In this Filipino street food guide, I’m going to share with you 21 popular street food snacks that you’ll find all over Manila and throughout the Philippines.
So get ready to dive straight into some of the most delicious and adventurous Filipino street food!
Note: This list mostly includes Filipino street food snacks, but I’ll be publishing another post about Filipino main dishes.
Watch the video:
If you have a few minutes, first press play to watch the video above. You’ll see a number of this Filipino street foods which you can find at Quiapo Market.
(You can also watch it on YouTube here)

1. Isaw
We are going to start this list off with a street food that I think reigns supreme on the afternoon grills throughout the Philippines: isaw, which refers to both pig and chicken intestines, grilled over hot fire.
Starting in the middle to late afternoon, you’ll smell the charcoal being lit, and you’ll know it’s time for your afternoon snack. The intestines are coiled onto skewers, and grilled until charred and smoky. The pig intestines are a little chewier and stronger tasting, while chicken intestines are just like mini tube sausages.
One of the best things about eating isaw (and true for lots of Filipino street foods) is seasoning with vinegar. Most people like to soak their isaw in chili onion vinegar and let is absorb as much vinegar as possible. The contrast of the smoky isaw with vinegar is extremely satisfying.
Price – usually about 5 PHP ($0.10) per skewer

2. Kwek kwek
Another giant of Filipino street food, and popular throughout Manila is kwek kwek.
Kwek kwek are quail eggs that are coated in an orange colored batter, and deep fried. You’ll notice them by their bright orange color and almost ping pong ball appearance.
Again, you’ll need to season them with vinegar, chilies, and onions, before eating for the best taste. Kwek kwek is kind of like a corndog, but with a quail inside instead of a hot dog.
Price – 3 for 12 PHP ($0.24)

3. Helmets / Adidas
There are quite a few common Filipino street foods that are somewhat adventurous, and helmets and Adidas are names used to refer to chicken heads and chicken feet. Just like isaw, they are poked onto skewers and grilled over charcoal.
I’ve personally never been huge on chicken feet as there’s just not too much to eat there, but a chicken head every now and then is pretty tasty – especially when the neck is included with the helmet!
Price – 5 PHP ($0.10) per skewer

4. Mango shrimp paste
You can think of it kind of like the Filipino version of a caramel apple, but instead of an apple it’s a green mango, and instead of caramel it’s spicy shrimp paste. And for me, it’s probably one of the best things you can eat on the streets of Manila.
They typically use Indian mangoes (what they are called), and the mangoes are cut off the seed, poked onto skewers, and when you order one, the vendor will give your mango a nice spread of shrimp paste.
The mango is crisp and very sour, while the shrimp paste is salty and fishy and a bit spicy, making the ultimate marriage of flavors and textures.
Price – 7 PHP ($0.14) per piece

5. Fish balls / chicken balls
Possibly one of the most beloved Filipino street food snacks, especially among kids in the Philippines, and throughout Southeast Asia for that matter, are fried fish balls and nowadays fried chicken balls as well.
Usually when you eat the street food versions of fish or chicken balls, there’s really only a little meat in the balls, but they also contain quite a lot of flour.
The balls are deep fried, and in the Philippines you grab a skewer and poke them right out of the oil, dip them into chili-onion-vinegar, and eat.
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Price – 2 PHP ($0.04) per ball

6. Palabok
Palabok is one of most common of all Filipino noodle dishes, and it’s a popular Filipino street food snack that you’ll find throughout Manila.
Rice noodles make the base of this dish, and a thick sauce that’s made from shrimp, minced pork, and fried pork skin (chicharon) is placed on top.
Sometimes you also eat palabok with a hard boiled egg. The sauce is rich and garlicky, and makes a great pair for the silky rice noodles.
Price – 20 PHP ($0.40)

