Take a Bite Out of 8 Delicious Delicacies in Pangasinan

In addition to its well-known tourist attractions, the province of Pangasinan has much more to offer than meets the eye

From pristine beaches, and glistering waterfalls, to scenic rolling hills and mountains, Pangasinan is lauded for its beautiful natural wonders. However, the amazing food that can be found in Pangasinan also merits appreciation and recognition. As a byproduct of the many geographies and cultural traditions that make up the province’s several districts, the cuisine of Pangasinan is both diverse and scrumptious. Below are some of the must-try dishes from the delicious delicacies in Pangasinan that will surely get your mouth watering!

Pangasinan is not only known for its fine-looking beaches and beautiful views but also for its mouth-watering delicacies. If you’re a foodie, then you should unquestionably add these 8 delicious delicacies in Pangasinan to your bucket list.

Meaty dishes that pack a flavorful punch

PIGAR-PIGAR

One of the most well-liked dishes in Pangasinan is called pigar-pigar. In the traditional way of making this meal, the carabao meat and liver are both cut very thinly before being sautéed with a variety of spices and then topped with fresh onions. Broccoli or cauliflower can also be added to enhance its flavors. Nowadays, beef is also a commonplace substitute for carabao meat.  The name of this dish translates to “turning over,” which is a reference to the method of preparation that involves flipping the meat over many times as it is being fried in oil. A festival that celebrates pigar-pigar is held annually in Dagupan, which is evidence of the popularity of the dish.

Learn a recipe here: https://www.atbp.ph/2017/01/25/pigar-pigar-recipe/

KALESKES

Kaleskes is considered to be one of the cities of Dagupan’s hallmark foods. The dish’s name is derived from the Pangasinan term for intestines, “kaleskes.” This dish is a hearty stew of carabao meat, intestines, pancreas, and other types of internal organs served in a delicious orange hot broth. Annatto, which is often referred to as achuete, is the ingredient that gives the soup its unique orange color and flavor. The flavor has been characterized as being slightly bitter, earthy, and faintly sweet. The meat and the internal organs, on the other hand, are where the majority of the flavors come from. Eateries and food stalls often sell this intriguing dish. It’s also quite popular as an accompaniment for beer.

Learn more about kaleskes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lesSKD0JME

ALAMINOS LONGGANISA

Alaminos longganisa is a specialty pork sausage hailing from Alaminos City, Pangasinan. Ground pork, ground pig fat, brown sugar, spices, and vinegar are stuffed inside hog shells to create this delicacy. Achuete seeds give the sausages their distinct and vivid yellow or orange tint. Small strips of coconut leaf fashioned into toothpick-like sticks divide the sausage into distinct portions. The flavor of this particular kind of longganisa is characterized as salty and garlicky due to a large amount of pepper and garlic inside. Because of this, the taste of Alaminos longganisa is also considered remarkable as it varies from the usual sweet taste of a classic longganisa. The residents of Pangasinan take great pride in their native pork sausage that it has a dedicated spot in the city’s annual Hundred Islands Festival celebrated in March.

Learn more about Alaminos longganisa in this Pinas Sarap episode by GMA Public Affairs

MANGALDAN TAPA

Tapa is a thinly sliced beef sirloin marinated in a mixture of salty, sweet, and tangy marinade that is later on fried or grilled for consumption. It has been pretty much a classic Filipino dish and is even known to be included in other meals such as the infamous silog combos which contain sinangag or fried rice and itlog or fried egg; the one with tapa is known as “tapsilog.” Granted that you can find tapa in most of the places in the Philippines, Mangaldan, Pangasinan offers tapa that is surely outstanding. Mangaldan tapa is fried on a pan and served with rice, vegetables, or fried egg. One of the classic places in Mangaldan to have their tapa would be Celia’s, a longstanding business that was formed through the success of a personal recipe.

