which the rice flour mixture is poured. 
It is topped with sliced duck egg and cheese, covered with more banana leaf,{{cn|date=February 2024}} and then with a metal sheet holding more coals. The result is a soft and spongy large flat cake that is slightly charred on both surfaces and infused with the aroma of toasted banana leaves. Additional toppings are then added, such as butter, sugar, cheese, or grated coconut.{{cn|date=February 2024}}

[[File:Bebinca.jpg|right|thumb|Bakery-made ''bibingka'' in banana leaf liner showing the notched edges from cupcake tin molds]] 
More modern preparation of the dessert makes use of metal cake pans and purpose-built multi-tiered standing electric ovens. Mass-produced ''bibingka'' in Philippine bakeries are also made using tin molds that give them a crenulated edge similar to large ''[[Puto (food)|puto]]'' or ''puto mamon'' (cupcakes).{{Cn|date=February 2025}}

===Variants===
''Bibingka'' is also used as a general term for desserts made with [[flour]] and baked in the same manner. The term can be loosely translated to "[rice] cake". It originally referred primarily to ''bibingka galapong'', the most common type of ''bibingka'' made with rice flour. Other native Philippine cakes have also sometimes been called ''bibingka''. These may use other kinds of flour, such as [[Cornmeal|corn flour]], [[cassava]] flour, or [[plain flour]], and are usually considered separate dishes altogether.<ref name="casaveneracion"/> Some variations of ''bibingka'' differ only from the type of toppings they use. The common types of ''bibingka'' are listed below:

* '''''Bibingka galapóng''''' is the traditional form of ''bibingka'' made from ground soaked [[glutinous rice]] (''[[galapóng]]''), water, and coconut milk.<ref name="marketmanila"/>
* '''''Bibingkang malagkít''''' is a moist version of ''bibingka'', typically served sliced into square blocks.<ref name="marketmanila" /> It commonly also includes slices of ripe [[jackfruit]] (''langka'') and topped with ''[[latik]]'' (coconut caramel) and grated coconut. It is very similar to ''[[Biko (food)|biko]]'', except that it is baked and uses ''galapong'' instead of whole grain.<ref name="casaveneracion2"/>
* '''''Bibingkang Mandaue''''' (Mandaue-style ''Bibingka'') are ''bibingka'' from [[Mandaue]], [[Cebu]]. It is traditionally made with ''[[Palm wine|tubâ]]'' (palm wine) which gives it a slightly tart aftertaste. Nowadays, ''tubâ'' is often substituted with [[yeast]].<ref name="marketmanila2"/>
*'''''[[Bibingkoy]]''''' - a unique variant from [[Cavite]] which has a filling of sweetened [[mung bean]]s and served with a sauce of [[coconut cream]], jackfruit, and [[sago]].<ref name="yummyph"/> It is very similar to ''[[Mache (food)|mache]]'', but is baked instead of steamed.
*'''''Buko bibingka''''' - ''Bibingka'' baked with slivers of young coconut flesh (''buko'').<ref name="zestmag"/>
* '''[[Cassava cake]]''' is made from grated [[cassava]] (instead of rice), coconut milk, and condensed milk. It is the most similar to pudding in appearance. Also known as '''cassava ''bibingka''''' or '''''bibingkang kamoteng kahoy'''''.<ref name="casaveneracion2"/>
:*'''Cassava ''buko bibingka''''' - a variant of cassava cake that adds young coconut (''buko'') to the recipe.<ref name="atbp"/>
:*'''Pineapple cassava ''bibingka''''' - a variant of cassava cake that adds crushed pineapple chunks.<ref name="kawalingph"/>
:*'''Royal ''bibingka''''' - a variant of cassava cake from [[Vigan, Ilocos Sur]] shaped like cupcakes with a cheese and margarine topping.<ref name="panlasangph"/>
*'''Durian ''bibingka''''' - ''Bibingka'' baked with [[durian]] flesh. A specialty of the [[Davao Region]] in [[Mindanao]].<ref name="idamo"/>
*'''''[[Salukara]]''''', a pancake-like variant of ''bibingka'' from [[Eastern Samar]]. It also uses ''[[Palm wine|tubâ]]'' and is traditionally cooked in pans greased with pork [[lard]].<ref name="uy"/><ref name="gmanews"/>
*'''''Sinukat''''' a type of ''bibingka'' baked in half of a coconut shell.<ref name="polistico"/>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Bibingka with its usual toppings.jpg|"Bibingka" with a complete set of toppings
File:Bibingka, Manila - 7th day- Trip to Tagaytay.jpg|''Bibingka'' from [[Tagaytay]], [[Cavite]]
File:Philippine Dessert Bibingka.jpg|''Bibingkang malagkit'', a moist version of ''bibingka''
File:02545jfPlaza Publika de Baliuag Bulacanfvf 03.jpg|''Bibingka'' from [[Baliwag]] topped with salted duck eggs and grated coconut
File:Bibingka (Philippines).jpg|''Bibingka'' from [[Mindanao]]
File:Cassava cake (Philippines) - Bibingkang kamoteng kahoy 01.jpg|''Bibingkang kamoteng kahoy'', better known as [[cassava cake]], a variant made from cassava
File:Bibingka with cheese (Philippines).jpg|''Bibingka'' with cheese toppings
File:Bibingkoy in Cavite City Public Market.jpg|''Bibingkoy'' in [[Cavite City]]
File:Ferinos Bibingka1.jpg|Ferino's Bibingka (since 1938)
File:Royal Bibingka.jpg|Royal Bibingka from [[Vigan, Ilocos Sur|Vigan City, Ilocos Sur]]
</gallery>

