Culinary delights from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao

The Philippines, speaking of cuisines, gives its visitors every reason to be at a heavenly state from the beauty of its dishes. Each of the regions present in the Philippines not only has the common food. The staples but also other unique food components that distinguish that region. Furthermore from the others – In this sense, the bulalo from Luzon, the scallop lunch in Visayas and the lambad from spiced up regions like Mindanao are all encompassing of the many diverse forms of the country.

This traveler’s guide presents a proper roster of the national dishes of the Philippines and the items that should be sampled when visiting the archipelagic nation Documentation. If you happen to love crunchy fried pork or fried meat, hot soothing noodle soup or different kinds of seafood, look no further as every area has something for you. I must say the Philippines could indeed appeal the appetite of every kind of people because of the interesting different foods available in the country, let us go to the appetizing part wherein, the different delicious foods available in the country will be discussed.

As a summary of your interests, here’s a food list for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the provinces of the Philippines. I even added some introductory text along with tips for traveling, some regional or national culinary hotspots, and famous food available in all walks of life.

Luzon

Pampanga – Sisig, Tocino, Kapampangan Cuisine

• Pampanga is the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. And Sisig, or spicy and sizzling pork, of course coexists with tocino (sweet cured pork) It is one of the famous foods in this region.
• Budget: In small local restaurants around 100-200 pesos ($2-4) for a meal.
• Famous Places: Aling Lucing’s Sisig in Angeles City and Everybody’s Café in San Fernando.

Bicol

•  Bicol Express, Laing One more exotic cuisine prepared in the Philippines is that of the Bicol region which combines meaty dishes and coconut milk with chili. I recommend you try two of the most delicious Bicol dishes Bicol Express (pork in coconut-curry sauce) and Laing (coconut taro stew).
• Estimated Costs: 100-150 pesos for individual/local servings.
• Noteworthy Restaurants: Bigg’s Diner in Naga, Geewan in Legazpi.

Ilocos

• Bagnet, Empanada, Pinakbet Ilocos is big on Bagnet, deep fried crispy pork, as well as Vigan Empanada, a meat-vegetable stuffed wonder deep fried.
• Inexpensive: 50-150 pesos per item in the markets/eateries(courtesy). Remarkable Places:
• Irene’s Vigan Empanada, Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant in Laoag.

Batangas

• Bulalo, Lomi Bulalo a beef marrow stew or fried beef shanks and lomi a thick egg noodle soup with meat are Batangas City’s pride and glory.
• Cost: 150-250 pesos Bulalo, Lomi. Notable Outlets: Rose and Grace in Sto. Tomas for Bulalo, Lomi King in Lipa.

Quezon

• Pancit Habhab, Longganisang Lucban and Longganisang Lucban Pancit Habhab, a kind of native dish made of dry fried noodles served over banana leaves, is Quezon stainless desirable.
• Estimated costs: 20-50 pesos Pancit Habhab, php 150-200 Longganisa with meals.
• Applies to: Buddy’s in Lucban, Eker & Ely’s presentation of Pancit Habhab.

Tagaytay – Tawilis, Buko Pie

• Taal Lake has a tawilis fish which the people around Tagaytay often call as ‘the freshwater sardine’, together with the well-known Laguna Buko Pie coconut pie.
• Budget: sea foods – ₱150-300 ($3-6) for a dish; a whole Buko Pie – ₱200-400 ($4-8).
• Famous Places: For Tawilis, head to Mahogany Market, Colette’s Buko Pie in Laguna.

Baguio – Strawberry Taho, Ube Jam

• Strawberry Taho (tofu covered with strawberry syrup) and Ube Jam (a spread made of purple yam) are some of the sweet imperial treats one can have in Baguio City.
• Budget: For street food -₱20-50 ($0.40-1); For Ube Jam- ₱100-150 ($2-3).
• Famous Places: For Ube Jam Good shepherd convent, Street foods Session Road.

Visayas

Cebu – Lechon, Puso, Ngohiong

• People from Cebu are well known of their lechon (roast pig) owing to its dry skin and tasty meat. The Puso (hanging rice) and Ngohiong (spring roll) are also commonly seen in the streets.
• Budget: lechon- ₱200-400 ($4-8); for street food- ₱5-20 ($0.10-0.40).
• Famous Places: Rico’s Lechon, Carcar Public Market.

Iloilo – La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo

• Others are La Paz Batchoy, which is a soup with noodles and pork organs, and Pancit Molo, a soup with dumpling too; these dishes are typical of Iloilo and should be tried.
• Budget: For Batchoy and molo soup- ₱50-100 ($1-2).
• Famous Places: Netong’s Original Special La Paz Batchoy, Molo Mansion.

