I Would Rather Go Hungry Than Eat Filipino Street Food Again! - OR NOT =)

I came across a blog that says "I Would Rather Go Hungry Than Eat Filipino Street Food Again!" I would have not minded because I respect the opinion of two Polish who love to travel on a $25 budget each day. However as I read the write-up it came to me that they were misguided foreigners who are expecting too much of Filipino street foods.

For the sake of every foreigner who are planning to visit the Philippines, our street foods are just like the street foods in China. So if you want street food please go to the local barbecue stand. Our neighbor is selling one of the best barbecue in our place. It's just 10Php per stick. Mind you, 2-3 sticks will suffice for a meal. They also sell "isaw", "roasted chicken head", and "balun-balunan". I am not expecting you to like grose food here in the Philippines because as you said you are foreigners. But that's how we live here.

First, you asked for a traditional breakfast when in Pagudpod. That's not how to ask locals what they eat for breakfast. You should have asked, "Can we have longsilog for breakfast?" Okay, Longsilog is a Filipino term. It is composed of 3 different words. Long - Longganisa; Si- Sinangag and Log - Itlog. Ilocos region is very popular for their local longganisa. I am wondering why you didn't try one.

Here's a photo of another 'silog' that we bought at a food stall during our 100km bike ride. This one is called "Daingsilog" which means Daing - fresh fish soaked in a concoction of vinegar, salt, garlic and pepper, Si - which means sinangag (fried rice) and Log - which means egg. They usually serve eggs in sunny side up. You may ask them to serve you boiled eggs if you want to.

Daingsilog

To experience the real Filipino food, you should have invited yourself in a Filipino home. To do that you can contact a local blogger and ask him/her about where to eat the best Filipino food, the best places to go, the best tasting coffee, the most scenic view and other best things you can find in a place. He/She should have shown you that the best food is served at home.

I agree with the burnt fish. I'm wondering where in Manila you bought that. Please note that grilled sea foods are best eaten when you are at the beach. You would not expect to experience "great" food at most of the food stalls we call carinderia. But if you really want to eat fresh sea foods, please go to Mindanao preferably Davao, General Santos or Surigao del Sur. We were served yummy and delicious sea foods there.

Grilled fish served in Surigao Del Sur

Apart from the grilled fish, have a taste of other sea foods as well.

Clockwise: kinilaw na tuna, lobster, halaan and 7 hungry people

You will not find the dishes above in Manila. Or if you do find them they are relatively expensive. You have to go down south to be within your budget. There are abundant food stalls/carinderias serving these dishes in Mindanao.



Adobo and Kare-kare are best cooked at home. I have yet to praise a carinderia that serves very good tasting adobo or kare-kare. Even the fast food chain named after "Adobo" is not satisfying at all.

You should have gone to Zubuchon in Cebu for the best tasting lechon in the Philippines. I was really delighted to have a taste of their lechon when my husband brought home a few slices.

The fruits in Farmer's Market Cubao can compete with fruits in Baguio, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. You should have visited the place. I'm wondering why you focused yourself in Banawe. Banawe is not known for food. They are known for car spare parts. =) And by the way, there's another place in the Philippines called Banaue. It is known for the stunning Banaue Rice Terraces.

Banaue Rice Terraces

And we were served good food at a local carinderia in Banaue.

Early morning breakfast served at a local carinderia in Banaue

The "sweet curry" doesn't look like a curry to me. It looks like sauteed vegetables. Curry is composed of chicken, potatoes, carrots and bell peppers. Please refer to the photo below as this is what we call curry here in the Philippines. (I added Baguio beans to add color to my curry.)

My own chicken curry

As for the fruits, please bear in mind that Philippines is a tropical country so fruits and vegetables get spoiled over a short period of time. It's a choice whether to buy and eat at that particular state. But yes most of the times the supermarkets offer a good bunch of fresh fruits and vegetables only because the temperature inside is controlled.

The fruits and vegetable in Baguio are the freshest you can find in Luzon. The temperature is quite cold so the fresh harvests are well preserved.

Here are the some of the things you can buy in Baguio at a fraction of $25.

Clockwise: Vegetables, cherry tomatoes, rosemary leaves and strawberries

A statement in the blog says The Filipino food is packed with salt, sugar and oil. But of course!

Take everything in moderation so that you'll not feel bloated/tired.

The deep fried dumpling is what we call empanada. And it is a comfort food. I ate one when I was in Batac, Ilocos Norte and I felt so good about it. The oily pork/lechon should also be taken in moderation as it contains high level of cholesterol.

If you really want to try pancit and siopao asado you should have gone to Binondo as they boast the best chinese food in the Philippines. Pancit and Siopao are local dishes with strong Chinese influence.

And frankly speaking, you CANNOT find FRESH pineapple juice along the sidewalks. =) Let me take you to Bukidnon or South Cotabato to have a taste of the freshest pineapples in the Philippines.

My Conclusion:

You were looking for best food at the wrong places.

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Traveling is one thing I love doing. I've been to many places in our country but I admit that I have not yet been everywhere. It's just that when I do my research I do it extensively. I google and google and read blogs just to get the opinions and views of the local travelers/bloggers. I have not been abroad but I am planning to fly to Thailand. Even though Thailand is near the Philippines, I should not compare their food with Filipino food because they are just not the same. Our preferences are different.

Anyway, thank you for writing about Philippine foods. If you happen to come back please do contact a local blogger such as "When In Manila" as they are one of the best I know of. (Disclaimer: I am not in any way connected with When in Manila.)

By the way, here's a picture of longganisa for your reference. =) My mom's friend from La Union made these small sausages. I cooked it with water not with oil and served it with potato fries. =) Happy eating. =)

La union Longganisa