25+ must try & best street food in philippines

What to eat in the Philippines? Pocket the famous and delicious Philippine delicacy to enjoy on your upcoming trip with 15+ must try foods in Philippines, must eat in Philippines and best food to try in Philippines below!

The Philippines, a beautiful country located in Southeast Asia, is known for its beautiful beaches, diverse mountainous terrain, and rich culture. Traveling here offers a unique experience with destinations such as Palawan with El Nido Bay, Bohol, and Manila.

However, an indispensable part of the Philippine travel experience is enjoying the local cuisine. The diverse dishes are well-prepared with rich flavors that will make you remember forever. Save the Philippine specialties below to schedule a great food-tour!

Tocino (Filipino-Style Grilled Cured Pork) (#must try foods in Philippines)

Tocino, one of the specialties of the Philippines, is a flavorful fried pork dish. The meat will be sliced ​​​​thinly and marinated with sugar, salt, garlic and other spices for many hours. Each piece of marinated pork will be fried in hot oil. When cooked, the meat will have a characteristic fragrant red crust. To enjoy the wonderful taste of this dish, you can visit Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy at San Andres St, Angeles, Pampanga.

Kinilaw – (Raw Fish Salad / Filipino Ceviche)

Kinilaw, one of the specialties of the Philippines, is a wonderful combination of fresh seafood and rich spices. With main ingredients such as shrimp, mackerel, or tuna, this dish is “cooked” with calamansi lime and vinegar, creating a fresh and refreshing taste. Visitors can go to Harbor View Restaurant in Manila to enjoy fish salad while admiring the scenery. With an airy space and fresh seafood, this is an ideal destination to explore the unique cuisine of the Philippines.

Sinigang (Filipino Sour Soup)

Sinigang, one of the top culinary specialties of the Philippines, is a popular sour hot pot with a unique and attractive flavor. Diners are often served meats such as pork, beef, shrimp or fish in a pot of sour and sweet broth with vegetables. The broth is made from beef ribs, tomatoes, onions and tamarind, creating the unique flavor of the dish. Vegetables, usually water spinach and bok choy, are added to the pot to add flavor and nutrition.

Kare-kare (Filipino Oxtail & Tripe Stew in Peanut Sauce)

Kare-Kare is a typical Philippine stew that you should try when traveling here. The dish is a combination of local vegetables with beef, strip and oxtail, creating an attractive flavor. The broth is simmered from beef bones and seasoned with Bagoong Alamang shrimp paste, bringing a unique aroma and irresistible rich taste. Each delicious piece of meat is tender, combined with a smooth broth and fresh vegetables, creating a complete and unique culinary experience. One of the restaurants specializing in kare kare you can refer to is Max’s Restaurant in Metro Manila.

Sisig – Crispy Pork with Eggs

Sisig, a specialty dish from the Philippines, is famous for its rich flavor and variety of ingredients. Sisig is usually prepared on a hot charcoal pan, the aroma of the dish spreads throughout the street. The pork head is stir-fried with green onions, vegetables and soft-boiled eggs to create a unique flavor. This dish is often enjoyed with white rice or bread, creating a delicious and nutritious meal. You can easily find Sisig at all street food carts in the Philippines.

Adobo – Filipino Braised Pork

Adobo is an indispensable symbol in the list of Filipino cuisine. The marinating process of the meat in soy sauce and spices is the secret to Adobo, making each piece of meat tender and flavorful. Once cooked, the aroma of the sauce combined with the pleasant sourness creates an appealing culinary experience. Adobo is often enjoyed with white rice or bread, creating a delicious and flavorful meal. No matter where you are in the Philippines, from high-end restaurants to street food stalls, you can find adobo.

Humba – Braised Pork with Banana Flower in the Philippines

Humba, a Filipino dish, is very similar to adobo but is cooked with banana flowers and tausi (fermented black beans). This makes the dish sweeter than adobo, but still maintains the harmony of spicy, salty and sweet. While adobo is often cooked with a variety of meats and vegetables, humba is usually made with pork only. You will find humba eateries in the southern islands of the Philippines.

Lechon – Filipino-style Roasted Pork

One of the specialties that you should not miss when coming to the Philippines is Lechon – a symbol of this country’s cuisine. Lechon, also known as roasted suckling pig, is a traditional dish introduced during the Spanish colonial period. The pork is evenly roasted over charcoal, creating a crispy skin, soft and sweet meat.

Cebu, known as the world’s leading Lechon production center, has become an indispensable part of every restaurant’s menu. Visitors can easily find Lechon stalls on the streets, and can also participate in festivals dedicated to this dish to experience more deeply the culture and cuisine of the Philippines.

