Filipino Community Grocery Savings in Chicago: A Guide to Adobo, Pancit, and More
Chicago's Filipino community can enjoy their favorite dishes like adobo, pancit, and lumpia while saving money on groceries. This guide covers shopping at Filipino markets and Jewel-Osco.
Filipino Community Grocery Savings in Chicago: A Guide to Adobo, Pancit, and More
Published August 19, 2025 | Last Updated: August 19, 2025
With a large and active community in areas like Old Irving Park and Skokie, Filipino culture and cuisine are thriving in Chicago. From family gatherings to community fiestas, food is always at the center. This guide provides tips for saving money on the ingredients you need for your favorite Filipino dishes.
The Cost of Filipino Ingredients in Chicago
Specialty items like Filipino soy sauce, vinegar, and certain types of noodles can be more expensive than their mainstream counterparts. The good news is that many Filipino recipes use budget-friendly cuts of meat and common vegetables.
A Hybrid Shopping Approach
Combine trips to your local Filipino market with deal-hunting at Jewel-Osco to maximize your savings.
Filipino & Asian Markets:
- Best for: Specialty Filipino brands of soy sauce and vinegar, fresh seafood, and unique produce like calamansi and bittermelon.
- Strategy: These markets often have great prices on rice, especially when you buy large bags.
Jewel-Osco:
- Best for: Pork shoulder (for adobo and lechon kawali), chicken, and common vegetables like onions, garlic, and carrots.
- Strategy: Look for family packs of meat, which often have a lower price per pound. Use the Jewel-Osco for U app for coupons on pantry staples.
Holiday & Party Savings
Fiestas & Celebrations
Filipino parties are known for their generous spreads of food.
- Lumpia: Making your own lumpia is a labor of love, but it's very cost-effective. Ground pork, carrots, and onions are all affordable ingredients.
- Pancit: This celebratory noodle dish is perfect for feeding a crowd. Look for sales on rice noodles at Asian markets and use whatever vegetables are on sale at Jewel-Osco.
- Pork: Pork is a staple of Filipino celebrations. Watch for sales on pork shoulder at Jewel-Osco, which can be used for adobo, lechon kawali, and other dishes.
Everyday Filipino Cooking on a Budget
- Adobo: This iconic Filipino dish is naturally budget-friendly, using inexpensive cuts of meat like chicken thighs or pork shoulder.
- Rice: As a staple of every meal, buying rice in large quantities is the most economical choice.
- Sauces & Vinegars: Stock up on soy sauce and vinegar when they go on sale.
By shopping smart, you can continue to cook the delicious Filipino food you love while keeping your grocery budget in check.