Sooo Pinoy Ultimate Food Blogger - The Contest and Journey

Wanting to be the Sooo Pinoy Ultimate Food Blogger winner for the contest to win a journey around the Philippines is one thing that I dream of. It keeps me motivated and makes me look forward to something new. The journey includes dining in over 100 different restaurants, and I like that, and who would not?

Sooo Pinoy Ultimate Food Blogger: My Personal Journey

If it was not for the Sooo Pinoy Ultimate Food Blogger contest, I would not have started this blog. That in itself is an accomplishment for I live and work in a virtual world. An example of my typical day is to wake up, turn on the computer, go wash my face, and write a few articles for work while cooking at lunch at the same time. Multi-tasking? Yup. I am a great example of a work at home mom.

Sooo Pinoy Ultimate Food Blogger

Making it to the Top 20

It was quite a wait to know the result of the first round and now am off to the next round with this blog entry.  It must have come to the point where my kids would say "Mom, be cool." Well, I never really did join contests before this one. And when I did, the contest bug bite me hard.

It bit me so hard, I started joining other online contests. RT to Win, Share and Win, Write a Tweet to Win, and practically anything. My kids tell me that maybe it's not the prize, it's the enjoyment of winning.

And it made a lot of my friends on Facebook start reading my post and joining contests too!

As a web writer, my life is mostly online. These kinds of contest provide me with a break, and one that has hope. So, forget about playing games that are a waste of time, and get join the fun by being part of a raffle or contest online.

Sooo Pinoy Ultimate Foood Blogger - More than Just a Contest

Being in the Top 20 is an honor indeed. I hope to make it to the next round. I hope to win. And, by God's Grace and Mercy, if He should make me win. I hope that this group decides that I am the best and most qualified blogger to hold our country's flag up high to promote the cause of great Filipino cuisine.

The One: Sooo Pinoy Ultimate Food Blogger Contestant’s Choice

If you were given a choice to pick one restaurant that may symbolize your country's food, what would it be?

The Search: Sooo Pinoy 
Ultimate Food Blogger Contestant’s Choice

When Filipinos stay in the US for a time, they long for something that is not available. (Walang ganyan sa States)

The Heart: Green Mango (Manggang Hilaw)

The center of every feast and occasion is...

The Soul: Roasted Pig (Lechon)

A meal is not complete without these.

The Life: Sauteed Vegetables

The Comfort: Beef Stock Soup (Bulalo)

The dessert was delightful with a unique dip which tasted like condensed milk..

The Sweetness: Crispy Wrapped Deep Fried Bananas (Turon)

The Spirit: Establishment Boom 

After one month of operation on May 2010, Chic-Boy sold its first franchise. Now, it has 79 dine-in stores and 47 under construction. If you will recall the trend of Shawarma stalls, Siopao kiosks, and Noodles with Chili-Garlic sauce, these all started sprouting like mushrooms to get established into our food lifestyle. Chic-Boy is top of the roasted chicken (inasal) trend right now.

At first, I thought that Chic-Boy meant a guy who likes girls (chicks) then I found out that it meant chicken-baboy as their 2 key dishes are the Cebu Lechon Manok and Cebu Lechon Liempo.

Sooo Pinoy: The Service

Ordering is done in the counter and the food is delivered to the table, piping hot. The fork and spoon are wrapped in tissue paper. The food is placed in the center for you to get your own plate. 

The service? Exactly what you will expect from a typical Philippine restaurant - you want service, call the waiter or bus boy, and if he is busy, go to the counter.

Chic-Boy: The Difference

To get value for your money. Chic-Boy is it. The serving portions is double of what other restaurants serve with unlimited rice and soup.

The Cebu Lechon Liempo had crispy skin, was tender, and delicious. The Cebu Lechon Manok was cooked perfectly and very tasty.

Sooo Pinoy: Breaking Down Barriers

Chic-Boy, Molito, Alabang is the only place that I know where wealthy Alabang boys will sit down to dine with people that are taxi drivers and sale representatives.

It is, I believe, a restaurant that breaks down the barriers set by money by serving food that is affordable to all. The food is so good, no one cares about anything else. People are treated equally with the same amount of food and service.

If you want to eat great food, go to Chic-Boy. More than saving money and getting full, it truly breathes the life and soul of Sooo Pinoy food.  

Frank and Carols Chocolate Cake - Think Chocolate Cake

Frank and Carol's gourmet cakes has a chocolate cake that must have been made in heaven. Frank and Carol's chocolate cake is unlike those commercially made chocolate cakes. Want to find out more about wonderful gourmet cakes?

