2 weeks Ago By Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines — It all begins with that crunch! In late 2022, the Philippines welcomed a snack that almost looked too pretty to eat called tanghulu, a Chinese street food delicacy of glossy, candied fruits on skewers. It didn’t take long for these eye-catching treats to take over Filipino social media — clips of the crisp shell of sugar-coated fruit cracking with a satisfying snap upon bite easily went viral. Tanghulu traces its origins back to China’s Song Dynasty (960–1279).
It was created as a medicinal snack, reportedly used by a physician to treat a consort of Emperor Guangzong. Its appeal quickly spread and became a popular treat, especially in northern China. Over centuries, Chinese migrants and cultural exchanges introduced variations of candied fruits to neighboring regions such as Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
The snack’s rise in popularity also gained momentum through the global influence of Korean pop culture. Although distinctly Chinese, Tanghulu’s presence in Korean dramas, variety shows, and K-pop idols gave it a fresh wave of attention. Tanghulu is as much a visual spectacle as it is a sensory, sweet delight.
Here’s where you can snag these vibrant, Instagrammable treats in Metro Manila, made by local vendors. Ms. Tanghulu At Ms.
Tanghulu, their fruit skewers, each encased in a crackling sugar shell, range from plump strawberries for P140 to juicy green muscat grapes at P130. CANDIED fruits on a stick. Photo from Ms.
Tanghulu Special highlights include sapphire grapes for 150 pesos, cherry tomatoes at P120, and a mix of Tanghulu fruits for P240 pesos for those who want variety. Don’t miss their creamy fresh fruit milk options, mango or strawberry milk, available for P120. DIFFERENT variety of fruits.
Photo from Ms. Tanghulu You can have Ms. Tanghulu delivered through Foodpanda.
Ms. Tanghulu also has locations in Ayala Vertis North, Mall of Asia, Venice Mall, McKinley Hill, Pasay, Quezon, and Makati. Tangfruits TangFruits offers premium fruits with a twist.
SUGAR-coated berries and grapes. Photo from Lucky Chinatown Mall Their selection includes Sweet Charlie strawberries for P140, King Berries at P215, and Shine Muscat grapes for P215. Black grapes are also available for P140, while honey mandarins and sweet kiats are priced at P140 pesos.
TAKEOUT-friendly packaging. Photo from Lucky Chinatown Mall You can order TangFruits from locations such as Estancia Mall, UP Town Center, and Robinsons Metro East in Pasig or Quezon City. Gugu Manju Manila Gugu Manju in Manila shakes things up with Tanghulu-inspired mini cakes, starting at P29 pesos per piece or P340 for a box of 12.
With flavors such as grape, mango, tangerine, and pineapple, these bite-sized treats are perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own. To complement the sweetness, they also offer a selection of milk teas and coffee. They also have fresh fruits in plastic takeout cups.
You can find Gugu Manju in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, SM City Fairview, Robinsons Place Imus, Fisher Mall Malabon, and SM City Sta. Rosa, as well as in Metroplaza Mall, SM Center Sangandaan, and Estancia Mall. Mega Mart Korean Grocery Tanghulu is also sold in Mega Mart, the largest Korean mart in the Philippines, located at Aseana Square, 717 Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Tambo, Paranaque City.
MEGA Mart Korean Grocery. Photo from Mega Mart Korean Grocery Mega Mart offers tanghulu alongside TikTok-viral Korean fruit juices, ready-to-eat meals, and authentic Korean ingredients, making it a one-stop shop for foodies. Vege Select Located at 739 Ongpin Street in the heart of Binondo, Vege Select has become a popular spot for those craving affordable Tanghulu.
VEGE Select Tanghulu. Photo from Explore with Chelo PH The small-sized Tanghulu sticks, priced between P30 to 50, feature a combination of about four sweet and tangy fruits per stick. Vege Select also sells Chinese food and delicacies, such as its famous sugarcane juice and meat skewers.
– Steph Arnaldo and Kila Orozco/Rappler.com.
