1. Laing
When we visited the Caramoan Islands in Camarines Sur, as part of our itinerary, we tasted their very own and authentic dishes. I am not a chef or a cook, but according to some friends, I have good and active taste buds. Taray diba??? For the first time, I will be a food critic. First is the famous Laing. Laing is a spicy dish with dried taro or gabi leaves, siling labuyo, and coconut milk as the main ingredients. There's a linamanam factor, and the texture is smooth inside my mouth. To compare, my Nanay prepares young and fresh gabi leaves (grated), and adds dried tuyo to add saltiness and a unique aftertaste. Nonetheless, the Laging dish of the Bicolano is really good.
2. Pinangat
The second dish is Pinangat - one of Bicol's best. Pinangat looks very similar to Laing, and honestly, at first, I didn't recognize which was which; I only used the coconut leaf as a marker. The texture is the same because the main ingredients are the same. For pinangat, there's some sort of a sauce or sabaw, while laing is a bit dry.
3. Seafood
Third, I really don't know what the name of this dish is. Cooked by our bangkero in Caramoan, these crabs look mouth-watering. I asked him its name and how he cooked this dish, but he just answered: "nilaga ko lang yan." I can't believe it and am really curious because the crab meat tasted good; it seems that they were marinated first before cooking. Crab meat tasted great when dipped into a sauce (vinegar, soy, and chili).
4. Sinigang
Not a native Bicolano Dish, but this delicacy was cooked by our bangkero, it's Sinigang. This Sinigang has no vegetables and other flavors included - just fresh fish and tomatoes. Since the ingredients are still secret, I respect that and I thank Kuya for making such a sumptuous delicacy for us. The name of this dish remains unknown.
5. Sili Ice Cream
As I mentioned, Bicolanos are prominent for using coconut milk and spicy foods, so they made a unique dessert that showcases their culture and lifestyle. They add siling labuyo to most of their dishes to make them hot and spicy. If you’re traveling to Bicol, one of the must-try desserts is the cute-looking Sili Ice Cream. It looks cute, but when you taste it, you’ll be speechless because of its discriminating taste. There’s a level of spiciness, from 1 to 3, to gauge the capability of your tongue. How does Sili Ice Cream taste? It’s cold because it’s an ice cream, but as it melts inside your mouth, you’ll feel that there’s an aftertaste of siling labuyo – hot flowing in your esophagus and to your stomach.
Summary
From the creamy heat of Sili Ice Cream to the earthy richness of Laing, Bicolano dishes capture the soul of the region in every bite. These flavorful creations are not just meals—they’re a true expression of Bicol’s proud culinary identity that continues to captivate food lovers across the Philippines and beyond.
On the other hand, traveling in the Philippines is highly recommended because of its hidden beauty. Want to explore stunning places? Here’s my full travel guide after visiting all 82 provinces in the Philippines.
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