Enter the world of delicious treats with this Frank's and Carol's review. 

For the Love of Cake

Frank and Carol's - Best Gourmet Cakes

One of the featured bakery products at the Pavarti Store (located in Trinoma that belongs to the Ayala Malls group) is the chocolate cake. This food item I personally consider to be the best I have ever tasted. Being a cookbook author, I have made a number of chocolate cakes but have never achieved the moist nature that exemplifies the cakes of Frank and Carol's.

When I was younger, there was a popular chocolate cake called Cookie Monster. I still remember the taste of that one and how all us Assumption girls where delighted with this chocolate cake as it had a terrific filling.

I don't think the Cookie Monster chocolate cake is still commercially available. And one thing that I can say about comparing these 2 chocolate cakes is that Frank and Carol's is definitely a lot less sweeter. The icing of the Frank and Carol's chocolate cake is in a shade of mocha brown while the other one was dark brown. This gourmet cake has chocolate shavings on top and an awesome filling that makes the visible and delightful difference to each forkful.

Frank and Carol's chocolate cake can create more memorable occasions.

                         

Frank and Carol's - For Desserts and Snacks

This bakery has a number of other gourmet cakes such as one of their newest product which is the Black Forest cake. For the ones who would want a chocolate cake with more ingredients and a touch of white icing, this is quite appealing, Frank and Carol's Black Forest cake is the gourmet cake to serve as a dessert or snack when you want to provide an alternative to their classic chocolate cake.

The Pavarti Store also has Frank and Carol's chocolate chip cookies. An wonderful treat for kids of all ages, you might want to take home a few for your children to snack on.

Frank and Carol's - A Cake for All Reasons

If you want a chocolate cake that is made with real gourmet chocolate, is moist, less sweet, and a lot less expensive than other gourmet cakes, get a Frank and Carol's. It will be the best cake that you can serve to your family and friends and to give as a gift.

When you want eat great chocolate cake or any gourmet cake, go to the Pavarti Store at Trinoma to sample the Frank and Carol's mini cakes and buy the larger ones for sharing.

If there is craving, that's enough reason. When you want to indulge in the very best, that's a great reason. If someone has a gathering, it's time for sharing.

Please visit Frank and Carol's Facebook Page for more information. 

Think Chocolate Cake!

Coke Light 2L - 27 Pesos Lang

I am not sure if the place still has stock, but I was able to buy Coke Light for only 27 pesos. I frequent the place as it is one of the 24 hours stores that is similar to a fast food Philippine restaurant.

I usually order the Bicol Express. Dad likes the Calderata. I also like the Fried Chicken. It's a good thing that this place is always open as sometimes, I am too lazy to cook, want to eat something different, and bring home some food. Highly affordable and great tasting, I highly recommend you try buying food from here.

Maybe this sale is not available at all branches, but in the Mini Stop Aguirre Branch corner El Grande Avenue, which is in front of BPI, there is Coke Light at this incredibly cheap price.

I checked the expiry date of the bottle and it's still on March. I drank it and it was totally great. Though I love Coke Regular, Coke Light is also very nice.

So, if you live in the area of BF Homes or have friends who do, you might want to get a few bottles before the supply runs out. If you know anyone from that area, text them, post this link on FB, or tweet.

Coke adds Life and this post can help you save money. Do subscribe to my blog so you won't miss out on what's cheap and great to drink and eat at the various Philippine restaurants. 

California MakiOnly 50 Pesos

Want to indulge in California Maki? Mura lang, 50 pesos only. Sobrang sarap. Less fattening than other California Maki's at other Philippine restaurants as the mayo is just right.

For mayonnaise lovers, a big dollop is welcome. But most of us are dieting and are concerned about the triglyceride intake. When you try this weight conscious California Maki, the reduce amount of mayo does make a wonderful difference. It is made even better because there are more of the poppy little orange eggs that surround their special promo sushi.

It was a delight for me and my daughter to enjoy this promo. We ordered California Makis and Cold Soba noodles at the BF Homes Branch. The coolness of the places was just right and comfortable. The chairs and table were just the right height.The service was excellent.

The presentation was terrific even when compared to expensive Japanese restaurants. Who would expect that a fast food chain would give 2 small piles of wasabi which was more than enough. Who would expect the size of a promo sushi to be the correct one? Who would anticipate that the Cold Soba noodles will be served on a bamboo mat with shaved ice surrounding it?