7. Sotanghon
Another common noodles dish in the Philippines is sotanghon, or cellophane noodles. The sotanghon I tried in Manila at Quiapo Market included cellophane noodles in an oily meaty broth that was fragrant with fried garlic.
It also came with a hard boiled egg and little slivers of long beans or green beans in the mix. Sotanghon is the type of noodles you’ve got to just keep on slurping until you finish your bowl.
Price – 30 PHP ($0.60)

8. Lechon manok
Lechon manok, or roasted chicken, is more of a Filipino food main dish (and I’ll be writing a separate post about Filipino dishes), but I just had to include lechon manok on this Filipino street food list because there are some amazing street food rotisserie chicken stalls in Manila.
The chicken is stuffed with lemongrass, and rubbed in a marinade of soy sauce, sugar, and kalamansi, before is slow roasts to golden crispy perfection.
Street food roasted chicken is something you don’t want to miss when you’re in the Philippines.
Price – 85 PHP ($1.71) for a half chicken

9. Buko
Being an archipelago of tropical islands, you’re never far away from coconuts in the Philippines.
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.
At any market you go to, just look for a pile of coconuts, and you’re ready to drink some buko juice that will refresh you like nothing else can.
Price – 30 PHP ($0.60)

10. Ice cream
In the Philippines, street food ice cream that’s pushed around on carts is locally known as “dirty ice cream.” But even if everyone calls it that, I’m not a huge fan of that nickname. But anyway, ice cream is a hugely popular sweet snack.
There are a variety of flavors to choose from, but cheese ice cream, yes cheese ice cream, is among the most popular. You’ve got to try it, it even includes real little bits of cheese!
Price – 20 PHP ($0.40)

11. Taho
Taho is the Philippines version of soft silken tofu (douhua), which has Chinese origins and is popular throughout Southeast Asia. The tofu is usually sweetened with a sugary syrup, and served in a cup to eat.
You can eat Filipino taho with a spoon, but the tofu is literally so soft, even though it looks like a solid, you can suck it up with a straw.
12. Halo-halo
*I lost my photo of halo-halo, sorry!
Few Filipino desserts are as popular as halo-halo, a mishmash of shaved ice, and basically any combination of fruits, sweet beans, coconut, sweet milk, syrups, tubers, jellies, etc.
It’s sweet, cold, colorful, and just about everyone seems to love eating halo-halo especially on a hot sunny afternoon.

13. Ginataang halo-halo
Another Filipino street food dessert is ginataang halo-halo, a combination of sweetened coconut milk, mixed with crunchy rice balls, tapioca, purple yams, and a number of other ingredients. This dessert is usually served warm, almost pudding style.
If you love coconut milk and sweets, ginataang halo-halo is a Filipino desserts you’ll want to taste.
Price – 20 PHP ($0.40)

14. Balut
There’s no street food snack in the Philippines more famous (or possibly infamous) than balut — a partially developed duck egg embryo: you could call it the king of all Filipino street foods!
It’s a snack that’s readily available, and very popular to eat, especially in the evening.
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.
Walking around a local market in the Philippines is a great place to try balut.
Price – 15 PHP ($.030)

15. 1 day old fried chicken
One day old chickens are another one of the more adventurous street food snacks you’ll find in Manila, especially common around the Quiapo Market and Quiapo Church area.
I know it doesn’t sound too good, but I’ve read reports that say the one day old chickens are often rejects from the chicken farms. So rather than the chickens being discarded and wasted, it’s actually a resourceful snack.
Price – 10 PHP ($0.20)

16. Dried squid
When squid is dried, it naturally turns into one of the ultimate chewy snacks you can possibly dream of.
Being surrounded by ocean, squid is very common the Philippines, and it tastes great when it’s dehydrated in the hot sun, flattened, and grilled.
Just like many Filipino street food snacks on sticks, you dip your dried squid into chili vinegar to season, and also try to scoop up some chilies and onions while you’re at it. This is one of my personal favorite snacks in the Philippines.
Price – 10 PHP ($0.20) per stick

