Explore and never miss out on Bicol’s famous dishes!

The culture of the Philippine archipelago is diverse and rich, with over 7,000 islands. Because of this, each island has something unique to offer! Each town has its own unique and delectable cuisine! One of these can be found in the Bicol region.

So, what are you waiting for? Explore and never miss out on Bicol’s dishes!

Home to abaca, coconut, and pili nuts, the magnificent tourist escapades, breathtaking scenery, and impressive waterfalls are just some of the best things in Bicol! The region is also known for its delectable cuisines. Bicol cuisines are popularly known for their spicy and coconut-infused creamy dishes that will surely satisfy your appetite. You’ll never get enough once you’ve tasted it.

Bicol Express

You can only appreciate Bicol once you have tasted the traditional Bicol Express in town. It is one of the most well-known dishes in the region. The dish is a spicy cuisine made from coconut-infused milk, long chilies, and pork. So if you are in the area, this should be at the top of your meal plan.

Laing

Another popular Bicolano delicacy is laing or pinangat, which consists of taro leaves and meat. It’s made with creamy, thick coconut cream that’s been spiced with chili, lemongrass, garlic, and shrimp paste. This dish will undoubtedly bring different flavors from the first bite! The best part is that it is inexpensive.

Kinalas

If you enjoy noodle soups, Kinalas is a recipe you should not miss when visiting Bicol. Kinalas is a popular Bicol dish that features a hot thick brown sauce made from the brains of cows or pigs. Pancit canton noodles are mixed into the soup and topped with scraped meat from cow or pig parts, specifically the head. To finish, sili and pepper are added. A hardboiled egg can also be added to the mixture. A sip of this hearty, savory comfort food is a real treat!

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Kinunot

If laing isn’t your thing, Bicol’s kinunot is a fine replacement. Malunggay leaves and chunks of fish are combined in this coconut milk-based dish. Kinunot is authentically made with stingray or shark meat.

Sinantol

Aside from coconuts, one of Bicol’s most important crops is Santol, also known as cotton fruit. Bicol has a native delicacy known as Sinantol or Ginataang Santol because of its abundance. It’s made with shredded santol, sili, and gata, along with either fish or pork. It has a perfect blend of salt from the meat, sourness from the santol, creaminess from the coconut cream, and spice from the sili.