NAIMAS! (Delicious!)

One of the reasons why I alwaaays enjoy going to Ilocos Sur is because of the FOOD!

Last Friday, we went to Ilocos Sur just for a weekend food trip. Seryoso, we just went there to eat! I literally gained 5 pounds because of all the stuff I ate. I have impatso  (indigestion) right now, but no regrets, just love (Katy Perry, 2010).

Variety is definitely one characteristic of Ilocano food! Their delicacies range from desserts, ulam, drinks, vegetables, snacks, and a lot more.

They have amazing sweets and my ultimate favorite is cascaron! The closest food that is somewhat similar to this is the famous Karioka of UP Diliman. This is the sweet and crunchy chewy balls sold around UP campus. Anyway, cascaron is like this minus the frying! It is also chewy inside but the outside coating is made of muscovado. I wake up early just to buy this in the palengke! By 8 am, it is usually sold out already. Ganoon siya ka in demand! Too bad you can’t take this one home to Manila. Cascaron’s shelf life is only 4 hours so you really have to eat it immediately after buying. It’s also pretty cheap! It costs around 5 pesos per 3 cascaron.

cascaron and other sweets sold in the market

Next up is the famous empanada and ukoy of Vigan. Ukoy is a Filipino version of shrimp fritters. Small shrimps are mixed in a batter and fried. Empanada  are basically stuffed, fried pastries.  Infront of the shopping center (specifically Jollibee, yes, they also have one in Vigan), you can find the small spot where you can get your freshly made empanada! You can see how it is made live! As in you can see how the dough is made, how they put the stuffing, cut the empanada into a pocket-like shape, and fry it. You have to dip it in their specially made suka (vinegar) so you fully appreciate the ukoy or empanada.

Another personal favorite is Bagnet! They are like chicharon or deep fried pork meat. They use it in some of their dishes but I eat it as is. You can buy them in the palengke where there are batya (basin) of freshly fried bagnet. My favorite part is the buntot (tail) part. I eat it while walking around! No need for rice or other condiments. It is good as a snack, ulam, or pulutan!

My sister <3 bagnet! 

Whenever we go to Ilocos, we usually eat the Ilocano specialties like the pinakbet, sinanglao (beef innards and skin soup), and the like. We never eat out because when you are in the province, you are usually after the native food. But my last favorite Ilocano dish is an exception. This is the only contemporary Ilocano dish I can’t get enough of! It is a fusion of Ilocano delicacy and the famous Italian pizza. This is Café Leona’s Longganisa Pizza, Bagnet Pizza, and Pinakbet Pizza! Café Leona can be found in Kalye Crisologo (the famous street in Vigan where you can find the different souvenir shops inside the old houses) along with other restaurants. Their pizza is worth 375 that is already good for four! If you are not the adventurous type but you still want to have a bite of Ilocano flavor, try these three pizzas out and you will definitely come back for more!

Definitely, Ilocos Sur is not only famous for its tourist spots, but also for its delicious dishes! I can’t stop singing the old school song of Depeche Mode, “I just can’t get enough. I just can’t get enough”…

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pictures by Ivy Dela Torre: email her if you want to hire her as a photographer ivdelatorre@yahoo.com email
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