BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA
In every corner of the Philippines, street food is a common sight—and one of the most popular is kwek-kwek.
Typically made of boiled quail eggs coated in orange batter and deep-fried, this snack is known for its eye-catching orange color.
But in Bataan, this popular street food isn’t called kwek-kwek—it’s called “eggball.”
This term may be unfamiliar to outsiders, but for many locals, it’s the only name they’ve known for the dish.
Vendors say the name “eggball” has long been used in the province, likely derived from the food’s round, ball-like shape.
Although there are no official records tracing the origin of the name, generations of Bataeños have grown up calling kwek-kwek as eggball.
It’s a part of their everyday language and food culture.
This highlights the rich diversity of street food names across the Philippines.
In different regions, food names often change depending on local dialects or customs.
For example, fishballs are called “bola-bola” in some provinces, and even “isaw” has its own local version elsewhere.
So the next time you find yourself in Balanga, Abucay, or nearby towns, don’t be surprised if you hear someone shout, “Kuya, pabili nga po ng eggballs!”
It’s not wrong—it’s just how they’ve always known it.