17. Binatog
When I was in the Philippines one of the most simple and delicious Filipino street food snacks I enjoyed is binatog.
Binatog is a combination of corn, sliced off the cob, and oftentimes cooked plain, but with some fragrant lemongrass. When you order binatog, the vendor scoops it into a cup, tops on some fresh shredded coconut, and seasons it with salt.
There are also some sweet versions where you’ll get this same combo with sugar or sweetened condensed milk, but I really enjoyed the salty one. Simple, starchy, and tasty!
Price – 10 PHP ($0.20)

18. Kutsinta
When I was visiting a friend in Tondo, Manila, a man came around to the front of her house selling kutsinta, a sweet rice cake, with a gooey jelly like mochi texture.
Although kutsinta is sometimes served topped with fresh grated coconut, the time I tried it, it was topped in a type of Filipino dulce de leche, sweetened condensed milk reduced down into a sticky caramel tasting spread. The combination was sweet, but really good.
Price – 5 PHP ($0.10)

19. Banana Q
Often times sold right next to turon throughout the streets of Manila and throughout the Philippines, a banana q, or banana cue, is a banana that’s coated in brown sugar and caramelized.
A Filipino banana q can be pretty sweet, but you’ve got that lovely burnt sugar taste that coats the bananas and makes it so good.
Price – 12 PHP ($0.24) for a stick

20. Turon
One of my personal favorite sweet street food snacks to eat in the Philippines is turon, which is a slice of a banana and a sliver of jackfruit wrapped into a lumpia wrapper, and deep fried to a crisp.
So to put it in other words, it’s kind of like a banana egg roll.
What I love about Filipino turon so much is that you’ve got the sweet and sour creamy banana on the inside, contrasted by the crispy crunchy outer wrapper.
Price – 10 PHP ($0.20)

21. Rice and dishes
This list of best Filipino street food is focused on street food snacks, rather than full Filipino food meals, which you’ll also find in abundance. However, I couldn’t end this list without mentioning a full rice meal spread.
Especially located down side neighborhood roads, you’ll find small family run street food canteens serving up a variety of regional Filipino cuisine.
Similar to eating rice and curry in Indonesia or Thailand, all the dishes are prepared and sitting in pots, and you can point and choose to whatever dishes look the best. These are the types of street food restaurants where you’ll find excellent adobo (one of the national dishes of the Philippines), a variety of stews, soups, curries, and stir fried dishes.
Often times you can get seats right in front of the pots of food along the sidewalk — chef’s table seating!
*Note: In the Philippines it’s pretty common to eat your meal from plates wrapped in plastic bags, and when you finish eating they just toss out the plastic bags and re-wrap them for the next person — it’s sort of like using paper plates. While this does create lots of waste and isn’t too sustainable, it does ensure you have a clean eating surface.
Price – full meal above cost 230 PHP ($4.62), and we had a few other dishes not in the photo as well

Where to eat street food?
You’ll find street food snacks all over the Philippines, and in Manila, you can’t walk more than a few meters in many areas of town without seeing something being served.
However, you do have to choose wisely the street food you decide to eat. Some of the street food is not always too fresh looking or hygienic. So try to choose street food that appears to be fresh, and that has a high turnover rate, and be more cautious with street foods that use water or ice in the preparation.
That being said I’ve been to the Philippines a number of times, and eaten plenty of street food and never had a problem.
The best places to eat street food in Manila, in my opinion are both local markets, and really local neighborhood streets.
Markets in Manila like Quiapo Market and Divisoria Market, are great places to start, and you’ll find an abundance of Filipino street food to try.

