My taste buds were revived in Bicol region! 👅 After the #foodtrip in Naga, I can absolutely attest that it’s one of the best go-to places for a superb gastronomic experience! 🙌 From breakfast, lunch, merienda, dinner, even after-party drinks, Naga got you covered. 💯
Though I’m not a #certifiedfoodie, here are top 5 recos you #MustTry from the province that taught me to appreciate flavor at its finest! 😋
1. CASA SORIANO’S PINANGAT, KINUNOT & AUNTIE’S CHICKEN. Abundant with coconut, 🌴 it’s not surprising if most of Bicol’s best dishes are gata-based. When in Naga, I tasted “pinangat” for the #firsttime. Made of ground fish 🐟 wrapped in layers of gabi and seasoned with gata, it tastes best with lemon zest! 🍋 Another famous local dish is called “kinunot” served with either shark or stingray as its meat. You can also spice up your meal with Auntie’s Chicken. 🍗 Not your ordinary roasted chix, the heirloom version in Casa Soriano is distinct, perhaps because of its special stuffing. 👌
2. MANG KOK’S KINALAS. Oozing with flavor, “kinalas” is Naga’s better counterpart of Iloilo’s batchoy and Batangas’ lomi. 🍲 Its luglog noodles 🍜 loaded with beef 🐮 will surely power up your day. 💪
3. IBALON’S CRAFT BEER. Named after characters from a Bicolano legend, Ibalon craft beer 🍻 ranges from Sili Beer (Handiong), India Pale Ale (Baltog), Pale Ale (Bantong), and Coffee Chocolate Stout (Oriol). With highest IBU and ABV, Baltog’s my fave; coz the bitter, the better! 🍺 Yet nothing beats the perfect fiery combination of Sili Beer and Tofu Sisig! 🔥
4. BIGG’S PLATTER. My stomach reached its limit but for the sake of completing the #foodtrip, I still tried Bigg’s platter of chicken poppers, cheese sticks, and french fries. 😉 Maybe I’ll just visit the branch in Fairview to try their bestseller chicken! 😁
5. ICE BLINK’S HALO-HALO. Roaming the streets of Naga under the sun is especially rewarding when there’s halo-halo waiting! 🍨 Topped with leche flan, ube halaya, and 2 flavors of ice cream, Ice Blink’s halo-halo mix is refreshingly not-so-sweet, that’s why I like it! 👍
P.S. The year-end Naga escapade won’t be possible if not for the 3rd wave promptings of my fella #teambuilders Ivy and Pat. 😄 Cheers to more amazing travels in 2020! ✈
9B/9 #top9towrapmy29th #bestof2019 #foodtrip #naga #bicol #philippines