Can't Travel? 19 Best Probinsya Delicacies You Can Find In Manila
Quezon's suman sa lihiya, Bacolod napoleones, Bicol's sili ice cream, and other treats that will let you travel with your tastebuds
Walking the sweltering streets of Dumaguete looking for that elusive ice cream only for sale in a hardware store, uncontrollably munching on a warm slice of buko pie in a moving van traveling the plains of Silay (this after gorging on a full lunch with dessert, just because the pie was so dang delicious!), or getting my fingers and mouth burned biting into a piping hot empanada in Vigan (and regretting nothing!) — all that and more was part of my will-travel-for-food life.
I travel to eat. While I do love looking at historical sites and majestic mountains, it’s the food of the locale that really gets me excited. With my eating posse, we descend on a town with our list of must-eats and fill our bottomless bellies with as much food as we can.
Alas! Those days are gone.
While tourist destinations are slowly opening nationwide, traveling for food has become an even more expensive luxury nowadays. And while I count eating delicious food right from the source as one of my life’s greatest pleasures, this eating nomad is not ashamed to say that I squealed in delight when I saw Geno’s ice cream available in Manila. Nor will I deny that the same thing happened when I found Irene’s Vigan Empanada on a delivery app!
And so, while this traveling foodie can’t travel yet, well—she can eat!
From suman sa lihiya from Quezon to two types of chicharon to the best uraro cookies in the world, I’ve compiled this list of pasalubong treats from around the Philippines that are available in Manila.
While researching this list, I heard stories of enterprising folk who started their businesses during the pandemic. I was also reminded of the bounty of tasty comfort that was already available in Manila even before the lockdown. With all of these, I came to realize three truths: that food and memory are deeply intertwined, that the Philippines is a country blessed with great chefs, bakers, and entrepreneurs, and lastly—that home is also where the stomach is.
You can find my list in the gallery below:
Pasalubong Favorites
Pasalubong Favorites
Geno’s Ice Cream from Bataan
With its distinctive creaminess, rich taro flavor (complete with taro bits and cheese), and just the right sweetness, this Bataan favorite is now available in Manila! Stocks are replenished two to three times a week, so you can order their best selling Gabi Ice Cream and other flavors from their Quezon City branch and get it delivered. Send a direct message to @beatificbygenosicecream on Facebook or Instagram, or call (0956) 089-1087.
Photo Credit: ORDER HERE
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Suman sa Lihiya from Quezon or Laguna
Trina Ching-Ramos and Sofia Araneta started @shopprobinsyana as a way to share their favorite food finds during the pandemic. We love their suman sa lihiya, which is authentic and sourced from Quezon. Their product list includes the best of the best of Laguna delicacies including kesong puti, ginataang hipon, cassava cake from Mitz, and even Bibingka Cheesecake from Ted’s Kitchen. If you’ve been craving your Laguna or Quezon specialties, simply order through @shopprobinsyana on Instagram.
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Pork Project’s Pupor from Batangas
Have you ever had Batangas-style chicharon with its trademark ‘laman’ or meat? Chef Redd Agustin brings the glorious pupor and other comfort food treats to Manila every month. And let us tell you, they’re worth the wait! To order, send a message to (0917) 438-2133 or contact @theporkproject on Instagram, or @theporkprojectPH on Facebook.
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Batangas Beef Goto
If you loved Chef Redd Agustin's chicharon pupor, you'll also adore his Batangas-style beef goto, also available at The Pork Project. And pick up a few bottles of bagoong while you're at it. To order, send a message to (0917) 438-2133 or contact @theporkproject on Instagram, or @theporkprojectPH on Facebook.
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Irene's Empanada from Vigan
A beloved Ilokano institution, Irene’s Vigan Empanada has been available in Manila since 2016 but they only found a permanent location in Pasig in 2018. From then ‘til now, they’ve been low-key serving their famous empanada in Manila. You can also pick up some frozen Vigan longganisa and bagnet. Order through @irenesviganempanadapb on Facebook or call (0916) 200-7863.
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Rejano’s Premium Arrowroot Cookies from Marinduque
Rejano’s has delicious regular red arrowroot cookies, but we say go for the premium variety that melts in your mouth and are super buttery. These are the best arrowroot cookies we’ve ever tasted. They’re sold at Marinduque Deli by Exegen, which aims to help Marinduque’s farmers. You can pick up other delicacies like Coco-ong Bagoong, and 3 Sisters Banana Chips. To order, call (0945) 217-7480 or (0999) 576-1629, send a direct message to @mardeli.exegen on Facebook, or order through the Marinduque Deli by Exegen store on Shopee.
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Chicharon from Cebu
Chich & Ron's small-batch, artisanal Carcar-style chicharon come straight from the chicharon capital of Cebu. And did we mention, they're MSG-free as well? To order, send a direct message to @chichandron via Instagram.
