Although it’s been a month since his Serenades & Body Rolls World Tour stop in Manila, Korean artist Jay Park is still raving about his fun experience with Filipino culture, especially the local snacks.
In a video posted by food content creator Abi Marquez, also known as the "Lumpia Queen," Jay took on the challenge of tasting popular Filipino snacks from neighborhood sari-sari stores.
“Hey, Abi! Bilhan mo ako ng Filipino snacks,” Jay said in Filipino, agreeing to do the challenge.
“Sure. What’s your budget?” Abi responded as Jay handed her a $1 bill (around ₱50), and the challenge began.
First up was a vinegar-seasoned squid-flavored chip.
“Vinegar Pusit. This is just a squid flavored chips seasoned with vinegar,” Abi introduced. “It’s my favorite.”
Jay had a positive reaction trying the first snack as it is one of his preferences in food: “Wow! I love vinegar. This is since 1989? It’s good. It’s like 9.5.”
He explained that the less point 5 is just because it is his first snack and he want to try on the others before deciding.
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Next was Choko Choko, a popular sweet treat.
“This is Choko Choko. It’s basically melted chocolate in a stick so its liquid inside,” Abi described.
Although he had a fair share of his favorite sweets and desserts like custards, donuts and cupcakes, Jay gave the snack a rate of 8.
“This is sweet. Very, very sweet. If I was a kid I would love this but now that I am an old man, it’s too sweet like a cavities,” he explained. “I give this an 8.”
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He then tried the sour gumball Yakee and was instantly a fan.
“Yakee. It’s a gumball. Oh I love it. I give this a 9 as well,” Jay said enjoying the candy.
Abi shared that Filipino friends once had a challenge where one must not make a sour face when they eat the candy in which Jay easily accomplished.
“I just beat the challenge. No face (at all),” Jay proudly said.
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Another snack has just got a high rate for Jay as he enjoyed eating the sweet-and-sour tamarind.
“Sampalok. This is a very sour fruit, but it’s basically cooked and rolled in sugar,” Abi explained.
“I give this a 9 out of 10 too,” Jay responded.
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Jay also approved of the barbecue flavored Clover Bits that he described as something one cannot resist.
“A taco barbecue. Dangerous though. This is like I want to stop but it’s addicting (to eat too). I give this a 9,” he expressed.
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At the end of the video, Jay shared that he liked the first snack most in all the snacks he tried.
“The winner is Vinegar Pusit. I’ll change it to a 10,” he said.
@abigailfmarquez Tiktok
Beyond the food, Jay also shared how much he appreciated the support of Filipino fans during his stay.
“It’s my first time in the Philippines in six years right now so maraming salamat (thank you) to all the fans in the Philippines. I appreciate you all for rocking with me for so many years and I hope to see you more often. Thank you, guys!” he said at the end of the video.
In a comment after the video, Jay added: “Yeeee🔥🔥🔥… MISSING MANILA ❤️.”
A fan who attended his show shared that even during the concert, Jay had been sharing how much he enjoyed the snack.
“He literally couldn't shut up about the pusit during the intro to the concert.,” the fan said, to which Abi replied, “Hahahhahahaha I heard!!! I'm sorry the context was late 😂.”
READ: Here are 5 things Filipino fans loved about Jay Park's comeback concert
Fans are now hoping for a part two, maybe with Jay trying Abi’s version of lumpia, especially since he’s said to love it.
“Jay loves lumpia too. I hope he can taste your own versions of lumpia 😭,” a fan said.
From fans' love to tasty Filipino snacks, Jay also shared his favorite Filipino expressions.
“I learned some Tagalog, and I was like, ‘boom panis’, and they’re like, ‘it’s old. I was like, ‘what do you want me to say?’ and they’re like, ‘masarap ka’. Is that how you say what’s up to people?” he said at the beginning of the concert.
In between his song performances, he would check the crowd’s vibe using the exact same question: “Are you still with me? Still boom panis?”
Jay is currently continuing his Serenades & Body Rolls World Tour, performing in Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland this August. He also released a new single “Remedy.”