In the Philippines, street foods were meant to be "Pantawid Gutom" or to ease hunger while walking on the busy streets. Filipino street food is usually sold in sticks, making it easier to eat them without making a mess. You'll find many vendors serving Filipino street food in their wooden carts, with students and workers in line ready to eat!
Your turn to prepare some Filipino street foods from the comfort of your home. From hard-to-find street food like Flat Fish Balls to ingredients needed for Kwek Kwek (deep-fried quail eggs), shop everything you need for a Filipino Street Food Fiesta!
Flat Fish Balls
This Filipino-style fish ball is prepared and cooked flat, which allows them to be stacked and enjoyed on a stick -- truly a popular street food in the Philippines! When cooked deep-fried, it’s crispy and crunchy on the outside, but tender and chewy on the inside.
Green, Pickled Mangoes
Filipino Street Food is not just about meats and seafood on a stick but also fruits! Sour and crunchy mangoes are usually sold by Manongs in their wooden carts, with bagoong (fermented shrimp or fish paste) and small chili peppers on the side. They would line up in front of school gates and near offices to offer these delicious sour treats to students and workers.
Kwek Kwek
Kwek Kwek or “Orange Eggs” are boiled quailed eggs coated with an orange batter and deep-fried until crispy. It is often enjoyed by Filipinos as an after-school or after-work snack—protein-and-carb pick-me-ups which can also be dipped in spiced vinegar or sweet chili sauce!
1. Place 3 tbsp of cornstarch in a container and dredge a dozen boiled quail eggs. Set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, ½ tsp of salt, and ½ of ground black pepper.
3. Dilute 1 tbsp of anatto powder in water then pour into the mixing bowl with the other ingredients. Mix well.
4. Place quail eggs in the batter.
5. Heat the pan and pour 2 cups of oil.
6. Deep-fry the eggs by scooping them from the batter mix.
7. Serve and enjoy with your choice of dip!
Dynamite Lumpia
A popular street food in front of schools, these deep-fried egg rolls are different from the regular lumpia since it’s stuffed with long green chili (serrano peppers). From the name itself, be ready for the spiciness from the peppers. It’s a great appetizer and accompaniment with cold drinks.
1. With gloves, remove everything inside the green chilis including the seeds. Wash with cold water.
2. For the filling: mix ground pork, salt, white pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder until thoroughly mixed.
3. Fill the chili with cheese first, then the meat filling. Wrap the chili with lumpia wrapper leaving the stem exposed.
4. Fry until golden brown.
5. Served best with mayo. Enjoy!
Taho
This popular boba-like Filipino dessert is a sweet breakfast usually served in plastic cups by street vendors who melodiously shout...Tahoooooo! If you’re a regular, you’re probably ready with a mug for Kuya to fill with delicious taho. Filipinos enjoy this warm in the morning, and chilled in the afternoon!
1. Steam the silken tofu for 10-12 minutes or until cooked. Let it cool.
2. Boil the tapioca pearls for 15-20 minutes or until cooked. (Optional: Try WuFuYan’s Tapioca Pearls with Black Sugar Flavor for extra syrup!)
3. For the arnibal (simple syrup), boil water with brown sugar for 8-10 minutes depending on the consistency you prefer.