Glossary B
Bao is a Chinese word for abalone.
Bao also refer to sweet or savory steamed buns which are popular among the Chinese communities all over Asia and is usually eaten during breakfast or as a snack at any time of the day and it goes very well with a cup of hot coffee or cold beverages (soda). It is filled with Kaya (coconut and egg jam), red beans paste, meat and many other variety of fillings.
In the Philippines, steamed buns is popularly called as Siopao, a savory bun filled with meat or meatballs. I have never seen any Siopao with a sweet filling so far. In Malaysia, it is called Bao and a sweet Bao filled with coconut and egg jam is called Kaya Bao.
Bhel puri refers to one of India's savory snacks made of puffed rice and lentils. Bhel Puri is one of Bombay’s favorite snacks made from a mixture of puffed rice, sev, puri, lentils, finely chopped onions and chopped coriander. They are served with 2 kinds of chutney toppings : 81) a sweet chutney made from tamarind and dates; and (2) spicy chili and onion chutney.
Bat and Balls also known as Soup Number 5 is one of the exotic soups from the Philippines made of cow's genitals, ginger and lots of onions. It is one of specialties in Batangas, Philippines which is actually made of a cow’s penis (bat) and testicles (balls). It is usually served with chili and kalamansi (Philippines local lime).
Biko refers to one of Philippines sweets made of glutinous rice cooked in brown sugar and Coconut milk.
Biko is also spelled as Bico. They are made in different ways in every region of the country, but the main ingredients are always glutinous rice (Malagkit) and Coconut Milk (Gata) and of course the brown sugar (Asukal) to sweeten it.
Bico is best served with Latik.
Below is a picture of Biko sold using a mobile cart. One of the lovely sights we can always see in Philippines streets, the different raw or cooked food sold by mobile carts around.