In the busy urban places of Philippines are stalls and food carts with mouthwatering street foods which most are considered exotic and bizarre to the tongue. Philippine street foods are mostly from the insides of chicken or pork with spices that give a smack to authentic Filipino flavor.
Here are the street foods in the Philippines presented to you in an infographic by Gourmet Society. Challenge your appetite by trying these exotic Filipino street foods.
Prito (Fried Street Foods)
Kwek-Kwek
Kwek-Kwek, also known as Tokneneng, is a deep-fried hard-boiled egg covered in orange batter. Kwek-Kwek can be a regular chicken egg or can also be made from quail eggs. It is often dipped in sweet sauce or vinegar with onions, garlic, and pepper.
Fishball
Fishball is a small round Filipino snack made from fish paste. It is also famous in China, Hong Kong, and other Southeast Asian countries. Fishball is usually dipped in sweet sauce or vinegar.
Calamares (Calamari)
Calamares is Philippine’s version of the Mediterranean breaded fried squid. The squid is cut into rings, coated in a batter flavored with spices, and is fried deep into hot oil. Calamares is dipped in vinegar sautéed in onion and pepper. Calamares can be an ideal beer match.
Chicken Skin
In the Philippines, nothing should go to waste, not even the chicken skin. The chicken skin is being cut into pieces, dipped in a batter, and fried until golden brown. It is partnered with a regular gravy. Others eat the chicken skin as a partner for beer.
Turon
Also known as Lumpiyang Saging, Turon is a banana rolled in spring roll paper. Some versions of Turon have jackfruit included aside from the thinly sliced banana. It is then pan fried and is dusted with brown sugar to create a bit of caramel on the banana roll.
Maruya
Maruya is the Philippines’ version of Banana Fritter. A piece of banana is thinly sliced and spread to create a flat “fan” appearance. It is then coated with batter and deep fried. After the banana turn golden brown, it is then sprinkled with granules of sugar.
Banana Q/ Kamote Q
Banana Q is a caramelized banana on a stick. The banana is sprinkled with sugar to create sweet and crispy texture while the banana stays soft and fruity. On the other hand, Kamote Q is a caramelized sweet potato on a stick.
Inihaw (Barbecued; Grilled)
Pork BBQ
Pork BBQ is everyone’s favorite. It can be eaten alone or could also be an ideal partner of steamed rice. It is also a perfect match for a beer or lambanog, a Filipino wine made from coconut sap.
Isaw
An intestine for your intestine; satisfy your exotic cravings with this delish and outlandish Filipino street food, Isaw. It is chicken intestine snaked on a stick and is grilled over charcoal. It can also be a pig’s small intestine. Before the intestine is grilled or barbecued, it is cleaned and boiled for several hours to ensure cleanliness. Don’t worry, your tummy will do just fine with this exotic street food. The Isaw tastes a lot better when dipped in a sweet and spicy sauce or vinegar.
Adidas
No, Filipinos do not eat Adidas shoes, nor they do in other brands. Adidas is what they call to barbecued chicken feet. Just like Isaw, Adidas undergoes long hours in boiling water to ensure sanitation.
Helmet
And another thing, helmets are just too hard to eat and apparently, it’s totally insane to literally barbecue a helmet. But when it comes to Philippine street food, helmet or chicken head satisfies the tongue of the food crawlers.
Savory
Sisig
Sisig is one of the best savory Filipino snacks. It is made from diced face skin and ears of a pig, sizzled with onions, chili, and is topped with an egg. It is usually served on a sizzling plate and makes a perfect match for beer.
Mami and Goto
Mami is the Philippines’ version of Wonton, and Goto is the country’s favorite porridge. Both savory dishes offer heat to the body especially when it’s raining.
Fresh Fruits
Buko
A tropical country, the Philippines is rich with green trees and fruity foliage. And apparently, the tropical archipelago has a lot, and I mean, tons of coconut trees. Coconut, or locally known as Buko, is a common fruit in the country. The white flesh inside the coconut is edible and can even be made into a Buko Pie (famous in Laguna). The clear liquid is a refreshment against the scorching heat of Mr. Sun.
Manggang Hilaw
Manggang Hilaw or unripe green mango is another favorite fruit in the country. The sour taste of the unripe mango will shiver your jaws and can even make you ugly. Put some bagoong (dried shrimp paste) or rock salt to make your bite more nerve shaking
Sweets
Halo-halo
Halo-halo is a mixture of shaved ice, various fruits, leche flan, and condensed or evaporated milk. Halo-halo is usually prepared and sold on the street sides. It’s a very refreshing Filipino dessert that will give you brain freeze.
Sorbetes
Sorbetes (dirty ice cream) in the Philippines is being peddled by street vendors. Peddlers typically have a bell they ring as they walk to inform the neighborhood that they are selling dirty ice cream.
Taho
Taho is another Filipino dessert peddled in the streets, generally by a male street vendor. Taho vendors shout “Taho!” while they peddle along the streets. Taho is a soft tofu with tapioca pearls. Sugar syrup is being added to add sweet to the tofu.
Binatog
Binatog is made from boiled white corn kernel with coconut shavings to add texture. Iodized Salt is usually sprinkled to the Binatog to add taste. Binatog vendors often roam the streets and villages with a bicycle with a bell they bang once in a while.
Mani
Mani or peanuts is one of the most famous and most loved Filipino snacks that can be nibbled when walking or even when riding public transport. Not only it is healthy, but it is also a great snack to keep your mouth busy.
Chicharon
Chicharon or pork rinds is another favorite snack of the Filipinos because of its satisfying crunchiness and salty taste. It is usually dipped in vinegar and is partnered with beer.
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