If you're a food lover traveling through Southeast Asia, Manila, the vibrant capital of the Philippines, should be high on your list. The city is a melting pot of flavours, blending Spanish, American, Chinese, and indigenous Filipino influences into a culinary scene as diverse as its history. From classic street food to hidden culinary gems, here's your ultimate guide to savouring Manila.
Start with Street Food Staples
Manila's street food is legendary, with bustling night markets and roadside vendors offering an authentic taste of Filipino flavours. Here are some must-try street foods:
Isaw: Grilled chicken or pork intestines skewered and barbecued to smoky perfection. It's a crowd favorite, especially around university areas where students look for cheap eats.
Balut: A Filipino delicacy and perhaps the bravest choice on this list, balut is a fertilized duck embryo that’s boiled and eaten with salt or vinegar. This snack is popular among locals, known for its unique taste and texture.
Kwek-Kwek: These are deep-fried quail eggs coated in a bright orange batter, usually served with a spicy vinegar dipping sauce. It’s a popular snack for a quick bite on the go.
Fish Balls & Squid Balls: Skewered, fried, and served with your choice of sweet, spicy, or vinegar-based sauce, these are a classic that’s hard to resist.
You can find these delicacies in various places, but head to Mercato Centrale or Salcedo Saturday Market for a more diverse selection in a cleaner, organized environment.
Discover Filipino Comfort Food at Carinderias
For those looking to dive into Filipino home-cooked meals, carinderias (small, family-owned eateries) are the way to go. These hole-in-the-wall spots serve affordable and comforting Filipino classics, often buffet-style, allowing you to sample a variety of dishes.
Adobo: A famous Filipino dish, adobo is a savory stew made with meat (usually chicken or pork) marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves. Its rich flavor is universally loved and a staple in every Filipino household.
Sinigang: This is a tamarind-based soup often made with pork, shrimp, or fish. Known for its distinct sour flavor, sinigang is a refreshing and hearty soup that pairs beautifully with rice.
Kare-Kare: A peanut-based oxtail stew served with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste), kare-kare is an indulgent, creamy dish that’s rich in flavor and texture.
Look for carinderias in areas like Quiapo or Binondo for an authentic local experience, or try Toyo Eatery, a modern Filipino restaurant that elevates traditional flavours with contemporary twists.
Explore Manila’s Diverse Chinatown
Manila’s Binondo district, the oldest Chinatown in the world, is a treasure trove for foodies. From noodle houses to dim sum shops, Binondo offers an array of options that showcase the long-standing Chinese influence on Filipino cuisine.
- Hopia: A flaky pastry filled with sweet mung bean, ube, or pork. It's one of the most popular snacks in Chinatown.
- Pancit Canton: This Filipino-Chinese noodle dish is stir-fried with vegetables, pork, shrimp, and a savory soy-based sauce.
- Siopao: A steamed bun filled with savory pork or chicken asado (barbecue) or salted egg. Siopao is the perfect snack as you stroll through the busy streets of Binondo.
Make a stop at Dong Bei Dumplings for handmade dumplings or Eng Bee Tin for specialty Chinese-Filipino pastries. Don’t miss The Great Buddha Café, an iconic spot for dim sum in a historic Chinese building.
Indulge in Manila’s Desserts and Sweets
Filipinos love their sweets, and Manila is home to some iconic desserts that showcase local ingredients like coconut, rice, and tropical fruits.
Halo-Halo: A refreshing, colorful dessert made with crushed ice, milk, and a variety of ingredients like sweet beans, jellies, fruits, and topped with a scoop of ube ice cream. Halo-Halo is perfect for Manila’s warm weather.
Bibingka: A rice cake traditionally cooked in clay pots lined with banana leaves, bibingka is a Christmas favourite that’s available year-round at some bakeries.
Leche Flan: A rich, creamy custard dessert similar to caramel flan, made with egg yolks, milk, and caramelised sugar.
