Banana ketchup is a sweet, tangy Filipino condiment made mainly from mashed banana, sugar and spices, coloured red to resemble tomato ketchup. It was originally created as a tomato ketchup substitute during a wartime tomato shortage, and has remained a Filipino pantry staple ever since.
Where to buy banana ketchup in the UK
Banana ketchup is increasingly stocked by larger UK supermarkets, though a Filipino grocer offers the widest choice of brands.
Which aisle is banana ketchup in?
Where stocked, banana ketchup is in the world food aisle, in the Filipino or Southeast Asian section, near other condiments.
Asian supermarkets
A Filipino grocer is the most reliable source, and usually stocks the leading brands side by side.
Buying it online
It keeps well, so a larger bottle online is a sensible option if you use it often.
What is banana ketchup?
How to use it
- Used exactly like tomato ketchup, on fried chicken, hot dogs and chips.
- Stirred into marinades and sauces for a sweet, fruity note, such as in some versions of chicken adobo.
- Served as a dip alongside fried or grilled meat.
Why it was invented
Banana ketchup was created during a Second World War tomato shortage in the Philippines, using the more readily available banana as a base and colouring it red to resemble tomato ketchup, it has remained a pantry staple long after the shortage ended.
Using it beyond a ketchup swap
Beyond replacing tomato ketchup on fried food, it is often stirred into marinades and sauces for a sweet, fruity note, giving dishes like some versions of spaghetti a distinctly Filipino sweetness.
UFC vs Jufran
These are the two leading brands, both widely regarded as reliable, if a shop stocks only one it is most likely one of these two rather than a lesser-known brand.
How to store banana ketchup
Keep it in the fridge once opened, much like tomato ketchup, an unopened bottle keeps in the cupboard for a long time thanks to its sugar and vinegar content.
Keep the bottle in the cupboard before opening, and refrigerate once opened.
Frequently asked questions
Does banana ketchup taste like banana?
Not strongly, the spices and sugar dominate, giving a flavour closer to a sweeter, milder tomato ketchup.
Is banana ketchup the same as tomato ketchup?
No, though they look similar and are used the same way, banana ketchup is sweeter and made from a completely different base.
Can I use tomato ketchup instead?
It works as a substitute in a pinch, though the flavour will be tangier and less sweet than banana ketchup.