Tutumpia

Tutumpia is a Filipino street food snack made from glutinous rice flour and coconut milk, formed into small balls, and then deep-fried. These balls are typically coated in a sweet caramel sauce made from muscovado sugar. The name "tutumpia" is onomatopoeic, derived from the sound the small balls make when dropped into hot oil.

The preparation involves mixing glutinous rice flour with coconut milk to create a dough. Small portions of this dough are then rolled into bite-sized balls. These balls are deep-fried until they turn golden brown and puffed up. While still hot, they are tossed in the simmering caramel sauce, which coats them and gives them a sticky, sweet finish.

Tutumpia is a popular merienda or snack, often sold by street vendors, particularly in the Philippines. It is known for its chewy texture from the glutinous rice and its contrasting sweetness from the caramel coating. The simple ingredients and quick cooking process contribute to its widespread availability and affordability as a street food. Variations in the recipe might exist regionally, but the core components of glutinous rice, coconut milk, and a sweet coating remain consistent.