You know those jokes that start with “You know you're Filipino when..?” Well, sometimes they prove to be true, albeit funny and stereotypical. This applies to the Pinoy snacks we all grew up loving to eat. Here are a few chichiria, merienda and pulutan snacks that few Filipino will ever refuse!
1. CHIPPY
I've asked so many Filipinos abroad what they miss most and almost always, the corn chip brand Chippy is on that list. For a lot of people in the motherland, Chippy and Coke seems to be the merienda of choice. This familiar red bag of barbecue-flavored chips has now expanded to other flavors like chili and cheese, beef and chilli, and garlic and vinegar.
2. TAHO
Every morning and afternoon are when you will usually hear your neighborhood vendor shouting “Ta-hoooooo!” at the top of his lungs. This silken tofu with sickeningly sweet arnibal and tapioca balls is a favorite breakfast and afternoon snack food of many. In places like Baguio, they even pour strawberry sauce instead of arnibal over taho because the fruit is so abundant up north.
3. FISHBALLS
Whether you loved hanging out in the street with your playmates when you were growing up and munched on sticks of these when “Manong Fishball” walked by or you weren't “allowed” to eat street food and bought bags of the “clean” variety at the grocery store, fishballs are a Filipino staple. Even high-end Filipino restaurants like Aracama have started putting it on their menu! (And check out Erwan Heussaff’s step-by-step video on his upscale take on this lowly snack!)
4. SABA
Saba is a kind of banana that is primarily used for cooking. It is sometimes added to savory Filipino food such as arroz a la cubana and nilaga, but it is most famously known for its appearance on sticks after being fried with loads of brown sugar, and in “lumpia” form. Banana-q and turon are Pinoy meriends staples and are found everywhere from canteens, to street vendors and even proper restaurants.
5. PORK BARBECUE
Best eaten as a snack or pulutan with ice-cold beer, Pinoy-style barbecue is sweet and peppery and is usually eaten with vinegar and crushed garlic. The street version usually is basted in a red ketchup-based barbecue sauce while the restaurant varieties have a distinct char-grilled flavor.
6. INSTANT PANCIT CANTON
Although not recommended for daily consumption, instant pancit canton has fed many a hungry student studying late at night, people working the graveyard shift, and picky eaters. It also serves as comfort food for those feeling nostalgic or craving for a sodium-laden taste of their childhood.
7. ARROZ CALDO
This rice porridge or Pinoy congee can act as a snack or a meal in itself, depending on the condiments and portions you consume. Restaurants have come up with their own gourmet versions, although homemade by mom or yaya is still best.
8. HALO-HALO
This literally means “mix-mix” and what a mix of ingredients it is! Anthony Bourdain said on a show once that halo-halo makes no sense whatsoever , but he loves it. With layers of shaved ice, milk, ube, several types of beans, flan and ice cream, what's not to love?
9. ENSAYMADA
This soft, pillowy cheesy bread is best with a hot drink like tsokolate or coffee. It's considered an afternoon snack but shhhh, I eat it for breakfast. Try it toasted so the sugar melts and the cheese gets nice and toasted.
10. PAN DE SAL
Americans have their white bread, the French have their baguettes and we have our soft, pillowy pan de sal. Great warmed and with butter in the morning, with butter and sugar as a snack, and with savory “palaman” like cheese and Spanish sardines, corned beef or adobo for a lighter lunch option.
You know those jokes that start with “You know you're Filipino when..?” Well, sometimes they prove to be true, albeit funny and stereotypical. This applies to the Pinoy snacks we all grew up loving to eat. Here are a few chichiria, merienda and pulutan snacks that few Filipino will ever refuse!
1. CHIPPY
I've asked so many Filipinos abroad what they miss most and almost always, the corn chip brand Chippy is on that list. For a lot of people in the motherland, Chippy and Coke seems to be the merienda of choice. This familiar red bag of barbecue-flavored chips has now expanded to other flavors like chili and cheese, beef and chilli, and garlic and vinegar.
2. TAHO
Every morning and afternoon are when you will usually hear your neighborhood vendor shouting “Ta-hoooooo!” at the top of his lungs. This silken tofu with sickeningly sweet arnibal and tapioca balls is a favorite breakfast and afternoon snack food of many. In places like Baguio, they even pour strawberry sauce instead of arnibal over taho because the fruit is so abundant up north.
3. FISHBALLS
Whether you loved hanging out in the street with your playmates when you were growing up and munched on sticks of these when “Manong Fishball” walked by or you weren't “allowed” to eat street food and bought bags of the “clean” variety at the grocery store, fishballs are a Filipino staple. Even high-end Filipino restaurants like Aracama have started putting it on their menu! (And check out Erwan Heussaff’s step-by-step video on his upscale take on this lowly snack!)
4. SABA
Saba is a kind of banana that is primarily used for cooking. It is sometimes added to savory Filipino food such as arroz a la cubana and nilaga, but it is most famously known for its appearance on sticks after being fried with loads of brown sugar, and in “lumpia” form. Banana-q and turon are Pinoy meriends staples and are found everywhere from canteens, to street vendors and even proper restaurants.
5. PORK BARBECUE
Best eaten as a snack or pulutan with ice-cold beer, Pinoy-style barbecue is sweet and peppery and is usually eaten with vinegar and crushed garlic. The street version usually is basted in a red ketchup-based barbecue sauce while the restaurant varieties have a distinct char-grilled flavor.
6. INSTANT PANCIT CANTON
Although not recommended for daily consumption, instant pancit canton has fed many a hungry student studying late at night, people working the graveyard shift, and picky eaters. It also serves as comfort food for those feeling nostalgic or craving for a sodium-laden taste of their childhood.
7. ARROZ CALDO
This rice porridge or Pinoy congee can act as a snack or a meal in itself, depending on the condiments and portions you consume. Restaurants have come up with their own gourmet versions, although homemade by mom or yaya is still best.
8. HALO-HALO
This literally means “mix-mix” and what a mix of ingredients it is! Anthony Bourdain said on a show once that halo-halo makes no sense whatsoever , but he loves it. With layers of shaved ice, milk, ube, several types of beans, flan and ice cream, what's not to love?
9. ENSAYMADA
This soft, pillowy cheesy bread is best with a hot drink like tsokolate or coffee. It's considered an afternoon snack but shhhh, I eat it for breakfast. Try it toasted so the sugar melts and the cheese gets nice and toasted.
10. PAN DE SAL
Americans have their white bread, the French have their baguettes and we have our soft, pillowy pan de sal. Great warmed and with butter in the morning, with butter and sugar as a snack, and with savory “palaman” like cheese and Spanish sardines, corned beef or adobo for a lighter lunch option.
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One of my favourite filipino snacks is Siomai.
Whats your favourite filipino snack?
Quote Reply
Originally Posted by aprilovez
No wonder I can't find it in the Asian store we go to for 2 months now!!! 
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Last year we ate at KFC for the first time. The latter will be avoided in the future 
]
Turns out the feet look like the Adidas logo 
I did have taho though, which I was longing for! 
