5 Must-eat foods from Quirino Province

Quirino Province is a fantastic escape from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan Manila. Mountains, waterfalls, parks, and forests are all within a day’s trip from any given part of Metro Manila. It’s no surprise that Quirino offers a great weekend getaway for families or long-term tourists looking to get off the beaten path without losing out on comfort or convenience.

Quirino Province is also a foodies’ haven. And it is arguably home to the tastiest and most innovative dishes found in the Cordillera region. Foods to try in Quirino Province range from snacks and viands to rice wine. Since there are not a lot of big restaurants around, you can guarantee that the food is authentic and the eateries serving specialties pour out their heart into their food.

Quirino is a land of diversity, with an estimated total of 109 cultural communities. Each of these tribes has its own unique way of life, history, and cuisine. Here are the top 5 must-eat Quirino foods from the province’s 109 tribal communities.

Adobong Pato

Adobo is a popular Filipino dish in which meat or fish is braised in vinegar, black pepper, garlic, and green onions. The ancient Filipinos developed this signature cooking technique which is still widely used today. In Quirino Province, there is an immensely delicious restaurant called Palm Restaurant, known for its famous adobo de pato (duck adobo). Many dishes boast duck meat as their entree, but unlike most eateries that tend to serve very tough meat, the duck adobo from Palm Restaurant is moist and tender.

Royal Tubikoy

A mouth-watering dish that locals swear by is the Royal Tubikoy. Made out of tupig, bibingka, and tikoy, this sweet delicacy is definitely irresistible even to those who are not used to eating regionally native dishes such as these. This famous favorite can be found in one of the province’s six municipalities – Diffun, where it costs 65 PHP. It would cost you a small amount to buy a platter of an all-native delicacy with such familiar ingredients as tupig, bibingka, and tikoy. Altogether, the dish represents a familiar yet unusual taste at first bite.

Pancit Cabagan

​​​If you have Filipino friends, you must have heard of pancit Cabagan. It’s a noodle dish composed of thick and long rice noodles. It is cooked with shrimp, pork, and green peas. While it’s cooked the same way, Quirino’s version has its own flair. They’ve substituted the shrimp with chorizo to make it savory in other ways. They’ve also added more meat which makes it feel like you’re getting your money’s worth. Additionally, they’ve mixed it with chicken broth rather than just plain saltwater. It’s an excellent dish to share with friends in a small group or family.

This particular specialty can be found at MJ Snack & Pancit Cabagan Restaurant. Located at Nagtipunan, they serve noodles in different sizes to fit one’s budget, ranging from 35 PHP to 55 PHP. Thus, if tourists are looking for a new and exciting snack or lunch, they should definitely pop into this spot just around the corner!

Adobong Tateg

One of Quirino’s most well-known native dishes is the Adobong Tateg. In Tagalog, it means “tadpole or larvae soup” and consists of many different ingredients (some might say over 20!). But then, one thing that really makes this dish stand out is that one of the traditional ingredients used to make this popular Filipino delicacy is a beetle found in wood logs! That’s right; you heard us – a beetle found in decaying wood! Talk about an exciting dish now, huh? True to its adventurous nature, Quirino Province is home to daring destinations and bold food culture.

Tilanggit

One of the Quirino locals’ well-known livelihoods is the sale of Tilanggit, a packed dried fish mix of tilapia and danggit. Its preserved nature makes it perfect as a take-home souvenir. This is because it can survive the long trip back home. Moreover, aside from its distinct taste, a Tilanggit purchase promotes Quirino’s food culture! Delicious, supports local businesses, and preserves a cultural identity – what else could you ask from your souvenir?

Key Takeaway

If you’re in the Philippines and planning to visit Quirino Province, you have to know that there are some native delicacies that you have to try once you get there. Quirino foods are not limited to the list above. Also, there are still many delicacies awaiting in Quirino Province. You just have to know where to look. Being a foodie also means being an explorer, so pack up your bags and ready your palate for the unique and exciting foods and delicacies found nowhere but in Quirino Province.