The food scene in the country is so diverse, so there is plenty to try. From famous balut to more exotic one-day-old chick and sweet sorbetes, you’ll love these treats. Street food is a big deal in the Philippines. It’s a part of everyday life and an opportunity to immerse in Filipino culture. Find out what the Philippines has to offer with these Filipino street foods!
25 Must-Try Filipino Street Foods
Whether you’re looking for something sweet, spicy, or savory, the streets of the Philippines have everything! Check out these Filipino street foods and prepare for an exciting culinary exploration!
1. Filipino Barbecue
Who doesn’t love a good, juicy BBQ pork skewer? It’s a classic summer treat, but have you trip the Filipino version? It’s made with tender meat pieces marinated in soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and banana ketchup. Then, the skewered meat is grilled until tender and perfectly charred. The result? A savory, smoky dish perfect for cookouts, parties, or a casual dinner. It’s served with a vinegar-based sauce to balance the flavorful marinade coating the pork.
2. Kwek-Kwek
When you’re ready to take your tastebuds on an adventure, start with kwek-kwek! It’s made by dipping quail eggs into an orange batter and then deep-fried to crisp perfection. They’re crunchy on the outside, with soft eggs on the inside. They’re best eaten with a side of sweet dipping sauce and vinegar sauce. These little orbs of deliciousness are definitely worth trying out!
3. Helmet (Grilled Chicken Heads)
If you want a truly unique street food experience, look no further than grilled chicken heads. In the Philippines, grilled chicken heads are popular. They’re served on skewers and grilled to smoky perfection. What makes this dish special is the fatty deposits that ooze out with one crisp bite. It’s served with different dipping sauces like soy sauce, vinegar, or hot sauce. Trust me, once you try it out, you’ll be addicted!
4. Adidas (Grilled Chicken Feet)
Have you ever had grilled chicken feet? If not, you’re missing out. It’s chewy but also crispy and salty. Plus, it’s rich in collagen, which helps with joint pain and improves skin health. There’s nothing like biting into hot-off-the-grill chicken feet. With its crispy skin and juicy meat, you’ll adore this treat!
5. Balut
What comes to mind when you think of street food in the Philippines? If your answer is “balut,” you’re on the right track. Balut is one of the most interesting delicacies and has gained so much popularity. It’s a fertilized duck egg that has been partially incubated and boiled. It has a unique flavor with an umami-rich broth that pairs perfectly with vinegar sauce. For some, getting acquainted with this dish takes time, but it’s surely a treat!
6. Taho
Taho is a Filipino street food that’s a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. It’s made from silken tofu, sugar syrup, and tapioca pearls. This street food is sold by vendors while walking around city streets, serving their treats. The flavors are sweet, creamy, and delicious. You’ll want a big serving for this treat!
7. Fish Ball
Have you ever had a fishball? If not, you’re in for a treat! These tiny orbs of deliciousness combine flour and fish flakes. It’s deep-fried to golden brown perfection with a crisp exterior and soft interior. It’s best served in a cup with a special sweet sauce, vinegar, and chili. Best of all? You can find them everywhere in the Philippines. From humble street vendors to mall food carts and even restaurants!
8. Squid Balls
Prepare your bamboo sticks and start skewering squid balls to pair with fish balls! The same vendor typically sells these two treats in a push cart. Squid balls are deep-fried balls of ground squid meat blended with starch or fat. They’re served alongside a sweet and spicy sauce and vinegar. The result is an appetizer that’s sweet, salty, crunchy, and soft all at once.
9. Kikiam
Complete your deep-fried street food experience by adding kikiam to your mix. Similar to fish and squid balls, it’s also sold in a food cart in the afternoons. It’s made with ground pork, shrimp, and a mix of spices. The crispy, golden brown exterior gives way to a soft, juicy interior bursting with flavor. And, of course, the famous sweet sauce and vinegar make this treat extra delicious!
10. Iskrambol
Nothing beats a sweet, cold treat to beat the tropical climate of the Philippines. And iskrambol or ice scramble is a summer staple! It features shaved ice infused with banana extract and topped with skim powdered milk. The iconic pink hue is added to make this treat even more enticing. This frozen treat is typically served with sprinkles, chocolate syrup, and marshmallows for extra sweetness. I don’t know about you, but my mouth is watering just thinking about it!
11. Banana Cue / Kamote Cue
If you’re looking for a hearty mid-afternoon snack, banana cue or kamote cue is perfect! It’s made with either bananas or sweet potatoes that are deep-fried and coated with caramelized sugar. It has a crunchy outer layer of caramelized sugar and a soft, chewy center. The name comes from the fact that these treats are served in a skewer like a barbecue.
12. Betamax (Grilled Pig’s Blood)
Pig or chicken’s coagulated blood. Grilled. On a stick. Okay, so maybe that doesn’t sound all that appetizing to some. But you haven’t tried it yet! In the Philippines, street vendors serve grilled pig’s blood on sticks as a delicious snack. It’s shaped in squares and placed on skewers. When uncooked, it almost looks like chocolate. But once it’s grilled, it becomes a smoky, savory treat perfect for dipping in vinegar.
