Souvenirs from Philippines: Ensaymadas & Chicharons

Our friend Adrian has just returned from Philippines and after being bugged by us several times, brought home some food that Kays & I have tasted while we visited Manila but have not been able to get out of our heads:
1. Ensaymada, a filipino sweet bread somewhat similar to a brioche, is one of many pastries derived from spanish origins. They are soft, buttery, milky and rich, and with the added slather of butter, sugar, and grated cheese on top, this is a sinful pillow of extravagance which I tried years ago when I traveled to Manila for work. This comes either plain, or with Ube (yam) and Macapuno (coconut) fillings just to name a few.

 

2. Chicharon is a type of crackling. Kays is a fan of pork cracklings and has been on the hunt for something similar to the Porky Bits he tried when we were in Perth several years back. On his recent trip to Manila he came across this local alternative. We tried looking for it in Lucky Plaza but with no such luck. Adrian got us TWO packets that looked absolutely artery-clogging (have not figured out what it is made of yet... pork? chicken?), accompanied by dipping sauce and all. Kays is a happy man~

Thanks Vietnam Gou Lou Lee!