Isaw is a street food from the Philippines, made from barbecued pig or chicken intestines. The intestines are cleaned, turned inside out, and cleaned again, repeating the process several times; they are then either boiled, then grilled, or immediately grilled on sticks. They are usually dipped in vinegar or sukang pinakurat (vinegar with onions, peppers, and other spices). They are usually sold by vendors on street corners during the afternoons. (5 pesos per skewer)
Kwek-Kwek is a famous Filipino street food made by deep-frying hard-boiled quail eggs that are covered with orange batter. This is usually served with a spiced vinegar-based dip and chopped cucumber on the side. Another street food similar to this is called Tokneneng which uses chicken or duck eggs instead. (15 pesos per cup)
Fish ball is very popular street food snack that is best served with a sweet and spicy sauce. Basic ingredients for making fish ball are fish meat mixed with chopped vegetables, spices, beaten eggs and cornstarch. Fish ball offered with three kinds of dipping sauces: spicy (white/orange coloured) – vinegar, water, diced onions and garlic; sweet (brown gravy coloured) – corn starch, banana ketchup, sugar and salt; and sweet/sour (amber or deeper orange coloured) – the sweet variety with lots of small hot chilis added. (10 pesos per skewer)
Buko is the name for young coconuts. Although there are a near endless amount of ways to use a coconut in cooking, one of the best and simplest is to just slice it open and drink the water and eat the young coconut meat. (5/10 pesos per cup)
Taho is one of the best snack foods in the Philippines. Decades have passed, but the craving for this food has not vanished in our culture and still has been enjoyed by every “Juan”. This signature snack food can be found all over the country. Taho is not only good for our health, but is budget-friendly too. With just five pesos, you can enjoy the sweetness, tastiness, and its exquisite flavor. The word taho is derived from a Chinese word douhua or tofu pudding in English. This delicious food consists of balatong (Softened tofu), arnibal (Caramelized sugar with vanilla) and sago (pearl tapioca). The combination of these ingredients would want you asking for more. (starts at 5 pesos per cup)
Halo-halo (“assorted”) is a popular Filipino cold dessert which is a concoction of crushed ice, evaporated milk and various ingredients including, among others, sweetened beans, coconut julienes, sago, gulaman (seaweed gelatin), pinipig rice, boiled root crops in cubes, fruit slices, flan, and topped with a scoop of ice cream. (25 pesos per halo-halo cup)
Balut is a developing bird embryo that is boiled and eaten from the shell. It originated from and is commonly sold as street food in the Philippines. Often served with beer, balut is popular in Southeast Asian countries, such as Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. The Tagalog and Malay word balot means “wrapped”. In order to eat balut you crack a small hole at the top of the shell, and first drink out the chicken soup. You can then peel the rest of the egg, season with salt and vinegar, and eat the embryo and yolk. (18 pesos per egg)
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST STREET FOODS?
You’ll find street food snacks all over the Philippines, and in Mindanao, you can’t walk more than a few meters in many areas of town without seeing something being served. You do have to choose wisely the street food you decide to eat. The best places to eat street food in my place, is in Aloran and Oroquieta City.
Ken's Food Blog 