Mabuhay! In continuation with the Filipino Street foods I wrote, I figure the Philippines has one too many unique sweet foods out there on the streets to offer—to ever just put it in a single blog. So, I listed here the best of Filipino desserts that are sure to butter up your taste buds after a heavy meal or snack.
Halo-Halo
This is the most famous Filipino desserts yesterday until today. The dessert’s sweet ice crushed, covered with milk ice is topped with many fruit ingredients (Ube, Banana, Pinipig, Pearls, Gulaman, Macapuno and more) gives you a sumptuous treat.
It is the best heat reliever during summer time in the Philippines. But you don’t have to wait until summer to taste them—there is a popular Filipino restaurant that offers a bowl of it, the Mang Inasal—for only 60- 100 pesos. But nonetheless, you can buy a Halo Halo anywhere near you from a Halo Halo stall or vendor, like Kuya (Brother) in the picture.
You can buy 10, 15- 30 pesos of Halo – Halo depending on the cup size that you want. You can also have the privilege to ask for more (like additional Pinipig, banana, or ice crush). As for me, I prefer my Halo Halo that is drowning with Ube and Ice, as I really like Ube’s sweetness melts the ice crush. Yummy!
Puto, (“Puh-toh), Kutsinta (“Koo-chin-tuh”) and Binatog (Bih-Na-Tog)
Photo by Em Antonino Patchicoy
These are the soft, sweetened rice cake desserts you can easily buy on streets. They are fluffy, tasty and too mouthwatering to ever resist. Filipinos are creative in making sweet desserts such as these ones, as we recreate different dessert ingredients along with many lively colors and clever dessert presentations. Like for example, this Kutsinta, topped with few grated coconutt strips; is presented in a green leaf that adds to its authentic taste and nature.
A regular Puto rice cake, buttered in cheese.
Binatogs are created from grated coconut, and corn kernels—while Kutsinta is created by mixed Tapioca Flour and Atsuete Powder (Annatti), making it a sticky rice cake. Puto is the best partner in one of our Filipino dishes (Dinuguan) and created from flour, evaporated milk and butter.
You can buy three-pieces of Kutsinta for only P10, while one Binatog can be bought by P10 alone. Puto is also available in a threesome, also for P10.
Sapin-Sapin (“Suh-peen-Suh-peen”)
It’s a Tagalog word for Cover. These cute sweet grains are created from Ube Flavor Extract, coconut milk, and a few cups of Glutinous Rice Flour. You can buy Sapin-Sapin in different colors and forms—but usually, they are sold with square or triangle shaped sizes. They are available for only P5-10.
Palitaw (Puh-lee-taw”)
These little, grain rice cakes should be one of you must-have when trying Filipino Desserts for the first time. Like most of the desserts in the country, it is also created from dough, flour and a touch of coconut shreds.
See him? That’s where you could buy most of these Kutsintas, Binatog, Sapin-Sapin, and Palitaw here in the Philippines!
Taho (Soy Milk)
Filipinos usually buy this sweet soy dessert during early hours in the morning—but some are also purchasable at early noon or afternoon. They serve as the best wake up dessert for Filipino kids and adults, and they are affordable—costing only P10-20 pesos per cup. What I like the most about these white, delicious soy are their dark syrup flavor and sago pearls, and soft taste on one’s taste buds.
If you ever bump along with an older guy (Kuya) along the way who carries a balancing wooden stick on his shoulders, carrying one silver big cans on each side, you must remember—he’s your friendly Mang Tataho! (Mr. Taho).
Local Filipino Taho Vendors
Sorbetes (Dirty Ice Cream)
…it’s not as dirty as you might think it is.
Dirty Ice Cream is the most popular Filipino dessert, next to Halo-Halo. Of course, you know Ice Creams already—but Filipino Dirty Ice Cream has had it with a twist. Dirty Ice Cream is just a way Filipino addressed the dessert because solely by the idea that it is sold out there in the streets. Not that it’s totally dirty—I assure you most Dirty Ice Cream vendors make it a point to have their ice creams for sale in a sure, safe and tasty dessert purchase.
Dirty Ice Creams are sold in different sizes. You can buy an ice cream with its trademark cone (Apa in Tagalog) for P10, or you can buy a plastic cup ranging from 15-20 pesos. Dirty Ice creams are also available with breads.
Last, sweet notes.
We Filipinos are creative in terms of cooking, experimenting with different desserts and ingredients through our beginning years. We put rice in our dessert as part of the Philippine Culture and Tradition we have. We are naturally great cookers, and some of us make a living by simply making these sweet desserts. You should try any of these Filipino Sweet Desserts upon your first visit here in the Philippines!
