10 Yummy Treats to Buy from the Philippines

Filipinos are renowned for their generous travel souvenirs, often referred to as “pasalubong” – gifts to welcome them back. This tradition emphasises social connections, extending tokens of appreciation to family, close friends, colleagues, and even acquaintances. While this custom is deeply ingrained in Filipino culture, it can easily be adapted by travellers visiting the Philippines. Showing gratitude to relatives who missed you and colleagues who covered your work during your absence can foster stronger relationships.

Instead of generic souvenirs like magnets or keychains, consider bringing local delicacies. These thoughtful gifts offer a unique and enjoyable experience, showcasing the richness of Philippine cuisine. Here are a few suggestions for popular treats:

Also read: 10 Bizarre Filipino Foods to Try – If You Dare

1. Chocolate peanut bars

Looking for a snack to bring home to kids? Put down those M&M’s and grab some Choc-Nuts instead!  These powdery peanut and milk chocolate bite-sized bars have had a local following for years. How come? Well, they have a unique addicting taste, are extremely affordable and can be found in every supermarket in the country. Buy a couple of packs for the little ones because trust me, once they try one, they’ll surely be reaching for more.

2. Beer

San Miguel is the best-selling beer brand in the Philippines. Its Pale Pilsen has been around for 125 years and is considered the go-to beer of local drinkers. Hoard a few bottles (or cans) and bring them home to your friends. Just make sure you check the duty-free alcohol import limit of your country before doing so to ensure you won’t pay exorbitant taxes when you return home.

3. Ube halaya (Purple yam jam)

Ube halaya is a popular dessert in the Philippines that is made by mixing mashed purple yam with condensed and evaporated milk. Hands down, the best jam is produced by the entrepreneur-nuns of the Good Shepherd Convents in Baguio and Tagaytay. These nuns have been creating this jam since the 70’s and have perfected its smooth and creamy consistency. So whilst on a road trip, don’t forget to drop by the convent to grab a jar — or two!

4. Pastillas de leche (Soft milk candies)

Don’t be fooled by the plain white wrapper. This soft candy tastes more appealing than it looks. Although made from simple ingredients such as fresh carabao milk, butter and white sugar, this Filipino favourite is definitely yummy! It’s one of those melt-in-your-mouth treats that’ll have you wanting more. Packs of pastillas de leche are relatively easy to find but if you want authentic-tasting ones for your friends back home, check if they’re from Bulacan, which is said to be where these sweet goodies originated from.

5. Ensaymada

Since the Philippines was a Spanish colony for more than 300 years, many of the country’s dishes and snacks were adopted from Spain and then given a local twist. Ensaymada is one of those. Topped with sugar and grated cheese and commonly served with hot chocolate, this soft bread is just right for merienda (light morning or afternoon snack)! If you want to bring some home, buy them on the day of your flight so they’ll be freshly baked.

6. Polvoron

Polvoron is a crunchy and crumbly fun-to-eat snack that comes in different flavours. Head over to Goldilocks and buy a few in distinctly Filipino flavours such as pinipig and cashew.

7. Chicharon (Pork rinds)

Chicharon is a popular deep-fried pulutan (finger food) in the Philippines because it tastes oh-so-good when paired with alcoholic drinks. Thus, it also makes for a great pasalubong for your drinking buddies! Okay, so it’s not the healthiest gift in the world. But everyone should indulge in yummy calorie-laden eats once in a while, right?

Also read: 25 Popular Street Food & Snacks to Try in The Philippines

8. Champorado

I’ll completely understand if you think you’ll miss starting your day with a steaming bowl of champorado when you leave the Philippines. This chocolate rice porridge is a breakfast favourite of many locals too. But don’t worry! There’s such a thing as instant champorado so you can definitely take this comfort food classic home with you and share it with your loved ones.

9. Dried mangoes

If all else fails or if you’re on a rush, grab packs of this quintessential Filipino pasalubong because you can never go wrong with dried mangoes. Although widely recognised as a specialty of Cebu, this chewy snack can now be found everywhere in the country – supermarkets, convenience stores, airports, among others. If you’re lucky, you might even find Belgian chocolate-covered variants, which will be perfect for your self-confessed chocoholic friends. I know what you’re thinking, “Mango and chocolate? Seriously?!” Trust me, they’ll love it! It’s a killer combo!

10. Buko pie

Can we ever forget about buko pie? It’s a staple Filipino pasalubong in every household! This delightful delicacy features coconut meat encased in a flaky crust. It reigns supreme as a quintessential Filipino pasalubong, appealing to locals and tourists alike.

Any other Filipino delicacies to add to this list? We’d love to know more!