Must-Try Davao Specialties On Your Next Foodtrip Adventure

Davao was known for its friendly locals, beautiful beaches, and abundance of durian and pomelo. These latter two are the most well-known dishes in the province, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't explore the other delicious specialties Davao has to offer. As a matter of fact, the tastiest cuisine in Davao may occasionally be found in unexpected places, and only the most courageous eaters should attempt them.

Our Lumina Homes in Davao del Norte is a great example of why relocating to a new province is always an adventure, as you get to know the locals and sample all the delicious cuisine the area has to offer.

In any case, if you're looking for a taste of something more genuine and local, here are a few dishes you might try while visiting Davao.

Famous Delicacies in Davao

Davao has some of the best cuisines in the Philippines since the Dabawenyos' traditional lifestyle has shaped their eating habits and the foods they like most. Let's discover some of Davao's unique local delicacies below:

1. Bulalo

When it's chilly and rainy in the Philippines, a hot bowl of bulalo and a nice book are the perfect combination.

This delectable Davao soup is made by slowly simmering beef shanks and bone marrow (still on the bone) in a combination of water, fish sauce, onions, and peppercorns, then adding veggies.

2. Colasa’s Barbecue

When it comes to barbecue and grilled dishes in Davao City, Colasa's Barbecue is a household name that can be found in Andres Bonifacio Rotunda, Poblacion District, Davao City.

Although the inside of this Pichon St. (Magallanes St.) restaurant isn't the most attractive, the grilled chicken and grilled pork marinated in barbecue sauce used in Colasa's Barbecue is well-regarded by the community. That's why make sure to complete your trip to Davao by trying this most craved Colasa's famous BBQ!

3. Chicken Binakol

It's a comforting and tasty chicken soup dish that's perfect for cold winter days. The chicken is slow-cooked till tender with coconut meat and malunggay leaves. It's an odd combination when broken down into its individual parts, yet when put together, it's rather effective. The combination of the tart coconut water with the other flavors results in a dish that is both interesting and satisfying to eat.

4. Crispy Pata

In Davao, crispy pata is a must-order if you're looking for a delicious Filipino comfort dish.

This boneless pig leg is seasoned to perfection and deep fried till golden brown. The initial bite has a satisfying crunch and a rich crackling that are reminiscent of and not dissimilar to a Singaporean roast pig. Time is required to make this delicious and indulgent dish, but the tender, flavorful meat is worth the effort.

5. Filipino-Style Fried Fish with Mango Sauce

In addition to the attractive resort facade, booming economy, and clear blue waters, you really must try Davao's local cuisine. Here, you can enjoy a wonderful seafood feast that seems like everything on the table is delicious. One of the locals' and tourists' favorite dishes is fried fish with mango sauce. This is then paired with Turon which is a popular delicacy that is deep-fried and tastes delicious. You can eat this yummy deep-fried dessert either plain or with a tablea chocolate dipping sauce, achieving that sweet and savoury flavours combination.

6. Grilled Squid

Grilled squid is one of Davao's signature dishes, and one that visitors often lament missing out on. It fools the eye into thinking it's a simple cuisine, but the sophisticated combination of tastes leaves a somewhat scorched and sour aftertaste. Grilled squid is delicious on its own, but it's much better when topped with chopped tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers.

7. Grilled Tuna Belly

One of the most popular dishes at Yellow Fin, a restaurant known for its fresh seafood and delicious Filipino cuisine, is the grilled tuna belly, which uses just a few spices yet still manages to be very flavorful. Since it is tender throughout, a dish of grilled tuna belly could be very satisfying. Don't forget to get this grilled tuna belly serving on your next foodtrip!

8. Imbaw

Some of the greatest seafood in the nation may be found on the island of Imbaw, which is part of Mindanao. Davao City is home to a number of mouthwatering seafood dishes, such as the Imbaw and Tinolang Halaan. While this famous clam soup may not seem like much, it has a clean and refreshing taste that makes it a must-try in Davao.

9. Isaw (chicken intestines)

Chicken intestines, after being well cleansed on the inside and exterior and cooked until mushy, are the main ingredient in this famous street snack. It may be available in almost every restaurant and is often served with a vinegar-onion, chili, or spicy sauce for dipping. It may not have the best aesthetic appeal, and it's not quite as chewy as it seems but is well worth a go as it tastes absolutely delicious!

10. Kalderobo

Every region in the nation has its own take on the Filipino dish adobo as a sumptuous Filipino comfort food. Davao City's take on Filipino cuisine omits pork in favor of extraordinarily tender beef. Try this Kalderobo in Davao to get a flavor of the local cuisine and see whether you enjoy this quite a strange combination if you've never had beef adobo before.

11. Law-Uy

Vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike will enjoy this dish as much as its meat-eating counterpart. Vegetables including okra, taro, jute leaves (saluyot), and loofah give this meal its distinctively sticky, almost slimy texture, making it a standout among other vegetable dishes in the country, but extremely tasty nonetheless.

12. Pakfry

Pakfry, a hybrid of Paksiw and Fry, is an unusual term. As its name suggests, it requires a two-step cooking process. It's first marinated in vinegar and spices, then deep-fried till crisp. One kind of tail used in Mindanaoan Pakfry is made from tuna (Tuna tail). Davao City's Palovince restaurant on Dakudao Avenue is the best place to try this regional specialty.

13. Sinuglaw

Another Davao's recommended dish is a mashup of two words: "Sinugba," meaning "grilled," and "Kinilaw," which means "Ceviche" in Filipino. It mostly consists of fresh tuna and pork that has been grilled and marinated in a mixture of vinegar, chilies, onions, ginger, and either lemon or lime.

Satisfy Your Palate Daily with Davao's Savoury Dish

One certain way to fully immerse oneself in the culture of one's travel destination is to fully indulge in that culture. The Philippines is no exception to the rule that you can learn a lot about a place just by trying its delicacies and cuisines.

If you think a few days is not enough to appease your appetite with Davao's pretty addictive dish, then be practical and get a house and lot in the Philippines in this province through Lumina Homes' best-deal housing packages!

Our affordable house and lot for sale in Lumina Tagum can definitely satisfy your seafood cravings as well as indulge you with various famous tourist destinations like the Davao del Norte's Six World Adventures, which is the largest inland resort in the city. 

Living in the affordable house and lot in Lumina Tagum also grants you the movability and accessibility that you need, even though you are living away from the metro. Thanks to its proximity to the Provincial Road and Daang Maharlika Highway, you can easily visit adjacent towns, cities, and provinces as well as reach the city's commercial center in no time!

Hurry, and make your online home reservations now on this website and experience the beauty and appetizing New Tourism Capital of the South!