"FOOD is the ingredient that binds us TOGETHER."
Ilocos had always been a tourist destination for both local and foreign tourist. It's one of the most visited place because aside from its amazing tourist spots, another reason why people loves visiting our province is because of its delicacies.
Let me introduce to you the mouth-watering delicacies that Ilocos is proud of.
Vigan Longganisa
This dish had always been a favorite not only for every tourist but also the locals in the province. Vigan longganisa is pork meat and fat mixed manually with Sinait Garlic and stuffed into an intestine wrap. Vigan longganisa is quite salty and garlicy to taste making it unique from other longganisa of different provinces and is best paired with Ilocos vinegar or KBL( kamatis, bagoong,lasona(sibuyas)).
Vigan Bagnet
Vigan Bagnet is the Ilocano version of lechon kawali. Large chunks of pork leimpo, belly or pork sides, deep fried for at least two times until crispy. It is serve with tomato and onion with bagoong (fish sauce). This might be an unhealthy food but endulging our body with this food once in a while is not that bad at all.
Sinanglao
Sinanglao is beef innards and skin soup, flavored with bile and kamias.Vigan sinanglao are served at street side eateries in the morning since this is a go-to food especially during cold season in the province. It is also considered as a "hangover" soup, so this would be perfect for tourist who had enjoyed the night through drinking.
Poqui-poqui
Though it may sound weird, this dish here is a must try for every tourist. Poqui Poqui is made of roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and eggs. Healthy, filling, and delicious, it's a meatless breakfast or dinner meal that everyone will love.
Vigan Empanada and Okoy
Vigan Empanada is a Filipino street food with an orange rice flour dough filled with green papaya, Vigan longaniza and egg deep fried to make the outer layer crisp with a slightly chewy inside. This hearty snack is a must stay for every tourist as its full of flavor and is perfect after a tour especially around Calle Crisologo since this is where you could taste the best empanada, at Insiang's Empanadahan.
This is another Vigan favorite snack. Ukoy is made of rice flour, tomatoes, chives and shrimp. It goes perfectly with the Vigan empanada since both are best partnered with Ilocos vinegar and both are eaten while its hot to fully enjoy its taste.
Calamay
Kalamay is a famous delicacy made from brown sugar, coconut milk and glutinous rice from Candon City, Ilocos Sur. It is sold in pack and through modern packaging, vendor now uses polystyrene containers wrapped in cellophane, though the original form of calamay is wrapped in banana leaves or in coconut shells. This is a famous snack being sold by peddlers on buses or in bus stops to tourist.
Tinubong and tupig
Chichacorn/Kornik and Chichapop
These finger food would be the best pasalubong(souvenir) to officemates. These pasalubong is a great finger food to munch on during breaks. What makes it different from the typical kornik is that the Ilocos Chichacorn is much easier to chew because the corn kernels are puffed and it also comes in several flavors: Cheese, Garlic, and Sweet and Spicy.
Royal Bibingka
Royal Bibingka is not your regular bibingka. It is a popular rice cake that resembles a piece of mamon, or perhaps a Pinoy cheese cupcake at first glance, but it is a different piece of goodness that should not be ignored. It taste like a combination of cassava cake and espasol and it has a nice chewy texture. There are different food companies here in the province that sells royal bibingka that are individually uniqur, but for me, Marsha's royal bibingka is the best. It's sweetness and a little saltiness combined makes it delicious.
These are just some of the famous cuisines and delicacies that helps Ilocos made a mark as one of the visited tourist destination in the Philippines. Just hearing the names of these food will always made you think of Ilocos.
"It's always SURE, ILOCOS SUR!😉😉"
◎Be safe everyone!◎
(All photos are taken from Google Images)
