The Philippines, like other Asian countries, has a strong and vibrant street food culture. Filipinos love their street food, whether its roasted chicken feet, aptly called the ADIDAS, or pork innards deep-fried to a crispy goodness in hot oil. Visitors who are blessed with strong stomachs may want to try a bite of these unique offerings at their own risk. There are many street food vendors that offer clean food, but there are hundreds out there that may not as reliable. Here are some tips on how to safely try Filipino street food and avoid a weeklong vacation at the hospital.
Go for trusted food stalls
Foreigners can ask their hotel concierge or travel agent where the safe food stalls are located. There are street food stalls that offer safe and delicious street food with lesser risk of eating Salmonella or E.coli laced food. You can also ask locals about where the safest food stall is located or choose food stalls that are certified by the local health board. All food stalls and restaurants in the Philippines post their certifications from the local health board over the counter to assure customers that they serve sanitary food.
Go for the franchise food carts.
Franchise food carts came out due to the demand for cleaner and safer street food. Although they may look too commercialized and may not resemble anything like the homemade street food stalls that dot the sidewalks in Philippine cities, franchise food carts offer safer versions of siomai, isaw, tempura, and fish balls. Most food carts now come with their refrigeration units as well as heating units. Franchise owners now also know the basics of safe cooking, such as when to replace cooking oil with a new batch.
Avoid drinking anything that is not bottled.
A common culprit for most stomach upsets after eating street food is drinking fruit juices and other drinks made by the stall owner himself. It is hard to know where the owner gets his water and ice. In some instances, stall owners keep a huge block of ice on the floor and chip on it occasionally when the need for ice arises. Because most stalls are mobile, stall owners also tend to get their water source anywhere. Most of the time, they get their water from the nearest tap, which may not be fit to drink. Stick to bottled Coke or Pepsi, since most stall owners also keep these in iceboxes.
Avoid street food with undercooked meat.
Eating undercooked meat on the street is one of the unhealthiest choices you can make when eating street food. For one, you do not know where the meat comes from. Undercooked meat may contain various parasite strains that can wreak havoc on your insides a few months down the road.
Have medications handy.
For foreigners who are trying out street food for the first time, having medications handy is always a good idea. Ciproflaxin is a good back up medicine when you notice the first signs of trouble. This antibiotic can help stop the symptoms of a food infection and give you enough time to go to the hospital.
Choosing food stalls carefully and avoiding specific foods will help a lot in avoiding the typical problems that arise after eating unsafe or dirty street food. With the right precautions, you can enjoy the unique gustatory treats that can only be found in the streets of the Philippines.
