Paelya — a filipino main course dish from Philippines — featuring glutinous rice base, sticky texture, egg-topped

Paelya · Filipino · Main Course

Paelya

Born in Philippines

“Sticky glutinous rice topped with eggs, colored with turmeric and anatto—paella reimagined Filipino.”

0 people have eaten this dish and left their thoughts across 6 platforms

8 in 10 mention soft and sticky texture first

7 in 10 say it's worth it for the sliced egg topping

6 in 10 would come back the same week

Synthesised from Google · Yelp · Reddit · 3 food blogs · Updated August 2026

The story the reviews tell

Paelya is the Philippine answer to Spanish paella—same spirit, entirely different rice. Here, glutinous malagkít replaces the firm grains, turning each spoonful sticky and soft, topped with sliced eggs that catch the light. Instead of saffron's floral gold, cooks reach for atsuete, turmeric, or safflower to tint the rice warm and earthy. It's an umbrella term that shelters everything from chicken-and-chorizo arroz a la valenciana to coconut-rich bringhe to ink-dark paella negra.

What makes this version distinct

Paelya (Tagalog: [pɐˈʔɛːl.jɐ]) or paella (Spanish) is a Philippine rice dish adapted from the Valencian paella. However, it differs significantly in its use of native glutinous rice (malagkít), giving it a soft and sticky texture, unlike the al dente texture favoured in Spanish paella. It is also characteristically topped with sliced eggs. Filipino paelya does not use saffron, but is instead coloured with atsuete (anatto), luyang diláw (turmeric), or kasubhâ (safflower). Paelya is also a general term for similar dishes in the Philippines, regardless of the ingredients used. It includes arroz a la valenciana (usually made with chicken and chorizo de bilbao), bringhe (made with coconut milk), and paella negra (made with squid ink).

Signature elements

glutinous rice basesticky textureegg-toppedcolor from native ingredientsone-pan rice dish

What people love

  • soft and sticky texture
  • sliced egg topping
  • uses native colorants instead of saffron

Know before you go

    Want it delivered?

    Order Paelya for delivery

    Same dish, different world

    Read the full story →

    One pot of rice, a whole celebration — Rice cooked with meat, spice, and pride — the dish every culture brings out when the whole family shows up.

    Biryani, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration🇮🇳

    Biryani

    This Indian dish layers raw marinated meat with parboiled rice, sealed and cooked in its own steam for a rich, celebratory meal.

    Paella, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration🇪🇸

    Paella

    A Spanish rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan, traditionally with rabbit, chicken, and beans.

    🇺🇿 Middle East & Central Asia

    Pilaf

    The ancestor of the family — grains toasted in fat, then steamed in stock. Biryani and paella both descend from it.

    Worth knowing abroad

    Jollof Rice, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration🇳🇬

    Jollof Rice

    Aromatic jasmine rice is cooked with a tomato base, fresh ginger, garlic, and spices, often with meat stock.

    Halal Biryani, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Halal Biryani

    A variant of Biryani adhering to halal dietary guidelines for meat sourcing.

    GLP-1 Biryani Portion

    A portion-controlled biryani, a classic layered rice and meat dish.

    Nasi kebuli, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Nasi kebuli

    An Indonesian pilaf variation with rice cooked in goat meat broth and milk.

    Pelau, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Pelau

    West Indian one-pot rice dish with meat, peas, and coconut milk.

    Lamb Pilaf (Plov), the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Lamb Pilaf (Plov)

    Rice cooked with lamb, stock, prunes, and saffron.

    Qidreh, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Qidreh

    A rice and lamb dish, often served at social gatherings, with chickpeas and whole garlic cloves, topped with toasted nuts.

    Nasi kuning, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Nasi kuning

    Indonesian turmeric-infused rice, often shaped into a cone and served during special occasions.

    Mandi (food), the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Mandi (food)

    Meat and spiced rice are cooked together, traditionally in a pit, to create a flavorful dish.

    Roast fennel and aubergine paella, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Roast fennel and aubergine paella

    A vegetarian paella with rice, saffron, and various roasted vegetables cooked in one pan.

    Turkish lamb pilau, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Turkish lamb pilau

    Rice cooked with lamb, spices, dried apricots, and pine nuts in a single pot.

    Nasi minyak, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Nasi minyak

    Rice cooked with ghee and spices, often served for special occasions.

    Bánh chưng, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Bánh chưng

    Vietnamese glutinous rice, mung bean, and pork cake, wrapped in leaves and boiled.

    Low-FODMAP Biryani, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Low-FODMAP Biryani

    A spiced rice dish adapted for dietary restrictions, maintaining the one-pot essence of biryani.

    Jain Biryani

    A Biryani variant prepared without onion, garlic, or root vegetables, adhering to Jain dietary principles.

    Syrian Rice with Meat, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Syrian Rice with Meat

    A Syrian rice dish cooked with ground beef, chicken stock, and pine nuts.

    Zongzi, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Zongzi

    Glutinous rice stuffed with fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves, then steamed or boiled.

    No htamin

    A Burmese festive rice dish cooked with milk, shallots, and butter.

    Spanish rice & prawn one-pot, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Spanish rice & prawn one-pot

    Rice cooked with prawns, chorizo, vegetables, and tomatoes in a single pot.

    kabse, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    kabse

    A spiced rice dish with chicken and vegetables, cooked together in one pot.

    Jamaican Instant Pot Rice and Beans, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Jamaican Instant Pot Rice and Beans

    A one-pot dish of rice and kidney beans cooked with coconut milk and aromatics.

    Arroz al horno (baked rice), the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Arroz al horno (baked rice)

    A baked rice dish from Spain, often containing pork, black pudding, and beans.

    Khichdi, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Khichdi

    A South Asian dish made from rice and lentils cooked together, with various regional adaptations.

    Jamaican Rice and Peas, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Jamaican Rice and Peas

    Rice cooked with kidney beans and coconut milk, a flavorful one-pot side or main dish.

    Banga rice, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Banga rice

    Rice cooked in palm fruit juice, a distinct one-pot preparation from Nigeria.

    Arroz con gambas y calamar, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Arroz con gambas y calamar

    A Spanish one-pot rice dish with prawns, squid, and saffron, similar to paella.

    Spanish seafood rice, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Spanish seafood rice

    A flavorful rice dish cooked with various seafood, peppers, and saffron.

    Kedgeree, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Kedgeree

    A British dish of rice cooked with smoked fish, boiled eggs, and spices.

    Seafood rice, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Seafood rice

    A Spanish one-pot rice dish featuring seafood, chorizo, and stock, similar to paella.

    Turkish rice (vermicelli rice), the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Turkish rice (vermicelli rice)

    A pilaf-style rice dish cooked with vermicelli pasta, butter, and chicken stock.

    Chicken & chorizo rice pot, the  version of one pot of rice, a whole celebration

    Chicken & chorizo rice pot

    A one-pot rice dish cooked with chicken, chorizo, and vegetables.

    Tried this dish? Show us.

    If you love this, you might love: