Gastronomical Invasion in Ilocos

In reality a lot of people from Ilocos would love just eating malunggay, saluyot and dinengdeng. I tell you that these are actually the dishes that I miss back home. Having a mom who's expert in cooking malunggay I am a one happy daughter. By the way her secret : Put sweet potatoes. 

So below are the must eat food in Ilocos, from both North (Batac) and South (Vigan). Just to let you know that there's different versions. Aside from trying out malunggay and dinengdeng which a lot of you could only taste if you know someone from Ilocos below are the not to miss food if you happen to visit these two provinces. 

SINANGLAW

I am not a beef eater. (Sorry but I do not like steak!) For some reasons, I have to include this on my list just because when Raph and I went to Vigan's empanadahan, I saw a lot of people eating sinanglaw. Raph too! There's this reaction on his face that you know he's really into it. 

PINAKBET

There are different versions of pinakbet. That's what I realize when I was growing up. I remember how each and every carinderia especially in Manila would showcase their own. But of course, my mom's pinakbet is the best. Mom would sometimes prepare a pinakbet with bagnet or sometime with out bagnet which is fine with me. I also have my own version of Pinakbet but I do not usually cook it because I am fine with my mom's cooking and I would rather cook a different dish (pasta in particular)  instead. So when I cook Pinakbet, I use tomato sauce. That's my secret! (Please do not tell anyone.) 

VIGAN AND BATAC LONGGANISA 

Hmm... I only tasted Vigan longganisa once. Since my parents are from the North, I've eaten countless of Batac longganisa. Vigan longganisa looks lighter than the Batac longganisa. The longganisa from the North is more sour than the South. So, I therefore conclude that since the Batac longganisa is sour then for me, I prefer the Batac longganisa than the Vigan longganisa. But of course, when I go back in Vigan I would still try other longganisa maybe there is another better Vigan longganisa.

OKOY

One must definitely try to eat okoy to one of the stalls of Empanadahan in Vigan. It is best better paired with the empanada of Vigan. 

VIGAN EMPANADA AND BATAC EMPANADA

There are two must try empanadas in Ilocos. One is in Vigan and the other one is in Batac. It has been a competition of which is better the Vigan empanada or the Batac empanada. I have asked this in one of my posts in Facebook but since most of my relatives are from the North. There's more points for Batac empanada. (Haha!!!)

I am a very fair individual and I will only say things that is true to me regardless of anything. Batac/Ilocos empanada has always been part of my life. I remember during Paoay's fiesta my cousin and I would sometimes sneak out at the middle of the night to buy empanada in town's plaza. Batac empanada is at it's best with Ilocos Vinegar. (The darker the vinegar the better.) The Vigan empanada on the other hand, from the first bite, I can already tell that I like it better than the Batac empanada maybe because of the cabbage inside. So there you go, it's Vigan empanada for me. 

MIKI

Ohemchee!!! Miki has always been my favorite. It's like the ramen of Ilocos. (Haha!!!) It is the one I highly recommend when you visit my province. By the way, this dish is popular in Batac, Ilocos Norte. I tell you, it is one remarkable dish that every traveler should try. 

BAGNET

I am sorry if I do not have any picture for you. Bagnet can be associated to lechon of Cebu. This deep fried pork is best to eat during breakfast. In Manila a lot of people are now selling bagnet. But try to visit any market in Ilocos and buy one. For Ilocanos, they can differentiate the bagnet cooked in Ilocos/by Ilocano from the bagnet cooked from another place. Anyway, bagnet can be included in pinakbet (just like what I've said.), salad or any other dish. I like it crunchy! Who does not like it anyway?