8 Best Food Souvenirs from the Philippines
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Whether you’re a local tourist or a foreigner in the country, one of the best souvenirs to bring home with you when you visit the Philippines is food. Since Filipino culture is reflected in its food, sharing food souvenirs with your family and friends back home in the Philippines or abroad is one good way to share and immerse yourself in the country’s rich culture.
8 Best Food Souvenirs from the Philippines
If you are about to go back to your family home from a domestic vacation or if you’ve stayed long in an apartment in the Philippines far from your hometown for work opportunities or a taste of adventure, here are the best food souvenirs you can bring with you:
Chicharon
Chicharon is crunchy, salty, and fatty. Eating this snack on its own when dipped with vinegar and drinking your favorite beer is best. You can also use it to make your other dishes more flavorful and have the extra crunch. Although chicharon is found everywhere in the Philippines, Sta. Mariain Bulacan prides itself as the chicharon capital of the country. That said, make sure to bring home a pack or two of these tasty snacks on your visit to the province.
Longganisa
Another pasalubong you should always bring with you is longganisa. Wherever you may come from, expect that the province you’ll be coming from has its own take on longganisa. For example, if you want a salty and garlicky flavor to your longganisa, you’ll love the ones from Vigan. On the other hand, if you prefer a little sweetness to your longganisa, you’ll surely love those from Cebu.
Bagnet
If your family loves meat, bring them home Ilocos’ specialty, bagnet. This slab of pork belly is seasoned with plenty of aromatics, then boiled and deep-fried to perfection. It’s crunchy on the outside yet juicy on the inside, simply a mouth-watering sight to see and eat. Best of all, it also has a long shelf life, so you can store it in the freezer and then thaw it once it’s ready for cooking.
Danggit
Filipinos are known for serving savory, filling breakfasts. Danggit, or dried rabbitfish, is often one of the best breakfasts served in a Filipino household. If you are traveling from Cebu, you must eat and bring home danggit. Your family will surely love this, especially if it is served over garlic rice and a spicy vinegar dipping sauce.
Cornick
If you prefer gifting snacks to your buddies, cornick is the best option. This snack is a deep-fried crunchy corn nut season with different spices. It is also best paired with your favorite beer. There are plenty of cornick flavors in the Philippines, some simply seasoned with salt and garlic powder, while other variations have them flavored with cheese or barbecue powder. But if you’re coming from Ilocos, make sure to buy this savory treat because this is where the best packs of cornick are produced.
Dried Mangoes
Without a doubt, the Philippine mango is one of the best mangoes in the world. Since there are instances that fresh fruits are prohibited in airports, the best way you can make your family and friends taste the Philippines’ delicious mangoes is by bringing dried mangoes. These are often produced in Cebu, but dried mangoes are generally available anywhere in the Philippines. They are often found in local supermarkets, airports, and most souvenir shops.
Piaya
If you are coming from Bacolod for your vacation, don’t forget to bring home a pack of freshly baked piaya. Piaya is a flat, unleavened bread grilled on a pan and filled with sweet fillings like ube and muscovado sugar. While there are plenty of places in the country where you can buy this sweet snack, the best ones are from Bacolod.
Kapeng Barako
If you and most people you know back home love coffee, kapeng barako from Batangas is one of the must-buy souvenirs. This coffee is known to be bold and strong and has a distinct aroma that you’ll surely love and will always want to have.
ALSO READ: 5 Must-Try Cebu Delicacies for Every Traveler
Filipinos are known for their generous nature, and pasalubongs are one of their best ways to show generosity. On your next vacation, make sure to stop by a souvenir shop and bring home a piece of the province with these yummy food souvenirs from the Philippines!