Going around the Philippines will never be complete without the Filipino street foods or Pinoy food.
PINOY FOOD – Yes! Not just because you get hungry along the way of your travel but because you can’t feel being at home in the Philippines if you haven’t tried eating the food Filipinos made and love to eat.
Filipino street foods aren’t that popular across the globe but needless to say, these foods are delicious and palatable that you’ll ask for more to eat.
These street foods are found anywhere (the name can attest, LOL)- schools, parks, churches, bus terminals, markets… almost everywhere. They’re popular and here is the list of street foods you should try!
1. Helmets / Adidas
The helmets and Adidas are names used to refer to chicken heads and chicken feet. Just like isaw, they are poked onto skewers and grilled over charcoal.
2. Balut
There’s no street food snack in the Philippines more famous (or possibly infamous) than balut — a partially developed duck egg embryo: you could call it the king of all Filipino street foods!
3. Banana Cue
It is a banana that’s coated in brown sugar and caramelized.
4. Betamax
Betamax is a grilled chicken blood. Yes, blood. When cooked, it will turn into thick, almost gelatin-like almost gelatin-like substance and then transferred into a square container letting it cool and cut it into box-shaped.
4. Binatog
Binatog is a combination of corn, sliced off the cob, and oftentimes cooked plain, but with some fragrant lemongrass. When you order binatog, the vendor scoops it into a cup, tops on some fresh shredded coconut, and seasons it with salt.
5. Dried Squid
When squid is dried, it naturally turns into one of the ultimate chewy snacks you can possibly dream of.
6. Fish balls
These balls are made from fish- deep fried, you grab a skewer and poke them right out of the oil, dip them into chili-onion-vinegar, and eat.
7. Halo-halo
It is a popular Filipino dessert with mixtures of shaved ice and evaporated milk to which are added various ingredients, including boiled sweet beans, coconut, sago, gulaman (agar jelly), tubers and fruits. It is served in a tall glass or bowl.
8. Sorbetes
This street food ice cream is pushed around on carts is locally known as “dirty ice cream” or “sorbetes”. But even if everyone calls it that, it is a hugely popular sweet snack.
9. Isaw
This is both pig and chicken intestines, coiled onto skewers, and grilled until charred and smoky. The pig intestines are a little chewier and stronger tasting, and seasoned with vinegar.
10. Kwek kwek
Kwek kwek are quail eggs that are coated in an orange colored batter, and deep fried. You’ll need to season them with vinegar, chilies, and onions, before eating for the best taste.
11. Mango with shrimp paste
This is a version of a caramel apple, but instead of an apple, it’s a green mango, and instead of caramel, it’s spicy shrimp paste. The mango is crisp and very sour, while the shrimp paste is salty and fishy and a bit spicy, making the ultimate marriage of flavors and textures.
12. Turon
Turon is a slice of a banana and a sliver of jackfruit wrapped into a lumpia wrapper, and deep fried to a crisp.
13. Taho
Taho is the Philippines version of soft silken tofu (douhua), which has Chinese origins and is popular throughout Southeast Asia. The tofu is usually sweetened with a sugary syrup, and served in a cup to eat.
14. Chicharon
It is a dish generally consisting of fried pork belly or fried pork rinds; chicharrón may also be made from chicken, mutton, or beef.
15. Iskrambol
‘Iskrambol’ is the Filipino version of Slushy made out of banana flavored frozen condensed milk, tops it with some powdered milk, marshmallows and with chocolate sauce.
Yummy! Well, all of these street foods are only found in the Philippines and you can try them all at a very low price! Do you know some Filipino street foods I missed to include in here? Share it with us!