13. Halo-halo
Halo-halo is a delicious Filipino street food that has enchanted the world. This dessert combines shaved ice, milk, fruits, beans, ube, jelly, tapioca, and leche flan. The best part about halo-halo is that you can customize it to your taste preferences. You can throw in some of your favorite fruits, add extra milk, or more beans. Each bite of halo-halo packs a burst of flavors and textures that’ll blow you away!
14. Walkman (Grilled Pig Ears)
The first time I tried grilled pig ears, I was pretty skeptical. It’s not a food that you see on the menu very often. Grilled pig ears are so crunchy and satisfying. The texture is somewhere between crispy bacon and chewy jerky. It’s full of delicious pork flavor that’s even more delicious when dipped in vinegar sauce. This treat is definitely worth trying!
15. Sorbetes/Dirty Ice Cream
Nothing beats the cold, creamy goodness of sorbetes if you need something to cool you down. Sorbetes is a frozen treat traditionally made with coconut or carabao milk. These icy treats are sold in different flavors and served in sugar cones. This street food is also known as “dirty ice cream” because it’s served on the streets. Vendors have colorful carts, and they ring bells to attract customers.
16. Binatog
Binatog is a Filipino boiled corn dessert that’s sweet and salty, creamy, and chewy. It’s made by boiling corn until it’s soft and served with freshly grated coconut. The best thing about binatog is that you can eat it salty or sweet. Add some sugar and sweetened condensed milk if you’re in the mood for something sweet. But if you want a savory treat, a sprinkle of salt will do. It’s so simple, but it tastes like heaven!
17. Turon
Turon is a delicious Filipino street food that combines fresh fruit and sweet brown sugar. It’s rolled in a spring roll wrapper, fried until crisp and caramelized, and served hot. This sweet treat is often filled with bananas, jackfruit, sweet potato, and coconut. The best part? It’s really easy to make at home. You don’t have to fly across the world for this treat!
18. Kutsinta
If you love Asian steamed cakes, then you need to try this Filipino version! Kutsinta is a Filipino steamed cake made of flour, tapioca flour, and sweetened with sugar. The result is a flavorful treat with a jelly-like texture that pairs perfectly with grated coconut. Serve it with coffee and tea for a delightful snack at home!
19. Isaw (Barbecued Pork or Chicken Intestine)
If you’re looking for ways to spice up your dinner, you’ve got to try isaw. Isaw is barbecued pork or chicken intestine that’s been skewered and grilled over charcoal. It’s traditionally eaten with vinegar and chili peppers to amp up the smoky flavor. If it sounds adventurous, don’t worry: I think you’ll love isaw.
20. Penoy
If you still can’t get the hang of eating balut, you should try penoy instead! It features an infertile, incubated duck egg that’s hardboiled for consumption. The taste is like a regular hardboiled egg but richer and extra flavorful. Try it with salt or vinegar to bring out the flavor of the egg!
21. Siomai
Siomai is a traditional Chinese dish that made its way to the streets of the Philippines. It’s made with a wonton wrapper filled with pork or beef infused with spices. These delicious meat-filled dumplings are even better with a side of soy sauce and chili garlic. Bite into a steaming siomai, and it’ll transport you to the bustling streets of Chinatown.
22. Chicken Skin
If you love fried chicken, you know that the best part is the skin. It’s crispy, salty, and flavorful. That’s why it’s a well-loved street food in the Philippines. It’s made by coating chicken skin with breading and deep frying to crisp perfection. The best part? You can eat it plain or douse it in spicy vinegar or sweet soy sauce. Once you try this dish, you’ll surely crave it often!
23. One-Day-Old (Fried Baby Chicken)
If you’re looking for a culinary adventure, you should try one-day-old at least once. It’s made with newborn male chicks marinated and deep-fried to crispy perfection. This exotic treat is best eaten while still hot and spicy. And don’t forget the wonders of spicy vinegar sauce, which makes this dish even more delicious!
24. Lechon Manok (Roasted Chicken)
Lechon manok is a Filipino street food that is hard to forget. It’s crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor. It’s a spit-roasted chicken dish with an umami-rich marinade and the freshness of lemongrass. The scent of lechon manok wafting down the street will entice your tastebuds. If you ever make it to the Philippines, you’ll line up to order this!
25. Okoy/Ukoy
Have you ever had food so good that even the thought of it makes you drool? That’s what Ukoy makes me feel. I mean, it’s just a bunch of vegetables and shrimp, but it’s an explosion of flavors. Ukoy/okoy is a Filipino dish that’s light, crunchy, and oh-so-delicious. The shrimp and vegetable fritters are lightly breaded and fried. It’s served with a spicy vinegar dipping sauce for added flavor. Yum! Click on a star to rate it!
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