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Ilocano Food: 22 Popular Dishes You Need to Try in Ilocano Cuisine
Ilocano Food: A Guide to the Flavors and Traditions of Northern Philippine Cuisine
Ilocano food is a cuisine that originates from the Ilocos region of the Philippines, located on the northwest coast of Luzon Island. It is known for its unique flavors and ingredients, heavily influenced by the region’s geography and climate. The cuisine is characterized by its use of vegetables, seafood, and meat and its distinctive sour taste.
The Department of Tourism (DOT)-Region 1 has invited a host of culinary experts, tour operators, content creators, provincial tourism officers, and other stakeholders to join them on an exciting gastronomic journey through the north of the Philippines, entitled: “MAY-KAN: Discovering Flavors of the North Through A Gastronomic Experience.”
MAY-KAN, a three-day gastronomy tour, was inspired by the Ilocano words ‘umay’ and ‘makan,’ an invitation to come and eat. This tour was created in response to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s call to map culinary identities and boost food tourism in each nation. It aimed to showcase the unique gastronomic offerings of Region 1.
Overview of Ilocano Cuisine
Ilocano cuisine is known for its unique and delicious flavors from the region’s cultural influences and locally available ingredients.
Ilocano cuisine is a reflection of the region’s culture and history. The cuisine has been shaped by the region’s agricultural practices and the influence of neighboring countries. The people of the Ilocos region have a solid connection to the land and sea, evident in the dishes they prepare.
The cuisine is characterized by its saltiness and the use of vinegar, which is locally known as sukang Iloko. Bagoong, a fermented fish or shrimp paste, is a staple ingredient in many Ilocano dishes. Garlic is also a key ingredient in many dishes, adding flavor and aroma.
Ilocano cuisine features a variety of dishes that are hearty and filling. The dishes are often made with pork, beef, and fish, readily available in the region. Vegetables also play a significant role in Ilocano cuisine, and the region is known for producing a variety of unique vegetables, such as the utong, katuray, and saluyot.
Some of the most popular Ilocano dishes include pinakbet, a vegetable stew made with bitter melon, eggplant, squash, and various local vegetables, and dinengdeng, a fish and…
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