Tasting the Cuisine of Laoag City

Introduction

Welcome to Laoag City, the capital of the province of Ilocos Norte in the Philippines. Laoag is a charming city, with a vibrant cultural life, beautiful scenery and a unique culinary heritage. The city boasts an array of restaurants offering a range of traditional dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. From its famous empanadas to its savory soups and stews, Laoag City’s cuisine is sure to delight any palate. In this blog post, we’ll explore the unique flavors of Laoag City’s cuisine, and provide a few tips on where to find the best dishes.

Empanadas

No visit to Laoag City is complete without trying its famous empanadas. These deep-fried pastries are filled with savory meats, vegetables, and spices. The empanada is a type of turnover, typically filled with a combination of beef, pork, chicken, or vegetables. The dough is lightly fried and then filled with the desired filling. Empanadas can be served as an appetizer, snack, or main course.

The most popular type of Laoag City empanadas is the Ilocano empanada. This dish features a combination of ground pork, garlic, onions, and spices, all wrapped in a flaky dough and fried. The Ilocano empanada is served with a tangy dipping sauce made from vinegar, garlic, and chilis.

Longganisa

Longganisa is a type of Filipino sausage that is popular in Laoag City. It is typically made from ground pork, garlic, onions, and spices. There are several varieties of longganisa that are popular in Laoag City, including the garlic-flavored Vigan longganisa, the sweet-and-sour Lucban longganisa, and the spicy Chorizo de Laoag.

Longganisa is usually served as a breakfast dish, along with garlic fried rice and scrambled eggs. The sausages are often served with a dipping sauce made from vinegar, garlic, and chilis. Longganisa is also often served as an appetizer, with ketchup or a sweet-and-sour sauce.

Pinakbet

Pinakbet is a traditional Filipino dish that is popular in Laoag City. It is a stew made from a variety of vegetables, such as squash, eggplant, okra, and tomatoes. The vegetables are simmered in a flavorful broth made from shrimp paste, garlic, onions, and spices.

Pinakbet is usually served as a side dish, along with grilled meats and seafood. It is often topped with a fried egg and served with steamed rice. Pinakbet is also sometimes served with a dipping sauce made from vinegar, garlic, and chilis.

Pancit Bato

Pancit Bato is a type of noodle dish that is popular in Laoag City. It is made from thin rice noodles that are stir-fried with vegetables, shrimp, and pork. The noodles are usually served with a savory sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, and onions.

Pancit Bato is a popular dish in Laoag City and is often served as a main course. It is usually served with steamed rice and a dipping sauce made from vinegar, garlic, and chilis. Pancit Bato is also sometimes served with grilled meats and seafood.

Batac Empanadas

Batac empanadas are another type of empanada that is popular in Laoag City. These empanadas are made from a combination of beef, onions, garlic, and spices, all wrapped in a flaky dough and fried. The Batac empanada is usually served with a tangy dipping sauce made from vinegar, garlic, and chilis.

Batac empanadas are a popular snack in Laoag City and can be found in many restaurants and street stalls. They are usually served as an appetizer, or as a main course, along with steamed rice and a dipping sauce.

Inubaran

Inubaran is a type of Filipino soup that is popular in Laoag City. It is a pork and vegetable soup, made with pork shoulder, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. The soup is simmered until the pork is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.

Inubaran is usually served as a main course, with steamed rice and a dipping sauce made from vinegar, garlic, and chilis. It is also often served with grilled meats and seafood. Inubaran is a popular dish in Laoag City and can be found in many restaurants and street stalls.

Binatog

Binatog is a type of Filipino snack that is popular in Laoag City. It is a mixture of boiled corn kernels, coconut milk, sugar, and salt. The corn is cooked until soft, then mixed with the other ingredients and served warm.

Binatog is usually served as a snack, along with a cup of hot coffee or tea. It can also be served as a dessert, with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of condensed milk. Binatog is a popular snack in Laoag City and can be found in many restaurants and street stalls.

Vinegar Dip

Vinegar dip is a type of dipping sauce that is popular in Laoag City. It is made from vinegar, garlic, and chilis, and is served with a variety of dishes, including empanadas, longganisa, and inubaran. The sauce adds a tart, tangy flavor to the dishes and is a popular condiment in Laoag City.

Vinegar dip is usually served alongside grilled meats and seafood, and can also be served with steamed rice. The sauce is often served in small bowls so that it can be easily shared. Vinegar dip is a popular condiment in Laoag City and can be found in many restaurants and street stalls.

Tupig

Tupig is a type of sweet snack that is popular in Laoag City. It is made from a combination of glutinous rice, coconut, and brown sugar, which is then wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over a fire. The tupig is served warm and has a sweet, nutty flavor.

Tupig is usually served as a snack or dessert, and is often served with a cup of hot coffee or tea. It can also be served as a main course, along with steamed rice and a dipping sauce made from vinegar, garlic, and chilis. Tupig is a popular snack in Laoag City and can be found in many restaurants and street stalls.

Kutsinta

Kutsinta is a type of Filipino cake that is popular in Laoag City. It is made from a combination of rice flour, coconut, and brown sugar, which is then steamed and topped with grated coconut. The cake is served warm and has a sweet, sticky texture.

Kutsinta is usually served as a snack or dessert, and is often served with a cup of hot coffee or tea. It can also be served as a main course, along with steamed rice and a dipping sauce made from vinegar, garlic, and chilis. Kutsinta is a popular snack in Laoag City and can be found in many restaurants and street stalls.

Conclusion

The cuisine of Laoag City is a unique and flavorful blend of Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino influences. From its famous empanadas to its savory soups and stews, Laoag City’s cuisine is sure to delight any palate. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a full-course meal, Laoag City has something for everyone. So why not take a trip to Laoag City and experience its unique culinary heritage for yourself?