==In Eastern Indonesia==
{{See also|Wingko}}
[[File:Wingko Babat Semarang.JPG|thumb|right|''Wingko babat semarang'' from [[Java]], [[Indonesia]]]]
''Bibingka'' or ''bingka'' is also popular in [[Indonesia]], particularly among Christian-majority areas in northern [[Sulawesi]] and the [[Maluku Islands]], both of which were former colonies of the [[Portuguese Empire]] and are geographically close to the southern Philippines. It is prepared almost identically to Philippine ''bibingka''. In the provinces of [[North Sulawesi]] and [[Gorontalo]], ''bibingka'' is usually made with rice or cassava flour and coconut milk with shredded coconut baked inside. In the [[Maluku Islands]], ''bibingka'' is spiced and sweetened with [[brown sugar]] or sweet [[meat floss]]. It is also traditionally cooked in clay pots lined with banana, [[pandanus|pandan]], or [[nipa palm|nipa]] leaves. As in the Philippines, it is also usually eaten during the Christmas season.

A pancake-like variant of ''bibingka'' was introduced to the [[Chinese Indonesians|Chinese Indonesian]] communities of [[East Java]] during the [[Dutch East Indies|Dutch colonial period]]. Known as ''[[wingko]]'', ''wiwingka'', or ''bibika'', it became popular throughout the island of [[Java]].

===Variants===
* '''''Bibingka kelapa''''' or '''''bibingka santan''''', Indonesian ''bibingka'' made from rice flour and coconut milk, topped with [[jackfruit]] or [[coconut]]
* '''''Bibingka kelapa''''', Indonesian ''bibingka'' made from rice flour and coconut milk, topped with [[jackfruit]] or [[coconut]]
* '''''Bibingka abon''''', made from rice flour and coconut milk, topped with [[meat floss]]
* '''''Bibingka ubi telo''''', made from [[Dioscorea alata|ube]] or cassava flour and coconut milk
* '''''Bibingka nanas''''' or '''''wingko nanas''''', made from [[Dioscorea alata|ube]] or cassava flour and coconut milk with pineapple

==See also==
{{Portal|Food|Philippines}}
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Bebinca]], a similar cake from Macau and Portuguese Goa in India
* [[Wingko]], a similar rice cake from western Indonesia
* [[Kue bingka]], a similar cake from the Banjar and Malay people of Indonesia
* [[Tupig]]
* [[Espasol]]
* [[Kakanin]]
* [[Kalamay]]
* [[Kue]]
* [[Panyalam]]
* [[Puto (food)|Puto]]
* [[Puto bumbong]]
* [[Sapin-sapin]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist|40em|refs=
<ref name="gonzalez">{{cite book|author =Gene Gonzalez|title =The Little Kakanin Book|publisher =Anvil Publishing, Incorporated|year =2017|isbn =9789712731921|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=BU47DwAAQBAJ}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
<ref name="nocheseda">{{cite web |last1=Nocheseda |first1=Elmer |title=The Invention of Happiness |url=http://www.manilaspeak.com/cool/the-invention-of-happiness |website=Manila Speak |access-date=December 8, 2018 |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808025456/http://www.manilaspeak.com/cool/the-invention-of-happiness |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="lilles">{{cite news |last1=Lilles |first1=Cecile Lopez |title=Reclaiming the vanishing tradition of Filipino 'merienda' |url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/food-and-leisure/2006/09/07/356830/reclaiming-vanishing-tradition-filipino-145merienda146 |access-date=December 8, 2018 |work=PhilStar Global |date=September 7, 2006}}</ref>
<ref name="spotph">{{cite web|url=http://www.spot.ph/print_article.php?id=45938&post_name= |title=Sweet and Sticky Pinoy Treats: Our Top 10 Kakanin |date=June 22, 2010 |publisher=www.spot.ph |access-date=January 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008084316/http://www.spot.ph/print_article.php?id=45938&post_name= |archive-date=October 8, 2011 }}</ref>
<ref name="abscbn1">{{cite web |url= http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/12/24/10/filipinos-go-ham-bibingka-christmas/| title= Filipinos go for ham, bibingka for Christmas|author= Alvin Elchico, Gracie Rutao and JV Dizon|date=December 24, 2010|publisher= ABS-CBN News|access-date=January 6, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="abscbn2">[http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=95108  Abs-Cbn Interactive, Ilocos Norte town makes 'longest bibingka'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023234325/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=95108 |date=October 23, 2007 }}</ref>

