The Filipino appetite is difficult to satisfy. The mere fact that Filipinos binge on merienda in-between rice-heavy meals already gives plenty of weight to that statement. So it is not a stretch to say that they truly love food, even the cheap and sometimes unusual street delicacies.
With that said, it is hard to imagine that Filipinos could suppress their insatiable hunger for street food. But with COVID-19 adventurous eaters have no other choice but to settle for less. Cravings do prove to be hard to resist during the prolonged quarantine period.
Pork Barbecue
Remember having a casual walk down the street that ended up being a binge fest, all because of a whiff of charcoal-grilling smoke? Well, it is no secret that Pork Barbecues are almost irresistible, thanks to its smoky aroma that is enough to make your mouth water. But while its smell lures you in the vendor’s stand, the taste of these pork skewers makes you stay more than you wanted to.
Marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar and sugar, a bite of each sliced pork packs a punch, bursting of sweet, tangy and spicy flavors all at once. It never disappoints the Filipino palate, be it as a snack or a viand. No wonder it is a mainstay in special occasions, even serving as a go-to pulutan during inuman sessions.
Halo-halo
Nothing satisfies the sweet tooth of most Filipinos better than Halo-halo. Staying true to its name, which means “mixed” in English, this famed dessert is a concoction of shaved ice, fruits, leche flan, white beans, purple yam and milk, among others. It is often served in restaurants all year round, but cheaper variants would pop up on every corner of the streets in the summertime.
Come to think of it, locals need not to look far to indulge in the rich and creamy goodness of this Filipino staple, while foreigners have to pay the country a visit before getting an authentic taste of it. That’s why you should never take this dessert for granted, once the days of isolation are done and over with.
Fish, chicken & squid balls
For Filipinos, the fondness of eating with sawsawan or condiments extends beyond dining tables. It reaches the streets, with a wide range of sauces found in food carts. And one of the well-loved treats that can turn into flavor bombs with a dip on the side are fish, chicken and squid balls. Based on their respective names alone, you already have an idea on what to expect from these pint-sized patties, which are best eaten in bulk by simply skewering piece after piece with a pointed stick. Oh, how we miss tusok-tusok!
Kwek-kwek
The Filipino street food experience does not feel right without these orange-colored munchies. Eaten in the same manner as the ball-shaped goodies, Kwek-kwek are deep-friend quail eggs coated in orange batter. It is already a scrumptious snack on its own, but pairing it with a vinegar sauce or a sweet and spicy one will only enrich its flavor even more.
Kikiam
Another deep-fried treat found in roadside food carts, Kikiam is a finger-sized food with a Chinese origin. In its authentic state, minced meat and vegetable wrapped in bean curd sheets serve as its main ingredients, which are quite different from the fish meat-based variants we eat here in the Philippines. Nonetheless, it remains a tasty treat that any Filipino can enjoy, especially with a sawsawan, of course.
Calamares
Who wouldn’t crave for the crispiness of these breaded rings of squid? Based off a popular Mediterranean appetizer, Calamares are borderline addictive! Most of its goodness relies on its crunchy coating that seems to make you want to binge non-stop. Pair it with a sauce of your preference and you’re in for a treat!
Taho
Our earliest memories of street food were probably waking up not to the sound of alarms nor cock-a-doodle-doos of roosters but to the echoing “Tahoooooooooooo!” calls of vendors. For the price of five to twenty pesos depending on the size, we’d get to jumpstart the day with a warm, delightful treat that we cannot seem to get enough of even as we grew older.
Just what makes this too delicious to resist? Taho draws its creamy goodness from soft tofu, brown sugar syrup and tapioca pearls, brewing the perfect blend of sweetness and softness. Without a doubt, the resounding yells of taho vendors are among the things we cannot wait to hear again.
Balot
A center of attraction in terms of Filipino street delicacies, Balot or Balut is a hard-boiled duck egg with an embryo inside. Yes, the experience of eating one straight out of its shell can be quite unusual, but the exotic flavor and nutritional value it offers more than make up for it. It also happens to be a convenient afternoon snack for locals, who are in need of an affordable energy refresher after a long and tiring day.
Isaw
Similar to Balot, most people might find this unappetizing, but these charcoal-grilled chicken or pig intestines are definitely a must taste. Soaked in a flavorful marinade of soy sauce, ketchup and seasonings, the mouth-watering Isaw is then grilled and coiled onto a stick before serving. For best flavor, dip it into vinegar sauce.
Despite its tastiness, however, you should always remember to stay cautious of its cleanliness, as the quality of ingredients varies from vendor to vendor.
Bananacue & Camotecue
Undeniably the sweetest fixtures in the skewering side of street delicacies, these healthy delights are prepared by deep frying both the banana and sweet potato with brown sugar. Their sweetened forms offer somewhat a healthy option among the savory selection of street foods. Safe to say, the bananacue and camotecue can be your nutritious excuse to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Turon
Turon is another street-food favorite — and also a healthy choice, at that — that you must have been missing when it comes to dealing with your sweet tooth. It is a banana wrapped in a spring roll coated with brown sugar that is deep fried for that glistening gold finish.
Sorbetes
Whenever you hear a loud-sounding bell on a sweltering Filipino afternoon, you already know what’s coming your way — a colorful ice cream cart wading through the busy streets of the city. Sorbetes, often called dirty ice cream for being sold in the streets, works wonders for anyone who needs a cold refresher while being under the scorching sun.
This affordable treat is also one of the snacks that can tend to your sweet desires, offering a selection of flavors ranging from cheese, coconut, mango, purple yam and chocolate. Like every other ice cream stalls around the world, it is, of course, served in small wafer cones. But what sets it apart from the rest is the ice cream burger that we, locals, love.
Nuts
Nuts are everywhere in the Metro. It is often peddled using stainless carts on the side of the road, attracting customers who are casually waiting for a ride. Some vendors even hop on bus after bus to directly sell it to hungry passengers. So in a way, chewing on these munchies gives a flavorful experience to your everyday commute.
Also, the streets provide a wide selection of nuts that you can choose from. For one, Fried peanuts, which are commonly called as Adobong mani by locals, have various flavors ranging from spicy to roasted garlic. Then there are the crescent-shaped Cashews and the Virginia peanuts, both of which have an almost-neutral taste that can still drive you nuts the more you chomp of it.
While it’s fun to have a food trip along the city, cravings for street delicacies should take a backseat in the midst of these dangerous times. Never risk your safety for something that can wait. In the meantime, make the most out of the nourishment you have at home while putting a premium on health and well-being so that, once the dire situation is pacified, you are fit to appease your gastronomic desires.