Taste & Tell: Foodtrip in Northern Mindanao

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A tourist's travel experience won't be complete without trying the destination's mouthwatering delicacies and authentic dishes! Ready your taste buds now, and get ready explore the delicacies of Northern Mindanao.

FOODS TO DIE FOR IN BUKIDNON

BINAKI

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Binaki, a known delicacy in Northern Mindanao, was originally a homemade dessert in Bukidnon. It is a steamed cake made of grated young corn with powdered milk, baking powder, and sugar mixed with water. Naming the  delicacy "binaki" is somewhat weird since the term sounds like baki, which is the vernacular for frog, but it has nothing to do with frogs. The assumption to why this delicacy is called like that is maybe because the corn cake when wrapped with corn husk resembles frog legs. 

PIÑASITAS

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Piñasitas, a pineapple-based product, is one of the famous delicacies in Bukidnon-the pineapple capital of Asia and food basket of Mindanao. No wonder why its emerging delicacies come from pineapple. However, aside from pineapple-based products, organic rise-based products such as cookies, barquirice, pop rice, chicharice, etc. are also getting popular in Northern Mindanao.

FOODS TO DIE FOR IN CAMIGUIN

LANZONES

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Duku in Indonesia, Lang-sat in Thailand, Lanzones in Philippines! This sweet and slightly sour fruit is one of the popular fruits in Southeast Asia, and mostly unknown in the West. This tropical fruit grows well in North-Central coast of Mindanao, and is said that the sweetest Lanzones in the Philippines comes from Camiguin. So, if you're planning to visit the province of Camiguin, make sure to do it in the month of October to experience Camiguin's Lanzones Festival, which is held every third week of the month.

 PASTEL

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Pastel is a Spanish term for cake. It is a mouthwatering delicacy from the paradise island of Camiguin. These are soft, sweet bun, filled with yema (made mostly of milk, eggs and sugar). Today, Vjandep Pastel of Camiguin has 12 varieties of fillings to satisfy your taste buds! Available flavors are as follows, Regular Yema, Ube, Mango, Macapuno, Cheese, Langka, Pineapple, and special flavors such as Durian, Guava, Strawberry, Chocolate, Special Yema and Assorted flavor.

FOODS TO DIE FOR IN LANAO DEL NORTE

 DODOL

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Dodol is the most popular rice-based delicacy in Lanao, particularly in the city of Baloi and Marawi, the places which have been touted as the "Dodol Country". It is often served in the special occasions of Maranao such as weddings, fiestas, birtday, etc. It is made from sticky rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. Others add durian to make it more delicious. 

HALANG-HALANG

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"Halang-Halang", literally means "anghang-anghang" (spicy-spicy), is where chilis are the primary ingredient of this spicy soup dish. It has small bits of beef, served as a soup. You can add more chopped chilis and spring onions to soothe one's taste and preference, This is one culinary adventure that is best experienced in food stalls, and found all over this province. (pinoyadventurista)

FOODS TO DIE FOR IN MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL

MORON OF PLARIDEL

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When you hear the word "Moron", maybe, the first thing that comes to your mind is an adjective used to describe a fool/"stupid" person, but not in the province of Misamis Occidental, because "Moron" for the locals, is one of their best delicacies. Moron is a sweet tasty treat made of glutinous rice or rice flour mix, chocolate, sugar and coconut milk, rolled and wrapped in banana leaves then boiled or steamed. 

SUMAN OF CLARIN

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Found in the one and only House of Suman in Clarin, Misamis Occidental, this Suman is hard to miss! It is made from malagkit, pure coconut milk and sugar. It's sweet and comes in a variety of flavors such as balintawak, suman latik, and ibus. 

FOODS TO DIE FOR IN MISAMIS ORIENTAL 

JAMON DE CAGAYAN

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Cagayan de Oro is famous for its hams which are locally known as Jamon de Cagayan. Also known as leg ham, this product undergoes the long process of salt curing and natural smoking. Once it’s done, it comes out fully cooked and ready to serve. Jamon de Cagayan is even packed in traditional cloth bags called “katcha” which are symbolic of Southern comfort and warmth. This delicacy is being produced by the best local ham makers in the city namely SLERS Ham, Pines Ham (TGO Foods), and Oro Ham. (incdo.com)

REMEMBER ME

This is one dish that is bound to make a mark in your life. It is a unique recipe that originated in Cagayan de Oro. It’s composed of internal and reproductive organs of animals, specifically the testicles of cows and horses. This delicacy is said to be an aphrodisiac, making it extremely popular both to tourists and locals. Remember Me is served in many restaurants and even food stalls in Cagayan de Oro so you won’t have difficulty finding this exotic dish.  (Sorry guys, but I wasn't able to find a picture of Remember Me :( )

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Sources:

adventuringfoodie.com/2014/02/binaki-corn-cake-cagayan.html/

bukidnon.weebly.com/delicacies.html

xplorerboyz.blogspot.com/2012/09/camiguin-vjandep-bakeshops-camiguins.html#.VE0R-_mUfz5

islandcamiguin.com/foods.html

choosephilippines.com/eat/local-flavors/1580/maranao-dodol-kalamay/

top-destination-choice-the-philippines.com/misamis-occidental.html

incdo.com/2012/07/top-5-delicacies-from-cagayan-de-oro.html