Top 10 Foods that Represent Quezon Province
Just as Quezon Province is known to be the home of rich culture and serene background, the southern region is also famous for its unique dishes and delicacies. From heavy meals and desserts to pasalubong, Quezon has it all.
So if you are planning to visit the place by any chance, make sure to get a taste of the top 10 foods that represent the province of Quezon.
Pancit Habhab
A trip in Quezon Province is not complete without eating Pancit Habhab. Also called Pancit Lucban, this is arguably the most popular dish in the province. It uses miki lucban (a type of pancit noodles exclusive in the area), pork, vegetables, and minimal seasoning. Habhab is traditionally served in a banana leaf and eaten without the use of any utensil. Others prefer eating this with a tablespoon of spicy vinegar.
Lucban Longganisa
One of Luzon’s most prominent variants of longganisa is the Lucban Longganisa. A type of rekadong longganisa, originally from Lucban, Quezon. Unlike other sweet longganisa, this has a garlicky savory taste due to the addition of oregano and paprika. Best eaten during breakfast with fried rice and egg, then dipped into vinegar.
Pinais
Pinais na Hipon is one of the few seafood delicacies in the province of Quezon. Made of fresh prawns and pork, combined with grated young coconut, salt, and pepper, and then wrapped in banana leaves; this is best eaten with a bowl of steaming hot rice at any time.
Pinagong
You can indeed have the best Pinagong in Sariaya, Quezon. This bread roll was called pinagong, which looked like a pagong (turtle in English) once baked. The bread is perfect to start the day with your black coffee on the side.
Minukmok
A popular treat in Quezon Province, minukmok is made from mashed banana (saba) or sweet potato (kamote), sugar, margarine, evaporated milk, and occasionally peanut butter. Other people call it Nilubak, Niyubak or Nilupak. This is perfect as dessert or meryenda while watching your favorite drama series every 3 pm.
Puto Bao
Puto Bao is inspired from a Filipino delicacy during Christman Season, Puto Bumbong. It is appetizing just by its purple look and surprisingly sweet filling made of shredded young coconut and muscovado sugar called bukayo. If you want to try Puto Bao, you can have the best ones in the towns of Unisan and Agdangan, Quezon as per locals.
Hardinera
Hardinera or Lucban Hardinera is known to be the Quezon meatloaf. A steamed meatloaf with a festive mix of braised pork, luncheon meat, catsup, sweet pickles, bell peppers, cheese, raisins, and pineapple tidbits. This is commonly present in fiestas, holidays, and other special occasions.
Budin
Budin is the local term for the Cassava Cake we are all familiar with. It is made of baked cassava, coconut, sugar, and margarine topped with cheese. Budin has versions of chewy and soft. It is popular that almost every visitor in the province buys it as pasalubong on their way back home.
Chami
The Pansit Chami is a classic noodle dish from Lucena, Quezon. Made from stir-fried flat miki noodles with sauce cooked in pork or prawns, chayote, and carrots. This was the local specialty, and each year, a festival was held to celebrate both cooking and eating of the meal.
Yema Cake
A Filipino chiffon cake filled and covered with spreadable yema candy. Yema Cake is soft, airy, and topped with lots of grated cheese. Others have it during meryenda, while some in birthday or special gatherings. The sweetness of yema and saltiness of cheese makes this everyone’s comfort food.
Now that you know what to expect as you travel in the South, I suggest you not go home without trying these dishes. This is just an appetizer of what you can discover. From the pristine beaches, historic churches to rich cuisine, Quezon Province is a complete adventure!
