10 Weird Filipino Foods that Shock Locals and Foreigners
Filipino cuisine is known for its bold flavors and unique dishes, but some delicacies might give even the most adventurous eaters pause. From balut to etag, here are 10 weird Filipino foods that might shock both locals and foreigners.
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1. Balut
Balut is perhaps the most iconic of Filipino "scary" foods. It's a boiled duck embryo that's been developing for about 11 days. While it's a favorite among Filipinos, its appearance can be off-putting to foreigners, as it's often served with the embryo still inside the shell.
2. Soup Number 5
This dish is rumored to have aphrodisiac properties and is made from bull's testicles and penis. While there's no scientific evidence to support its supposed benefits, it's still a popular dish in some regions of the Philippines.
3. Sundot-Kulangot
Despite its unappetizing name, sundot kulangot is actually a sweet snack made from gelatinous rice, brown sugar, and coconut milk. “Sundot” means poke, and “kulangot” means booger, so its name literally translates to “poke a booger.” This food comes from the way it's eaten – you poke it out of a small wooden orb with your finger.
4. Chicken Feet
Chicken feet, or "adidas" as they're sometimes called in the Philippines, are a popular street food. They're often grilled and marinated in a flavorful sauce, making them a tasty but unusual snack.
5. Kamaru
Kamaru is made from crickets gathered from rice fields and cooked adobo-style. While insects are a common source of protein in many cultures, they can be a hard sell for foreigners, especially when served whole.
6. Pinikpikan
This dish involves beating a live chicken with a stick before cooking it. While the preparation method might be shocking to some, the taste is similar to that of native chicken tinola.
7. Tuslob-Buwa
Tuslob-Buwa is made from pork brain and liver cooked with chili and spices until it bubbles. It's typically eaten by dipping rice balls into the bubbling mixture.
8. Lepeg
Lepeg is the leftover rice from the fermentation of tapuy, a traditional rice wine. It has a sour and foul-smelling flavor due to the fermentation process.
9. Tamilok
Tamilok, also known as the "termite of the sea," is a worm found in Palawan. It's typically served kinilaw-style, marinated in vinegar or lime juice with chili peppers and onions.
10. Etag
Etag is Sagada's version of ham, made from pork salted and cured in earthen jars for several weeks. It's known for its strong smell and the maggots that often accompany it.
While these dishes might sound intimidating, they're an integral part of Filipino cuisine and offer a unique culinary experience for those brave enough to try them. Whether you're a local or a foreigner, embarking on a food adventure in the Philippines is sure to be an unforgettable experience.