Chichacorn (kornik) from Ilocos

One of the best selling pasalubong from Ilocos Norte is the chichacorn. It is basically corn kernels that are cooked until crunchy. 

There are various flavors to choose from, there's cheese, garlic, etc.

You can avail a pack of chichacorn for less than 50 pesos. They sell these just beside the Marcos Museum in Batac, Ilocos Norte. Some of the locals that we knew prefer those that are being sold in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The difference in taste between the two is debatable. It could just be a matter of preference just like any product. 

Bagnet

Bagnet is the Ilocano version of lechon kawali or chicharon baboy. It is made by deep frying the pork belly until golden brown and crispy. The skin with all the fat is so crispy while the lean meat part is crispy but not dry. It can be eaten as it is or with rice. It can also be added into various dishes with vegetables. It is also a common ingredient of their infamous miki. They usually dip it into their own version of bagoong or sliced tomatoes.

Bagnet is usually sold at the market place in Batac, Ilocos Norte, where we are staying. The locals said that we need to go early to the market, because stocks usually runs out before lunch time. Market price is around 400 to 500 pesos per kilogram. It also has a long shelf life so you can bring some back to Manila if you want to. Just keep it refrigerated when you get home. It is already cooked when you purchase it, all you have to do is to deep fry it again before eating.

This delicacy is a must try whenever you go to Ilocos.

Batac Longganisa

The Batac Longganisa is made in Batac, Ilocos Norte. It is almost the same as the infamous Vigan Longganisa from Vigan, Ilocos Sur. It is garlicky and has a distinct tangy flavor.

 The market price is around 250 pesos per kilogram. It also has a long shelf life so you can purchase some, a few hours before you travel back to Manila. According to the locals, it would be better if you sun dry it for a few hours before packing it for your travel. It is also best if it is wrapped in a news paper or anything that can absorb moisture. This is one of the must try delicacies when you go to Ilocos Norte.

Batac Riverside Empanadaan

Any trip to Ilocos will never be complete without having a bowl of hot miki and freshly cooked empanada. After a long day of visiting various tourist spots, we headed to Riverside Empanadaan in Batac. 

Nothing beats the original miki from Ilocos. The noodles are thick and al dente and has a distinct flavor. The soup also has a distinct flavor made from chicken stock and spices. It is sprinkled with bagnet bits and served with hard boiled egg. You can only notice the difference once you've tried the miki that is made in Ilocos, and those that were made here in Manila. A bowl of special miki only costs less than 30 pesos.

Also from this place, you can see how they cook the infamous empanada. They have wide varieties of flavors to choose from. 

We had the special empanada. It has a whole Batac longganisa and egg, aside from the usual fillings. The jumbo special has both a jumbo hotdog and Batac longganisa. For hearty eaters, they have the double double version which has two pieces of longganisa and eggs. As always, nothing beats the original. The empanadas that were made here have a distinct flavor. It also has more egg and meat fillings. The price ranges at around 40 to 80 pesos depending on the flavor.

This place isn't air conditioned and it tends to be crowded most of the times even at night. You also have to wait in a long line and pay as you order, and sometimes wait for a few minutes for your orders to be served, but we are here for the food that only this place can offer. Surely, all of those things will be forgotten once you had a taste of their scrumptious miki and empanada.

RATINGS:

Food: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Price: 5/5


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Type: casual dining
Cuisine: Ilocano
Delivery:
Operating Hours: M - Su
Contact Number:
Branches: Batac, Ilocos Norte

SPAM ( Paoay, Ilocos Norte )

SPAM or Sulit Pinoy American Meals is located just beside one of the famous tourist spots in Ilocos Norte, the Paoay Church or the Saint Augustine Church. It is one of the new restaurants in the vicinity.  The place is just enough to accommodate a group of tourists or locals looking for a place to dine. They have tables outside in case you want to enjoy the great scenery of the Paoay Church and appreciate the nature surrounding it. Something that is nice for us who aren't lucky enough to experience things like that here in Metro Manila.

They have lots of interesting entrees in their menu due to its name however, none of those were available that time so we ended up ordering what's available.

The Chicken and Gravy is just breaded chicken strips smothered with gravy.  It tastes good and still a bit crispy when served. It comes with some mixed vegetables and a small cup of rice. For just 120 pesos it is enough for one person and it also comes with a glass of iced tea.

The Roast Beef can also be considered as one of their budget meals. The thin slices of roast beef is smothered with mushroom gravy. The meat is tender but the gravy overpowered its taste so it tasted like a beef steak instead. A single serving also costs 120 pesos and it comes with a glass of iced tea.

The Porter House is good. We had it medium rare. It is served on a sizzling plate. Even if it is not that tender, it is juicy and flavorful even without the steak sauce. It can be good for 2 persons. It costs 280 pesos and it also comes with a glass of iced tea. Just try to ask for a steak knife when you order one because they served ours with a bread knife.

One thing that can greatly impact the reputation of this restaurant is the very slow service. The place and price is good and so are their dishes.

RATINGS: 

Food: 4/5

Cleanliness: 5/5

Ambiance: 5/5

Service: 3/5

Price: 4/5

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Type: casual dining restaurant

Cuisine: Filipino, American

Delivery: 

Operating Hours: 

Contact Number: 

Branches: Paoay, Ilocos Norte