Pancit Guisado – Filipino Stir-Fried Noodles

Pancit guisado is one of the specialties of the Philippines that you should try at least once. This is a famous variation of fried noodles, often chosen as the main dish at birthday parties or special occasions. This dish is usually prepared by stir-frying noodles with vegetables, meat and seafood, all cooked in a fragrant broth made from soy sauce and fish sauce. Pancit guisado is not only a delicious dish but also carries the meaning of luck and longevity.

Sinangag – Filipino Garlic Fried Rice (#best street food in philippines)

One of the Filipino specialties that you must try is sinangag – a popular garlic fried rice dish in the traditional breakfast of the locals. Sinangag is often prepared by frying leftover rice from the previous night with chopped garlic and oil from adobo dishes, creating a unique and delicious flavor. The rice is carefully selected, usually long grain rice, cooked and fried until golden brown. Sinangag is often combined with stir-fried vegetables, curry or chicken stewed in soy sauce, creating a delicious and nutritious breakfast.

Balut – Filipino fertilized duck egg

When it comes to traditional food in the Philippines, you cannot miss balut – a unique culinary culture symbol of this country. Balut is a fertilized duck egg dish, but unlike Vietnam where it is a snack, this is a breakfast dish in the Philippines.

Filipinos often enjoy Balut with white salt or vinegar mixed with garlic, chili and onion to enhance the flavor, creating a different culinary experience compared to the Vietnamese duck egg dish.

Besides boiled eggs, Balut is also varied in different ways such as stewing, frying or making cake filling. Pateros, a small city in Metro Manila, is known as one of the most famous places to enjoy Balut.

Lumpia Rolls – (Filipino Shaved Ice Dessert)

If you are looking for a unique culinary experience in the Philippines, Lumpia Rolls is an option not to be missed. This dish often appears in cities where the Chinese community lives. Lumpia Rolls are made from chopped bamboo shoots combined with ground chicken or shrimp, marinated with spices and then rolled in spring rolls and fried.

Usually, you will enjoy this dish with shallots and a traditional sweet soy sauce. This is an indispensable part of the list of Philippine specialties that you should enjoy at least once when coming to this country.

Halo-Halo – (Filipino Shaved Ice Dessert)

In the list of Filipino must try food, Halo-Halo cannot be missed. This is a unique tropical fruit dessert. In Filipino, Halo-Halo means “mix”, and as the name suggests, when enjoying it, diners need to mix ingredients such as cream, beans, jam, and coconut milk. Each bite brings a variety of flavors: the richness of the cream, the crunchiness of the jam, the richness of the beans, and the sweetness of the fruit. Halo-Halo is not only delicious but also very popular and reasonably priced, you can easily find this dish throughout the Philippines.

Karioka – (Fried Sweet Rice Balls)

Karioka, or rice balls, is a famous street food in Manila. Sweet, fragrant rice balls are the perfect snack to help you regain your energy after a day of walking around. This dish is made from sticky rice flour, grated coconut, rolled into balls, and coated with a layer of caramel. The sweet, crispy caramel layer surrounds the fragrant, mochi-like rice cake. You can find this delicious dish at street stalls in Manila.

Bibingka – Philippine Baked Rice Cake

Bibingka is one of the indispensable traditional dishes in the Philippines, especially during Christmas. The cake is made from rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, eggs, and flour. In the past, bibingka was often baked on a charcoal stove, but today, the use of ovens has become more popular. To make the cake more rich and attractive, people often add ingredients such as grated cassava, durian, condensed milk, and bananas. With its delicious and nutritious flavor, bibingka is definitely a Philippine specialty that visitors should not miss when visiting this country.

Suman Malagkit – (Filipino Steamed Rice Cakes)

Suman is a famous specialty of the Philippines, a traditional cake made from glutinous rice and coconut milk. People will mix glutinous rice with coconut milk and then roll it in banana leaves and steam it. When eating, we just need to peel off the banana leaves, revealing the soft cake inside, then sprinkle a little sugar on the cake. Sticky glutinous rice blends with the fatty taste of coconut and the aroma of banana leaves, making Suman a unique culinary experience that visitors should not miss when coming to the Philippines.

Cassava Cake – (Filipino Cassava Dessert)

Cassava Cake is one of the traditional Filipino desserts that you should try once. The cake is made from freshly ground cassava flour and coconut milk, then grilled over charcoal. Cassava is not only easy to eat but also has a rich coconut aroma. With a smooth, golden, sweet cake layer, each piece of cassava makes the person enjoying it unable to resist. The special thing is the moderate sweetness but still full of appeal, making this dish a great experience for your taste buds. This is a street food so you can easily find it to try!

Leche Flan

One of the specialties in the Philippines that you cannot miss is leche flan. This is a sweet dessert made from eggs and milk. In the Philippines, leche flan is often served on anniversaries or special events. With its soft shape and delicious taste, this dish is almost similar to Vietnamese flan. You can enjoy leche flan in the traditional way, or combine it with fruit to enhance the flavor.

