Pudpod facts for kids

Pudpod is a tasty smoked fish patty. It is a special food from the Philippines. People in Eastern Samar, especially the Waray people, love to eat it.

What is Pudpod?

Pudpod is a type of patty made from fish. It is usually made from small fish called bolinaw, which are also known as anchovies. Sometimes, bigger fish like tuna or even shark are used to make pudpod.

How is Pudpod Made?

Making pudpod involves a few steps:

• First, the fish is cleaned very well.
• Then, it is boiled until cooked.
• After boiling, the fins and any large bones are carefully taken out.
• The fish is then mixed with salt and juice from a small citrus fruit called calamansi.
• This mixture is pounded flat to form patties.
• Finally, these patties are smoked. They are placed on bamboo platforms. Below them, coconut husks slowly burn for several hours. This smoking process gives pudpod its unique flavor.

How to Enjoy Pudpod

Pudpod can be eaten in different ways.

• You can eat it as it is, straight after it's smoked.
• Most people like to cook it more by braising (cooking slowly in liquid) or frying it.
• It is often served with dipping sauces.
• Pudpod is a great side dish for rice.
• It also goes well with lugaw, which is a type of rice porridge.
• Some people enjoy pudpod with other boiled starchy foods. These include camote (sweet potato), balanghoy (cassava), and saba bananas.

The Name "Pudpod"

The word Pudpod comes from Visayan languages. It means "to pound" or "to grind." This name makes sense because the fish is pounded when making the patties.

There is another dish also called chorizo pudpud. This is a different food from Negros. It is made by the Ilonggo people. It uses fried chorizo sausages without their casings. So, remember, the fish patty pudpod is different from chorizo pudpud!