Davao Food Trip Guide: 5 Unusual Davao Delicacies That Are Weirdly Satisfying

For many travelers, Davao meant pristine beaches, durian, and pomelo. While the two latter points are most popular in the province in terms of food, there are more Davao delicacies worth trying, too. And sometimes, the best food in Davao comes in an unusual form that only food adventurers would be daring to try.

Famous Davao Food to Try

Here’s a list of the unusual yet worth-trying Davao delicacies to add to your list:

1. Bulalugaw Davao
2. Durian Coffeeccino
3. Kopi Luwak
4. Lechon Buwaya
5. Charcoal Ice Cream

What’s inside this blog?

• Famous Davao Food to Try
• Frequently Asked Questions About Davao Delicacies

1. Bulalugaw

Photo credits to Chef G’s

Picture this: lugaw and bulalo, two Filipino food favorites, in one bowl. Instead of the usual chicken or egg toppings, Davaoeños gave the classic rice porridge a delightful twist by adding beef meat and bone marrow! Hence, bulalugaw Davao was born. 

2. Durian Coffeeccino

Photo credits to Blugré Coffee Official

Dubbed as the King of Fruits because of its distinctive shape, rich flavor, and smell, durian is one of the most famous foods in Davao. While it’s popular, not everyone is a fan of it. But because Filipinos are naturally innovative, locals have thought of including durian in many types of food in Davao City, from candies and cakes to coffee! Yes, Durian Coffeeccino exists and has become one of the most popular Davao food delicacies.

3. Kopi Luwak

Any Davao cuisine is best paired with a good cup of joe. If you want to level up your Davao food trip, make sure to try the Civet coffee (kopi luwak), one of the most notable Davao delicacies. These coffee beans are harvested from the foot of Mt. Apo. Unlike regular coffee beans, kopi luwak came from the droppings of the civet cats. The coffee cherries are eaten and defecated by civet cats. Don’t raise your eyebrow yet because while kopi luwak came from the droppings of civet cats, it has a smooth aromatic chocolatey taste with less bitterness than regular coffee. And mind you, it’s one of the most expensive coffees in the world. 

4. Lechon Buwaya

If you’ve been to some buffets in Davao, you’d see that there are many Davao dishes that contain crocodile meat. If you want to test the adventurer in you, make sure to try Lechon Buwaya (roasted crocodile). It is a famous exotic food in Davao where the whole croc is roasted like the usual lechon baboy.

5. Charcoal Ice Cream

Photo credits to rafcarlosaid

After devouring a sumptuous buffet in Davao, time for some sweet Davao food delicacies! We recommend you try the famous charcoal ice cream at the Roxas Night Market where you can get it for a cheaper price. The charcoal may not look too appealing but its taste is the total opposite! What better way to end your Davao food trip than this?

Can’t find the perfect hotels in Davao? Check out ZEN Rooms to enjoy quality accommodations that fit any budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About Davao Delicacies

Q: What are the native Davao delicacies?
A: If you’re looking for delicacies in Davao City for pasalubong, Milay’s Native Delicacies is a great place to visit. They serve its signature Kakanin Specials such as Sapin-sapin with Langka, Signature Bibingka, Signature Kutsinta, Puto with Fillings, Creamy Maja Blanca, Biko with Latik, and Creamiest Cassava Cake.

Q: What is the local appetizer in Davao?
A: Kinilaw is a classic Davao cuisine and Filipino appetizer. It is made with raw, cubed fish in a dressing based on vinegar. This appetizer is typically garnished with onions, ginger, chili peppers, and garlic. Kinilaw is considered as one of the best foods in Davao.

Q: What is the product of Davao?
A: Davao is a major producer of rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, cacao, durian, mangosteen, mango and banana. That’s why many Davao City delicacies are made with these as prime ingredients.

Q: What is Davao known for?
A: Davao is known for being home to so many beautiful islands and home to Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines. It is also dubbed as the “Durian Capital of the Philippines” and “Chocolate Capital of the Philippines” as these two are the famous foods in Davao.

Q: Why is durian famous in Davao?
A: Mention Davao cuisine and durian is always on the list. Durian is famous in Davao because of its abundance in the region. Even if it smells bad, durian is considered one of the best foods in Davao City.

Disclaimer: ZEN Rooms claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on ZEN Rooms, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.