Street food in the Philippines are known to be cheap, unique, and flavorful. Which among these have tickled your taste buds?
The world’s Pearl of the Orient is known for its colorfully rich culture and exotic cuisine, and street foods are no exception. Filipino street foods are known for their bold flavors and unique combinations, with each dish offering an experience in itself as you take every bite. It has been part of Filipino culture: vendors selling their various delicacies along busy streets, markets, and public places. The sheer diversity of flavors on offer is enough to excite any food enthusiast, and for tourists, it’s an opportunity to explore the unique food culture of the Philippines.
From crispy fried chicken intestines to savory fish balls, there is surely no shortage of delicious street foods to try in the Philippines!
Balut
We bet you already heard of the infamous balut, one of the most popular signature street foods in the Philippines. Balut is a boiled duck egg that contains a developing embryo inside. Although it may sound unappealing to some, locals consider it a delicacy, and is enjoyed throughout the country. The egg is typically served with salt and vinegar and is commonly consumed as a snack or appetizer. And just recently, the Balut has upgraded into another variant – the Grilled Balut – also sold in many streets of the Philippines! This is something new to the taste buds, and is surely worth a try!
Isaw
Another one on the list of popular street food in the Philippines is Isaw, which is grilled or fried chicken intestines. It is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and spices, and covered in a homemade flour mixture, making it both flavorful and tender. Isaw is usually sold by street vendors along with other meat skewers like pork and chicken liver. With its crispy texture and bold flavor, Isaw is perfect for those looking for a unique and delicious street food experience.
Turon
Foodies will also love this popular street food in the Philippines called Turon. This street food delight is made of sweet banana wrapped in a large spring roll wrapper and coated with caramelized sugar. Sounds tasty, right? Because it is!
Kwek Kwek and Tokneneng
You can see this ubiquitous street food called kwek-kwek and tokneneng alongside other street food favorites. They are also called egg balls, and kwek kwek balls are made of chicken eggs, while tokneneng is the smaller version made of quail eggs, coated with a vibrant orange batter, deep-fried, and then served with a spicy vinegar dip or sweet brown sauce.
Fish Balls and Squid Balls
You can usually find squid balls and fish balls sold in the streets together with the kwek-kwek and tokneneng. Fish balls are round balls made from ground fish meat, while squid balls are made from squid meat, and these are formed into small balls and deep-fried. Fish balls also come in flat circles, and they are all sold at very cheap prices for as low as 1 peso! They are typically served on a stick, dipped in sweet and spicy brown sauce. Fish balls and squid balls are popular street food choices among Filipinos because they are delicious and cheap, perfect for a quick snack, and enjoyed when eaten along the streets!
Which one of these delicious and mouth-watering Filipino street foods have you tried?
