The Famous Foods of Bicol!
Bicol is known for its flair for hot flavor! If you like spicy foods Bicol is where it is! Its probably the only region in the Philippines where "heat" or "hot" food is tolerated! Some of the best foods from the region are showcased below. Although McDonalds, Jollibee and various others such as Biggs and Greenwich are available. Tourists from all over the Philippines and the world are encouraged to try the foods below. Sit back and enjoy some of the finest cuisine in the world. Joe your host here at Balay Tinay can expand on how it is made and some of the best places to acquire such cuisines! joe and his loveley wife are natives of the area. The foods below are not inclusive! there are many other dishes awaiting you!
Kinunot is a spicy appetizer which ingredients include sting ray meat. Bicolanos found a way to turn them into a very delicious food. The sting ray is cooked with coconut cream and malunggay or moringa leaves. A tasty dish that should not be missed!
Laing is made from local “gabi” or taro leaves. The leaves is simmered in coconut cream and then served with siling labuyo or chili pepper. The dish is very common since most Bicolanos plant taro near their houses. You can find Laing for a little as P35 at any carenderia inthe region.
Bicol express is made up of pork cooked in coconut milk and spiced with red hot chili. Bicol Express is a dish which was named after a passenger train from Manila to Bicol. This cannot be confirmed but the dish was named because eating the dish will make you run like a train to look for water to drink. Bicol express is VERY spicy and is the signature dish of Bicol! The picture to the left is just an example of what the dish looks like. you may find different versions through out the region.You cannot leave Bicol without trying this famous dish
Tilmok is another famous food from the Bicol region. Tilmok is
the Bicolano term for coconut meat. The other ingredient of the dish is
crab meat. The preparation of tilmok starts with the mixing of coconut
meat and the crab meat together. Garnishing is added after the meats are mixed. The mixed “meats” are put inside banana leaves and then steamed. This dish is very addicting! most foreigners find this interesting as it is served with the wrappings (seen to the left) but those are not eaten.
the Bicolano term for coconut meat. The other ingredient of the dish is
crab meat. The preparation of tilmok starts with the mixing of coconut
meat and the crab meat together. Garnishing is added after the meats are mixed. The mixed “meats” are put inside banana leaves and then steamed. This dish is very addicting! most foreigners find this interesting as it is served with the wrappings (seen to the left) but those are not eaten.
Sili Shake is another addicting dessert found in bicol, more specifically in Cagsawa near the ruins. A local man there makes it wonderful! A sili shake is made typically with a standard Mango shake or Guyabano shake with a "special" syrup made from the sili or chili pepper. It a delight that should not be missed. A typical sili shake would cost around P55 and is worth the try. Just make sure you do not tell them volcanic! as it will be VERY spicy! This picture was taken at the Cagsawa ruins where the famous shake is made almost daily!
With pili being endemic to the Bicol region, Bicolanos have found different uses of the pili nut. Pili nuts are sold all over the region. Pili Pie, Pili brittle even pili nuts themselves with sugar. The best is Pili nuts with ice cream!!! A favorite among foreigners.