<ref name="marketmanila">{{cite web |url= http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/bibingkang-galapong-and-bibingkang-malagkit-%E2%80%93-triumph-disaster |title= Bibingkang Galapong and Bibingkang Malagkit – Triumph & Disaster |date= August 25, 2006|publisher= Market Manila|access-date=January 6, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="casaveneracion">{{cite web |title=Bibingkang Malagkit (Sticky Rice Cake) |url=https://casaveneracion.com/bibingkang-malagkit-sticky-rice-cake/ |website=Casa Veneracion |access-date=February 28, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="marketmanila2">{{cite web |url= http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/bibingkang-mandaue |title= Bibingkang Mandaue |date= October 17, 2006|publisher= Market Manila|access-date=January 6, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="yummyph">{{cite web |last1=Zabal-Mendoza |first1=Trixie |title=This Delicious Delicacy Can Only Be Found in Cavite City |url=https://www.yummy.ph/news-trends/bibingkoy-cavite-city-a00057-20180816 |website=Yummy.ph |access-date=July 20, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="zestmag">{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Kiki |title=Discovering the mouthwatering bibingka a la Luisiana, Laguna (and getting life lessons along the way)… |url=https://zestmag.com/online/discovering-the-mouthwatering-bibingka-a-la-luisiana-laguna-and-getting-life-lessons-along-the-way/ |website=zest |access-date=July 20, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="casaveneracion2">{{cite web|url=http://casaveneracion.com/cassava-bibingka-with-custard-topping/|title=Cassava bibingka with custard topping|author=Connie Veneracion|date=March 2, 2007|publisher=Casa Veneracion|access-date=January 10, 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="atbp">{{cite web |title=How to Make Cassava Buko Bibingka |url=https://www.atbp.ph/2016/12/15/cassava-buko-bibingka/ |website=Atbp.ph |date=December 15, 2016 |access-date=July 20, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="kawalingph">{{cite web |title=Pineapple Cassava Bibingka |url=http://www.kawalingpinoyrecipe.com/native_delicacies/pineapple_cassava_bibingka.php |website=Kawaling Pinoy Tasty Recipes |access-date=July 20, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="panlasangph">{{cite web |title=Royal Bibingka |url=https://panlasangpinoy.com/royal-bibingka/ |website=Panlasang Pinoy |access-date=July 20, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="idamo">{{cite web |last1=Damo |first1=Ida |title=Durian Bibingka |url=https://www.choosephilippines.com/eat/local-flavors/637/durian-bibingka |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108021355/http://www.choosephilippines.com/eat/local-flavors/637/durian-bibingka/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 8, 2014 |website=ChoosePhilippines |access-date=July 20, 2019}}</ref>
<ref name="uy">{{cite web |date=September 1, 2013|last1=Uy |first1=Amy A. |title=Rice cakes, roscas, and more eats at the Samar Food Fest |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/food/324580/rice-cakes-roscas-and-more-eats-at-the-samar-food-fest/story/ |website=GMA News Online |access-date=October 17, 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="gmanews">{{cite web |date=November 16, 2012|title=Linamnam at Latik: Ang pagkain ng Samar |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/newstv/motorcyclediaries/282529/linamnam-at-latik-ang-pagkain-ng-samar/story/ |website=GMA News Online |access-date=October 17, 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="polistico">{{cite book|author =Edgie Polistico|title =Philippine Food, Cooking, & Dining Dictionary|publisher =Anvil Publishing, Incorporated|year =2017|isbn =9786214200870|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=iz8_DwAAQBAJ}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
<ref name="ACD">{{cite web |last1=Blust |first1=Robert |title=Austronesian Comparative Dictionary |url=https://www.trussel2.com/acd/acd-lo_r.htm#ric |website=ACD |access-date=June 11, 2022}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Bibingka}}
{{Rice dishes}}
{{Kue}}
{{Indonesian cuisine}}
{{Filipino food}}

[[Category:Christmas food]]
[[Category:East Timorese cuisine]]
[[Category:Kue]]
[[Category:Indonesian rice dishes]]
[[Category:Indonesian desserts]]
[[Category:Javanese cuisine]]
[[Category:Philippine rice dishes]]
[[Category:Philippine desserts]]
[[Category:Rice cakes]]