What are the Exotic Foods in Philippines?
Introduction
Have you ever wondered exactly why the Filipino food you’ve had in the past were bursting with colors and flavors, and wanted to know what the secret was to such a unique food culture? The elusive concepts of exotic foods in the Philippines are not only about weird dishes to sort of fetishized (because yes, stuff such as itlog na maalat exists and it is a thing), but also part of the Filipino legacy of their unique multicultural and multiethnic makeup and adventurous attitude towards food. So get ready to enjoy our foray into the exotic foods of one very unique archipelago.
The Rich Culinary Heritage of the Philippines
The bond that cut them off now tied them together Strewn across the Pacific, Filipinos draw inspiration from Malay, Spanish, Chinese and, since 1898, American foodways, a pleasure-oriented mélange that only a mongrel nation could have loved. With this heritage, it’s no wonder that exotic foods hold a special place in Filipino cuisine. Local feasts and street markets abound with delicacies, which in plain terms could only be called ‘weird’.
What Makes a Food Exotic?
Foods that can be deemed as exotic are basically those things that a lot of people will not like to taste because of the idea that they do not know about it that much or how it is prepared. Most exotic foods are prepared uniquely, comes in a variety of ingredients that are not western and some are even uprightly procured like sniffing from the earth and picking from a tree.
The Philippine offers a variety of unusual, exotic foods. Some are called fruits like the bat paw (musang); the carabao hoof (kara-kara); mahogany (tictaw); rattan (madaka); beetle (inyong); tree (tagbawak); earthworm (putot); prawn (talangka); crab (alimang); scorpi (kamatok); and bee (aliw). It is believed that the fruits reside at the tree’s tip.
Exotic Fruits in the Philippines
The Philippines is land of exotics and exotic fruits, being lured to buy different kinds of fruits thence when we visit local store markets in Philippines, especially in Mega market, such as SM Sta Mezuda, Puregold, Shopwise, Cherry’s even in Ukay uguy’s of Pasar.
Once my Filipina friend suggested to us to take a tour to Roces avenue, Diliman, Quezon city. These selections are about those exotic and tropical fruits, blending various parts of the Philippines.
In other words, Two for one is also a same example here.
Durian
Dubbed the ‘king of fruits’, durian is notoriously aromatic but also impressively delicious – creamy and custardy, redolent of hissing snakes but improved by a pleasant, alcoholic booziness. Its pungency means that durian is not for everyone. However, it is the ne plus ultra of exotica for those who are willing to give it a try.
Rambutan
With its hairy shell and sweet juicy insides, this exotic fruit, often eaten fresh, or in refreshing tropical desserts.
Exotic Meats and Seafood
The Philopino merienda has a host of special ingredients not for the faint of heart; the adventurous eater may be thrilled by some of the menu items that the exotic cooking of the Philippines has to offer. Here is a sample of exotica to tickle your palate, including some of the most surprising meats available on Filipino dinner tables. Enjoy! Exotic Meats – Live Eats: month-old grasshoppers and termites alive ad flavorful larvae and worms. Seaside Areas: snails; freshwater Areas: frogs. Include goat’s udder and buttocks in peppery stews.
Balut
Balut is a partly developed embryo within the shell of a fertilized duck’s egg. Served up with a salt and vinegar hit, this street food is a rite of passage for many a tourist.
Tamilok
known in the Philippines as tamilok, or woodworm, it is a mollusk that inhabits mangroves and is typically enjoyed raw with vinegar. It has a curious, oyster-like flavor.
Adobong Kamaru
Adobong kamaru is also vinegar and soy sauce-marinated mole crickets. This crunchy insect dish is especially famous in Pampanga, a province known for its adventurous cuisine.
Unique Vegetables and Insects
The Philippines also boasts a range of exotic vegetables and insects raket 공회 97: 98.Here are two.
Ampalaya (Bitter Melon)
One example is ampalaya or bitter melon, cooked with garlic and ginger and normally stir-fried or used in soups. Its bitterness is one of its key features in cuisine, though it is not to everyone’s taste and is valued as a source of health.
Salagubang (June Beetle)
June beetle, known locally as salagubang, are a popular rural dish. They are sautéed with garlic, sometimes served plain as a crispy snack.
Street Food Delicacies
Philippines offer many street foods. The food are usually quite exotic. There are two food that I have tasted, they are interesting. First of all, the sinigang is the sour soup from the Philippines. The soup is made of water, tamarind fruit and pork ribs. It is usually eaten with real rice. Next, we have the barbecue. The barbecue in the Philippines is different from the others. The meat is first of all grilled with bamboo sticks with salt, wrapped in banana leaf and then grilled. The meat can be fish, chicken or pork.
Isaw (Grilled Chicken Intestines)
Isaw is roadside cooked chicken intestines, basically juicy chicken guts on a stick. Marinated and grilled, they are smoky, spicy bits of fatty paradise.
Betamax (Grilled Chicken Blood)
Betamax, named after the literal translation – the round shape of the old video cassette tapes – is a coagulated chicken blood that’s grilled on a skewer. This one was later added for the more adventurous foodie.
Regional Specialties
What makes them exotic is that they’re confined to one of the country’s many regions. Here are a couple.
