Famous Davao Delicacies You Should try

They say the best way to get to know a new place is by exploring it through food.
Davao is a city that is famous for its laid-back lifestyle. But the locals do take their
food seriously. Davao delicacies are often made of simple ingredients, but they are
given a uniquely Davao-esque gastronomic twist.
Explore Davao City through food and sample these delectable Davao delicacies on
your next trip to the city. After falling in love with Davao food, you might want
to move to this vibrant city! Create your new home base with a luxury condominium
in Davao. After an exciting day of trying and sampling some famous Davao food,
relax in your luxury condo in Davao City.
What is the famous food in Davao?
Davao is famous for skewered and grilled dishes or fresh seafood dishes. Popular
dishes include grilled tuna belly, grilled squid, and grilled chicken.
But a truly Davao famous food you will easily find throughout the city is kinilaw.
Davao kinilaw is made from fresh tuna, mackerel, or swordfish, with cucumber and
chili peppers marinated in vinegar.
Sinuglaw is also a famous food in Davao, combining sinugba (grilled) and kinilaw.
Here, grilled pork belly is added to kinilaw for a satisfying explosion of flavor.
Fresh fruits also make an appearance in Davao delicacies, especially Durian and
bananas. Davao celebrates Durian, turning it to candy and desserts for locals and
tourists to enjoy. Bananas are also a staple of Davao street food, but instead of
frying them and coating them in sugar, bananas are skewered and grilled before
they are brushed with margarine and sprinkled with sugar. Its the smokier sister to
the more commonly known banana cue that is popular in the streets of the country.

Top Davao Delicacies You Have To Try

Law-uy
Law-uy is a Davao food that many consider a sumptuous Filipino comfort food. It is a
delicious vegetable broth with okra, squash, eggplant, taro, jute leaves, and patola
(silk squash). You can also add malunggay leaves to this dish. The soup is clear,
though slightly thick due to the addition of okra. Law-uy is simple, delicious, and
nutritious.
This Davao delicacy pairs perfectly with rice and can warm you up on a cold or rainy
day. Imagine cooking this simple meal on a rainy day, while you stay snug and
warm inside your luxury condominium in Davao. Truly one of the best comforting
meals you can have in the city.
Kalderobo
This version of adobo is one of the unique and must-try Davao delicacies that
should be on your bucket list. Kalderobo is Davao-style adobo. But instead of using
pork or chicken, this dish is made with premium beef that is soft and tender. It
tastes absolutely delicious as the familiar flavor is used with a different ingredient.
Seafood Feast
Davao famous seafood is a delicacy you should not miss. This bountiful city is
abundant in seafood, so of course, they will be featured in many a delicious and
indulgent dish.
A crowd favorite Davao food is grilled tuna belly. Yellow fin is the tuna of choice in
this region. You can also have tuna in kinilaw paired with chopped tomatoes and
chili peppers. You can also try grilled tuna jaw for something more adventurous.
Grilled squid is also popular in Davao, particularly when served with a flavorful
dipping sauce.
Are you a fan of clams? Then you should definitely try the Davao City delicacy called
imbaw. Imbaw is a simple clam soup that packs a clean and refreshing flavor.

Sinuglaw
Love having fish and meat together? Then Sinuglaw is a Davao food that is right up
your alley. Sinuglaw is a combination of sinugba and kinilaw. This dish consists of
fresh tuna marinated in vinegar, chilies, onions, ginger, and lime. This is then
topped with grilled pork marinated in soy sauce and kalamansi. Some might
consider this quite a strange combination of flavors, but the fresh and tart flavors of
kinilaw cut beautifully through the meatiness and smokiness of grilled pork.
Your first bite of sinuglaw will have you looking for a condo for sale in Davao so you
can move in and have this delicious dish weekly. The sweet and savoury flavours of
this dish will definitely make you want to live in Davao full-time.
Lechon Buwaya
Are you up for something more exotic and adventurous for your Davao food trip?
Then you should try lechon buwaya or roasted crocodile. This is prepared in a
similar way to the traditional lechon baboy, with a whole crocodile instead of a pig.
This is truly a Davao delicacy you will never forget. You will find lechon buwaya
served in some buffet restaurants, and it is also a delicacy that is served on special
occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or town fiestas.
Chicken Binakol
Chicken binakol is another soup based dish. For this recipe, chicken is cooked in
coconut water. Other ingredients include coconut flesh and malunggay leaves. The
chicken is cooked until it is soft and tender. Even though chicken binakol is cooked
and well seasoned with simple ingredients and spices, it is extremely tasty
nonetheless.
Chicken binakol is another Davao food you can easily cook in your very own luxury
condo in Davao. With simple and accessible ingredients like coconut and chicken,
you can make a meal that is both healthy and delicious.