Conclusion
In this post we’ve covered 21 Filipino street food snacks that you can try when you’re in the Philippines. This is only an introductory taste to all the different street foods available!
From smoky grilled chicken intestines dunked in vinegar to Filipino balut to sweet banana turon, there are some amazing must-eat street food snacks in the Philippines.
And, along with the food, one of the most memorable parts of eating street food in the Philippines are the amazingly friendly people you’ll meet when you’re eating!
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Nandan Kumar
2 years ago
I have never tried Filipino street food but I am planning to Filipinos in the next year 2022. I am sure I will get something delicious food there that I have never ever tried.
filipino street food near me
2 years ago
These are some mouth watering delicacies. “Filipino Street Food Guide-21 Must-Eat Snacks In The Philippines!” I am so excited to taste these.
Dea Mariano
2 years ago
What a solid list, Mark! I love taho, kwek-kwek, and turon. You may also try Bibingka and Puto bumbong during Christmas season. And you are right, we should still be cautious with street foods and choose those that appear to be freshly prepared. Thank you for featuring the Philippines!
vishal kaushik
2 years ago
Awesome post..Keep sharing!!
420vapecartandflowers.com
2 years ago
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Subrato Saha
2 years ago
The king of food items is Philippines. Every items is looking delicious.
Computer knowledge
2 years ago
it’s really great delicious dish you know i love it.
suomi
2 years ago
we are planning trip philippines and this article is very useful for us. thanks
sankar singh
2 years ago
nice food blog how these round balls tast like…..?
Jackson
2 years ago
is it true that America has taken the responsibility of protecting Philippines against any attack???
Jiselle
3 years ago
I’m glad I got to eat these delectable pinoy snacks again after almost a year since the pandemic. I missed those days when I just went with my friends to some crowded streets just to line up for most of these.
Nischay
3 years ago
I had visited this particular place , the place was outstanding! tenali ramakrishna stories
WK Adventure
4 years ago
This blog has really have a lot of helpful information so thanks for that. One of that street food is my favorite in my childhood days which is the binatog and also the turon and banana cue for my merienda. Thanks again:) can’t wait for your another blog 🙂
Vishal
4 years ago
Waiting for your upcoming blog.
Vishal
4 years ago
really very nice blog post. Thanks.
Bernz JP
4 years ago
I’d love to try the Isaw and the dried squid one day. I was wondering if the grilled dry squid is crispy or rubbery.
Brit on the Move
4 years ago
Oh boy, I think the only thing on the list that I would be brave enough to try is the roasted chicken. Yes… I know lame and I consider myself to be somewhat adventurous but not street food! I ate roasted corn in Egypt on the street – never been as sick in my life… ever. And, while I loved your list I’ve read a few other articles saying they did not like Philapino foods 🙁 You are brave to try it all and must have a cast iron stomach and then some!!
Sherrie
5 years ago
I always look forward to our afternoon break because of the street foods sold within the vicinity.. A funny motto we have about street foods is, “Where there is smoke, there’s barbecue.” And oh, Isaw is my personal favorite! Both pig and chicken’s intestines toasted to perfection are awesome with vinegar and chili! Yum!
sharath chandra
5 years ago
Does the Filipino street food offer anything for vegetarians?
vasant sakpal
5 years ago
philippines food looks awesome. It will be helpful in our next trip
Shayari
5 years ago
we are planning trip philippines and this article is very useful for us.
thanks.
jemidiochel @ Baguio City Guide
5 years ago
My colleagues and I always look forward to our afternoon break because of the street foods sold within the vicinity.. A funny motto we have about street foods is, “Where there is smoke, there’s barbecue.” And oh, Isaw is my personal favorite! Both pig and chicken’s intestines toasted to perfection are awesome with vinegar and chili! Yum!
Dikos
6 years ago
Binatog is a favorite of mine!
someguyy
6 years ago
Mango chili/shrimp paste looks awesome but they are kept in water, which nobody can drink unless they have hep A shots and travelan for ecoli
hakka
6 years ago
Hi, Mark
