Tortang Talong goes Hollywood

Filipinos React to Gwyneth Paltrow Cooking Tortang Talong

She also made banana ketchup from scratch!

Firas Abboud
Preview (preview.ph)
18 October 2026

One of the many things Filipinos are proud and protective of is food, especially when recreated by someone from a different culture. Case in point—Filipinos were quick to praise Gwyneth Paltrow, who recently shared her take on a Filipino staple dish: tortang talong (pan-fried grilled eggplants dipped in an egg mixture).

Known for her experimental taste and unique take on things, the Hollywood actress also pleasantly surprised the netizens when she made banana ketchup—the tortang talong's perfect dipping sauce—from scratch.

Netizens React to Gwyneth Paltrow Cooking Tortang Talong

"Tortang Talong with garlicky turkey crumbles and banana ketchup. A Filipino breakfast classic," captioned Gwyneth. Highlighting the importance of calling something exactly what it is, without having the need to translate it, Erwan Heussaff gave instant praise for the actress.

Gwyneth's cousin Jordan Paltrow commented, suggesting that the actress cook adobo for her next video, which is not far from happening. As a matter of fact, last April 2025, Gwyneth whipped up her homemade version of tocino.

The Global Spotlight on Tortang Talong

Before Gwyneth's video, tortang talong became a trending dish because of a New York Times article that spotlights the dish. In addition to the recipe itself, the writer interviewed several Filipino and Filipino American cooks to share anecdotes and recommendations.

The article highlights the versatility of the tortang talong, with the writer Eric Kim calling it "a canvas, ready to be topped to your liking." For Gwyneth, her topping of choice was garlic turkey crumbles.