11 Filipino Bar Snacks To Level Up Your Beer Game

Filipino San Miguel Beer
Filipino San Miguel Beer | © Gautsch. / Flickr
Katrina Escalona

There are three things that go undeniably well together: the scorching Philippine heat, ice cold beer, and delicious pulutan. Pulutan (whose root word pulot literally translates to “pick up”) is finger food eaten when drinking — so basically, bar chow. But Filipino bar chow is much more than your ordinary peanuts. Read on and learn how to enjoy your next beer night the Filipino way.

Chicharon

There are many variants of chicharon from all over the world, but in the Philippines, this refers to deep fried pork rinds. Usually, these pork rinds come in two types: with or without laman (a little bit of meat that’s left attached to the skin and deep-fried along with it). This sinful snack can be found everywhere in the country from supermarkets to street vendors so getting your hands on it won’t be a challenge. Serve this up on beer night along with a bowl of spicy vinegar for dipping and it will quickly become a new favorite.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Chicharon with a side of suka (vinegar)

Sisig

This next snack is as popular to the locals as it is odd-sounding to the foreign eater. Sisig is a well-loved Filipino dish that originates from the province of Pampanga. It is made mainly from chopped up parts of a pig’s head and is served sizzling on a hot plate. While this can also be eaten with rice as a meal, sisig is also a favorite Filipino pulutan when drinking. Upon serving, squeeze the kalamansi (Philippine lime) over the plate, mix in the raw egg while it’s hot, and savor all its flavors.

Sizzling Pork Sisig

Tokwa’t Baboy

This Filipino appetizer simply translates to “tofu and pig”. The meat, usually a combination of pork belly and ears, is cooked in boiling water until tender, while the tofu is deep fried. Both are then served in a sauce of mainly soy sauce and vinegar. It is made slightly sweet with a bit of sugar, and extra tasty by adding pork broth to the mix.

Tokwa’t Baboy

Pork BBQ

Filipino pork bbq is cuts of pork marinated in a sweet mixture of soy sauce and brown sugar (sometimes, banana ketchup), skewered, and then grilled. Allowing it to marinate overnight ensures extremely tasty meat to go with your beer the following day. The marinade is also usually used as the basting sauce upon grilling. If you and your drinking buddies are feeling a little more adventurous, try grilling skewered isaw (pork or chicken intestine) and balunbalunan (chicken gizzard) alongside it too. Both of these are popular Filipino street foods that are ubiquitous in the country.

Filipino-style Pork BBQ

Lechon Kawali

No, this is not the same as the infamous Filipino lechon, but it is just as guilt-inducingly delicious. Unlike its whole-roasted counterpart, lechon kawali is made by boiling pork belly until tender and then deep frying it to perfection — when the skin is crisp and golden, and the meat is juicy and tender. Chop up the end product to bite-sized pieces and serve beside a cold bucket of beer — a sinful match made in heaven.

Lechon kawali with rice

Dilis

In the Philippines, dilis, or anchovies, are typically dried and eaten as either a snack, or with rice and fried eggs for breakfast. A great way to have this with beer is to quickly fry them in a bit of oil and serve as is. To avoid the hassle, fried dilis is also sold in stores and supermarkets in the country. For a bit of a kick, there are also spicy versions on offer.

Fried dilis

Chicharon Bulaklak

Chicharon bulaklak (literally translated, “flower chicharon”) is deep fried pig mesentery (perhaps it’s becoming very evident right about now just how much Filipinos enjoy deep-fried pig — no matter what part). In preparation, this cut of pork must be cleaned thoroughly before deep frying until golden brown. It dons a distinctive rippled shape, resembling that of some flower petals, hence the name. It is then served with a side of spiced vinegar, which cuts the richness of the deep-fried pork and balances out the taste with its acidity.

Chicharon bulaklak

Kropek

Another beer partner that tastes delicious dipped in vinegar is kropek. These are light and airy prawn-flavored crackers that are eaten as a snack or served as an appetizer with Asian meals. While popular in the Philippines, these crackers are also common in other Asian countries like China, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In supermarkets, packs of the dehydrated snack are sold to be freshly fried at home, but they also come in bags as chips, ready to be eaten upon opening.

Kropek with a side of vinegar

Oishi’s Ribbed Cracklings in Salt & Vinegar

If a snack company specifically labels one of its products as a “beer match”, it probably is. These chips are shaped like a thicker version of prawn crackers and are generously infused with a salt and vinegar flavor. They don’t hold back on the spiciness, so for those who enjoy a play of flavors, this would be a great snack (and an even better one alongside cold beer). These can be found everywhere, from small stores to supermarkets, and the best part? No preparation required.

Kinilaw

This next dish is the country’s version of the Peruvian ceviche. Using fresh fish (usually tanigue or tuna), kinilaw is prepared with the raw fish of choice, coconut or cane vinegar, onions, kalamansi, ginger, chilli peppers, and in some recipes, coconut milk. Other seafoods, such as shrimp or squid, can also be incorporated in the dish.

Kinilaw

Crispy Pata

No, we’re not quite done with deep fried pork just yet. Similar to lechon kawali, crispy pata is deep fried pork leg until golden crackling skin and a moist interior is achieved. It is then served with a soy-vinegar dipping sauce and, for meals, these go wonderfully with rice. As bar chow, however, it would be best to chop it up and serve for sharing with forks (though this doesn’t guarantee that utensils will be used for this mouthwatering dish).

Crispy pata
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article