If you grew up Filipino, you already know what Filipino street food tastes like. The problem is recreating it, or explaining it to someone who's never had it. This guide does both. We're covering 22+ classic Pinoy street foods, from smoky grilled skewers to sweet fried banana cue, with enough context to help you cook the ones you can make at home and enough detail to help a curious friend understand why this food is so good.
Filipino street food isn't a trend or a restaurant concept. It's afternoon merienda. It's the cart outside the school gate. It's the sizzle of charcoal and the smell of marinade that you can pick up half a block away. It lives on bamboo skewers and in paper cups and styrofoam containers, and it's some of the best food the Philippines has to offer.
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What Makes Filipino Street Food Different
Two things define Filipino street food more than anything else: the grill and the sawsawan.
The grill, or inihaw, is where most of the iconic savory street foods are born. Charcoal is non-negotiable. That smoky, slightly charred flavor is a big part of what makes these dishes taste the way they do. The fryer runs a close second, handling everything from kwek-kwek to lumpia to fishballs.
The sawsawan is the dipping sauce, and it's not optional. Every Filipino street food has its pairing. You'll find vinegar, soy sauce, sweet sauce, and spicy varieties depending on what you're eating. More on that in the sawsawan section below.
Grilled Favorites (Inihaw)
These are the classics that come off a charcoal grill, usually on bamboo skewers, usually in the late afternoon when the smoke starts rising all over the neighborhood.
Pork BBQ Skewers
One of the most popular street foods in the Philippines, pork BBQ skewers are marinated in a blend of soy sauce, garlic, and brown sugar. Grilled to perfection on charcoal grills, these skewers offer a delightful mix of sweet and savory goodness. They're a staple at any Pinoy grill gathering!
Chicken BBQ Skewers
Similar to their pork counterparts, chicken BBQ skewers are marinated in a flavorful mix of soy sauce, calamansi, and spices. Grilled until the skin is crispy and the meat is juicy, these skewers are a traditional dish of chicken that's loved by all.
Chicken Inasal
A Bacolod specialty, Chicken Inasal is marinated in a blend of vinegar, calamansi, lemongrass, and annatto oil. It’s grilled to juicy perfection, offering a tangy and smoky flavor that sets it apart from regular BBQ chicken skewers. Served with rice and soy sauce on the side, it’s a must-try!
Isaw ng Baboy (Pork Intestines Skewers)
Isaw is a popular street food made from marinated pork intestines that are grilled until crispy. Often enjoyed with a side of vinegar dipping sauce, these skewers provide a unique, savory taste that’s a must-try for Filipino food enthusiasts.
Chicken Isaw (Chicken Intestines Skewers)
Chicken isaw is a similar dish to pork isaw, but made with chicken intestines. It's marinated in a blend of soy sauce and vinegar before being grilled over hot coals, offering a smoky, chewy delight that pairs perfectly with an ice-cold drink.
Betamax (Chicken Blood Skewers)
Betamax gets its name from the blocky shape resembling old Betamax tapes. This street food is made from coagulated chicken blood, skewered, and grilled. It’s an acquired taste but a beloved snack among locals.
Grilled Corn (Mais)
A simple yet satisfying treat, grilled corn is often slathered in butter and sprinkled with a bit of salt. It’s a street food classic that’s hard to resist, especially on a hot summer day.
Adidas (Grilled Chicken Feet)
Grilled chicken feet, affectionately known as Adidas, are marinated in a mix of soy sauce, vinegar, and spices before being grilled to a chewy and flavorful snack. It’s a popular street food that showcases the resourcefulness of Filipino cuisine.
Fried Classics (Prito)
The fryer is just as central to Filipino street food as the grill. These are the ones you'll find bubbling in hot oil at carts all over the Philippines.
Kwek-Kwek Skewers
Kwek-Kwek consists of hard-boiled quail eggs coated in an orange batter made from glutinous rice flour, then deep-fried until crispy. Served on skewers, these treats are typically enjoyed with a spicy vinegar dip.
Tokneneng Skewers
Similar to Kwek-Kwek but made with chicken eggs, Tokneneng are also deep-fried to a crispy golden perfection. They’re a street food classic that’s as fun to eat as it is to say!
Fishball Skewers
Fishball skewers are a beloved street food, often deep-fried and served with a choice of sweet or spicy sauce. Made from ground fish, these round treats are a go-to snack for many, offering a quick bite on the run.
Squid Ball Skewers
Like fish balls, squid balls are deep-fried snacks made from ground squid, offering a slightly firmer texture and a subtle seafood flavor. They’re a popular option at Filipino street food stalls.
Chicken Skin Skewers
For those who love a bit of crunch, chicken skin skewers are a treat! Deep-fried or grilled, these crispy delights are often seasoned with salt, pepper, and sometimes a touch of chili for a bit of heat.
Crispy Lumpia
No roundup of Filipino street food would be complete without crispy lumpia. These spring rolls are filled with ground pork, vegetables, and sometimes shrimp, all wrapped in a thin spring roll wrapper and fried to a crispy texture. A perfect snack that’s easy to love!