If you want to order California Maki for only 50 pesos, go to any Teriyaki Boy. Go today while this Philippine restaurant's promo is still available as it will end soon! For more details, visit the Teriyaki Boy Facebook Page.

Ang Paborito ni Lolo: Kape at Champorado

In Memory of Lolo Pepe


Typewriter lang ang gamit niya noon, at ang hirap mag-bura ng mga mali. Kaya kapag ako na papagod sa trabaho bilang manunulat, parang naririning ko siyang nagsasabi, "Kung ako may computer, hindi lang 1,000 libro ang naisulat ko."

Maraming isinulat ang Lolo Pepe ko katulad ng Balarila, Panitikan, at ang Thesaurus-Dictionary English-Pilipino. Ang Lolo Pepe ko ay itunuring na “Bayani ng Wikang Pambansa”. Dahil sa sipag at tiyag niya upang magkaisa ang ating bayan, ginawa niya lahat upang maging National Language ang Tagalog.

Trivia: Ang paborito ng Lolo ko na si Jose Villa Panganiban ay Kapeng Barako at Champorado. Kailangan ang kape ay galing sa Batangas at kami ay galing Tanauan at ang merienda na kanin na may tsokolate ay upisahan kainin galing sa gilid ng plato at yun ang medyo malamig na at hindi makakpaso.

Never Ending Constant Improvement

My Lolo always said to me that I will too be a writer like him one day, and I am. The things that I learned while hanging out in his office-library drove me to author "The Beef Lover's Cookbook", which was published by National Bookstore and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation featuring ingredients  of products from Monterey, San Miguel Beer, Magnolia Cream Cheese, and more. 

Later this year, as it has been approved, by God's Grace and Mercy, I am going to release my "Culinary Dictionary." It is currently in the process of selecting words that are going to be illustrated as per request of the publishing house.

It is my goal to bring the world together with the language of food - like being able to order a hamburger in any country you are in, in a way, like he did, instilling Tagalog as the National Language to bring unity our country that has between 120 and 175 languages, out of which 4 are no longer spoken.

Lolo said that the Filipino language is a living one as it constantly evolving and always changing. I think you can say the same for Philippine cuisine.

As a living language, Taglish is okay, that's why airplanes cannot be called 'sasakyan panghimpapawid. As Philippine cuisine is adaptable, we can create the same food with different ingredients, which are based on what is available locally like kung walang calamansi, lagyan ng lemon.

His pet peeve word was 'upuan' which is the Tagalog word for 'chair'. He couldn't stand the fact that the purists wanted to call it, "salung-pwet". He raised his hands in the air while walking around in a fury shouting, "Salong-pwet, salong-pwet.- ano ba talaga ang salong-pwet - hindi yan upuan... yan ay toilet!" Ang bastos nga pakingan - at magpasalamat tayong lahat dahil ang salong-suso ay hindi din na tuloy kaya ang suot pa din ng mga babae ngayon ay bra.

Why do I have to write on the web?

Having reached a high level of success in this field of online industry, notably one of the writers for one of the top reviews sites in the US, once a BusinessBlogWriter, and now an SEO expert, I am glad that he had taught me all his secrets.Now that I can create more time, I have turned to blogging for my own pursuit, which is about anything Filipino.

Online work is very challenging, as the Internet audience is very finicky, and one has to go with the trend. There are writing skills that cannot be learned from any book, and these I have. There are other online skills that one can only learn with studying all the time.

The mission online is making a website reach the top ranking of Google search engine results. I can do that with only 2 articles like this example is another reason why I am probably one of the best Philippine writers. This is what I am trying to achieve with this new blog.

If a Picture Paints a Thousand Words

What qualifies a good writer? If they can paint a picture with words.

Bloggers have it easy as adding images makes it more attractive. But, can Google read images? Alt Tab might do the trick. Will it make the website rank? Content and keywords are the ruling factors in this industry.

A blogger has to be more than just self-serving. What kind of information does an article share. Is it simply about a personal experience? Can a one-liner that can change the world? It has to be the pursuit of something more...

What is that pursuit that qualifies an excellent writer?

Is it entertaining?
Is it well-written?
Does it have a lot of visitors and comments?
Are there a lot of followers?
How much time was spent in writing the article?
Was there extra time and effort made in creating the post?

Hey, is that it? Take a few snapshots, place nice sounding words, and put it on Tumblr? Make friends with other writers and bloggers to use the power of web linking?

