Mouth-Watering Ilocano Foods!

1. Bagnet

Your travel is incomplete without trying Bagnet, a dish that embodies the exceptional cuisine of the area. It is a deep-fried pork belly which has a crispy outer layer and a melt-in-your mouth tenderness inside. It’s a careful preparation which entails slow cooking and then frying, produces a flavorful dish that adores by both residents and tourist.

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2. Pinakbet

Pinakbet is a vibrant blend of perfectly prepared vegetables. This meal, which is cooked in bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) or fish sauce, harmonizes a variety of vegetables, including squash, eggplant, bitter melon, and string beans, and you can add any more veggies if you want too! The flavors come together to create a delicious and nourishing delicacy that goes well with any meal.

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3. Empanada

The Ilocano Empanada is a delightful appetizer that entices the palate. Its rice flour-made, crunchy orange shell contains a flavorful filling of longganisa (Ilocos sausage), grated green papaya, and egg. This is a must try food for everyone visiting the area because of the wonderful crunch of the crust and the blend of flavors and textures. You can eat it with ketchup or vinegar.

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4. Dinengdeng

This cuisine is Made with a variety of local vegetables, such as squash, okra, string beans, moringa leaves, and you can top on with fried fish. Dinengdeng is a simple vegetable soup that is frequently seasoned with bagoong or fish sauce. This recipe is filling and healthy because of its simplicity, which brings out the richness of the fresh ingredients and the careful balancing of flavors.

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5. Ilocos Longganisa

Longganisa, a kind of Filipino sausage, is a well-known for having a unique flavor from Ilocos Norte. These sausages, which are made from ground pork and seasoned it with vinegar, garlic, and spices like black pepper, often taste garlicky or sweet. It is usually cooked till golden brown and it releases an aroma that stimulates hunger right away.

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