or anyone else who can answer this question. How come on many forums or comments you read that there is no good local food in the philippines, only mc donalds or local fast food chains, i find that very strange. can someone explain ?
Ivan Jose
6 years ago
A food tour around the streets of Manila is always an adventure. This is an amazing guide for tourists.
Marvin
6 years ago
Hi Mark,
I watched your youtube videos about your Taiwan trip because we are visiting this country by next year and I liked the things that you did especially reviewing street foods there.
I live here in Manila and I’m glad that you featured some of our best street foods here. You may also try Puto Bumbong or Bibingka which are the most commonly foods during Christmas season.
You may also try to visit best provinces here in the country like Palawan, Batanes, Cebu or Davao. More power to your blog!
Aleah
6 years ago
You are making me miss the Philippines so much! I’ve been gone less than a year to travel, and I am craving for its street food, esp fried squid, fish ball, and turon. I don’t miss the heat and the traffic though, haha.
Tracy
6 years ago
I need to stop reading Migrationology before dinner, haha… photos are way too tempting! Great photos as always. Do you mind if I ask what time of photo equipment/camera you’re using for your shots?
Izy Berry
6 years ago
Great choices and amazing photos!
Jon Espina
6 years ago
Oh my! Thanks for featuring Filipino Street Food. My personal favorites are Kwek Kwek and Turon! 🙂
chinmalig
6 years ago
Hi Mark, love your blog/vlog, im a youtube follower. If you happen to visit Philippines again try going south, saw your vlogs and you where only in the northern part. Try visiting Bicol, Batangas, Quezon, im sure you’ll love the Bicol delicasies because your the chili boy type since Bicol foods is based on coconut “gata” and chillies. Also try the “Abnoy” its a rotten egg made like tofu, smells bad but some people enjoyed it. Peace Safe Travel.
Paula Lloyd
6 years ago
I am the fond off different types of food and I fall in love with your post. All dishes are seems very tasty. Thanks!
Tiffy @ Asiatravelbug
6 years ago
Thank you very much Mark for being brave enough to explore the vibrant food scene at Quiapo. Local news here mostly show the dark side of Quiapo. It’s very refreshing to see you showing the place in a very positive light!
I’m happy to see that you had a blast trying out the local Filipino snacks with Anton. 🙂
Dan
6 years ago
That’s quite a comprehensive list you have there. May I add Buko Pie, a coconut pie tart!
Sonal Kwatra Paladini
6 years ago
I absolutely LOVE Halo Halo and dirty ice-cream. Actually I tried cheese ice cream in the Philippines and it was heavenly. I would NEVER tried that one day old chicken. Ewwwwwww
Mark Wiens
6 years ago
Thanks Sonal, glad you enjoyed that cheese ice cream!
Sue
6 years ago
Such a fabulous list for anyone traveling to the Philippines! I’m often Leary about street food so having your description and photos would be a huge asset . Not sure I’m so keen on the dirty ice cream name. 🙂
Mark Wiens
6 years ago
Thank you very much Sue, glad this is helpful!
Global Girl Travels
6 years ago
Wow street food is definitely more fun in the Philippines! There are so many things to try and I am honestly salivating as I scroll through this post.
Scott Adlhoch
6 years ago
wow…delicious food, fall in love with fillpino. Travel has taught me is how to enjoy the moment, It’s something that I often lose sight of in the humdrum of daily life. Travel distils what is important in life.
Vanessa Anderson
6 years ago
Cheese icecream!! Just been saying how wonderful the cheese icecream was from local street vendors in Mexico. He was running low on flavors and a taxi driver encouraged me to try the cheese. For a few pesos I was happy to bin it if needed BUT it was delicious. Great to hear it’s not just a Mexico thing!
Laura | GlampackerGuide
6 years ago
Wow, I haven’t seen this kind of foods before. Look awesome!
Sophia | Discount Airfare
6 years ago
Awesome Pictures its looking yummy and delicious in this post. This article will help the traveler what to eat in Philippines!
Ross Galan
6 years ago