The Davao Region consists of many delicious delicacies that you can only find its
source here such as:
Kinilaw- is a raw seafood dish native to the Davao Region. It is more
accurately a cooking process that relies on vinegar to denature the ingredients,
rather than a dish.
Sinuglaw- is a contraction of the words, Sinugbang baboy and Kinilaw. It is a
combination of fresh tuna or malasugi and grilled pork marinated in vinegar and
citrus juices such as lemon or lime, spiced with chili peppers.
Sinugbang Panga (Grilled Tuna) – is a popular dish not just Davao but the
whole Philippines. It is marinated with barbecue and soy sauce and grilled over hot
coals.
Sinugbang Nokus (Grilled Squid) – is a dish either grilled over fast high heat
or slow-cooked to achieve tenderness, marinated with vinegar or kalamansi, soy
sauce, garlic and onions.
Sinugbang Liempo (Grilled Pork Belly) – is a dish wherein thick-cut pork belly
rashers are marinated overnight for best flavor and then grilled to perfection over
hot coals.
Sinugbang buntot ng Bariles (Grilled Tuna Fish Tail) – is a seafood dish having
the same process of grilling and marinating like the Sinugbang Panga.
Sinugbang Pecho sa Manok (Grilled Chicken Breast) – is a dish that is grilled
by sticking a stick in and out of the chicken then grills it slowly by turning the
chicken around
Inato (Grilled Chicken) – Inato is a shorten word for “atin ito”, thus “inato” or
” it is our” in English. Inato is a way a chicken is cooked.
Pasayan (Deep Fried Shrimps)- is a dish where shrimps are deep fried then
served
 Kinhason (Baked Scallops)- is a dish where scallops are baked in medium
heat then filled with many other ingredients.
Imbaw (Clam Soup)- is a dish that is filled with clams and vegetables.
Tolang Pasayan(Boiled Shrimp)-Similarly to pasayan,this dish is the boiled
version
Sutokil- is a contracted words of Sugba (Grilled), Tola (Boiled), and Kinilaw
(Fresh Tuna fish marinated in vinegar), and is a very popular combination of dishes
in Davao City.
Guso- are fresh seaweeds made into a salad
Bulad (Dried and Salted Fish)- is a dried fish that is deep fried to have a
crispy texture.
Puso (Rice Cooked in Coconut Leaves)- is rice wrapped and boiled in a
triangular casing made of woven coconut leaves. It is also called hanging rice, as
the packets.
Durian Pie- basically a pie with durian
Durian Ice Cream- basically an ice cream with durian in it.
Durian
Davao is famous as the “Durian Capital of the Philippines,” so a trip to this city will
not be complete if you without eating durian. Durian is lovingly called “The King of
Fruit,” and its spiky outer appearance holds a sweet and creamy fruit inside. Though
a lot of people may dislike the durian’s strong smell, its unique taste and custard-
like consistency make it a true Davao delicacy.
If eating fresh durian fruit is too overwhelming for you, try the other snacks and
desserts that take inspiration from durian. You can try durian candy or durian tarts,
which is a Davao food usually bought as pasalubong. These sweet treats are
flavored with durian but leave out the strong scent. You can also go for durian ice
cream! This would be a refreshing treat especially during sunny summer days.
Want to try durian in something a little more sophisticated? Look for Davao famous
delicacies such as durian coffeeccino, durian cheesecake, and durian sans rival.
Charcoal Ice Cream
Yes, the charcoal craze has remained solid in Davao, and charcoal ice cream has
become one of the famous street food and dessert in the region. While you can find
charcoal ice cream in most dirty ice cream carts, the best one can be found at the
Roxas Night Market. Expand your taste buds and refine your palate by trying
different and unique flavors.
Barbecue and Isaw
These grilled street food is a staple in Davao cuisine. Barbecue and isaw (chicken
intestines) are the perfect afternoon snack, or they can be the star of your meal
when paired with rice. Isaw is best dipped in a vinegar sauce containing onions and
peppers. For the most delicious barbecue, head on over to Poblacion District in
Davao City.
Cacao and Chocolate
Davao City has also been crowned as the “Chocolate Capital of the Philippines.”
Davao is also home to Malagos Chocolate, an internationally acclaimed Filipino
chocolate. Puentespina Farm, the cacao farm for Malagos Chocolate received a
“heirloom cacao” designation by the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund, making this
humble Davao delicacy a world-class offering to the world.
Visit the Malagos Chocolate Museum on your next trip to Davao to experience their
“tree-to-bar” chocolate experience. Take a tour around their nature park and learn
about growing cacao and the process of turning it to world-class chocolate. End this
tour by sampling their chocolate bars, chocolate craft beer, cacao juice, and try
their tablea chocolate dipping sauce.
Take a Trip and Try The best Davao Food
Davao City is a thriving urban center and a melting pot of nature, culture, and
luxury. Level up your next trip to Davao by sampling the different Davao delicacies
that you will not find anywhere else in the Philippines.
And if you fall in love with Davao food, why not make the move to Davao? Find
yourself your very own luxury condo in Davao and explore this beautiful city to the
fullest.
Lechón Buwaya (Roasted Crocodile)
Lechón Buwaya (Roasted Crocodile)

