The vibrant streets of Samar come alive with flavors at the Eastern Visayas Street Food Festival held at Payapay Seafood Park, Tacloban City.
The event showcased the rich culinary heritage of Samar, offering a taste of local pride through a variety of mouthwatering dishes.
Highlights included sizzling mussels, sweet fried bananas, and vibrant purple yam fritters that tell stories of Samar’s coastal culture.
Vendors from Jiabong and Catbalogan City presented specialties like Baduya nga Pasayan (shrimp fritters), Baduya nga Ube (purple yam fritters), and Prinito nga Saging (native fried bananas).
Seafood lovers enjoyed BBQ Tahong, marinated and grilled mussels, while Lumpia nga Tahong, a crispy mussel spring roll, delighted attendees.
For a hearty option, Relyeno nga Tahong featured stuffed mussels filled with minced meat, vegetables, and eggs, baked or fried to perfection.
Rosario Francisca C. Miel, Samar Tourism Administrative Officer, expressed surprise at the event’s success, noting that the booth attracted many visitors eager to taste Samar’s culinary treasures.
“These dishes are born from local coastal culture,” she said, emphasizing their authenticity.
The festival also highlighted the region’s emerging culinary tourism initiative, “Secret Kitchens of Samar,” which aims to uncover and promote hidden gastronomic gems.
The participation of local vendors, including the Gonzales family from Catbalogan and Junior Chamber International Philippines from Jiabong, generated over ₱21,648, contributing 13% to the event’s earnings.
Samar’s food scene is gaining recognition, even inspiring academic studies.
Students from the University of Santo Tomas highlighted local favorites like barbecue with mango shakes and renowned bakeries in their award-winning thesis, showcasing the region’s culinary excellence.
As Samar’s streets buzz with life and flavor, the festival proved that its food is more than just sustenance—it’s a celebration of culture and community.
(With reports from PIA)
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #EVStreetFoodFestivals