REGION 1 - ILOCOS REGION

Region 1 or Ilocos Region is composed of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan. It is situated on the northwestern coast of Luzon and is said to have one of the country's strong culinary traditions. 

credits to rmh.ph for the picture

Ilocos Region is rich in agriculture and fishing industry, that is why its dishes is made from freshest produce and fishes. No wonder they offers delicious authentic Filipino cuisines you need to try. 

credits to depedro1.com for the picture

Ilocos Norte- The capital is Laoag City. It has 557 barangays comprising its 21 municipalities and 2 cities. It is known as the Northern Tourist Destination.

Ilocos Sur- The Capital is Vigan City. It has 768 barangays comprising its 32 municipalities and 2 cities. It is known as the Heartland of Ilocos.

La Union- The capital is San Fernando. It has a total of 576 barangays comprising its 19 municipalities and 1 city. It is known as the Surfing Capital of North.

Pangasinan- The capital is Lingayen. It has 1,364 barangays comprising its 44 municipalities and 4 cities. Its name Pangasinan means "place for salt" or "place for salt-making" which made them the major producer of salt in the Philippines. 

If you visit Ilocos Region soon, try these local favorites that will surely satisfy your tastebuds.

1. PINAKBET 

Also known as Pakbet, this vegetable dish greatly represents Ilocos. This dish is made from almost any vegetables. You can sing the folk song "bahay-kubo" to know what vegetables are added in this dish. Others might add pork to enhance its flavor but you can enjoy it on its own because they are great either way. There is also a Pinakbet Farm in Ilocos Sur where the authentic ingredients for Pinakbet is harbored. 

credits to foxyfolksy for the picture

The first time I saw Pinakbet, I was not really excited to try it for the reason that I was not a fan of mixed veggies. I prefer any meat over vegetables but that changed when I tried it myself. It instantly became my favorite vegetable dish! It was flavorful and keep in mind, it is nutritious. You can eat it alongside steamed rice and enjoy a healthy meal. 

2. ROYAL BIBINGKA

You know Christmas is coming when you see street vendors selling bibingka. Royal Bibingka is an Ilokano variety of  Philippine bibingka and is also marked as one of Vigan's specialties, located in Ilocos Sur. They are short in size, mildly sweet, thick and have a crusty topping with cheese and butter. 

credits to Deal Grocer for the picture

You can never go wrong with Royal Bibingka. It is convenient to eat, very delicious and just simply satisfying. You can enjoy it as a breakfast, midday snack or just for simple brunch. Once you taste it, you'll definitely be wanting more.

3. EMPANADA

When talking about Ilocos Norte's must-try foods, empanada will always make it to the list. It has large, orange outer shell which is made from rice flour instead of bread. It is usually filled with longganisa, bean sprouts and egg which makes it quite tasty and unique. No wonder it is one of signature food in Ilocos Norte that you must try. 

credits to pinnedph for the picture

This tasty treat is affordable and is better eaten hot. Keep in mind that there are two version of this delicacy; one from Vigan and the other is from Laoag and Batac. But whatever version you choose, they will both give you that extra crisp, crunchy and tasty snack you'll enjoy.

4. CHICHACORN

When you stay at Ilocos and looks for a snack, Chichacorn is definitely the one. It is a word combination of chicharon and corn, which is a favorite snack in Ilocos Norte. They simply cook the corn kernels until crunchy, just like popcorn. In addition, they are made from white corn kernels from plants that are common in the Philippines. 

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I actually enjoy and like this snacks because it is simply delicious. They are easy to chew and comes in many flavors like garlic, cheese, adobo and barbecue. Garlic flavored chichacorn will always be my favorite.

5. HALO-HALO DE ILOKO

credits to Tripadvisor for the picture

No trip will be complete if you will not try Halo-Halo de Iloko in La Union. It is a sweet, creamy and rich ice cream dessert that will give your meal a sweet and satisfying ending. It is made up of different Filipino ingredients such as sago, gulaman, beans, nata de coco and many more. It is then topped with crushed ice, milk and the toppings (Ube, leche flan and ice cream). 

My mom's Special Halo-Halo

Eating Halo-Halo de Iloko will make you feel that you are home. It uses local ingredients and is served with beautiful presentation. My mom's halo-halo is one of the best I've ever tried. It might not be made from Ilocos but it still taste delicious and will help you beat the heat during summer. 

6. PUTO CALASIAO 

Puto Calasiao is a sweet bite-sized rice cakes that is a delicacy in Pangasinan. You will see this delicacy almost everywhere when you visit in Pangasinan. The streets are packed with vendors selling flavored this sweet treat alongside with other pasalubong you can buy for your loved ones. 

credits to Mas Maliket Diad Pangasinan for the picture

I've bought it for my family last 2019 when I went to Pangasinan with my friends and they liked it. If you already tried regular puto, I suggest to try this as well. It is less sweet, chewy and actually addictive. It is also great for afternoon snacks. They offer this famous Puto Calasiao with different flavors; ube, strawberry, mango, pandan and of course, the classic. You have a lot of choices to choose from! but they all taste yummy. 

We can't doubt why Ilocos Region is one of the adored regional cuisines in the Philippines. They create something interesting from a simple and basic dishes with the freshest ingredients they can provide. So if your planning to have a trip on the northern tip of the country, make sure to try these local favorites and other local delicacies yourself; You'll surely not be disappointed.  

"Mangan tayo!" 

credits to traveltrilogy.com for the picture

Be informed more about Philippine Regional Cuisine in upcoming articles!