I have never had any of these street foods, it’s not because I do NOT like them. I Do eat them if they are “Home Foods”, i. e., prepared at home either by me or by any of my family members. You see guys, I try to NOT eatthese as much as possible outside our home owing to the cleanliness of the place: Dust, flies, insects crawling nearly everywhere, rodents running here and there, cocroaches, stray dogs and cats, exhaust fumes coming from the vehicles, the people preparing them are sweating because of the heat, the quality of the raw material and how they are cleaned, ingredients being used: oil, spices, other ingredients… and obviously the street noise and the heat.
_ _ _ _ _ _
Ross Galán, Ph. D.
NLP Spiritual Life Coach
Steve
6 years ago
ALL OF THESE ARE YUMMY! A tip for 1 day old, request to have it extra crispy! I swear it is really good!
Lombok Wander
6 years ago
Really nice Philippines food !
Reshma Narasing
6 years ago
I got lost in Manila and ended up accidentally at a market, which turned out to be one of the best experiences. I didn’t like Halo Halo though, maybe as I don’t have a sweet tooth! But the Philippines is a foodie’s paradise, and I had a blast exploring food in the markets of Manila!
Arman
6 years ago
Your videos and articles are outstanding. The food videos are very interesting, informative, and fun. The videos are beautifully shot, professionally edited, and your descriptions of your experience, not simply with the food. but the people and country that created that food, is passionately honest and delicious!
Your videos make people appreciate other peoples food and culture. Most important, the videos made me hungry!!!
Evan Kristine
6 years ago
Ah, my childhood! My ultimate favorites are halo halo, binatog, and taho – I ate them a lot as a child. I’m so glad that you ate what the locals truly eat! Most foreigns would overlook these and are often taken to fancier sort of restaurants and never had the opportunity to sample so of the foods mentioned in this post.
Jyotravel
6 years ago
Wow! These street foods look so amazing and delicious. It made me miss the street food so much .I like ice cream and mango shrimp so much. It looks so yummy. Thanks for sharing the ideas of these tasty foods
Emilyn Safroniuk
6 years ago
Next time you go, go to Dampa, it’s famous for picking your own seafood in the market and telling them how you want it prepared, they seat you then it will be served to you. Also go to Villa Escudero in the Philippines where you eat beside a falls right in the water. There’s a lot of Chinese influence in the Philippines and the best place for Chinese food is in Ongpin, Manila. I love the videos you and your wife do, I just recently discovered your youtube videos and have been watching every episode! Keep making more. Oh I would also love if you could do a tour of Russian food. Keep making the videos and stay safe!
Yuen Mi
6 years ago
Great guide! This is making me miss the street food in Thailand and Korea. Asian street food is just amazing. There’s so much variety. I love reading these articles, it will be really helpful for my upcoming trip to the Philipines.
Wai
6 years ago
Great guide. That Kwek Kwek sounds delicious. I know the Philippines has great food, but I always found it hard to discover the local delicacies, when it is so Americanised in so many areas. Now I know what to ask for!
Anwar
6 years ago
What a great list. I was a bit surprised to find Ice Cream in the middle of all those other options. I have yet to visit the Philippines but I know it is high on my list of places to visit and dine
WTM
6 years ago
Oh how I miss turon, that stuff was amazing (and addictive)! This makes me what to go back to try out some more!
Vince
6 years ago
next time you are there, you should try eating garlic rice with longganisa if you like a basic rice and meat type dish 🙂
James McCarthy
6 years ago
What a wonderful guide! Although the idea of 1 day old fried chicken this is the first time I’ve finally wanted to try it out 🙂 Turon is amazing!
Ruben Arribas
6 years ago
I love turon and palabok! Thanks for sharing this detail post, I miss pancit here
Sarah
6 years ago
Love this post! I travelled the Philippines in November, some great street food to be tried and tasted!
Tony Holidays
6 years ago
Wow these street food are really mouth watering. The first one “Isaw” really looks really tasty! A very similar variation is also available in Thailand but the sauce that goes with them seems to be a bit different. The Thai version goes well with a glass of beer and I think the same is probably true with “Isaw”s lol
Glenny
6 years ago
Solid list, Mark! Your list made me miss the Philippines. Banana Q and Lechon manok are my personal faves. Taho brings me back to my childhood when we would wake up early and wait for the taho vendor to come. 🙂