12 Popular Philippine Street Foods You Need to Try

Philippine street foods is more than just a quick bite; it’s an experience, an adventure. Each vibrant, mouth-watering snack tells a story of culture, flavor, and community. Whether you’re navigating the bustling streets of Manila or creating these treats at home, these Filipino street foods will transport you to the colorful streets of the Philippines, one delicious bite at a time. Let’s dive into these irresistible snacks, each with a complete recipe so you can savor Filipino flavors from your own kitchen.

1. Isaw (Grilled Chicken Intestines)

Savory, smoky, and a little crispy—Isaw is a favorite for its bold, charred flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken intestines, cleaned and boiled
• 1 cup vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Marinate intestines in vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and soy sauce for 1 hour.
2. Skewer and grill over medium heat, basting occasionally until crispy.
3. Serve with spiced vinegar or dipping sauce.

2. Kwek-Kwek (Deep-Fried Chicken Eggs)

Bright orange batter and tangy dipping sauce make kwek-kwek a crispy, delicious snack!

Ingredients:

• 12 chicken eggs, boiled and peeled
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water
• Orange food coloring
• Salt and pepper
• Cooking oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Combine flour, water, salt, pepper, and food coloring to make a thick batter.
2. Coat each egg in the batter and deep fry until crispy.
3. Serve with spicy vinegar or sweet chili sauce.

3. Turon (Banana Spring Rolls)

Sweet, crispy, and caramelized to perfection, Turon is a must-try dessert!

Ingredients:

• 6 saba bananas, halved
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• Spring roll wrappers
• 1 cup jackfruit strips (optional)
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Roll each banana in sugar, then wrap in a spring roll wrapper with a strip of jackfruit.
2. Fry until golden brown and crispy, then sprinkle with extra sugar for a caramelized coating.
3. Serve warm for best flavor!

4. Fish Balls

A classic street food snack, fish balls are fried to perfection and served with a sweet, tangy sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fish paste
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• Oil for frying

Sauce:

• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• Red chili, chopped

Instructions:

1. Form fish paste into small balls, coat lightly with cornstarch, and fry until golden.
2. For the sauce, combine vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and chili. Simmer until slightly thickened.
3. Serve fish balls with dipping sauce.

5. Balut (Fertilized Duck Egg)

A Filipino delicacy, balut is not for the faint-hearted but a must-try for adventurous eaters!

Ingredients:

• Fresh balut (available in Filipino markets)

Instructions:

1. Crack open the top, sprinkle with salt, and sip the broth before eating the egg and embryo.
2. Serve with a dash of vinegar or salt.

6. Banana Cue

Banana cue is caramelized saba banana on a stick, deep-fried and coated in golden brown sugar.

Ingredients:

• 6 saba bananas, peeled
• 1 cup brown sugar
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add brown sugar, and let it caramelize.
2. Add bananas and cook until coated in caramel.
3. Skewer each banana, and serve immediately.

7. Taho (Silken Tofu with Syrup and Tapioca)

Taho is a comforting breakfast snack made from silky tofu, arnibal (sweet syrup), and tapioca pearls.

Ingredients:

• 1 block silken tofu
• 1 cup tapioca pearls, cooked
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• Vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat brown sugar and water until dissolved, add vanilla for flavor.
2. In a cup, layer tofu, tapioca pearls, and syrup. Enjoy warm!

8. Adidas (Grilled Chicken Feet)

Named after the famous shoe brand, Adidas is a grilled chicken feet delicacy with a smoky, savory taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken feet, cleaned and boiled
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• Garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper
• Oil for basting

Instructions:

1. Marinate chicken feet in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper for 1 hour.
2. Skewer and grill, basting with oil until crispy and charred.
3. Serve with spiced vinegar dipping sauce.

9. Dirty Ice Cream (Filipino-Style Ice Cream)

Served on a cone or bread bun, this homemade, flavorful ice cream will take you right to the streets of Manila.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1/2 cup condensed milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Flavor options: mango, ube, or cheese

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a container and freeze for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve in a cone or pandesal for an authentic experience.

10. Grilled Chicken Gizzard

They are marinated, grilled to perfection, and typically served with a tangy dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken gizzards, cleaned
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili paste (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the chicken gizzards under cold water. Remove any fat or membranes and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, minced ginger, chili paste (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well.
3. Marinate the gizzards in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for more flavor.
4. Skewers the gizzards: Thread the marinated gizzards onto the soaked bamboo skewers.
5. Place the skewers on the grill. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the gizzards are cooked through and have nice grill marks.
6. Serve the grilled chicken gizzards hot with a dipping sauce made from vinegar, minced garlic, and chili (if desired).

11. Squid Balls

Similar to fish balls, these squid balls are chewy and perfect with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb squid, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 egg, beaten
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Mix squid, cornstarch, egg, salt, and pepper into a thick paste.
2. Form small balls and deep fry until golden and crispy.
3. Serve with sweet and sour sauce or spiced vinegar.

12. Tokneneng (Battered Quail Eggs)

A cousin to kwek-kwek, tokneneng uses orange-battered quail eggs that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Ingredients:

• 12 quail eggs, boiled and peeled
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water
• Orange food coloring
• Salt and pepper
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, water, salt, pepper, and food coloring to make a thick batter.
2. Coat each egg in the batter, then deep fry until crispy.
3. Serve with spiced vinegar or sweet chili sauce.

Conclusion

Philippine street food is a culinary adventure that combines unique flavors, textures, and techniques. Now, you don’t have to travel far to savor these Filipino classics. From the sweet crunch of turon to the daring taste of balut, these recipes will bring the vibrant taste of Philippine streets to your home. Dive into these dishes, savor each bite, and let every flavor take you straight to the heart of Filipino culture.

Ready to start cooking? Choose your favorite from the list, gather your ingredients, and experience the incredible flavors of Filipino street food right in your kitchen.