If Cambodia has crispy tarantulas, Laos has white ant eggs and partial embryos as its main ingredients for soup, Canada has jellied moose nose, and England serves warm pie with fish; the Philippines certainly does not fall short on unique food finds. From frogs, bugs, snakes, and even the testes of a bull, the Philippines surely has some of the most bizarre food in the whole world!
Here’s a list of some of the bizarre foods you need to try in the Philippines.
5 Bizarre Foods You Need to Try in the Philippines
5. Soup No. 5
Photo by Paolo Aguirre
Soup Nos. 1 to 4 are four types known to man, referring to the most common ingredients used to make broth: chicken, beef, pork, and seafood. In the Philippines, there’s such a thing called Soup No. 5, soup made from the testes of a bull. Yes, you read that right! Soup No. 5 originated in Manila’s Chinatown district and is believed to have aphrodisiac properties. Because of this, Filipinos, especially men, believe that by taking this soup, they inherit the physical attributes of a bull.
4. Adobong Uok
Adobo has been branded as the Philippines’ national dish and is usually cooked using chicken or pork, but how about having a taste of beetle larvae cooked in the same manner? Having it as is may not be as appetizing, but sauté it with some garlic and onion, and marinate it with soy sauce and vinegar like you would with Adobong Baboy or Manok; then serve it on top of piping hot rice alongside slices of tomatoes, and you’re good to go!
3. Adobong Sawa
Photo by Edgie Polistico
Loving that adobo taste? Aside from using chicken, pork, or even beetle larvae; Filipinos found another main ingredient that works well with that adobo flavor! Who would have known that snakes would make a great meal? Just like Soup No. 5, Adobong Sawa is also considered to have aphrodisiac properties, which results in a potent effect. People also have this as pulutan (food served alongside alcoholic drinks) and claim to feel a sensational warmth after eating this.
2. Betute Tugak
Photo by Edgie Polistico
Fancy a serving of a dressed frog stuffed with minced frog meat and finely chopped fresh herbs and spices? This stuffed tugac (frog) is called betute because of its bulging belly. Filipino elders say that if you’re having second thoughts about eating Betute Tugak, just close your eyes and imagine you’re eating chicken because it does taste like it!
1. Balut
What’s a visit to the Philippines without having a serving of balut? Balut actually just looks like an ordinary egg; but as you crack it open, you’ll find a developing duck egg that’s covered in a distinct-tasting broth and a hardened carcass of a duck fetus. The best part about this is you don’t have to search far and worry about how much it costs because balut is considered a street food that can be found in almost every part of the Philippines!
These are just but some of the bizarre foods you definitely shouldn’t miss out on while you’re in the Philippines; but of course, every country in the world has its own share of unique food finds. Join Chef Andrew Zimmerman as he explores the delectable and iconic foods that define countries around the world on the premiere of Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations S8 on Tuesday, 12 November 2019, at 9PM only on TLC.
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