The Top 7 Exotic and Street Foods in the Philippines

Many people may not know that Filipinos are food lovers and love to cook. They love to try and discover new food recipes and share these with others on their food vlogging channels and websites. 

In the Philippines “carenderias” or micro-stores popularly known in the Philippines as "Sari-Sari Stores. These stores are found all over the country whether in the city, town, or barrios. Carenderias sell a variety of foods like vegetables, fish, meat, and processed foods. 

These carenderias are patronized by jeepney, bus, and taxi drivers, street vendors, ordinary workers, and even office workers for their affordable, tasty foods. In these “carenderias” one can already have a hearty meal consisting of a cup of rice or two, one or two serving of viand, and a bottle of soft drink for just less than P100 pesos or $ 2. 

Generally, when it comes to foods, the Filipinos are not choosy; they cook and eat different kinds of foods as long as these foods do not cause them abdominal discomfort or in the worst case, food poisoning. 

In the Philippines, there are also these foods we consider exotic such as river or rice field frogs, monitor lizards, coconut worms, python, fruit bats, and many other insects and animals which are considered exotic. 

To some people, just a mere sight of these animals would cause them to vomit. But there are also Filipinos who have a strong appetite for these exotic foods. They try to eat these foods and eventually get addicted to their taste. 

But aside from the exotic foods, there are also street foods sold in the Philippines such as the ones listed below: 

Chicken Intestine Barbecue

If you think that this part of the chicken is useless, think again. The chicken intestine is one of the favorite foods by the Filipinos and is the favorite appetizer of the Filipinos. These chicken intestine barbecues are sold along with other street foods like chicken heads, chicken feet, and hardened chicken blood, chicken gizzard and liver, and pork barbecue. The Filipinos eat this street food for two reasons: first as viand and second as appetizers. 

Chicken intestine barbecue is also a favorite among drinkers as “ pulutan” or appetizers. In the Philippines, the chicken intestine barbecue is sold in street food stalls for only P5 - P10 pesos per stick depending on the vendors or the chicken barbecue’s size. 

Chicken Blood Barbecue 

To many, just by hearing the word blood would give them goosebumps. But to Filipinos, some blood is tasty such as hardened chicken blood barbecue. Hardened chicken blood is one of the street foods sold in the Philippines. 

It is always present in street food stalls in the Philippines. Its affordability and good taste make it a favorite among the Filipinos especially in a drinking session as an appetizer. Chicken blood is sold for only P5-P15 pesos depending on the vendors and the size of the barbecue. 

Chicken Heads Barbecue 

Who would have thought that chicken heads are not only for cats and dogs? To some, this street food looks weird, but contrary to the popular belief of many, chicken heads barbecues are delicious street food eaten as viand or appetizers among alcoholic beverages drinkers. In the Philippines, there are three common chicken head recipes: chicken heads fried, chicken head barbecue, and chicken heads with soup and vegetables. 

As to which is tastier among these recipes, well, it depends on one’s preference. Some people prefer chicken head barbecue smeared with catsup sauce all over it. While some

Filipinos love to eat it fried especially if dipped with a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, and laced with spices such as ginger, onions, leafy onions, and lemon juice. While others want it with soup and vegetables. 

Chicken Gizzard and liver 

Chicken gizzard and liver is another street food in the Philippines favorite by many Filipinos. There's a joke about the chicken gizzard among the Filipinos that if you were uncircumcised, you should not eat chicken gizzard because of its elastic, hard texture. Well, of course, this funny belief doesn't have any scientific basis. 

Well, despite the prevailing superstitious beliefs about this food, chicken liver and gizzard are a favorite street food of the Filipinos. Filipinos have several recipes for gizzard and liver and one of which is gizzard and liver barbecue smeared with catsup sauce. 

In the Philippines, the chicken gizzard and liver are mainly consumed as viand. It is seldom eaten as an appetizer. This street food is sold at P10-P30 pesos per barbecue stick. Prices vary depending on the seller and the size of the barbecue. 