Lechón is a popular food in the Philippines. In fact, lechón is the country's National
Dish. It is prepared throughout the year for any special occasion, during festivals,
and the holidays. The word "lechón" actually originated from the Spanish term
"leche" which means "milk", thus lechón refers to a suckling pig that is roasted.
The dish usually features a whole suckling pig grilled over charcoal. But nowadays,
the original use of a suckling pig has given way to a medium-sized adult pig.
Preparation of lechón is quite simple; after the entrails are removed, the pig is
seasoned with spices which may include: "tanglad" (lemon grass) or "dahon ng
sampalok" (tamarind leaves). It is then skewered in a long bamboo stem, grilled
over a pit filled with hot charcoal fire and turned in a rotisserie action. The pig is
roasted on all sides for several hours until done. The process of cooking and
occasionally basting it with cooking oil usually results in making the pork skin crisp,
giving it a distinctive aroma and mouthwatering taste.

Over the years, and just like any popular dish, the lechón also evolved. Aside from
the use of pork, the lechón manok (grilled marinated chicken) has become so
popular a dish in recent years that the business of lechón manok has mushroomed
through out the Philippines, that every street corner is now filled with the likes of
the more popular chains of Andok's and Baliwag Lechón Manok, and the list goes on
...

And quite recently, the city of Davao has caught much the attention of the public,
and of course, the Philippine media, because of a different kind of lechón - the
notoriously talked-about Lechón Buwaya (Roasted Crocodile).

Lechón Buwaya (Roasted Crocodile)

In October 2011, the Davao Crocodile Park launched its "Croctoberfest 2011" in
Davao City where saltwater crocodiles were roasted in the traditional way of cooking
lechón. These were farm-bred saltwater crocodiles whose skins are usually sold
commercially for leather and their meat for food consumption. The Davao Crocodile
Park secures special permits from the Philippine Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) before these farm-bred crocodiles are slaughtered for
commercial or food purposes.

