photo by Raymund (via Creative Commons)
One of the best parts of traveling in the Philippines is having the chance to try all the local cuisine. Experiencing new flavors and combinations is a delight and a perk of touring the country. The Philippines is a melting pot of cultures, and that is reflected in the origins of many dishes, and street food is one way to experience some of the country’s unique food offerings. Ask your knowledgeable Philippine tour guide where the best street food can be found and try these four unique Filipino dishes.
photo by Raymund (via Creative Commons)
Banana Cue
A portmanteau of banana and barbecue, this sweet dish is a street food favorite. The banana cue uses a firmer saba banana (sometimes called cardaba banana) which is essential so it can retain its integrity through the cooking process. The banana is fried and coated with a caramelized brown sugar mixture and skewered on a stick. This sweet treat is incredibly popular in the Philippines and should be easy to find in just about any city. One bite and you’ll be hooked!
photo by Raymund (via Creative Commons)
Turon
Another popular banana-based street food is Turon. This sweet confection is another popular snack in the afternoon when the urge to take a siesta hits hard. It’s also made with saba banana but adds jackfruit. The fruits are wrapped in a spring roll wrapper and deep fried. Not the healthiest option, to be sure, but an unforgettable one. This snack item may have originated from a Spanish dish, but like most foreign introductions, it ended up as a new and unique Filipino food.
photo by Raymund (via Creative Commons)
Taho
Taho is very often a breakfast or teatime snack. This popular dish is made with silken tofu, sugar syrup, and sago pearls (extracted from the pith of a sago palm tree). The texture of the tofu comes across as similar to custard or pudding. The origins of this dish are likely Chinese. Their dish, “to hoa” uses a different kind of syrup and omits the pearls. Also, in China, this is more of a dessert to be served in restaurants, while in the Philippines, it’s considered a street food.
photo by Raymund (via Creative Commons)
Fish Balls
This is a street food that is common in nearly every Asian country, but the Philippines once again throws their own twist into this popular snack. Often made of cuttlefish or pollock, the fish is diced up very fine and shaped into balls then deep fried. The Filipino version of fishballs is served with a choice of a few sauces, some sweet, some spicy, some a little sweet and sour. There are also several variations of the fishball made with chicken, squid, or even pork. Try them all and with different sauces to decide which is your favorite.
When you go on a tour with Uncharted Philippines, you can experience these popular street foods and so much more with experienced guides and unique itineraries that offer adventure and one-of-a-kind experiences. Discover the magic of the Philippines for yourself.