You Should Try These 20 Legendary Filipino Snacks and Merienda in the Philippines
Nothing brings back childhood memories like hearing someone open a bag of crackers or hearing a potato chip crunch. Our favorite Filipino delicacies bring back many of our finest childhood memories in the Philippines, not to mention the intense desire for a simpler, less difficult time. Expand your horizons, international friends, for we are about to explore the world of Filipino snacks, which are salty, sweet, and utterly delicious.
Are these Filipino goodies our vices? We respond by saying, "There is no such thing!"
Traditional Filipino snacks and classic Pinoy merienda
1. Taho
What it is: Taho is a traditional merienda served by street vendors in the Philippines during the daytime. It is made of silken tofu, syrupy brown sugar, and chewy sago or tapioca pearls. It never fails to put a smile on people's faces or bring solace on an otherwise dismal day because to its creamy texture and sweetness. Taho is not only a favorite treat of many Filipinos; it is also a wonderful source of protein and can be eaten warm as a morning snack.
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2. Pan de sal
What it is: Pan de sal, which translates to "salt bread" in Spanish, is a traditional bread roll produced in the Philippines with flour, eggs, yeast, salt, and sugar. The bread is covered in breadcrumbs and has a soft, chewy feel. For pan de sal, common fillings consist of cheese, butter, ube, coco jam, and liver spread. However, for many Filipinos, dipping pan de sal into their morning coffee is the finest way to savor it.
3. Bibingkang malagkit
What it is: One of the most mouthwatering kakanin dishes is bibingkang malagkit, also known as biko by some locals. Kakanin refers to Filipino dishes made with sticky rice and coconut milk. Here, a luscious sauce made of coconut and caramel is drizzled over bibingka's sweet rice to give it flavor. It should not be confused with bibingkang galapong, a golden rice cake roasted over charcoal that Filipinos like eating on special occasions.
4. Suman
What it is: Coconut milk is used to cook sticky glutinous rice, which is then wrapped tightly in banana leaves and steam-cooked. Suman is prepared and consumed in various distinctive ways across the Philippines' many provinces. Follow local custom and sprinkle white sugar over your suman or cover the sticky rice in latik sauce, a sweet, rich sauce produced from coconut milk.
5. Biko
What it is: a well-known delicacy from the Philippines made from sticky rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar. This creamy, incredibly addictive dessert is perfect for any time of day and has chunks of toasted coconut sprinkled on top.
6. Kutsinta
What it is: steamed rice cake that is frequently served with grated coconut on top. Its texture is chewy, almost like jelly. You can eat several of them without feeling too guilty because it's one of the healthier Filipino snacks available.
7. Puto
What it is: This is a steamed rice cake that is incredibly well-liked in the Philippines, just like kutsinta. Rice flour is typically used to make the traditional white puto, which is soft and fluffy. But it comes in a wide range of forms and flavors across the nation, including cheese and ube. Additionally, its delicate flavor makes it a nice snack to enjoy at the dinner table together with savory dishes.
8. Ginataang mais
What it is: In essence, it is a type of sweet corn porridge that is frequently consumed as a merienda or dessert, particularly during the colder seasons. Corn kernels, sticky rice, and coconut milk are the main ingredients in this quick and simple comfort food. It's also known as lelot mais or lugaw na mais in various provinces.
9. Ube jam
What it is: a rich, creamy spread created from local purple yam, condensed, evaporated, and coconut milk. Either spread it on bread or eat it by itself! Ube is certainly already familiar to some of you, especially in light of its recent, well-deserved rise to international prominence. But for those who don't, it has a mild, sweet flavor with nutty and delicate vanilla notes.
10. Piaya
What it is: Imagine a toasted, flaky flatbread dusted with sesame seeds that is stuffed with rich muscovado. It is without a doubt one of the best Filipino appetizers, having its origins in the province of Negros Occidental. Ube would be a delicious substitute for the typical muscovado flavor.
