Denise Alyssa G. Villamar
Batangas Food Trip: Must-Try Dishes In Batangas
When I want to disconnect from everything and take a quick break – with no hesitation – I’d head over to Batangas and unwind.
Besides being my mother’s hometown, one can truly enjoy Taal Lake’s solitude and sweeping views in San Nicolas town, the historical Taal Basilica, the stunning beaches in Catalagan, and the endless outdoor activities for adrenaline seekers.
And with just a 3 to 4-hour drive from the Metro, we can all enjoy a quick getaway trip and the chance to eat some of the irresistible delicacies worthy of a try.
As a proud Batangueña, I am humbled to share with you the best dishes and delicacies our province has to offer (in no particular order) – and hopefully, you get to try them soon as well! Read along, you guys!
Sinaing na Tulingan
One of the most famous delicacies in Batangas is the “Sinaing na Tulingan.” Believe it or not, you’ll see most kitchen households with this dish — cooked inside a palayok or clay pot — which they say is the best way to make it more flavorful.
This dish comprises a bullet tuna, a saltwater type, and a kamias, and then is added with salt, garlic, and freshly ground pepper for flavor. You can even add a siling mahaba if you want to add a bit of spice.
Sinigang na Maliputo
Batangas is also known for its Maliputo Festival, celebrated every August 8th, celebrating its famous freshwater fish, which can only be found in Taal Lake.
Launched in 1997, during the first term of mayor Epifanio “Peping” Sandoval, this festival has paved the way to further promote its significant product and bustling town. This fish can be quite pricey because of its rarity and reach high as PHP600 per kilo.
For a change, I recommend trying the famous Sinigang na Maliputo recipe, mixed with different kinds of vegetables and flavored with unripe tamarind, to achieve the right ‘kick’ of a sour taste.
Suman
Suman is everywhere, but Sumang Batangas is one-of-a-kind. It’s known for its chewy, nutty taste and is best eaten cold or hot. Suman and kapeng barako is the perfect combo if you’re here in Batangas.
Locals say that glutinous rice is the secret behind this famous rice cake. This is probably one of the best snacks I can eat almost every day. Also, don’t forget to include this on your Batangas Pasalubong list 🙂
Lomi
Looking for the Best Lomi in Batangas? This province is surrounded by towns that punch above its weight regarding Lomi.
You’d probably see this “Number 1 Lomis” in the metro, but everywhere, you can only taste the authentic Lomi here in Batangas.
This dish stands out from the rest because of its tender noodles and rich sauce. You can choose your toppings from a boiled egg, vegetables, onion leeks or chopped scallions, chicken meat, liempo, chicharron, squid balls, and pork liver.
Suppose you’d ask how a Batangueno makes his own separate mixture. In that case, it’ll be perfect for mixing a calamansi, soy sauce, and of course, a dash of chili pepper for that flavorful combination altogether.
Bulalo
We’ve eaten Bulalo countless times and had our fair share of favorites. Most say that the best ones are in Tagaytay, while the latter prefer to dine in high-end restaurants with their modern dish. However, if you want that good ‘ol Bulalo cooked traditionally, visit Batangas.
The recipe comprises a beef shank, bone marrow, salt, fish sauce, and pepper to taste. This might sound simple, but the secret is cooking the perfect bulalo because they are boiled and how the meat is tenderized.
Tapang Taal
A lot have tried making their version of tapa in the comfort of their own kitchen, but nothing beats Tapang Taal’s flavor.
Although they’re made from the usual pork, it’s marinated with soy sauce, garlic, pepper, calamansi juice, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar for that unique taste. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Have it a try and see what I mean!
Adobo Sa Dilaw
I’m also amused by how the Batangueños masterfully made a twist of our country’s famous Adobo cooked in soy sauce and vinegar. The first time I saw this dish, I thought it was a Tinola (Filipino chicken recipe) with no soup! LOL!
This dish is basically cooked like the usual adobo, but the adobo sa dilaw is cooked using a luyang dilaw. This is one of my favorite dishes in Batangas, served with 2-3 cups of steamed rice…or more! Yummm!
Tinapa
I used to hate the smell of Tinapa when I was younger, but it turns out to be my favorite Batangueño Dishes right now (best paired with vinegar, of course.)
Not to mention, you can buy lots of tinapa, especially in the town of Lemery, known to celebrate the Tinapa Festival every 14th of May.
Don’t forget to buy a pack and take it home! Just ensure they’re wrapped well in a newspaper so the smell won’t spread throughout the long commute.
Bagoong Balayan
Don’t we just love bagoong? But let me tell you, you’ll fall in love with Bagoong Balayan more! Being a known manufacturer of anchovies in Batangas, their bagoong is made of anchovies and salt blended together and stored in containers called tapayan or a sizeable earthen jar for partial fermentation.
Usually, the locals enjoy their bagoong by adding sautéed garlic in cooking oil. So, if they only have fried fish or pork for a meal, this is the perfect combo! Try eating with bare hands too!
Panutsa
From the bus terminals, souvenir shops, and markets, you’ll see the famous Panutsa or Peanut Brittle. Aside from suman, this is another perfect snack to nibble on while stuck in traffic! And perfect for those who love nuts!
Batangas, without a doubt, is my favorite province. Whether I chose to have a me-time or reunite with my relatives, this province has many things to offer I wouldn’t get tired of returning to. The locals are so friendly and hospitable, you’d even want to live here!
So, if you ever get the chance to take a short getaway trip here, try some of the delicacies mentioned above. You won’t regret it!
Check out our complete list of recommended Hotels and Resorts in Batangas, Philippines, via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the province.
Also read:
- 5 Cebu Restaurants That Serve Filipino Favorites
- How Villa Escudero Promotes Filipino Culture
- 10 Must-Try Ilokano Food
- 9 Authentic Kapampangan Dishes You Should Definitely Try
- 24 Tasty Filipino Foods You Should Be Eating Now
