11 of the Best Batangas Specialty Foods You Should Try

Ala eh, how well do you know the province of Batangas? It is known for its charming historical sites such as spectacular beaches, magnificent mountains, and churches but have you heard about Batangas delicacies? If not, stay in touch to learn more about the most delicious delicacies in Batangas. 

Batangas is a gifted province with a lot of undiscovered areas. But if you happen to be there, you must try the regional specialties. Try the all Batangas delicacies listed below if you want to visit this region. The cuisine of Batangas is rich in cultural nuances; it is nearly impossible to find it elsewhere. If you want to know more facts about Batangas you can also read Little-Known Facts You Should Know About Batangas.

When you try the delicacies in Batangas, I know you’ll fall in love with the province and return whenever you like since you’ll want to experience its taste once more. So, if you decide to live there, you can have a house and lot, and comfortable home-like Bria Homes.

Read Also: BRIA Homes Fast-Tracks Construction in Balayan, Batangas

You may have previously traveled to this stunning province with its abundance of cold, clear beaches. However, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if you hadn’t tried all the delicacies that Batangas has. A unique culinary experience awaits you in Batangas, where you may sample a variety of regional specialties. There are undoubtedly other places where you can find them, but nothing compares to a dish prepared locally and delivered by a friendly Batanguean.

11 must-try delicacies in Batangas:

1. Lomi Batangas

The city of Lipa in Batangas was thought to be where lomi first appeared. However, as one of the best Batangas specialties, it may be found throughout the province. The Filipino dish Lomi Batangas is a variation of lomi soup made with pork bones, onions, peppers, pork meat, pork levers, kikiam, eggs, pork rinds, ground pork, onions, garlic, pepper, and eggs. With a dip consisting of soy sauce, onions, chiles, and calamasi, it is typically consumed. The Lomi Batangas is more appealing to Batanguenos since it contains more vegetables, thicker broth, and more meat toppings.

Read also: Batangas’ Best: What is Lomi and Where to Get it?

2. Bulalo

The provinces of Batangas and Cavite in the Philippines’ Southern Luzon region are home to the native species of bulalo. Quality beef from Batangas can compete favorably with imported beef. So it should come as no surprise that the province is also the source of the greatest bulalo, which features beef shanks as its main component. These delicacies in Batangas are also well-known delicacies in Tagaytay. A lot of the best bulalo recipes in Tagaytay also use beef from Batangas.

Cooking bulalo appears to be rather simple. Beef shanks cooked for several hours in a tasty stock seasoned with black pepper, garlic, onions, and salt are its major and most distinctive component. Usually, pechay (Chinese cabbage), potatoes, and even corn are used in the dish.

When the tender meat starts falling off the bones, you’ll know the luscious bowl of bulalo soup in front of you is authentic. It’s heaven on a plate when you serve the dish with a sauce comprised of patis (fish sauce), calamansi, and chili.

3. Gotong Batangas

If you’ve ever been to Lipa City, Batangas, and more specifically the Lipa Public Market, you know that practically all of the vendors who offer cooked food serve gotong batangas, although the kind of cow parts utilized in this dish differs. Additionally, you can specify the type of beef internal organs you want in your gotong batangas dish. The goto we are all familiar with, which consists of rice gruel or porridge with beef tripes, is different from the gotong batangas, which is a special sort of goto. This meal is quite reminiscent of “beef papaitan,” which is a beef innards soup. Typically, cow tripe and a combination of other innards, including beef intestines, kidney, heart, and liver, are employed. However, some also used beef skin and cow head components like the mouth and cheeks.

4. Sinaing na Tulingan

These Batangas delicacies are unbelievable, most kitchen houses in Batangas have a dish called “Sinaing na Tulingan” that is cooked in a palayok, or clay pot, which is said to be the greatest technique to make it more flavorful.

The little tuna known as sinaing na tulingan, which is abundant in Balayan Bay, is another seafood dish that is simple to make. Salt is applied to the fish, and it is then placed in a clay pot after being covered in dried kamias. When fish is cooked slowly, its flavor seeps out and combines with the water, which we refer to as “patis” (fish sauce). It smells fishy and salty. Because of its lengthy shelf life even without refrigeration, it is a favorite among Batanguenos.

5. Adobo sa dilaw

A variety of restaurants in the municipalities of Taal and Lemery serve genuine adobo sa dilaw. In the Philippines, adobo is a common dish. A dish called adobo sa dilaw, on the other hand, is completely different just by its name. Although the general cooking procedure is the same, turmeric, or what is known as “yellow ginger” in Batangas, is the ingredient that gives this meal its distinctive yellow hue, this is why it became one of the well-known delicacies in Batangas

6. Taghilaw

Taghilaw, which is similar to bopis, primarily consists of the heart and lungs of cattle or hog. It is fervently sautéed in a hot concoction of tomatoes, chiles, and onions. Taghilaw is a dish in which all of its ingredients are fully cooked in a vinegar-based broth spiced with black pepper and other herbs and spices, unlike its virtual counterpart, the kinilaw.

7. Tapa and Longganisang Taal

Tapang Taal and Longanisang Taal are other delicacies in Batangas that you must try. As you might have imagined, these breakfast favorites are a specialty of the heritage town of Taal. You won’t find any beef here if that’s what you were expecting. Longganisa and tapa are made differently in Taal because they are sweet and garlicky pig dishes. Anywhere in Taal is a nice place to find a decent serving, especially near the public market, where you can even buy some to cook at home.

8. Kapeng Barako

Since we’re already discussing tapa and longganisa for breakfast, let’s round it up with kapeng barako, which suits a perfect breakfast! Eat this together so you experience the complete combo of Batangas delicacies

Kapeng Barako is the appropriate beverage for the a-tapang a-tao. Avoid drinking it when you’re hungry and if you have a sensitive stomach. Barako coffee is so commonplace that it is always nearby. But if you’re unsure about where to begin, you could look to Lipa, where coffee growing had a major boom in the 1800s. Cafe de Lipa, a well-known local café, is known for its Barako Joe beverage.

Read also: Bria House and Lot: Cafés to Visit in Batangas

9. Suman

Suman and kapeng barako during meryenda are the ideal food to pair together. Suman is commonplace, but Sumang Batangas is special. It is best consumed cold or hot and is renowned for its chewy, nutty flavor. The sticky rice, according to locals, is the key to this well-known rice cake’s success

10. Tamales

Tamales ng Ibaan would undoubtedly be a dish that can sate your hunger for finger food. If a typical Filipino has only heard the word “tamales” through pop culture allusions, they may not be familiar with these Batangas delicacies. But you surely wouldn’t want to miss out on this cuisine.

Tamales ng Ibaan, a common rice cake in the Philippines, comprises sticky rice that has been wrapped in banana leaves. To give it its distinctively deep red color, it is loaded with shredded chicken, peanuts, eggs, and annatto.

11. Panutsa

Taal panutsa, also known as peanut brittle, is made with whole peanuts that are farmed in Batangas, as opposed to the panutsa from Baguio. These delightfully salty, crunchy snacks often have a round, round form and are available in big or medium quantities. The Taal treat can be recognized by the thicker consistency and distinctive black color of the sugar mixture. The native panutsa is a tasty treat that makes you feel more energized! It will distract you from the bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Written by Maria Joecel Porteros