Heck, then to be called an excellent writer, one should join a popularity contest.

An excellent writer gives helpful information. Hopefully, one that is uplifting. Like Wikipedia, there has to be something learned.

Kung may natutuhan ka na kahit isang bagay dahil sa isinulat kong ito, ang ginawa ko ay hindi nasayang.

Please visit any National Bookstore branch to buy a copy of my cookbook and the dictionary of my Lolo. For people overseas, you may get your copies at Amazon.com. Author's note: I would like to thank Sooo Pinoy for creating their 'Ultimate Blogger's' Contest. It was a turning point in my life and helped me decide to regularly update various blogsites.

Fil-Am Cooking Competion - In the News Jan 23, 2012

You might have seen it on the news, how there was a cooking contest of Phil-Americans in California.

It was quite a sight to see ice cream champorado with the tuyo just by it's side. Akala ko walang ganyan sa States, eh, walang ganyan dito!

Filipino Fusion Cuisine at it's finest. I do believe we can all learn something new from our foodies abroad.

You may want to learn more about the contestants - and get the winning recipes!

Here's the link of how Pinoys abroad are promoting Filipino food.

Click here to find out more about this cooking contest, winners, and what are their recipes.

Gourmet Chocolate Cakes Guide

Give in to your chocolate cravings as dark chocolate is good for you. There are times that you totally must indulge that sweet tooth and if you do, pick only the best.

One way to diet is to avoid food items that are mediocre. So if there is a cake that is commercially made, take only a sliver of a slice or pass. Save your calorie intake for something that deserves it.

The decadent delight of chocolate makes it one of the world's most favorite flavors.

Why are so many people addicted to chocolate?

One of the reasons is the way our mind works. Having tasted a certain flavor that created pleasure, once the object is recognized, the desire to attain the same kind of pleasure turns into a craving.

Don't let your chocolate cravings control you. Control it and eat only gourmet chocolate cakes.

Why cake?
Because you can eat more that just a chocolate bar.

Why gourmet?
For the assurance that it is really dark chocolate. Some may be bitter sweet, a few super thick and totally heavy contrary to the ones that are light and fluffy. A gourmet will search for one that is moist. That's because the true gourmet chocolate cakes really are moist. They are in fact elegant desserts that may come in many stylish designs with an option to have additional ingredients such as cherries or nuts.

I can have my cake and eat it too?
Yes, because when you eat gourmet chocolate cake, you get to satisfy your cravings in less bites.

Where to find gourmet chocolate cakes?

There are many Philippine restaurants that serve gourmet chocolate cakes. But, it surely to your advantage to buy from a bake shop.

The way to recognize a great chocolate cake, in my opinion, is by it's simplicity. There are a lot of cakes that are disguised by icing and look fantastic but the true test is in the eating.

There are many kinds of gourmet chocolate desserts like Black Velvet cakes and truffles. Yet, if you want the most awesome one, many people will agree that it has to be a classic chocolate cake. Such simplicity is beauty - if you can say that about a cake. The correct words would be...

Delicious. Yummy. Special.
Like Frank & Carol's Chocolate Cake

To find the best gourmet chocolate cake in the Philippines, go to Trinoma and drop by the Parvati Store. For more information online, visit Frank & Carol's Facebook Page.

Gourmet Gifts for Valentine's Day - The Bubbly

Valentine's Day is now around the corner. Have you thought about what you might get that special person?

Feeling a bit naughty? Want to place someone in a romantic mood? The most effective way to do so is with to prepare a dinner at home. Going to one of the restaurant's in the Philippines is good, but if you can't afford to or want to do something different, take out the candles, and serve... aphrodisiacs.

Bring out the Bubbly!

A bit of the bubbly will make any dinner extra special - or after dinner more exciting. Champagne, of course, is expensive but here's a clue of what you can do to still get the enjoyment of popping the cork and the tingling sensation of drinking a bubbly.

If you can't afford the real thing, there is a fabulous alternative.

It's called Asti Spumanti. There are a number of labels to choose from but my all-time favorite is Martini & Rossi.

I remember Ralph's Wines that was located in Makati Avenue. From these humble beginnings, Ralph Joseph, worked hard pursuing his dream to be one of the best wine merchant in the Philippines. The younger brother of Ralph was usually around also, working on papers, and aiding his brother to reach the dream - which they did.

One night, I stepped into Ralph's Wines, and Ralph was there. He waved at me, dropped everything he was doing, and pulled me excitedly towards the upright chiller filled with wines and spirits, perfectly cold and ready to drink.

