Philippine Regional Cuisines

Region 1: Ilocos Region

• Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Pangasinan are part of this region
• Popular dishes:
  • Empanada: galapong wrapper stuffed with shredded green papaya, longganisa, and egg
  • Pinakbet: variety of vegetable dish seasoned with bagoong/fish sauce
  • Bagnet: deep-fried crispy pork belly dish similar to lechon kawali
  • Puto Calasiao: type of puto rice cake shaped in small bite-sized portions of semi-glutinous rice fermented in earthen jars
  • Abuos: ant egg caviar sautéed with garlic and tomatoes
  • Sinanglao: beef meat dish similar to papaitan, mixed with camias or tamarind
  • Batil Patung: stir-fried noodles with sautéed vegetables, carabao/beef/pork meat, and a poached egg on top
  • Pawa: sweet steamed bite-sized buns snack made of ground sticky rice filled with ground and sweetened peanuts
  • Pancit Cabagan: miki noodles cooked in locally made soy sauce and vinegar, topped with carajay and poached egg
  • Inatata: steamed glutinous rice delicacy wrapped in banana leaves
  • Halang halang: spicy soup made with coconut milk, chili, and meat/seafood

Region 2: Cagayan Valley

• Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya are part of this region
• Popular dishes:
  • Pastel de Camiguin: soft, sweet bun filled with a creamy custard made from local ingredients like yema
  • Kalderobo: a delightful twist of Kaldereta mixed with the tangy goodness of Adobo
  • Imbaw: light seafood broth that features Imbaw Shells, tomatoes, ginger, and aromatic lemongrass
  • Bulcachong: combines elements of Bulalo and Carabao Pastil
  • Tinagtag: a triangular net of fine and curly strands of browned pancit bihon
  • Tipas: sweet chip-like snack made with flour

Region 3: Central Luzon

• No specific dishes mentioned

Region 4: CALABARZON

• Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, and Rizal are part of this region
• No specific dishes mentioned

Region 5: Bicol Region

• Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Masbate are part of this region
• Popular dishes:
  • Bicol Express: spicy and savory flavor, cooked with pork, coconut milk, shrimp paste, and copious amounts of chilies
  • Sili Ice Cream: ice cream made of sili, coconut milk, condensed milk, and other spices to taste
  • Laing: made with dried taro leaves that have been cooked in a flavorful coconut milk sauce with chilies and shrimp paste

Region 6: Western Visayas

• No specific dishes mentioned

Region 7: Central Visayas

• No specific dishes mentioned

Region 8: Eastern Visayas

• No specific dishes mentioned

Region 9: Zamboanga Peninsula

• No specific dishes mentioned

Region 10: Northern Mindanao

• No specific dishes mentioned

Region 11: Davao Region

• No specific dishes mentioned

Region 12: SOCCSKSARGEN

• No specific dishes mentioned

Region 13: CARAGA

• Popular dishes:
  • Balbacua: Pochero and Kare-kare of CARAGA region
  • Bimaki: made with ground corn, grated coconut, and sugar wrapped with banana leaves and baked
  • Pinikpikan: traditional chicken dish where the chicken is beaten before cooking, giving it a distinct flavor
  • Kiniing: smoked meat usually pork or beef, with a strong smoky flavor
  • Pinuneg: blood sausage made with pork blood and stuffed into a casing
  • Binungor: vegetable stew made with local mollusks, chili peppers, and other vegetables
  • Palapa: a local snack made out of ginger, chili, and scallions or sakurab as the locals call it

Region 14: Cordillera Administrative Region

• No specific dishes mentioned

Region 15: Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

• No specific dishes mentioned