The Philippines is known for its diverse cuisine, including its street foods that are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. If you are following a ketogenic diet, you might think that you have to miss out on the delicious street foods, but that is not necessarily true. Going on a diet doesn’t have to be boring, tasteless, and too restricting, right? That’s why in this article, we will be exploring some keto-friendly street foods that you can enjoy in the Philippines.
Related: The 22 Most Popular Filipino Street Foods That Will Make You Crave
1. Isaw
Isaw is a popular street food in the Philippines made from either chicken or pork intestines. It is often grilled over an open flame and served on a stick. While the traditional marinade for isaw may contain sugar, you can request it without or make a homemade sugar-free marinade. Isaw is high in protein and low in carbs, so it is keto-friendly.
2. Kwek-Kwek
Kwek-kwek is a type of street food that consists of quail eggs that’s mixed in a batter and deep-fried. The batter contains flour, but you can make a keto-friendly version using almond flour or coconut flour to suit your keto diet. Kwek-kwek is a great source of protein and healthy fats — you just have to eat them in moderation, of course.
3. Tenga ng Baboy (Grilled Pig Ears)
Tenga, also known as pig’s ears, is another popular street food in the Philippines. It is often boiled then grilled and served with vinegar. Tenga is high in protein and low in carbs, making it a great keto-friendly snack.
4. Balut
Balut is a fertilized duck egg that is boiled and eaten from the shell. It is low in net carbs and contains a moderate amount of fat, making it a keto-friendly street food that you can enjoy. However, it is also important to eat balut in moderation.
5. Chicharon
Chicharon is a popular crunchy snack in the Philippines made from deep fried pork rinds with a little bit of fat. It is often served with vinegar or mixed vinegar (timpladong suka). Chicharon is high in protein and healthy fats, and is low in carbs, which means you can eat it guilt-free while on a keto diet. But do eat it in moderation as well since too much of anything can be bad for you.
6. Adobong Mani
Adobong mani is a popular snack in the Philippines made from roasted peanuts that have been marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. It is often sold by street vendors and is a great source of protein and healthy fats.
7. Ginataang Bilo-Bilo
Ginataang bilo-bilo is a dessert made from glutinous rice balls, sweet potatoes, jackfruit, saba banana, tapioca pearls, and taro root that’s cooked in sweet coconut milk. While it does contain some carbs from the rice and sweet potatoes, you can still enjoy it as a snack in moderation on a ketogenic diet.
8. Lechon
Lechon is a whole roasted pig that is a staple in Filipino celebrations. Obviously, it is not a typical street food, but it can often be found at outdoor markets and festivals. Lechon is low in carbs yet high in protein and healthy fats, so lechon-lovers going on a keto diet will be happy to know that this dish is absolutely keto-friendly.
9. Pork BBQ
Pork BBQ, or grilled pork skewers, is a popular street food in the Philippines, and is often a crowd favorite and staple inihaw or grilled dish that’s served in celebrations, drinking sessions, or even just casual meals. The marinade may contain sugar, but you can request to leave out the sugar or choose to make a homemade sugar-free marinade instead. It is high in protein and healthy fats, making it a great keto-friendly option.
10. Taho
Taho is a sweet Filipino snack made from soft tofu, arnibal (a caramel-like syrup), and sago (tapioca pearls). While it does contain some carbs from the syrup and sago, it is still a relatively low-carb option and can be enjoyed in moderation on a ketogenic diet.
11. Buko Juice (Coconut Juice)
Buko juice or coconut juice, is a refreshing drink and at the same time is known to aid in weight loss. It is low in carbs and high in electrolytes, so it is also great for rehydration. However, just be sure to avoid any varieties that are sweetened with sugar and opt for the fresh one without sweeteners.
There are many delicious and satisfying keto-friendly street foods that you can enjoy in the Philippines, from kwek-kwek and pork barbecue to balut and buko juice. With a little creativity and knowledge of carb content, you can indulge in the rich flavors and vibrant street food culture of the Philippines while staying in ketosis.