Ralph pulled out a bottle and said, "Try this!".

I did, and it was love at first sip.

That one sensational taste that I will not forget, along with the multitude of wines and spirits that Ralph asked me to try over the years with his tasting events, which are all wonderful.

Go to the nearest Ralph's Wine to see what kind of fizzy drink you can serve on Valentine's or any other special occassion. If you want red or white wine, try Ralph's Wines exclusive labels. I am sure the any of the staff can recommend to you a bottle of great wine that's suits the most discriminating taste.

Click here for more information about Ralph's Wines.

Frank & Carol's Takes the Cake

Chocolate cake is a beautifully rich dessert. Do you want one made with a very special chocolate cake recipe?

Frank & Carol's is one of those bakeries that primarily specialize in single item which is the chocolate cake. You can get round ones in different sizes from large to mini. For an more unique cake, this chocolate dream can be bought in the shape of a heart.

The desserts at the Parvati Store, which is located in Trinoma, like this Frank & Carol's chocolate cake, are so fabulous! The frosting is superb!

The interior of the Parvati store is welcoming. The same is true of the employees who are very pleasant, which personalized the experience for me and my friends.

We couldn't decide what to order so we went for three distinctive minis of the most moist & scrumptious desserts I have ever had.

Not merely were the desserts to die for, but the service from Parvati Store was quite excellent.

Gourmet Chocolate Cake

Frank & Carol's cakes are extremely moist, and my family has served them to visitors on holidays - everyone LOVED it!

You can order and it will be delivered so you can have their wonderful desserts sent your family as well as friends.

My mouth still waters just thinking about this gourmet chocolate cake.

It is designed for every special occasion. I've taken these magnificent desserts to client's offices, brought them into the workplace for our staff, used it as my potluck, and to give as a gift. Each and every time I have brought a Frank & Carol's cake, I have heard many compliments as well as yum, yum!

If you are shopping around for a way to satisfy your sweet tooth, and have a longing for a gourmet chocolate cake, try this place out. This chocolate cake may just become your favorite to eat and give away.

Frank & Carols chocolate cake takes the cake.

To get more information about these gourmet cakes, check out the Facebook Page of Frank & Carol's.

A Food Blogger's Ultimate Dream Journey

A Filipino food lover's dream trip of is now possible with the Why Should You Be the Ultimate Sooo Pinoy Blogger contest. Why am I writing this blog post as an entry so I have a chance to win, travel around the Philippines, and dine in over 100 various restaurants?

Because it's surely going to be an awesome experience.

Filipino food is unique. Each region has their own distinct taste, flavoring preferences, and local ingredients. As one travels around our country, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery, to do various activities, and savor the various scrumptious dishes.

What identifies Filipino food is the cooking style and the main ingredient. I have only a general idea of where Sooo Pinoy will take me if I win, but I imagine the trip will have a rather similar schedule to that of my waking dream.

"You have won and are now the Ultimate Sooo Pinoy Blogger! Go and..."

Order Sinigang na Baboy (Pork cooked in Sampaloc fruit broth) in a seaside restaurant by the famous Manila Bay after going to Intramuros and walking around Luneta.

Have a large hot steaming bowl of Bulalo in Tagaytay, while looking at the view of Taal Volcano which is the smallest volcano in the world.

Enjoy Putong Puti (white rice cakes) with a cup of Batangas Coffee while tanning in a beach in Nasugbu or diving in Anilao.

Swim with the whales in Sorsogon, view the perfect cone of Mayon Volcano, and eat Bicol Express (pork cooked in coconut milk with long green chiles) to spice up my life.

In the Visayan speaking regions, my major decision would be the choice of how fresh seafood would be prepared. Would it be Sugba (grilled) or Kilawin (cooked in vinegar with spices)?

The preparation of the Filipino food varies according to what is plentiful in the region. For example, in Ilocos, a lot of dishes are flavored with atchuete, while in Bicol and the Visayas, most dishes and even desserts are cooked in coconut milk.

A good Filipino cook would create seasonal dishes like the Ipon (goby frys) of Ilocos Sur, as these fish can only get caught during the colder months of the year.

The packaged food that is sold by vendors in the different tourist spots is made from their primary crops. A few of these are Strawberry Jam from Baguio, Pili Nut Candy form Bicol, Turrones de Casuy from Bulacan, and Dried Philippine Mango from Cebu.