Ube Halaya – (Filipino Purple Yam Cake)

In the list of specialties in the Philippines, ube halaya cannot be missed. With its characteristic purple color from purple sweet potatoes, ube halaya cake not only captivates people with its beautiful appearance but also attracts people with its special flavor. Filipinos prepare this dish from purple sweet potatoes, combined with cream, condensed milk, coconut milk, butter and sugar. The special feature of ube halaya is that it is usually served cold, creating an interesting and delicious experience for anyone to enjoy.

Turon – Filipino Banana Spring Rolls

One of the delicacy of the Philippines worth trying is Turon. Turon is a delicate combination of ripe bananas, shredded jackfruit and soft lumpia skin. After being fried until golden brown, Turon will give off a fragrant, attractive aroma. The special highlight of this dish is the sweet and fatty taste of banana, combined with the characteristic flavor of jackfruit and a little coconut syrup added. The mild, fatty sweetness will make you unable to resist from the first taste.

Lechon Kawali – Filipino-style Fried Pork Belly

A specialty dish that cannot be missed when coming to the Philippines is Lechon Kawali. This is a pork dish that is grilled and then fried in oil. This dish is often served with vinegar and spicy chili sauce. Lechon Kawali can be used as an appetizer or a side dish. With a crispy outside and soft, sweet meat inside, this dish will definitely make you enjoy the full flavor of Philippine cuisine.

Buko – Filipino-style Coconut Dessert

Buko is a symbol of Philippine cuisine, often found everywhere from roadside stalls to restaurant menus. With only 5 simple ingredients: fresh coconut, jelly, condensed milk, fresh milk and pandan leaves, buko brings a fresh, sweet flavor that makes the diners remember it forever. Fresh shredded coconut, smooth jelly, the sweetness of condensed milk and fresh milk combine to create a wonderful harmony. When walking on the beach, don’t forget to buy a glass of buko to sip!

Kamaro – Insect Food in the Philippines

One of the specialties of the Philippines that visitors should not miss is kamaro – fried crickets. This is a unique culinary dish made from crickets. The legs and wings of the crickets are boiled in garlic water, then stir-fried with cooking oil, tomatoes and onions. The characteristic flavor of this dish is a combination of the aroma of garlic and the sweetness of tomatoes, along with the unique flavor of crickets.

Arroz Caldo – Arroz Caldo Philippines

One of the famous specialties in the Philippines that you should try once is arroz caldo. This is a rich chicken porridge, cooked from glutinous rice mixed with delicious chicken broth, along with onions, garlic and ginger. Each piece of shredded chicken, crispy fried garlic, and chopped onions are added to create a unique and attractive flavor. In particular, arroz caldo is not only the perfect choice for breakfast but also a “comfort food” for all occasions, helping to soothe the feeling of boredom or fatigue. In addition to roadside eateries or restaurants, arroz caldo is also a “luxury” dish served at the Philippine Airlines business lounge.

Tsitsaron – Crispy Pork Belly Chicharon

If you are looking for a unique culinary experience in the Philippines, tsitsaron is definitely an option not to be missed. This is a unique dish that uses mainly lard combined with a little meat, then marinated with salt and spices before being deep fried. The deep fried lard is often served with green papaya pickled in vinegar and chili to reduce the feeling of greasy. You can find this dish in shops along the streets of the capital Manila.

The post first appeared on Klook Vietnam and was translated and edited by Living Nomads. If you find any images or text that belong to you, please contact us, so we can credit you or give us permission to use them. Thank you very much!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Boracay you can refer to

• Boracay Tour Package (Island Hopping)
• Boracay Sunset Cruise Experience
• Godofredo P. Ramos Airport Transfers for Boracay (Shared or Private)
• Boracay Parasailing
• Shared Kalibo International Airport Transfers (KLO) to Boracay
• Boracay Helmet Dive Experience
• Upperhouse Spa Experience at The District Boracay
• Boracay Paraw Sailing
• Boracay Sunset Paraw Sailing
• Shared Kalibo International Airport (KLO) Transfers for Boracay by Southwest Travel
• Station X Experience in Boracay
• Boracay Helicopter Tour
• Boracay Island Half Day Tour
• Klook Pass Boracay
• UFO Inflatable Activity in Boracay
• Boracay Jet Ski Experience
• Boracay ATV and Buggy Car Adventure
• Boracay Cruise Experience
• Sunset Party Cruise in Boracay
• Boracay Sunset Cruise with Kayak, Paddle Board, and Mermaid Tail
• Boracay Sunset Paraw Sailing

Are you looking for more top things to do in Philippines: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out at here.