Banana Cue
For those with a sweet tooth, banana cue is a must-try. Saba bananas are coated in brown sugar and deep-fried until caramelized, creating a sweet, sticky treat that’s perfect for snacking.
Camote Cue
Camote Cue features sweet potato slices coated in brown sugar and deep-fried until golden and caramelized. It's a delightful mix of crunchy and chewy textures with a hint of caramel sweetness that makes it an irresistible snack. Often sold on skewers, this treat is both filling and affordable, perfect for a quick energy boost on the go.
Kikiam
Inspired by Chinese cuisine, Kikiam consists of ground pork or fish mixed with spices, wrapped in bean curd sheets, and deep-fried until crispy. Served with a tangy dipping sauce, it’s a savory snack that pairs well with other street food items like fish balls and squid balls. Its crisp exterior and flavorful filling make it a go-to for many street food lovers.
Bangus Sisig
Half bangus, or milkfish, is chopped and served as a sizzling sisig—a mix of tangy, spicy, and crunchy textures that’s perfect as a snack or main dish. It’s one of the lesser-seen street foods but a hidden gem for those who find it.
Beef Pares
Beef Pares is a Manila street food staple — tender braised beef in a rich, sweet-savory sauce served alongside garlic fried rice and a cup of clear broth. It's the kind of hearty, soul-warming meal you'll find at roadside pares houses all over the Philippines, and now you can make it at home.
Sweet Street Eats and Cold Treats
Filipino street food doesn't stop at savory. The sweet side is just as iconic.
Dirty Ice Cream
Dirty ice cream, the Philippines' colorful take on traditional ice cream, is sold by street vendors on carts. Flavors like ube (purple yam), cheese, and chocolate are served in cones or bread rolls, offering a sweet, creamy finish to any street food adventure.
Taho
Taho is a beloved morning treat consisting of silken tofu, sweet arnibal syrup made from caramelized sugar, and tiny sago pearls. Vendors usually serve it hot in cups, shouting "Taho!" to announce their presence. This sweet, warm, and creamy snack is a nostalgic favorite for many Filipinos, offering comfort in every spoonful.
Ice Scramble
Ice scramble is a refreshing dessert made from shaved ice, condensed milk, and a variety of toppings like marshmallows, rice crispies, and chocolate syrup. It’s a vibrant, colorful treat that’s both sweet and nostalgic for many Filipinos.
Balut
Balut is one of the most infamous Filipino street foods, featuring a fertilized duck egg with a partially developed embryo inside. It’s usually enjoyed with a pinch of salt and sometimes a dash of vinegar. Known for its unique texture and bold taste, Balut is a popular late-night snack for those looking for a daring culinary experience.
Sawsawan: The Dipping Sauce Side of Filipino Street Food
Sawsawan literally means dipping sauce, and it's central to how Filipino street food works. The food and the sauce are a pair. You don't skip it.
- Spiced vinegar is the most universal. White cane vinegar with garlic, onion, and chili. Cuts through the richness of grilled meats and intestines, brightens everything it touches. This is the one you'll see most often alongside isaw, pork BBQ, and kwek-kwek.
- Sweet brown sauce is the one for fishballs, squid balls, and kikiam. It's thick, slightly sweet, and made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and cornstarch. You'll see a shared pot of it at street carts with a ladle — you dip your skewer directly in.
- Spicy sauce is the same brown sauce with chili added. Common at fishball carts where you have sweet, regular, and spicy all in the same row.
- Soy sauce with calamansi is the simplest option, used most often alongside grilled dishes and inasal. Equal parts soy sauce and calamansi juice, sometimes with a little garlic.
FAQ
The most popular Filipino street food is arguably "isaw," which is grilled chicken or pork intestines, loved for its smoky flavor and crunchy texture.
Filipino street food is commonly referred to as "tusok-tusok," meaning food that is skewered, grilled, or fried, like fish balls, kwek-kwek, and barbecued meats.
Street food safety can vary, so it's best to choose vendors with good hygiene practices, where food is freshly prepared, and items are cooked thoroughly to minimize risks.
Most of it isn't inherently spicy, but the sauces often are. Spiced vinegar and chili dipping sauces are common, and you can usually choose your heat level at the cart.
Balut is a fertilized duck egg with a partially developed embryo inside. You don't have to try it, but if you're curious and have the chance, it's worth the experience. The flavor is rich and savory. The texture is the part that takes getting used to. Salt and a splash of vinegar help.
Yes. Lumpia, turon, taho, iskrambol, and chicken inasal are all very doable at home with standard pantry ingredients. Fishballs and kwek-kwek take a little more effort but are also manageable. The grill-dependent ones like pork BBQ and isaw are easiest with a charcoal grill or a very hot stovetop grill pan.
Filipino festivals, Filipino community events, and larger Filipino grocery stores are your best bets. Major cities with Filipino communities — Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Seattle — often have food stalls at local events. Some Filipino restaurants also serve street food items on the menu.
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