Pinikpikan (Cordillera Region)
The Pinikpikan, a Cordillera chicken dish found in the foothills of central Luzon, involves beating the chicken to a pulp before cooking it to improve the flavor. It is a local dish and a ceremonial dish, made by the local people for the local people.
Kinilaw (Visayas and Mindanao)
Kinilaw (pronounced ki-LAA-wuh) is a Visayan and Mindanaoan (southern Philippines) dish similar to ceviche, marinated raw fish in vinegar and calamansi juice, mixed with grated ginger, chopped onions and chili and served with hot rice.
Fermented and Preserved Foods
Fermentation and preservation are age-old techniques still used in Filipino cuisine to create new depths of flavor and texture. Here are two.
Burong Mangga (Fermented Mangoes)
The love-it-or-hate-it burong mangga is made from unripe mangoes, fermented in a mixture of rice and salt. It’s a spicy, sourish side dish that goes with savory dishes.
Atchara (Pickled Papaya)
Atchara is a spicy green pickle made from grated papaya, intended as a condiment, and often served with grilled meats: bright and intensely flavored, its tart-sweet punch is a good way to offset rich flavors.
Exotic Desserts
Filipino desserts are exotic; even these are inclined to be exotic. Consider a few of them. 106KB 132 words
Halo-Halo
Halo-halo, literally ‘mix-mix’, is a concoction of shaved ice, sweet beans, fruits, jellies, topped with leche flan and ube (purple yam) ice cream. An all-in-one ice-cold refresher for hot days.
Tibok-tibok (Carabao Milk Pudding)
Tibok-tibok – a silken carabao-milk pudding sweetened with sugar and thickened with cornstarch (and sometimes topped with latik or toasted coconut curds) – is a seductively creamy culinary result identical only to what I’d gotten from the shops, but far tastier and more luxurious because of its fresh and lush milky base.
The Influence of Indigenous and Foreign Cultures
Delicacies such as balut, a boiled fresh duck egg with a still-beating foetus inside, give a taste of the Philippines’ multicultural roots, where indigenous fare influenced by Spanish, Chinese and American cuisines collide.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Value
The foods of the various exotics have not only helps to overcome various diseases but also delicious for the palatability. Most of the exotic foods in the Philippines are succulent, also highly rich in nutrients and some of them have medicinal benefits.
How to Experience Exotic Foods in the Philippines
To really enjoy exotic foods in the Philippines, however, don’t read about them; rather, travel to local markets, street food stalls and regional restaurants. Sit down and chat with locals; eat the way they eat. Use your own mouth as a portal into their culture. Now, that’s authentic.
Tips for Trying Exotic Foods
If it’s something exotic you’re trying abroad, keep an open mind, be adventurous, and start with a small portion – ask locals for advice about how it’s usually served and what other dishes go with it – and pair unfamiliar dishes with similarly unfamiliar ones together on the same plate, then with the more familiar ones.
Conclusion
Beyond mere foods for photo ops, these exotic foods are stepping stones to the cultural heritage of the country. Their stories provide an interesting cultural immersion all its own. It’s an opportunity to contemplate tradition and innovation in the realm of Filipino gastronomy as you dine on pure adrenalin or creamy durian. At the end of the day, the overwhelming conclusion is: Filipino food is damn good. Will you have the courage to try the balut next time? Yes, please.
FAQs
Q1: What is the most exotic food in the Philippines?
A1: The food balut is considered the most exotic dish in the Philippines because it Unless you’re a Filipino, you’ve probably never heard of the dish balut. Like most people, I came across it for the first time while watching a cooking show on TV. My eyes were immediately drawn to what the host was holding in his hands. He finished cracking open one of his cooked eggs, picked a spoon out of a bowl, dug out a pair of yellowish hands, and popped them into his mouth. Next, he cracked open the other cooked egg, took out a greenish head and a pair of toothless eyes. Then, he put the two pieces into his mouth and chewed. At that point, I was already eager to try it myself. There are many reasons why this duck egg in its shell is considered the most exotic food in the Philippines. First, it’s prepared in a way that is alien to Europeans, the majority of Americans, and Australians. Second, it has a taste and flavor that European, American and Australian palates have not encountered in the past.
Q2: Are exotic foods in the Philippines safe to eat?
A2: Yes. A lot of exotic foods in the Philippines are safe to eat. However, you still need to use your common sense. Usually, exotic foods from reliable vendors are okay. Remember to ask around among the locals.
Q3: What exotic fruit should I try in the Philippines?
A3: If you are here in the tropics, don’t leave before trying an exotic fruit called durian. It smells like rotten onions but tastes smooth and creamy.
Q4: How do I get used to the taste of exotic foods?
A4: Take small amounts, pair them with friendly foods, and be open to surprises; the more you try, the more you’ll find yourself welcoming a strange new flavor.
Q5: Where can I find exotic foods in the Philippines?
A5: Exotic foods are available in local markets, street food stalls or in a traditional Filipino restaurant throughout the the Philippines. Usually, you can find a bigger choice of dishes if you visit the different regions.
Samsung Galaxy A51 Samsung Galaxy S21 iPhone XR Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 iPhone SE iPhone 11 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 Samsung Galaxy A51 iPhone XR
