The aroma of sizzling mussels, the sweet crunch of fried bananas, and the vibrant purple yam fritters all tell a story of the people, the place, and their pride. Welcome to the streets of Samar, where every bite captures the essence of the island, and street food is a celebration.
When the Eastern Visayas Street Food Festival arrived at Payapay Seafood Park in Tacloban City, it brought more than just vendors and meals. It brought the spirit of Samar — and the region felt it.
The Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas, in partnership with Payapay Seafood Park, organized this event to showcase street food from various provinces and highlight their unique flavors and culinary offerings.
“We thought it would just be a small event,” Rosario Francisca C. Miel, Samar Tourism Administrative Officer, expressed.
“But we were surprised — people flocked to our booth!” And who wouldn’t, with culinary treasures like Baduya nga Pasayan (shrimp fritters), Baduya nga Ube (purple yam fritters), and Prinito nga Saging (fried native bananas) calling out like sweet sirens of the Samar streets?
Food lovers can also enjoy BBQ Tahong (Grilled Mussels), marinated in a sweet-savory glaze and perfectly grilled.
For a crunchy treat, try Lumpia nga Tahong (Mussel Spring Roll) with its flavorful filling.
Don’t miss Baduya nga Tahong (Mussel Fritters), golden-fried and bursting with garlic and onion.
For a satisfying dish, Relyeno nga Tahong (Stuffed Mussels) features mussel shells filled with minced meat, vegetables, and egg, baked or fried.
These mouthwatering street foods, hailing from the lively towns of Jiabong and Catbalogan City in Samar, will turn heads and satisfy even the most discerning appetites!
“These are not your ordinary dishes,” said Lemuel C. Palejaro, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer in Samar. “They’re born from fresh, local, and deeply rooted coastal culture.”
Catbalogan and Jiabong’s participation in the street food festival had a significant impact, generating ₱21,648, which accounted for 13% of the total earnings.
This success is credited to the local vendors, including the Gonzales family from Catbalogan City and Junior Chamber International Philippines from Jiabong. Their contributions showcased Samar’s culinary identity on a regional level.
“The event gave Eastern Visayans a preview of what Catbalogan and Jiabong can offer,” noted Palejaro.
This street food feature highlights Samar’s emerging culinary tourism program, “Secret Kitchens of Samar.” The initiative aims to discover and promote the province’s hidden culinary treasures.
According to Marvin R. Piczon, provincial tourism officer of Samar, one of their flagship projects in development is the Samar Food Crawl—a summer journey that explores a variety of flavors through backroads, bay walks, and bustling plazas.
“We’re planning to position Samar as a food destination,” Piczon emphasized. “The food crawl is part of that. It’s more than tourism; it’s cultural preservation through taste.”
From Dissertation to Center Stage
Catbalogan’s food culture has gained academic recognition. In their award-winning thesis, students from the University of Santo Tomas featured local favorites like a local store next to Tinas and their unique barbecue with pancakes and mango shakes. Even the renowned United Bakery received praise in taste tests. This showcases that Samar’s street food is festival-worthy and world-class.
The streets of Samar buzz with life, from frying pans to the laughter of communities sharing good food. If you want to experience the heart of Eastern Visayas, stroll through the food stalls of Catbalogan City or Jiabong. Savor Samar, where food is more than just a meal — it’s home. (AAC, PIA Samar)