Crocodile meat is found to be low in fat, low in calories, and high in protein,
and looks like a cross between roasted beef and pork and tastes like chicken -
a little grainy but tender and just right. The price may well be prohibitive at
PhP2,000 per kilo, but there are many of those who regard it as a delectable fare.
 Grilled over hot charcoal fire

The whole crocodile was marinated overnight in beer, pineapple and

calamansi juice, coco syrup, chillies, pepper corns, and various spices. Roasted over
hot charcoal fire for well three hours, the croc's edible meat emits a distinctive
pungent smell, strong, and penetrating. While some people may regard it as
somewhat fragrant and enticing, others may find the aroma overpowering and
offensive. The taste evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust.

Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest of all living reptiles. It also
known as the estuarine or Indo-Pacific crocodile, and is found in suitable habitats
from Northern Australia through Southeast Asia to the eastern coast of India.

Saltwater crocodile

The Bests of Davao

 

Davao Cultural Heritage

Davao City is a melting pot for all cultures; its geography and surroundings, its
colorful history, the rich diversity of its culture and...

Victorio C. Edades
Victorio C. Edades (1895-1985) Philippine National Artist Father of Modern Philippine
Art This special post is dedicated to a gre...

Ten Highest Waterfalls in the Philippines

The Philippines is blessed with numerous waterfalls scattered in the different parts
of the archipelago, and each Falls has its ow...

Downtown Davao City

Aerial view of Downtown Davao City The Downtown area of Davao City is my
favorite spot in Davao City. It is where the Davao Ci...

Magsaysay Park
Magsaysay Park in Davao City is a beautifully landscaped public park that sits on a
huge sprawling expanse that faces the clear blue...
 

Authentic Davao Food

Lip-smacking traditional Davao food Davao City cannot be measured when it comes
to eateries. It is so because the Dabaweny...

Lechón Buwaya (Roasted Crocodile)

Lechón Buwaya (Roasted Crocodile) Lechón is a popular food in the Philippines. In
fact, lechón is the country's National Dish...

168 Mall of Davao

168 Mall of Davao 168 Mall is a first of it's kind in Davao City which features Chinese
products mostly at wholesale price by...

Bonsai Forest
Bonsai Forest in Mount Hamiguitan Bonsai is a widely popular and quite expensive
pursuit of art form where specific species of tre...

Hilltop
Davao City Hilltop Davao City Hilltop sits on a high, steep slope, hilly part of the
Barangay Langub, Diversion Road, Ma-a, D...
Festivals in Region 11 to Celebrating Vibrant Culture
I. Kadayawan Festival
1.1 The Festival of Harvest
Kadayawan is Davao City’s grand celebration of life, thanksgiving for the city’s
bountiful harvest, and the recognition of the indigenous peoples’ role in the city’s
development.
1.2 Street Dancing and Floral Float Parade
Highlighting traditional dances and vibrant floral floats, Kadayawan attracts locals
and tourists alike, fostering unity and appreciation for the city’s cultural diversity.
II. Araw ng Dabaw
2.1 Davao City’s Foundation Day
Araw ng Dabaw marks the founding anniversary of Davao City. The festival
includes various events such as street parties, parades, and cultural presentations.
2.2 Hudyakaan sa Araw ng Dabaw
A vibrant street party showcasing the city’s lively spirit, Hudyakaan brings people
together to celebrate Davao’s progress and unity.
III. Musikahan Festival
3.1 Celebrating Compostela Valley’s Music and Arts
Musikahan is Compostela Valley’s festival of music, dance, and arts. It features
various competitions, exhibits, and performances that showcase the talent and
creativity of the province.
IV. Banana Festival
4.1 Comval’s Tribute to Its Agricultural Wealth
Banana Festival in Compostela Valley pays homage to the province’s abundance
of bananas. The festival includes street dancing, float parades, and agricultural
exhibits.
V. Bulawan Festival
5.1 Celebrating Compostela Valley’s Gold Industry
Bulawan Festival is a tribute to the province’s gold industry. It features street
dancing, trade fairs, and showcases the rich natural resources of Compostela Valley.
Summary
In conclusion, the festivals of Region 11 not only celebrate the abundance of nature
and the richness of its culture but also foster unity and camaraderie among its
people. Each festival is a vibrant tapestry woven with the threads of tradition,
showcasing the resilience and creativity of the communities in Davao Region.
Law uy recipe
Ingredients

