Decoding the Filipino Menu 2: The Pinoy Merienda (Snack)
If a foreigner stays long enough in the Philippines and
spends a lot of time with Filipinos, they will notice one thing: that we,
Pinoys, love to eat. Any occasion calls for some eating. It is not even an
exaggeration to say that as we eat, we are already thinking of the next meal
and by next, it need not be lunch or dinner but the ever popular Pinoy merienda
(snack) that occurs between breakfast and lunch, lunch and dinner, and even
between dinner and breakfast!
Photo courtesy of Natalya Quall
|
Any sandwich, spaghetti, noodles, corn on the cob, pizza,
doughnuts, chips and crackers (especially taken with a soft drink in a plastic
bag and straw) can comprise a typical Pinoy merienda. But for that really local
feel, try any of the following:
Photo courtesy of Turning Boholano
|
Pan de sal
Pan de sal (bun; pronounced as “pun-de-sahl”) is a
Filipino breakfast staple as well as merienda that is best eaten hot and fresh
from the oven. It is mildly sweet so it can be eaten alone or with the usual
bread filling like butter, peanut butter, cheese, etc. You might even want to
dip it in coffee.
Photo courtesy of Kusina Animanang
|
Ensaymada
Ensaymada (pronounced as “en-sai-mah-dah”) is pastry
baked in butter and topped with grated cheese and sugar.
Photo courtesy of Food Pick Me
|
Siopao
Siopao (pronounced as “sho-pow”) is a steamed pork bun
which comes in either asado (“ah-sah-dough” pork barbecue) or bola-bola (“ball-lah”
minced pork) fillings. Usually eaten with a separate sweet thick sauce to be
spread on top before taking a bite.
Photo courtesy of Food Pick Me
|
Siomai
Siomai (pronounced as “sho-my”) is a Chinese pork
dumpling that has become a Pinoy favorite. It is eaten with soy sauce and lime
dip.
Photo courtesy of The Filipino Food Blog
|
Pancit Palabok
Pancit palabok (pronounced as “pun-sit pah-lah-bok”) is a
glass noodle dish with shrimp sauce topped with shrimp, pork, smoked fish
flakes, crushed pork rind, fried tofu, fried garlic and sliced eggs. Like
spaghetti, you need to mix them first before eating.
There are other variants of pancit noodles that are
equally popular merienda staples like pancit bihon (“bee-hone”) and pancit
canton. They differ on the type of noodle used and slightly on the toppings.
Photo courtesy of Delicacies in Binan
|
Puto
Puto (pronounced as “pooh-toh”) is a bite-sized steamed
rice cake that may be served plain or topped with cheese and a slice of salted
egg. It is usually white in color but if you see colored puto, it is indicative
of either flavoring or just coloring.
Photo courtesy of YouTube
|
Sapin-sapin
Sapin-sapin (“layers;” pronounced as “sah-pin”) is a three-layered glutinous
rice made from rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, water, purple
yam and coconut flakes. It is usually served like pizza where you slice a piece
for yourself---and another, and another….
Photo courtesy of Panlasong Pinoy
|
Suman
Suman (pronounced as “sue-man”) is another form of rice
cake that is steamed and rolled in banana leaves. It is usually eaten by
dipping it in sugar before taking a bite. Flavored sumans are also popular.
Photo courtesy of Maganda Filipino
|
Banana cue
Banana cue is a popular street food that resembles a barbecue
but instead of meat, it uses deep-fried saba (“sah-bah” a cooking type of
banana) coated in caramelized sugar. (Me, I just lick off the sugar and I’m
good to go!)
Photo courtesy of Maganda Filipino
|
Turon
Turon (pronounced as “two-ron”) is another type of
caramelized deep-fried saba street food with some jackfruit and wrapped in
crunchy spring roll wrappers.
Photo courtesy of The Filipino Food Blog
|
Ginataang
Bilo-bilo
Ginataang
bilo-bilo (“gi-nah-tah-ung beelo-beelo) is a sweet stew of chewy rice balls,
purple yam, banana, and tapioca cooked in coconut milk.
Photo courtesy of Appetite.ph
|
Halo-halo
Halo-halo (“mix;” pronounced as “hah-lo” and not
“hay-low”) is the most popular Pinoy shaved/crushed ice dessert that is made of
sweet beans, banana, nata de coco, jackfruit, gelatin, tapioca, corn flakes, evaporated
milk, purple yam, leche flan (caramel custard), or whatever may tickle your
fancy. It is usually topped with a scoop of ube (purple yam) ice cream. It must
first be mixed together with a long spoon before eating but you will later end
up drinking it straight from the tall glass.
Photo courtesy of Yum Filipino Food
|
Mais con hielo
The next most popular Pinoy crushed or shaved ice dessert
is the mais con hielo (pronounced as “mah-is con yellow”) made with sweet corn
kernels, evaporated milk, and sugar. Like the halo-halo, you mix it first with
a long spoon before eating and drink from the tall glass later.
This is certainly not a complete list---not by a long
shot but hopefully it’s enough to get any tourist started on living the Pinoy
merienda life which is best served with friends!
-THE PARANOID TRAVELER
Next in the Series: The Pinoy Meal
No comments