Davao morning street food

This is a late post of something I started writing back in May 2025. This was just after my travels to Davao where were setting up a program in UP Mindanao. The photos below capture the morning street food scene in Davao City. They provide a glimpse of what's available and what people typically buy whether as their first meal of the day or as baon or lunch pack to eat later at their offices or schools. These are familiar scenes in our cities that we hope can be accommodated even as we continue to develop.

Here's a vendor on a trike selling food for breakfast or lunch meals. You can purchase fried viand like fish or longganisa, rice, and bottled softdrinks or water.

Fresh fruits being prepared for selling. The aquarium-like case is for sliced fruits that are sold ready to eat.

Street vendor selling coffee to the early birds - people who were commuting to their office or school early in the morning. I assume the coffee also sells well during the rest of the day.

Different versions of fried bananas

Maruya or banana fritters - I got a couple of these for myself. I ate one when I arrived back at the hotel and another as an afternoon snack. Surprisingly, it survived without being feasted on by ants.

Turon or fried banana spring rolls

Bananas in the frying pan

The food reminded me of my early morning walks in other cities including Bangkok. You see a lot of these near the workplaces and schools as well as the PUV terminals or where people typically get on or off their rides (sakayan). I believe these are an essential part of life in our cities and provide inexpensive meal or eating options for everyone.

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