In Filipino cuisine, merienda is typically enjoyed sometime in the mid-afternoon, around 3 or 4PM. It’s a light snack that can be savory or sweet and is meant to tide you over until dinner.
10. Puto
Puto is a Filipino steamed rice cake, traditionally made from slightly fermented rice dough (galapong). It is eaten as is or as an accompaniment to a number of savory dishes (most notably, dinuguan). Puto is also an umbrella term for various kinds of indigenous steamed cakes, including those made without rice. It is a sub-type of kakanin (rice cakes).
Of course, this list wouldn’t be completed without including one of the most famous delicacies of the Philippines, Puto or Filipino Rice Cakes. Now, there are many kinds and varieties of Puto all throughout the history of Filipino cuisine, but the main thing is that the traditional recipe of puto is made of rice flour.
The fluffy rice cakes can be made extra special by adding some toppings like cheese, salted egg, and butter. And to give you an idea, some popular versions of Puto are Puto Calasiao, Puro Kutsinta, and probably the most famous, Puto Bumbong, which is an iconic merienda during the Christmas seasons. But no matter what version you like the most, I’m sure that you’ll agree that Puto is indeed one of the best Filipino merienda of all time.
Puto Recipe
9. Ginataang Bilo Bilo
Ginataang Bilo-bilo with Langka is a Filipino snack dish. It is composed of glutinous rice balls (locally known as bilo-bilo), coconut cream, sugar, sago pearls, and ripe jackfruit. Some people consider this as a simplified version of the Ginataang halo-halo. How to Cook Ginataang Bilo-bilo with Langka Cooking this dish is fairly easy, as long…
It takes a lot of time and patience to master or even cook this traditional Filipino dessert, that’s why it’s usually served on special occasions like fiestas.So if you’re able to find a vendor selling Ginataang Bilo-Bilo nearby, I suggest that you grab the chance nad buy some! Trust me, you’ll never regret your decisions because you’ll be satisfied with its delicious taste. On top of that, you’ll have a full belly!
GINATAANG BILO BILO RECIPE
8.Empanada
Empanadas that came to the Philippines via Spain have become a national favorite in the country and remain a big favorite for snacking or as party appetizers. This is the classic way of making delicious Filipino beef empanadas with a buttery flaky crust and tasty beef filling with potatoes, carrots, and raisins for that perfect sweet and savory flavor combination. Maybe baked or fried.
In the Philippines, it can be made of chicken, tuna, pork, cheese, and such . The name Empanada actually came from the Spanish word “empanar” which means “enbreaded” or to be wrapped in bread. You can usually buy cooked empanadas from different stores around the country, especially outside crowded places like schools, local markets, and malls. Just a bite of these goodies and you’re absolutely ready to go!
EMPANADA RECIPE
7. Pancit Bihon
Pancit is a classic Filipino Recipe. It’s a quick and easy stir-fried rice noodle dish with a savory sauce, pork and vegetables.
Recently I have been thinking about family traditions and recipes that always come to mind. For just about every Filipino family out there someone has a recipe for Pancit, a stir-fried noodle dish with meat and vegetables. Since Pancit literally means noodles there are many different versions of this dish out there and no two families make it the same. I knew my dad knew the recipe so I gave him a call.
It may vary based on the type of noodles used, the location it originated from, or even the method of cooking. Some of the most popular varieties of pancit in the country are Pancit Canton, Pancit Bihon, Lomi, and many more! These can be made of different tasty ingredients like pork, chicken meat, chicken liver, and vegetables. The wonderful thing about pancit is that it can serve as a merienda or the main course for a family’s meal. It’s usually served with calamansi to perfectly compliment the flavors.
PANCIT BIHON RECIPE
6. Binatog
Binatog or boiled white corn kernels is a popular Filipino snack and street food. This is made by soaking mature white corn in water and salt until puffed. The soaked corn is then boiled until the skin almost peels off. Excess water is drained and the corn is placed in a bowl or plate then topped with either sugar or salt (sometimes both) and generous amounts of grated coconut.
