Tired of the usual fast food menu? Kids wanted to try something new and we wandered around the streets of Baguio, Philippines. In search of a different taste we asked the locals where we could buy food at this time. We were pointed to the end of a street and there lined up were food carts offering all sorts of food.

Satisfyingly Cheap

The air was cool and the streets were still busy in this beautiful evening. We first looked around to see anything enticing and that would satisfy our craving. We saw the usual barbecues roasting on the coals, some dumpling with rice and the other usual food which we could find back home. The kids didn't want to eat anymore and said to just get something from a convenient store. Still I was unwilling to end up eating hotdogs and walked a little further. We reached the end of the street and this food cart caught my eye. The lady on the stall was offering me a piece of crispy pork belly called "Bagnet".

Bagnet

Pork belly that is deep fried twice with skin crisp to perfection and with meat that is tender. Some add seasoning of salt and onions during the boiling process. It is known that the authentic recipe does not contain any seasonings. Native from Ilocos, Philippines which is around 60 km from Baguio, it is the reason why it can be found here. Perfectly cooked bagnet can even last a week in room temperature. During the Spanish era this is one way they preserved the meat and the technique was passed down to generations.

As the lady offered me a piece I took it immediately. The moment the piece of bagnet touched my mouth. Biting down on the crunchy piece of meat and savoring the flavor. I was hooked by the lady and I ordered one meal. I could tell now why she was so confident offering every passerby to have a taste. The meat was chopped into bits and was turned into a different dish which is called sisig. Added with onions, chili and some other seasoning it was topped on the rice that I ordered. Apart from the bagnet sisig there were also other meat dishes to choose from. On top of the bagnet I added another meat variant, thin slices of beef called tapa which is another popular dish.

The meal cost 60 pesos which is $1.14 usd which is what I call a very satisfying cheap meal. The family had a taste from my order and later on asked for their own serving. It was what we were exactly looking for which is something different form the usual fast food meals. Something we would eat and enjoy again when we come back. Right now as I create this blog I am already craving for it just by looking at the photo.

After that hearty meal we wanted something hot as the weather here is colder. We noticed a lot of people ordering from this stall and checked what it was. It was Mami which is our local noodles.

Mami

Originating from China this noodles is made up of flour noodles and meat broth. This dish dates back from the 1920's when Chinese migrants started to introduce their wares, trades and cuisine. Adapting the Mami different versions came out from everywhere and Mami became a local favorite. Today it can be found in almost any street corner and made very affordable to everyone.

Every stall selling the Mami has a different taste and flavor. Egg is added and vegetables that makes it a quick cheap meal to fill your belly. For me I prefer a Mami with a rich tasting broth which is very important to me. Others boil beef bones mixed with chicken bone to give a very rich flavor. We have a lot of soup noodle dishes but in my opinion the Mami is the one that is the most accessible to everyone. Also before I forget we love adding toasted garlic, chopped scallions and a dash of fish sauce or soy sauce to adjust the flavor to one's taste. I prefer to add a dash of chili oil as I love it hot. Savoring that toasted chili in oil on my Mami is getting me hungry already.

The meal cost 15 pesos or 30 cents and the one with the egg cost 25 pesos or 50 cents. Plus as a bonus you can have unlimited soup. As much soup that you could consume.

I do apologize for the the very few photos than the usual. I got pre occupied with eating and enjoying the bagnet rice meal. The rice meal with the mami noodles the cost 85 pesos which is around $1.62 which is definitely a satisfyingly cheap meal. Hope you enjoyed my share for today bringing you out with me for some street eats.

I leave you with the question of, "What is the cheapest meal that satisfied you the most?"

I must leave you for now and have an amazing evening or morning Steemians!

Follow @surpassinggoogle to witness an extraordinary person in this platform and vote for @steemgigs as witness

Discovering exceptional content in the community follow @curie and vote as witness

To have a glimpse of awesome content from the Philippines check out @bayanihan

See unique culture from around the world and join the challenge thru #culturevulture by @eroche

All photos are original and taken with

Lumix GX85 and 12-32 mm