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Otap from Cebu
These oh-so-buttery and flaky otap are also from Chich & Ron. They just melt in your mouth, and go so well with your favorite happy hour drink. To order, send a direct message to @chichandron on Instagram.(Photo by @eiconthemove)
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Harmen Palapa from Northern Mindanao
A small online shop that brings the best Northern Mindanao products to Manila, Cristina’s Basket is where to go for bottled palapa by Harmen. This Maranao condiment is made with sakurab (white scallions), ginger, and chili, and is delicious eaten with your favorite ulam, or just spoon a generous amount over hot rice. Available in regular, spicy, extra hot, or “with niyog.” To order, send a message to (0917) 770-9787.
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Alfonso House Creamhorn from Iloilo
Iloilo’s famous creamhorns are tiny puff pastry cones with sweet custard cream filling. If you’re craving these small sweets, just go to Alfonso House of Creamhorn. Owner Jan Ocampo Vicente opened an outlet in Manila back in 2019, to fulfill his father’s (the original Alfonso) dream of bringing this Ilonggo delicacy to Manila. Always freshly baked and now available in different flavors, creamhorn enthusiasts have only to message (0977) 813-2139 or contact @alfonsohouseofcreamhorn on Instagram. Pick up pastillas and other Ilonggo treats as well.
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Bacolod's famous Chorizo Pudpud
Neal, Ep, Makoy and Daboy are the brothers behind MoBros Kitchen. Using a special family recipe from the clan they married into (it’s a long story), they make these super delicious chorizo pudpud that’s been winning Manileños hearts (and tummies) since they opened during the pandemic. There’s even a spicy chicken version! To order tubs and tubs of pudpud, just send a direct message to @mobroskitchen on Instagram or Facebook, or call (0926) 642-8029.
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Vjandep Pastel from Camiguin
This is a famous delicacy known for its soft pastry, creamy yema filling, and addicting properties. In Manila, these are distributed by @vjandepmetromanila on Facebook.
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Vizco's Strawberry Shortcake from Baguio
Strawberry lovers, rejoice! Love, Strawberry’s online store is up and ready to bring you cakes from Vizco’s Bakery like their famous Strawberry Shortcake. There are also Ube and Mango variants available. Just send a direct message to @lovestrawberry2020 on Facebook, or @love.strawberry2020 on Instagram.
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Bacolod Napoleones, Crispy Okoy, and Kutsinta from Quan Delicacies
Quan Delicacies has been steadily serving Bacolod-style snacks and pastries in Bacolod and Makati for years. Don’t miss their flaky napoleones and piyaya, addicting okoy, and savory fare like dinuguan. They even have a build-your-own bilao of treats! To order, check out @quandelicaciesmnl on Instagram, or call (02) 8833-5843 or (0938) 724-8864.
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Good Shepherd Products from Spew Organics
For a limited time, Spew Organics partnered with Good Shepherd Tagaytay and Baguio to bring the convent’s legendary Ube Jam and Strawberry Jam, Lengua de Gato, and other treats to Manila. To order, check out @spew.ph on Instagram, or order online via their website.
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Dumaguete’s Sans Rival Cakes and Silvanas
You cannot go to Dumaguete and not taste the famous Sans Rival and Silvanas from the iconic bakery. While their products have been available in Manila since 2018, they have expanded to three branches in Metro Manila: Glorietta 4 in Makati, Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong, and Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City. We’re loving how the silvanas are now available in three new flavors – ube, strawberry and pandan! You can order via the delivery apps. Check out @sansrivalph on Instagram.
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Dolor’s Kakanin from Pampanga
Is there a kakanin store more famous than Dolor’s Kakanin? We think not. They’re the go to whenever we feel the need to feast on kutsinta, puto, sapin-sapin and more! To order, call (02) 8330 0130, use the usual delivery apps, or order online via their website. Check out @dolors_kakanin on Instagram.
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Sili Ice Cream from Bicol
My version of Bicolano dreaming always includes an afternoon tasting all the 1st colonial ice creams especially spoonfuls of my favorite Tinutong na Bigas flavor. Thankfully, with a branch in Manila, 1st Colonial’s Bicolano fare (Pinangat!) including their roster of ice creams (Pili, Sili, etc) is just a message away (@1stcolonial on Instagram). And... if you call yourself a foodie, their Sili Ice Cream with its escalating heat levels is something you should experience at least once in your life. Life's too short!
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Iloilo's Original Biscocho Haus
Have you been longing to sink your teeth into crunchy biscocho? Have your cravings appeased. Send a direct message to @originalbiscochohaus on Facebook, or order online via their website.
Photo Credit: ORDER HERE
Lead Photo: @vjandepmetromanila, @shopprobinsyana, @beatificbygenosicecream, @quandelicaciesmnl
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