One of the best ways to immerse yourself in a foreign culture is to jump straight into the local cuisine. It gives you a taste of what life is really like and helps you enter into a new way of living.
However, it is not always easy to know how to go about this, because most of the tourist food outlets sell Western food. If you’re serious about travel and want to experience some authentic Filipino cuisine, here’s what you need to know.
Eat Away from the Main Road
The main roads in the Philippines are typically geared towards tourism. This means that the food is not authentic but curated for a Western market. If you want to experience some real food, the first thing you need to do is stray off the beaten track.
Eat Where the Locals Eat
The trick is to eat where the locals eat. You can ask around for popular food outlets, and there are many street spots that sell food all day just off of the main road. Alternatively, you can try living with a Filipino family and eating their home-cooked meals with them.
Don’t Be Afraid to Try!
Filipino food is notoriously exotic for the Western palate. Popular dishes include grilled pig intestines and fertilized eggs. But if you are courageous and push through the initial difficulties, you may just find it delicious.
Look for BBQ Stands
A neat trick for finding authentic food is to seek out the barbeque stands. Most of the local cuisine is barbequed, and you can often find these on the street.
