Popular Filipino Street Food Guide
for the UK
Have you given a thought to what to eat among the popular Filipino street food? The Philippines is an archipelago containing beautiful beaches, diverse islands, and endless places to discover during the holidays. However, eating is the most important thing that no one should neglect while travelling. Things you are going to eat and try should be on your holiday list. Make a list of the popular Filipino street food items to try throughout your stay.
Furthermore, the Philippines is the ultimate destination for foodies. Whatever taste preferences you have, the popular Filipino street food will not disappoint you. We are here to help our food lovers from the UK who wish to travel to the Philippines for holidays. If you are confused about the options of street food, this travel guide is for you. This Philippines street food guide features popular places to discover and food to try.
Why Look for Street Food of Philippines?
Popular Filipino street food is easily available at every street corner of the Philippines. Wherever you go, you will always find locals selling street food in their cute and colourful carts. This Filipino food guide for tourists suggests that street food is the best way to satisfy your cravings. You can taste the authentic flavours without spending too much. There are plenty of options to discover for travellers from the UK. You will find caramelised, barbequed, deep-fried, and all sorts of eating options. Plus, if you are a health freak, you can opt for sprouts and salads. The best thing about eating street food is that it is available till late at night. So, if you're craving authentic Filipino flavours at 2 am, you can always look for street food in Philippines.
Major Ingredients That Inspired Street Food in Philippines
Most Filipino foods were introduced by immigrants who came to the Philippines. You will see the influence of Chinese, Spanish, American, and Indian flavours in the popular Filipino street food culture. The street food carts are flooded with food options that are prepared with a blend of flavours from different origins. Here are some major ingredients that have inspired popular Filipino street food over the years.
- Rice
- Noodles
- Seafood
- Pork
- Meat
- Chicken and eggs
- Coconut
- Banana and other tropical fruits
- Sweet potatoes and other tropical plants
- Souring agents
- Sauces and coconut milk for gravies
Top Street Food Markets of the Philippines for UK Travellers
This Philippines street food guide shows the top street food markets of the Philippines that UK travellers can visit. You can satisfy your hunger with the tempting options available almost everywhere in the Philippines. You will see the cultural references in the street flavours. The Filipino street foods are quite affordable and easily accessible. Plus, street food in Philippines plays a significant role in maintaining the country's economy. Moving on, there are lots of street food markets in the top cities of the Philippines. Every place offers different flavours inspired by the various cultures of the country. You can discover these markets and the popular Filipino street food they have to offer. Here are some recommended food markets in the Philippines.
- Quiapo Market, Manila
- Roxas Night Market, Davao City
- Carbon Night Market, Cebu City
- Maginhawa Food Park, Manila
- Vigan Night Market, Vigan City
- Old Public Market, Palawan
Read Also: Things to Do in Philippines
15 Popular Filipino Street Food UK Travellers Must Try
There are lots of popular Filipino street food options available in several parts of the Philippines. When travelling from the UK, you can explore the popular food markets and look for the best-selling dishes. This Filipino food guide for tourists recommends people try the top street foods, especially for UK travellers. You will love the flavours and will be surprised by the uniqueness of these delicacies. Here are 15 popular Filipino street food items you can look for in the local street food markets.
1. Balut
Balut is a popular Filipino street food which is a rich source of protein and calcium and is very affordable. It was introduced in between the 16 and 19th century by the Chinese. These are basically fertilized duck eggs in which the embryo is developed before the egg goes under the hard boil process. They can be eaten directly from the shell or can be seasoned with salt, chilli, vinegar, garlic, lemon, etcetera. In addition, Balut can be used in the omelettes and as pastry fillings.
2. Fish Balls
Fish Balls are one of the staple foods in the Philippines. They are quite popular in the street food markets. This is a staple seafood which is often eaten along with dipping sauces. This deep-fried dish is aligned on skewers while serving it to the customers. The protein content is high in these fish balls.
