5 Traditional Foods
You Have To Try in Laoag

Pinakbet is a traditional meat stew prepared with various vegetables and shrimp paste. It originated in the region of Ilocos, but today it appears in many regional and seasonal varieties. Most commonly, it consists of fatty pork, bitter melon, squash, sweet potatoes, eggplants, okra, and green beans. Although the ingredients may be adjusted to personal preferences, the key element of the dish is the pungent shrimp paste, which provides pinakbet with its unique flavor. This colorful and versatile stew is usually served alongside steamed rice and enjoyed as a hearty and nutritious main course.Expand

Dinuguan is a Filipino dish which consists of a variety of animal’s internal organs stewed with blood, vinegar, garlic, and hot peppers. Traditionally, it was a dish made with byproducts of pig slaughter, but many regional varieties nowadays use chicken or beef and incorporate various ingredients and spices. This thick, flavorful stew is usually served alongside rice or rice cakes and can be enjoyed as a nutritious breakfast and a hearty lunch or dinner.Expand

Torta is a popular Filipino dish consisting of an omelet filled with ground meat and vegetables such as diced potatoes. Savory and extremely satisfying, the dish is usually served as a main course, preferably over rice. It is recommended to pair torta with condiments such as banana ketchup. There are numerous variations on the Filipino torta, such as tortang talong (eggplant omelet) and tortang gulay (onion, bell peppers, and garlic omelet). The reason for the unusual name of this dish is a strong Spanish influence in the Philippines. There is one other dish named torta in the country, but it is altogether different and refers to a small, muffin-like dessert cake.Expand

Tortang talong is a simple Filipino dish made with a combination of roasted eggplants and lightly beaten eggs. Whole eggplants are dipped into the egg mixture and are then shortly pan-fried until the entire dish starts to resemble a crispy omelet. This versatile delicacy is easily adapted with additional ingredients such as ground meat and vegetables, and it is traditionally served accompanied by steamed rice and tomato or banana ketchup. Inexpensive and quickly prepared, tortang talong can be enjoyed at any time of day as a hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner.Expand

Lauya is a comforting Filipino dish which may consist of chicken, pork, or beef that is slowly stewed in a flavorful broth alongside various spices. It appears in many regional varieties and often includes different vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. The meat is usually left on the bone and it is occasionally shortly smoked before being cooked. Lauya is the perfect example of traditional Filipino comfort food, always served hot and typically enjoyed with plain steamed rice on the side.Expand