Barbecue a banana, and you get Banana-Q! This cleverly named street food has a caramelized crispy exterior and a soft, sweet interior like a fine sweet potato. The Saba banana, hard and mildly sweet, reveals its potential when grilled!

A new encounter with hesitance-inducing street food, Green Mango & Bagoong. The shrimp paste Bagoong is salty with a slight garlic kick, while the mango is sour and unevenly sweet. It’s initially bewildering but becomes irresistibly snackable. Bagoong is a fermented shrimp and salt paste.

When asked for a Filipino food recommendation, I’d eagerly suggest Sisig. At Baguio’s night market, I found “Sisig Rice,” abandoning adventure for a sure win. The crunchy, salty meat makes the rice disappear quickly. Delicious! I want to experience defeat with Sisig.

A must-try Filipino local food, Isaw, is chicken intestines! The look might be off-putting, but the chewy texture and sweet sauce make it surprisingly good. It has a slight liver taste that makes you crave beer. The Philippines is dangerous with so many reasons to drink beer!

Buko Pandan Jelly from the tropics. The combination of sweet milk and chewy jelly keeps you entertained, with occasional coconut meat pieces sucked up through the straw. Pandan refers to the screwpine in the Philippines, and the beautiful green jelly color comes from boiling its leaves.

Doraemon’s favorite, Japanese Cake! Locals call it that, so it’s already a cultural thing (I just love the Philippines). This chocolate Japanese Cake is soft, crispy, and pancake-like, making for a delightful snack.

Middle Eastern food in Southeast Asia? Filipino Shawarma Rice with crispy beef and thick mayo-like sauce over rice. The rice was cold and soggy, but street food is more than just taste, so it was still enjoyable.

The second try is crucial for unique flavors. I initially found Dr. Pepper odd, but after another try, I was hooked. This kiwi beer had a distinct kiwi sweetness clashing with beer bitterness, creating a unique taste.

The moment I knew I’d found a winner by the aroma alone. Smoked chicken with craft beer, Beer Chicken. The smell was so fragrant it cleared my sinuses. Juicy yet perfectly dry, making me want to quench my thirst with beer. This dish at Craft Brewery is fantastic—I might return!

For rare craft beers, head to Baguio’s hidden gem, Craft Brewery. The highlight is their fruit beers! I first tried the golden Passion Fruit Beer. Almost odorless, with a fruity sweetness followed by a strong bitterness—truly passionate! It’s slightly warm with 6.5% alcohol.