Merienda

Merienda is having a light meal in between the three main meals in a day. Filipinos have adopted this from the Spanish. In the Philippines, merienda may consist of a cookie, a small sandwich with juice or in my case, Siomai.

There are different varieties of siomai. From the Chinese (Cantonese & Jiangnan) siomais, the Indonesian Siomais and of course, our very own Philippine siomai.


Siomai in the Philippines is usually ground pork, beef, shrimp mixed with extenders like carrots, jicama (singkamas), and the like. It is then wrapped with wanton wrappers. It can be steamed or deep-fried.

Today, I bought my siomais at Alunan Street, Bacolod City. The store does not have a name and they don't have a phone number (yet). If you come from Yulo's Park just go straight ahead. You will not go past the Alunan Bridge anymore. The stall in on the left. there's a cemented post right in front. You may also ask the by-standers. Eveybody in the area knows them.

Freshly cooked siomai are on display at 1:30pm daily. It was introduced to me by a colleague and a good friend of mine, Jane. These little darlings are to die for! Believe YOU ME! I can finish 10 pieces in one sitting! That's how good it is. And best of all it only cost Php6.00 per piece!


Who doesn't love siomai?