Finally onto the food – one of my tops reasons for traveling. Filipino cuisine is somewhat of a mixture between Chinese and Spanish foods so you can get a nice mix of tastes that incorporate everything from soy sauce to adobo (or actually vinegar). There is also great seafood cooked in a variety of ways as well (grilled, marinated in vinegar, fried.).
Snacking is also popular, in fact so popular that Merienda, or a late afternoon snack, is an expected part of the day and a great time to meet up with friends or family. So we had a lot of opportunities to eat our way through Manila. A. LOT.
Hmm, wonder where my holiday weight gain came from…
First up, my favorite snack – halo halo. Shaved ice, jackfruit, cereal, random colored jelly, ice cream, sometimes flan or corn. It’s crazy, colorful deliciousness, especially at Iceberg restaurant.
Chicharron (fried pork rinds eaten by dipping in vinegar) is a popular snack on the savory end. Tasty but I couldn’t bring any back because we’re trying to eat more healthily and fried pork fat doesn’t rate too highly on the food pyramid.
I also recommend a few restaurants:
O’sonho is a Portugese restaurant in the Eastwood Mall complex. They had excellent food incorporating the peri peri pepper. Million dollar peri peri chicken dreams for under $5 (or whatever other food “dreams” they served).
It’s a lovely city. There are however touches of commercialism though that contrast with the serene mountains. E.g. the country’s most famous fried chicken chain, Jollibee, proudly displays its sign as you wind your way up the mountains.
That apple crumble looks delicious!
That ice cream concoction looks so yummy–I would love to have one!
awwww… i havent been to the philippines in awhile now! I miss it soo much 🙁 I love banguio, I love picking strawberries on the foggy field! (yes! at that time it was foggy!) Thank you for the comment dear! Yes it feels really good having that breakthrough from OCD.
What a journey! The food pics made my mouth completely salivate:P
u reminded me that i haven’t had halo halo in a really long time. now i’m craving it…
your photos are so cool. the colorful ice cream and jelly is so pretty. i don’t think i would even eat it, it’s so pretty.
Love all the pictures! Thanks for sharing! Grilled coconut huh…
No fair. I totally want to try halo halo right now. I just discovered Jackfruit AND shaved ice, and you can never go wrong with ice cream. Now I want to know how they all taste together.
mmm, halohalo is one of my all time favorite desserts! looks like you had an awesome visit and got to see so many fun places/taste so much good food! thanks for posting about your trip. i was living vicariously through you 🙂
Oh my! you’re making me hungry 🙂 Love those photos. Wish I could travel there some day.
What beautiful pictures darling! And that slice of cake has my mouth watering 😉
YES – we definitely have to make fabulous plans when you come to NYC…can’t wait! XOXO
i’m starving now!!! everything sounds delicious! i want the halo halo NOW and the grilled coconut sounds amazing. i’m a coconut freak. i’ve never had Filipino cuisine. totally gonna have to give it a try 🙂
I love BAGUIO city! and HALO HALO of course! MABUHAY!!
You satisfied your halo-halo craving. I love the USB. Where did you buy it?
I hope to try that grilled coconut wrapped in banana leaves one day!
I’m with you on the food! I love trying food when traveling. My brother is in the Army and he’s currently stationed in South Korea. He recently sent over a box of treats and soju – a rice vodka. I had no idea what it was and thought was juice. I’m glad I e-mailed him for clarification first!