11. Sorbetes
What it is: What distinguishes this traditional Filipino merienda from conventional branded ice cream is its taste and texture, which is more generally referred to as "dirty ice cream" (which it truly isn't). Cow's milk is commonly used to make it, and it is typically served in little scoops on wafers or sugar cones. However, you can sandwich the scoops between two buns, as some vendors do, for a really regional twist. It's an ice cream sandwich done in the Filipino style.
Chocolate, mango, and cheese are common flavors. However, more modern tastes have emerged, including cookies and cream, avocado, and macapuno.
12. Polvoron
What it is: a mixture of toasted flour, powdered full-cream milk, sugar, and butter that is semi-sweet. It has a crumbly, delicate texture that melts in your tongue with ease. Although eating on the fly could be a little messy, hey, that's all part of the fun. While the classic milky flavor is unrivaled, you might also want to give ube, pinipig, and cookies and cream a try.
Popular Filipino chips for snacking
13. Potato chips
What these are: There is no better place to start learning about popular Filipino snacks than with the top-selling local potato chips, which are available in a variety of forms and flavors! There is definitely something for everyone, whether you want traditional flavors like cheese and barbecue or more unique combinations like roast beef and nacho pizza. They're a great choice for any event, including house parties, road trips, and simply hanging out with friends.
14. Chicharon
What it is: Without a bag of chicharon, no Pinoy merienda experience would be complete (deep-fried pork rinds). Enjoy the delicious crisp and crunch, which is best savored with vinegar as your dip. Although pig is generally used to make chicharon, there are also meatless options available—perfect for vegetarians, our Muslim friends, or anybody eager to try something new! Choose from locally produced companies with numerous locations across the nation or supermarket brands with unique, hip takes on this classic snack.
15. Corn chips
What these are: Corn chips are a traditional food that many Filipinos associate with joyful childhood memories. Each bite is filled with a sweet and delicious corn flavor that will make anyone smile. Only thing missing is a larger bag! Some have amusing shapes like gleaming golden balls or cornicks (deep-fried crunchy puffed corn kernels, usually in garlic flavour).
16. Cheese-flavoured chips
What these are: These Filipino cheese-filled bite-sized appetizers are a staple in our household. Due to their addicting blend of salty, crunchy, and faintly sweet flavors, we wouldn't be shocked if you found yourself desiring these long after your visit. How wonderful is it that some Pinoy cheesy chip brands have been around since the 1970s?
Filipino candies and staple merienda that will brighten your day
17. Chewy candies
What these are: chewy candies with a variety of fruity flavors, including grape, strawberry, orange, and lemon, that are incredibly addictive. Extra points for the gorgeously vibrant wrappers! Additionally, chewing on these treats has a calming effect, especially on busy days when you don't feel like preparing a bag of chips.
18. Milk chocolates
What these are: It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Filipino snack menu contains locally produced chocolates as Pinoys are known for having quite a sweet tooth! Others are flavored with roasted peanuts and have a delicate, crumbly texture for some melt-in-your-mouth bliss. Some of these have a little grooved form for a richer taste and smoother mouthfeel. You are welcome to enjoy them as a mid-afternoon treat or with your morning cup of coffee or cocoa.
19. Dried fruits
What these are: The delicious tropical fruits of the Philippines make it difficult to resist falling in love. Unfortunately, you are unable to bring fresh fruit with you when you depart. Thankfully, dried fruits can save the day! The most popular Filipino snacks are dried mangoes and pineapples, while there are also healthy options that are made without oil or frying.
Some dried fruit snacks even have delicious tropical flavor combinations, such as mango crisps with sweet potato, banana, and ube or coconut chips with ube and banana. Although certain combinations may at first seem strange, we assure you that they are well worth trying.
20. Instant pancit canton
What it is: Without the quick gratification that a pack of pancit canton noodles offers, no list of Pinoy snacks would be complete! The flavorful flavors of Filipino pancit are perfectly captured in these simple, incredibly irresistible stir-fried noodles. Must-try flavors include extremely hot chile, sweet & spicy, and calamansi.
These are just a few of the best Filipino munchies and meriendas that we fondly recall eating as children. If you're like us, you read through about half of this list before going to the kitchen to prepare a treat for yourself, as well.
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