1x2x3x
 2 pieces Chinese Eggplant, diagonal sliced
 1 piece Patola / Luffa, sliced into round piece
 8 pieces okra, cut into 2 to 3 inches long
 8 pieces Green Long Beans, cut into 3 inches long
 1.5 cup squash, cubed
 2 cups spinach leaves
 3 stalk lemongrass
 3 pieces spring onion, cut into 3 inches long
 3 pieces Tomatoes, quartered
 1 piece medium red onion, quartered
 1 thumb-size ginger
 1 chicken bouillon cube
 5 cups water
 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions

1. Pour 5 cups of water on the pot.

2. Add the lemongrass, ginger and red onion. Wait till it boil

3. Add the squash. Let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or when it become soft

4. Add okra and green long beans. Give a quick stir. Let it simmer for 3 minutes

5. Add spring onion and tomatoes. Stir to mix

6. Add eggplant. Mix to sir and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes

7. Add spinach leaves. Stir to mix and let it simmer for 5 minutes

8. Add the patola. Let it simmer for 1 minutes before turning off the heat.

9. Serve it with rice

Kalderobo
ngredients
Units USMScale1x2x3x
Kalderobo
 1 kg pork belly, cubed
 2 pcs potatoes, cubed
 1 pcs carrot, cubed
 1/4 cup liver spread
 2 tbsp peanut butter
 1/2 cup coconut milk
 8 cloves garlic, minced
 1 red onion, chopped
 1 red capsicum, sliced
 1 green capsicum, sliced
 2 pcs bird’s eye chili, chopped
 2 cups pork stock
 oil
Marinade
 1/2 cup soy sauce
 1/4 cup vinegar
 4 pcs bay leaves
 1 tbs whole peppercorns
 6 cloves garlic, minced
Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
1. In a bowl, combine all marinade ingredients together. Add the pork belly to
the marinade, making sure it is fully coated. Let it marinate for at least 2
hours.
2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Remove the pork from the
marinade and sear until browned on all sides. Set aside.
 3. In the same pot, sauté the minced garlic and chopped onions until fragrant.
Add the sliced capsicums and cook for a few minutes until slightly softened.
4. Return the seared pork to the pot with the vegetables. Pour in the marinade,
coconut milk, and pork stock. Stir in the peanut butter, liver spread and
chillies.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let
it simmer for about 1 1/2 hours or until the pork is tender and the flavours
have melded together. Stir occasionally and adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. After the pork has simmered, add the carrots, potatoes, and capsicum to the
pot. Continue simmering until the vegetables are cooked through and tender.
7. Serve and enjoy.
Seafood feast
Ingredients

 ▢1 lb. mussels cleaned

 ▢2 lbs. crab legs

 ▢4 pieces sweet corn on the cob cut in half

 ▢1 lb. medium shrimp with shell

 ▢7 qt. water

 ▢1 teaspoon ground cloves

 ▢2 tablespoons salt

 ▢2 thumbs ginger crushed

 ▢1 tablespoon garlic minced

 ▢3 oz. crab boil

Instructions
1. Pour water on a large stockpot. Bring to a boil.

2. Add the cloves, salt, pepper, ginger, garlic, and crab boil. Continue to boil for
5 minutes.
3. Slowly add the potato and corn. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes.

4. Add the crab and mussels. Boil for 3 minutes.

5. Put-in the shrimps and cook for 3 to 5 minutes more.

6. Remove the seafood along with the potatoes and corn from the pot. Let the
water drip.
 7. Transfer to a serving tray. Serve with lemon butter sauce.