The reason why these food products are in demand, aside from our foreigners visitors coming here to taste these delicacies, is that it is Filipino tradition to give Pasalubong (homecoming gifts) to their family and friends.

If I win, I would have to bring extra money for pasulubong shopping.

What can one do if they are in Metro Manila and it is not possible to travel all the time to enjoy regional cuisine?

Find an authentic regional restaurant. One that is owned by those from the area so the true goodness of cuisine may be enjoyed. There are some that are outrageously expensive but there are a few excellent ones that you can try - and you would be surprised on how reasonable the prices are.

One such regional restaurant is iBagnet, located in Metrowalk, Ortigas Avenue.

It serves authentic Ilocano food such as Bagnet (deep fried pork).

iBagnet Restaurant emade a unique variation of a spicy vegetable dish Gising-Gising (which means Wake up - Wake up)that had me travelling all the way from Las Pinas the very next day I found out just to eat it! It was fantastic!

And the Vigan Longganisa is shuttled in from Vigan, Ilocos Sur - as only the best of authentic Ilocano food is served at iBagnet, where good food and good people meet.

Here's me hanging out with my friends at iBagnet.

For authentic Ilocano food with the option for an al fresco dining experience, go to iBagnet.

'Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bansa. Mamasyal at kumain sa iba't ibang lugar. Masarap at mura ang pagkain natin, maganda ang tanawin, kaya tayo dinadayo...

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Note: After spending a lot of time creating this post, making sure that it is informative, interesting, and there is a call to action, integrating the keywords, choosing the images, making the video, and editing, a sense of fulfillment happened to me just before publishing.

I know that there are a lot of good Pinoy bloggers and this will be a tough competition. The title of Ultimate Sooo Pinoy Blogger may be an achievable goal, and in trying to get my dream journey, there is something that I realized. If I don't win, I would have shared a part of my dream, some insights, and a few wonderful moments.

Yet, if I become the Ultimate Sooo Pinoy Blogger, it is the culmination and a beginning.

To travel the Philippines is gastronomic feast as famous Food TV Travelers Andrew Zimmern and Anthony Bourdain discovered went they went to the Philippines to eat Balut and feature the various restaurants.

Yet, what these two TV Hosts had shown is only the tip of the iceberg of what I may feature with this opportunity in my Ultimate Pinoy Food blog, on a YouTube channel, and promote with the cooperation of the Sprout Initiative and the TNT Pilipinas Unscene Series, the two sub-culture groups that I help as a consultant.

We have been planning to create a travel documentary show that will feature board sports and food in the Philippines, and this may be it.

"Go for it!" one said as I asked permission to use the photos. I would love to hear the woot-woots coming from the underground music Pinoy rockistas and the board sports fanatics as they will see me bring our dream a step closer! A few of them will ask me if they can come along to get video footage, and I have no worries as they have the budget to travel the Philippines, as they do it for fun anyway! I don't know if I can bring them along though...

If by God's Grace and Mercy, I win the "Why Should You Be the Ultimate Sooo Pinoy Blogger" contest, my fervent wish is that I be allowed to bring one of my daughters with me, and am willing to pay for their expenses, if that is not too much to ask. If there is a way to break down the trip, each of the 4 would have a turn! That's because these kind of experiences are best when shared with someone that you love.

Filipino Native Dish - Bagnet

There is no food in the world like Bagnet. If you have not tried it, you should.

Though many people compare it to Chicharon, which is crispy, deep fried pork skin, Bagnet is in a class of its own. It is crispylicious on the outside and tender juicy on the inside. This Filipino native dish is a must try for everyone.

What is amazing about Bagnet is how it was cooked, though you may find out that it was twice deep-fried, there is just something uniquely different about it.

Way back during the olden days, there was no way to be able to store food, the enterprising and resourceful Ilocanos created Bagnet, which when cooked properly and wrapped well, has a shelf life of nearly one week.

Bagnet can be reheated and the flavor and texture will still be superb. It is heavenly when dipped in special sauce and eaten with steaming hot white rice.

There are two kinds dipping sauce for Bagnet. One is made from Ilocos vinegar and chopped onions. The other one is called KBL, which is short for Kamatis (tomatoes), Bagoong Isda(fish paste), and Lazona (onions). The term KBL was coined during the time of Former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, as this was the initials of his political group, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, and he was an Ilocano.

One can go to the Ilocos region to buy Bagnet or look for an authentic Ilocano restaurant in Metro Manila. Dine in or take out Bagnet from a regional Philippine restaurant.