Where to get Mangaldan Tapa in Pangasinan? Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npAH9Gugv6Y

Sweet treats for the ones with a sweet tooth

PUTO CALASIAO

Puto Calasiao is a little bite-sized Filipino rice cake from the town of Calasiao in the province of Pangasinan. Calasiao is known for its abundance of these delicious delicacies, and it is one of the city’s most prized food products. This specific sweet sets itself apart from a conventional puto due to the incorporation of fermentation, although some ingredients remain the same. Instead of using soaked rice water, the semi-glutinous rice used in the puto calasiao dish is fermented in clay jars for a short period of time. The finished result has a particular sweetness to it and a chewy consistency all the way through. Puto in Calasiao is also sold 24 hours a day along the food stalls within the town proper and is considered the town’s “white gold”. Its inclusion in Pangasinan’s annual Puto Festival serves as a tribute to the popularity of Puto Calasiao.

Try a recipe here: https://www.panlasangpinoyrecipes.com/puto-calasiao-recipe/

PATUPAT

The native Pangasinan delicacy known as patupat is another sweet treat made with glutinous rice and is particularly well-liked in the municipalities of Pozorrubio, Balungao, Alaminos, and Manaoag. The sticky rice that goes into making this traditional treat is wrapped in coconut leaves that have been woven together. It is prepared by cooking it in sugarcane juice that has been brought to a boil. After being cooked, it is gathered into bunches, then tied off, and let to air dry and drain. The wrap used for this delicacy is made up of coconut leaves weaved together to form a pattern that looks like a local banig. Patupat has been showcased at the annual Pozzorubio town festival held every January, further cementing its reputation as a valued food product. Patupat is served on a long table that is designed to look very welcoming and will inevitably attract anyone to get a taste of the Pangasinan delicacy.

Learn more about patutpat in this Pinas Sirap episode by GMA Public Affairs

BINUNGEY

Binungey, commonly known as Bamboo Rice Cake, is prepared using sticky rice and coconut extract. Sweeteners such as sugar, mangoes, and coconut jam go well with it. In the Pangasinan language, the term “nungey” means “cooked in bamboo.” To make binungey, bamboo tubes are stuffed with glutinous rice and coconut milk and then steamed over an open fire. The process of preparing this dish may be laborious due to the fact that if the fire is too intense, the bamboo will be charred, and if the fire is too mild, the rice may not be fully cooked. All of that effort, however, is well worth it for the final product’s flavor.

Learn more about binungey here: https://youtu.be/kwwy9lIRPEg

SINAKOB

Sinakob, commonly known as panotcha or panutsa, is a well-known dessert in Pangasinan province. Sugarcane juice is used to make the delicacy, which is completely free of preservatives and chemicals. When the juice from the sugarcane has been extracted, it is put into a huge pot and set on the fire to boil. After that, it is stirred until it has reached the desired level of caramelization. The liquid mixture is then poured, while still hot, into the halves of coconuts, where it is let to cool and solidify. It goes well with a type of rice cake called biko.

Fun fact about one of Pangasinan’s cities!

Located in Pangasinan province, Dagupan City is recognized as the Philippines’ “Bangus Capital.” Dagupan is noted for its pond-raised bangus (milkfish), which is claimed to be the freshest and tastiest in the world. There’s no surprise that the city holds its title as it is intersected by seven rivers and fourteen creeks.

During the Bangus Festival, which takes place in April of every year, the city hosts a range of events, including a bangusine (bangus cuisine), cooking competitions, and sports activities, as well as street dances and various performances throughout the day and night. The variation of the festival’s celebration oozes the energy, color, and vibrancy that reflect the city’s incredible culture and traditions.

While there might be more dishes that every part of Pangasinan could boast of, the ones mentioned will never, ever fail everyone’s taste buds as they inevitably receive good reviews regarding their taste. It also is important to note that aside from the taste, these dishes and delicacies serve a good purpose by being part of the representation of the province nationwide and even internationally, if given the opportunity.

In conclusion, delicious delicacies in Pangasinan will satisfy any food lover’s cravings. From sweet rice cakes to savory beef dishes, the cuisine of Pangasinan is definitely worth trying out. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in these mouth-watering delicacies during your visit to Pangasinan!