8. Share and enjoy!

Sinuglaw
Ingredients

 ▢1 lb Inihaw na liempo grilled pork belly, chopped

 ▢1 lb fresh tuna meat cubed

 ▢2 cups cucumber seeded and thinly sliced

 ▢1 1/4 cup vinegar cane, white, or coconut vinegar

 ▢1 medium sized red onion sliced

 ▢2 tablespoons ginger julienned

 ▢4 pieces finger chilies sliced

 ▢1 piece lemon

 ▢4 to 6 pieces Thai or Bird’s eye chili chopped

 ▢1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Place the tuna meat in a bowl then pour-in 1/2 cup of vinegar. Soak for 8
minutes.
2. Using a spoon of fork, press the tuna meat lightly.

3. Drain the vinegar then combine cucumber, onion, ginger, finger chili, Thai or
Bird’s eye chili, and salt. Mix well.
4. Squeeze the lemon until all the juices are extracted then pour-in the
remaining 3/4 cup vinegar. Mix well and soak for 10 minutes.
5. Put-in the Grilled pork belly and mix thoroughly. Let the mixture stand for at
least 1 hour (you may place this inside the refrigerator).
6. Transfer to a serving plate then serve.

7. Share and enjoy!

Chicken binakol
Ingredients
 2 stalks lemongrass
 1 tablespoon canola oil
 1 onion, peeled and sliced thinly
  3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
 1 thumb-size ginger, peeled and julienned
 1 (about 3 to 4 pounds) whole native chicken, cut into serving parts
 1 tablespoon fish sauce
 4 cups coconut juice
 1 cup young coconut meat (buko)
 1 green papaya, peeled and cut into cubes
 1 bunch spinach, stemmed and leaves separated
US CustomaryMetric
Instructions
1. Cut the stem and leaf ends of the lemongrass. Peel a few layers to get to the
white part. Cut into 2-inch lengths and pound until with the back of a knife to
release flavor. Set aside.
2. In a pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook until
softened.
3. Add chicken and cook until color changes and juices run clear.

4. Add fish sauce and cook for about 1 minute.

5. Add coconut juice and bring to a boil, skimming any scum that may float on
top.
6. Add lemongrass.

7. Lower heat, cover and continue to cook for about 20 to 25 minutes or until
chicken is cooked through.
8. Add papaya and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until tender.

9. Add coconut meat and cook until heated through.

10. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

11. Add spinach leaves, pushing down into the broth. Turn off heat and cover pot.
Serve hot.
Charcoal icecream
Ingredients
for 4 servings
 2 cups heavy cream(480 mL)
 2 cups half & half(480 mL)
  ½ cup sugar(100 g)
 2 tablespoons mint extract
 4 tablespoons black food coloring
 ¼ cup activated charcoal(10 g)
 dry ice
Special Equipment
 freezer bag
 whisk
 kitchen towel
 kitchen mallet
Preparation
1. In a large freezer bag, place a piece of dry ice. Close the plastic bag, but
leave a one-inch (2 ½ cm) opening to prevent the bag from fill with gas.
2. Cover the bag with a kitchen towel and carefully use a kitchen mallet to
break the dry ice into a powder.
3. In a large bowl, combine heavy cream, half & half, sugar, activate charcoal
(avoid consuming more than 100 grams of activated charcoal), 2 tablespoons
mint extract, and at least 4 tablespoons black food coloring (more food
coloring might be needed depending on concentration).
4. Whisk together ice cream mixture until frothy.
5. Slowly add a spoonful of dry ice into the mixture and whisk together.
Gradually add and mix in dry ice until a solid consistency is achieved.
6. Wait for all the dry ice to evaporate before consuming. Do not eat solid dry
ice.
7. For best results, eat within 24 hours.
8. *Consuming activated charcoal can interact with certain medications, check
with your doctor before ingesting
9. Busy? Plan your meals for the week using our exclusive meal planner tool in
the Tasty app. Download now and get organized.