"Shawarma - a budget traveller's friend" Philippines Shopping Tip by birgitte

Something from our Arab friends. Shawarma is a middle east type food adapted to the Filipino taste and made popular by an enterprising contract worker from Saudi Arabia. He thought it a great idea to set up a stand offering these affordable, filling and tasty treats on the streets. From its first appearance at Rustan's grocery store in Makati, Shawarma's popularity is attested to by the mushrooming shawarma stands in every city.

Shawarma is made from the unleavened bread type thing. Fillings may either be grilled beef or chicken... sometimes turkey. I prefer chicken as it doesn't grease so much once it gets cold. Veggies in it are tomatoes, onions, and lettuce or cabbage. What makes it special is the sauce. Choose between hot orange sauce or creamy white onion and garlic sauce. I prefer making it swim in all the creamery goodness of the white sauce. If you want more of it, either ask more from the sellers or look for the plastic bottles containing the sauce on the stand which they allow customers to use.

What to buy: Picture shows tindero (seller) about to cut slivers of meat from beef stump. Eating shawarma is messy. That is why most often, each shawarma is wrapped in its own plastic. Dont take it out but use the plastic to catch the dripping sauce as each "sandwich" inevitably would get soppy wet from the sauce. And just bite from the top taking care to bend down.... and avoiding drips on your shirt. A good pose would be to extend your butt out thereby ensuring your shoes wont get stains as well. Passers by would say... ah.... probably eating shawarma even before they see you with shawarma on your hands.

Please throw wrappings in proper wastebaskets as they now fine people for littering. Old custom is to throw in streets. hehe. kidding.

What to pay: Shawarma is most popular with students because it provides a filling meal on a small budget. Costs between P20-30 pesos. less than a dollar. Some fancy places may offer it at P50 (1 dollar) but considering how filling it is.... it is still an affordable breakfast / lunch / merienda / or even dinner.

Theme: Food and Drink