Whenever I think of this simple yet satisfying Filipino street food, I remember the Binatog vendor that roamed around the streets of our subdivision every afternoon. He was riding a big bicycle with two covered pails secured at the back: the first pail holds all the boiled corn kernels while the other one contains the grated coconut, salt, sugar, and serving spoons. Back in those days, we need to provide our own bowl or container for the Binatog since the vendors do not carry disposable cups or bowls yet. Just like the Taho vendor, the “Magbibinatog” or Binatog vendor also advertises his product by shouting to the top of his lungs …“Binatooog!!!” I wonder if these guys still roam the streets as they do a couple of decades back.
This recipe can be considered as an easier version of making Binatog. Instead of using fresh white corn kernels, we will be using Hominy or Mexican style corn. These are canned puffed white corn kernels that are already pre-soaked in water; this will save us a lot of time.
Are you excited to make Binatog for your merienda? Go grab the ingredients and follow my lead by watching the cooking video and reading the detailed cooking procedure.
BINATOG RECIPE
5. Taho
Taho is a popular Filipino street food made with warm, soft tofu, sago or tapioca pearls, and sweet arnibal, a common taho sauce. Taho is often enjoyed in the early morning for breakfast but is also served in the late afternoon as a sweet afternoon snack or dessert.
This beloved snack originated in China during the Han Dynasty. It was said to have been first invented by a cook who was attempting to make soy milk, but instead curdled the milk, creating a soft, silky tofu-like substance. It’s since spread to many Asian countries and is very similar to the taho we know today in the Philippines.
There are a few versions of taho, but this homemade taho is made with the classic arnibal, a sweet brown sugar syrup and silky smooth tofu. If you love our other Filipino street foods like Turon (Banana Lumpia) or Banana Cue (Filipino Fried Caramelized Bananas), we think you’ll love this Filipino delicacy as much as we do!
HOMEMADE TAHO RECIPE
4. Maja Blanca
Maja blanca is a Filipino dessert made of coconut milk and corn. Also sometimes called coconut pudding, it’s light, creamy and refreshing. Like many Filipino recipes, maja blanca recipes have many variations. Every region, province, and family have their own way of making maja.
Some recipes include sweetened condensed milk while others only use fresh milk or evaporated milk. Some people like to cook fresh sweet corn themselves while others use canned sweet corn kernels.
What’s common is maja blanca’s appearance on many Filipino tables at Christmastime and special occasions like birthdays and fiestas. It’s also a popular merienda or snack.This simple maja blanca recipe has very few ingredients and is so easy to make, you’ll want to make it all year and make every day special.
MAJA BLANCA RECIPE
3. Camote Cue
Kamote Cue is a popular Filipino afternoon snack made of fried sweet potatoes coated in caramelized brown sugar. It is easy to make, budget-friendly, and quite filling! This recipe will show you 2 ways of making it.
of the popular Banana Cue using sweet potatoes as the main ingredient. You will usually see these two being sold side by side by street vendors in the Philippines. I love both of them equally, and though they are similar they taste absolutely different.
KAMOTE CUE RECIPE
2. Banana Que
Banana Cue is one of the most well known Filipino snack foods. And it’s simple and easy to make. It takes only 3 ingredients and it is also very affordable.
Deep-fried saba bananas coated with crisp caramelized sugar. Banana Cue is a timeless Filipino snack that is so easy to make using only 3 ingredients! So next time you crave this yummy street food- make it yourself instead of buying them!
BANANA CUE RECIPE
1. Turon
This Famous Filipino Merienda is everywhere in the country. Turon or Lumpiang saging/Banana is made from thinly sliced banana and jackfruit covered with lumpia wrapper and sugar.
You can usually spot Turon vendors around crowded places in the Philippines like transport terminals, schools, and local markets. They usually start selling
Turon in the afternoon. That’s why it really is a perfect merienda snack !
TURON RECIPE