3. Isaw
Isaw is a popular street food dish sold in many of the street food markets of the Philippines. It is a barbequed dish which is the intestines of animals like pigs and chickens. The preparation of Isaw requires cleaning the intestines from both inside and outside. Then, they are boiled and marinated with coatings of sauces, vinegar, garlic, and spice seasonings.
4. Betamax
Betamix is a popular street food in Philippines which is nothing but pig or chicken blood. The blood is boiled until solid and turns gelatinous. Then, it is cut into small cubes and placed on skewers. The dish is then grilled over open flame and sprinkled with seasonings.
5. Adidas
Adidas is used for chicken feet and is the common street food of the Philippines. The chicken's feet are marinated with different spices, brown sugar, and calamansh. Then it is grilled before serving. Adidas is a staple Filipino food which is easily available in the nearby street markets.
6. Taho
Taho is a soft and silky tofu-based dish which is quite popular in the Philippines. Many street vendors sell Taho in buckets hanging on their shoulders. Arnibal, a sweet caramelised syrup with a hint of vanilla and tapioca pearls are the main ingredient of this dish.
7. Turon
Turon is among the popular street foods of Philippines and is loved by the locals as well as tourists. The dish contains banana slices wrapped in thin spring roll sheets and fried until crispy. After frying, the rolls are topped with caramelised sugar syrup and sesame seeds.
8. Halo-Halo
Halo-Halo is a popular Filipino street food which is also an unofficial national dish of the Philippines. This dessert includes several ingredients like shaved ice, evaporated milk, tapioca pearls, coconut shavings, sweetened beans, fruits, and agar. Some people like to eat this sweet dish along with a scoop of ice cream.
9. Banana Q / Banana Cue
Banana Q or Banana Cue is a popular street food dish in the Philippines. The whole banana is peeled and coated in brown sugar. It is caramelised on a pan so that the sugar coating forms a thick candy-like texture. Then skewers are poked inside the bananas to serve to the customers.
10. Ice-cream
Ice-creams are popular on the streets of the Philippines. You will see many vendors selling it on roadsides and in the food markets. "Dirty ice cream" is a sweet snack made from coconut milk or carabao milk. Cheese, avocado, mango, chocolate, and ube are some popular flavours of dirty ice cream. Some of them are quite unusual but loved by locals and tourists.
11. Kwek Kwek / Tokneneng
Kwek Kwek or Tokneneng are quail eggs and are very popular in the Filipino street food markets. These hard-boiled chicken or duck eggs are dipped in an annatto powder mix and then deep-fried. This orange-coloured street food is similar to a corndog but with an egg base. A sweet and sour dipping sauce is served with Kewk Kwek.
12. Empanada
Empanada is the famous Filipino street food which is a fried or baked pastry. It is a Spanish dish that is popular in many countries. The dough is flattened and stuffed with fillings, then folded to cook. Majory, meat, cheese, tomatoes, corn, and other ingredients are used in the fillings of Emphanada.
13. Torta and Longganisa
Torta and Longganisa are the popular street foods of Philippines that are used to prepare a comforting Filipino meal. Torta is a type of omelette prepared with veggies and ground meat. Whereas Longganisa is a type of Filipino sausage which is sweet and savoury in taste. These dishes are served with garlic fried rice and are usually eaten during breakfast.
14. Pancit
Pancit is stir-fried rice noodles and is a popular Filipino street food. It is a staple food that the people in the Philippines eat on a regular basis. It is also served during festivals, family gatherings, and religious celebrations. The noodles are prepared with vegetables, meat, calamansi, and soy sauce.
15. Puto and Bibingka
Puto and Bibingka are popular in the streets of the Philippines, especially during the Christmas season. These are the types of rice cake dishes that are steamed and baked. Puto is a steamed rice cake dish prepared in bamboo and eaten as a snack. On the other hand, Bibingka is baked rice cakes that are prepared with water and milk and then sweetened with sugar.
Read Also: Travel Guide to Philippines | Nightlife in Philippines
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