Negros Occidental – Chicken Inasal, Piaya

• As well as Piaya, which is a muscovado-filled flatbread snack, the grilled chicken or Inasal of Bacolod is loved by many.
• Budget: 100-150 pesos (2-3 dollars) for Chicken Inasal; 20-40 pesos (0.40-0.80 dollars) for Piaya.
• Famous Places: Manokan Country in Bacolod, Bongbong’s Piaya.

Bohol – Peanut Kisses, Calamay

• Local delicacies such as Bohol Peanut Kisses as the name suggests is made of peanuts and the Calamay made from sticky rice and coconuts are household names Bohol is always good for.
• Budget: 50-100 pesos (1-2 dollars) for snacks.
• Famous Places: Bohol Bee Farm for local delicacies, public markets for Calamay.

Leyte – Binagol, Moron

• The desserts Binagol (wrapped in a coconut shell is a combination of taro with coconut) and Moron which is a rice cake with a sticky chocolate flavor are great in Leyte. Originally this dessert came from Dagami, Leyte. 1 hour drive from the city. You can buy from there. Fresh, new and way cheaper.
• Budget: 20-40 pesos (0.40-0.80 dollars) for a piece of Binagol or Moron.
• Famous Places: Tacloban City public markets, Pasalubong (souvenir) centers.

Siquijor – Torta, Budbud

• Local Torta of Siquijor town is a type of sweet sponge cake whereas Budbud is a delicacy made of sticky rice wrapped with banana leaves.
• Budget: 20-50 pesos (0.4-1 dollar) per piece.
• Famous Places: Local bakeries in Siquijor town , Siquijor market.

Mindanao

Davao – Durian, Tuna, Kinilaw Philippine

• fruits grown are Davao fruit diversity like that of Davao durian dried and Kinilaw tuna fish .
• The seafood called Kinilaw wherein raw fish are prepared with vinegar.
• Budget: 50-100 pesos (1-2 dollars) for fruit; 150-300 pesos (3-6 dollars) for seafood.
• Famous Places: Dollar and abaca dealers make-up Jolly Harry Wong, Mary Dollar and Wong Mary Dollar’s Whale Shark Restaurant encounters? Other People My.

Zamboanga – Curacha, Satti

• Curacha or spanner crab from Zamboanga is considered a delicacy whereas Satti a spicy barbecue rice is a common street food.
• Anthropological Budget : For seafood – ₱300-500 or $6-10; For Satti – ₱50-100 or $1-2.
• Famous Places: Alavar Seafood Restaurant has been famous for Curacha, Jimmy’s Satti.

Cagayan de Oro – Pastel, Sinuglaw

• Soft bread with sweet yema or custard known as Pastel, Sinuglaw known as grilled pork and raw fish is famous in CDO.
• Anthropological Budget: ₱20-50 or $0.40-1 for pastel, ₱150-250 or $3-5 for Sinuglaw.
• Famous Places: Vjandep Pastel, Kagay-anon Restaurant.

Surigao – Sayongsong, Kinilaw na Isda

• Sayongsong raheem is costly in Surigao sisig pork dish. For the kilaw da sa surigao is raw marinated just like kinilaw na isda.
• Anthropological Budget: For Sayongsong – ₱20-50 or $0.40-1, for kinilaw ₱150-250 or $3-5.
• Famous Places: Surigao public markets, Mabua Beach area.

Bukidnon – Binaki, Pineapple

• Binaki steamed corn cakes is the local delicacy from this area while Bukidnon is famed for sweet pineapple.
• Anthropological Budget: Binaki can be purchased at ₱20-50 or $0.40-1, fresh pineapple at ₱50-100 or $1-2.
• Famous Places: Local markets in Malaybalay, Del Monte Plantation.

Sulu – Tiulah Itum, Piyanggang Manok

• Selera sikul di Sulu juga merupakan budaya yang tinggi. Sebut saja lonnjok, Curried Chicken with Coconut Milk, dan Tiulah Itum, beef stewed in burnt coconut.
• Budget: ₱150-300 ($3-6) for local meals.
• Famous Places: Local restaurants in Jolo, Sulu.

Now with this guide, you are well prepared to indulge in several types of Filipino foods that are worth trying out without breaking their bank even with street food and home cooked food. This gives you an idea of the cuisine of the region and the range of food you can get from top to bottom. And it would be better to get from a local market or one of the many food hubs available!