Southern Bicol Region Food Guide

Huhuhu foooooood!!!! =)))))))))

After all the traveling, reward yourself with some goodies like these and make your trip even more unforgettable! What's the sense of traveling when you would just find the nearest Mcdo. Shame. So yes, even if you're not for new experience, please please try local foods. That's a conversation starter  when you get back home!

1. Laing

My lola always brags about how she taught Bicol natives a wide array of dishes from Afritada, Sinampalukan, Mechado (etc.) because they only know dishes with coconut milk or "gata" in it. Even so, I was never fond of eating Bicolano food. Huhu. Sorry, Lolo!

Image Source: driftwoodjourneys.com

Gabi leaves are dried up for a few days over the sun then chopped into tiny bits for that chewy bite. It is then smothered in gata and pepper, making it creamy and spicy at the same time. I never really liked spicy foods but if ever I go to Bicol, I'll promise to try this :)

2. Bicol Express

Image Source: knorr.com,ph

Another spicy food to get you in the mood! It was named after the train going from Manila to Bicol because once you taste this, you'll run as fast as Bicol Express to the nearest glass of water! Yup, that's how hot and spicy this dish is. Can you see that tid bites of pepper? Huhu, I cannot!!

It also has gata, very Bicolano!

3. Pancit Bato

Image Source: panlasangpinoy.com 

It's the typical pancit, but usually paired with rice or pandesal. It also has shrimps and pechay as main ingredients. The dish got its name from the town where it originated, Brgy. Bato in Camarines Sur. Nothing special, but what would you lose if you try, yes? The picture above is Pancit Bato Noodle Soup. Yum!!

4. Sili Shake

Image Source: marilil.wordpress.com

If you're in for some gastronomical adventure, try their Sili Shake! Mixing hot (as in spicy) with cold is a genius idea, I just don't know if the taste goes with the idea! Haha. Maybe if you put just the right amount of milk, sugar, and ice, you won't succumb to the hotness of this cold drink! Pun intended. hehe

But wait, there's more! If Baguio has strawberry taho, here they have Sili Ice Cream!!

Image Source: choosephilippines.com

5. Laing Pizza

How about pizza with laing on top? For the Laing and pizza lovers out there, this is called hitting the bird in one stone!

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This one I would definitely try, for my love of pizza! Only in Bicol! (or not hehe)

For the vegetarians! :)

6. Laing Pasta

Image Source: lutongbahay.com

If they have laing pizza, they also have laing pasta! This one looks really yummy, tho. Looks very Italian! Haha. How about you make fun of your friends by serving them this dish, pretending it's an Italian pasta? :) The Bicolanos are so innovative with food, I'm impressed!

7. Pili Ice Cream

Image Source: choosephilippines.com

Quench your thirst and hunger with this sweet ice cream that's very native in Bicol. I already told you about my Pili experience in my previous post. Haha. Step away from your comfort flavors and go for something different like this one! I bet it tastes like caramel!

8. Sinapot

Image Source: welcometonagabicol.com

The popular Maruya, Bicol version! Although I don't know what Maruya is, they say they are almost the same with this one. These are sliced bananas dipped in a batter of egg, flour and water. Not our usual banana cue!

9. Pan de Bicol Express

Image Source: marilil.wordpress.com

And the award for the most innovative region when it comes to yummy foods goes to....

BICOL! Legiiiiit!!!!

Imagine having this for breakfast, wild!!!!

10. Tilmok

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Tilmok is the Bicolano term for coconut meat. The other main ingredient of the dish is crab meat. The preparation of tilmok starts with the mixing of coconut meat and the crab meat together. Garnishing is added after the meats are mixed. The mixed “meats” are put inside banana leaves and then steamed. This delicious dish is popular among locals and even foreigners. (Source: justontop.blogspot.com)

And that's it! Make sure you put them on your bucketlist!! :)