Chicken Feet Barbecue 

Chicken feet barbecue is popularly known among Filipinos as “ Adidas” for its resemblance to the logo of the world-renown brand. Despite its bony meat, still, Filipinos love this particular street food. They love to nibble its bony, elastic flesh. Chicken feet barbecue is sold for P10 - P25 pesos per stick with each have at least three feet barbecue. 

Humba ( sweet dish) chicken feet or stew chicken feet are the common recipes of chicken feet among Filipinos. Fried chicken feet are also popular recipes of the Filipinos.

Pork Barbecue 

Last but not least is the pork barbecue, an all-time favorite among Filipinos when it comes to barbecue recipes. Unlike the other street foods mentioned above, pork barbecue truly satisfies one’s craving. Aside from its fleshy meat, pork barbecue is very delicious. It is a favorite barbecue of the Filipinos and it’s worth one’s money. 

There we have it, the top 6 street foods in the Philippines favorite not only by the Filipinos but also by foreigners. Though there are a lot of street foods sold in the streets in the Philippines, these top 6 have been chosen for their popularity, salability, and good taste. 

In the Philippines, street foods are very popular particularly those on-the-go persons or those too tired to cook. Unfortunately, these street foods are usually available from late afternoon to midnight. But if your cravings for these foods can’t wait, there are many barbecue restaurants in malls or big restaurants selling chicken and pork barbecues. Though, prices of pork and chicken barbecue in big restaurants or supermarkets are higher compared to street food stalls. 

The Philippines is known for so many things like natural beauty, diverse culture, hospitable people, and ts delicious foods, particularly street foods like chicken heads, chicken intestines, chicken feet, grilled fish, pork barbecue, and many others. 

But wait there's another street food sold in the Philippines aside from the ones mentioned above. 

Have you ever heard or eaten Pinoy eggs? If you live in the Philippines particularly in Cebu City, you would be familiar with this popular street food, the Pinoy eggs. 

This kind of egg is different from the Balut eggs with duck embryos inside the shell. This one doesn’t have an embryo inside, but it’s all egg yolk and egg white inside the shell. 

By the way, the Pinoy egg-derived its name from the nickname of the Filipinos or Pinoy.

Street Foods 

The Pinoy Egg is one of the street foods sold on the city streets in the Philippines. Though this is street food, balut vendors exclusively sold this Pinoy egg separate from other street foods. 

Unlike other street foods which are sold from late afternoon to midnight, the Pinoy eggs are also available during the day and evening. Sold along with the Pinoy eggs are Balut eggs with duck embryos inside the shell. 

But of course, beverage refreshments like buko (young coconut water) juice mixed with milk, lemon juice, and other refreshment beverages are also sold together with Balut. 

Affordable Price 

Another difference is the price, while balut with duck embryos are usually sold for P25-P30 pesos, the Pinoy eggs are just sold for P10-P12 pesos depending on the vendors.

Salt or vinegar 

Pinoy eggs are best eaten with either table salt or vinegar. No worries, Pinoy egg vendors let you choose between vinegar or salt. Personally, I prefer vinegar over salt. 

Patrons 

Pinoy eggs are the favorite food by Filipinos regardless of socioeconomic status and gender: children, adults, women, and men. To Filipinos, Pinoy eggs are eaten as snacks, meals, or viand. 

Eating Tips 

After opening the shell, smell the egg. If it smells bad, have it replaced by the vendor. The delicious taste and the health benefits one can get from eating Pinoy eggs are worth its price. 

Selling Pinoy eggs has been the source of income for thousands of Filipinos and the income from selling enables them to send their children to school. 

Translation: 

Please translate this phrase into the English Language, “ Magandang Umaga.”

Trivia: 

When was the first Christian baptism in the Philippines? 

Answer 

April 14, 1521. The first Christian baptism was officiated by the Spanish chaplain, father Pedro de Valderama on chieftain, Rajah Humabon, his wife, and Humabon's men. 

The baptism took place on the island of Cebu, Philippines.