Pampanga is known as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines” wherein “manyaman” (delicious) is the name of the game.
As they say, “When in Pampanga, Eat!” because you will surely be in for a gastronomic journey of epic proportions with different rich flavors assaulting your palate dish after dish. So if you’re in for a culinary tour in Pampanga, here are suggestions on musttry restaurants/places that offers the best of the province:
KUSINA NI ATCHING LILIAN
Kusina ni Atching Lillian – synonymous to authentic Kapampangan cuisine is Lillian Lising-Borromeo. The keeper of Kapampangan heirloom recipes has opened the doors of her ancestral house since late 1990’s to cater to locals and tourist alike that want to try authentic Kapampangan dishes.
Some of must-tries of Atching Lillian are Adobong Maputi, Tidtad, Paksing Demonyo, the heavenly kakanins like suman, tamalis, tibuk-tibuk, and of course Atching Lilian’s famous the Panecillos de San Nicolas (San Nicolas Cookies).
Aside from listening to stories on how she was trained by her grandmother to cook heirloom dishes, you can also visit Cusinang Matua (Old Kitchen) that serves as her family’s museum. Here you can see wooden cookie molds, clay and copper pots, antique dishes, bilaos, and more.
If you plan to experience dining at Atching Lillian’s, we suggest making your reservations weeks or even months ahead as many tourists and locals are lined-up to pay her a visit. They accept breakfast, lunch, or dinner buffets to groups with a minimum of 10 persons. For more information contact them at Tel. Nos. (045) 966-0211 or Mobile 0915-773-0788.
Location: Parian, Mexico Pampanga, just five minutes away from SM City Pampanga and near the main hi-way.
BALE DUTUNG
Bale Dutung – Bale Dutung (wooden house) is owned by culinary expert and Chef Claude Tayag and his wife, Mary Ann. This is not your ordinary restaurant since you also have to make reservations for a minimum party of 10. It uses the concept of degustation and a lunch alone can last to 3-4 hours with more than 10 dishes served. Eating in Bale Dutung is not only the food but the overall experience. You will definitely learn from the host histories of a particular dish and more. The food haven’s main goal is to let guests taste authentic Philippine cuisines and for the young generation to appreciate Filipino food.
You can choose from their standard menus Kapampangan Spread, Lechon 5 Ways and Anthony Bourdain Menu.
Location: Villa Gloria Subdivision, Angeles City Pampanga. Contact at: 0917 5950 218 or (045) 625 0169 Email: [email protected]
APAG MARANGLE
Apag Marangle – if you want an unforgettable dining experience, where Kapampangan dishes are served in a farm setting, then Apag Marangle is the restaurant for you. Their main branch in Olongapo-Gapan Road, Bacolor, Pampanga is literally situated in the middle of a farm. But you also don’t have to go that far since they already have a branch in Marquee Mall that surprisingly have the same feel as the main restaurant. Local Kapampangan songs by Andy Alviz and Arti Sta. Rita (Filipino musicians promoting traditional music of Pampanga) constantly plays on the background that adds to the authenticity of the restaurant.
Must tries are Suam Mais, Buro with Mustasa, Pepalukluk na Manuk , Inihaw na Hito and other exotic dishes. Plus there is also a pasalubong corner wherein you can take home native treats like Turones de Kasoy.
Location: Apag Marangle Main Branch Olongapo-Gapan Rd., Sta. Barbara Bacolor, Pampanga, Philippines Tel. No. (045) 436-1600, Mobile 0922-888-0568
Apag Marangle Marquee Mall Address: Level 1, Marquee Park, Marquee Mall, Angeles City Pampanga Philippines Tel. No. (045) 436-1600
EVERYBODY'S CAFE
Everybody’s Café – this place is not for the faint of heart! Everybody’s Café is an iconic Kapampangan restaurant that is known for their exotic dishes. It is actually one of the longest running restaurants in Pampanga (the original restaurant in the City of San Fernando opened in 1946) and has been featured in a number of food magazines and television shows like Discovery Travel and Living’s program Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern and Bobby Chin’s World Cafe Asia. Though aside from their famous exotic dishes like betute and kamaru, other must-tries are the flavorful morcon, Pindang Damulag (carabao meat) and the best Leche Flan for the team.
Location: Main Branch San Fernando, Del Pilar, McArthur Highway, San Fernando City, Tel. No. (045) 860-1121
Angeles Branch: Santo Rosario Street, Corner Teresa Street, Angeles City (infront of Nepo mall) Tel. No. (045) 887-0361
ALING LUCING
Aling Lucing’s Sisig & Aling Mila’s Tokwat Baboy – as they say, Sisig is best icon for the Kapampangan cuisine. It is a simple dish that consist mostly of different pig’s parts like the ear and cheeks (mostly coming from the head) mixed with chopped liver then seasoned with onions, kalamansi and chilies, and is often served in a hot sizzling plate.
The most popular Sisig place in Angeles is perhaps Aling Lucing’s Sisig and Aling Mila’s crunchy version. Try both and share with us who do you think has the best sisig in town.
Location: Aling Lucing, Glaciano Valdez del Rosario St. Angeles City (Crossing) Tel. No. (045) 888 2317 Open daily from 4:00pm to 2:00am
Aling Mila’s Tokwat Baboy: San Andres St. San Angelo Subdivision, Sto Domingo Angeles City Tel. No. (045) 888 6727 Open daily from 7:00am to 10pm
ANDY ALVIZ' FARM
Andy Alviz’ Farm (a.k.a. Bale ni Juan) in Sta. Rita – most people know Andy Alviz as the award-winning director of the famous ArtiSta.Rita. He is also very passionate in promoting Pampanga’s culture and the arts through different Kapampangan albums and sarzuelas. However, not known to all is that Andy Alviz’ farm is a must-add to your tour if you want to experience Kapampangan food and living. In a rustic setting, you will be served different Kapampangan dishes like bringhi,asado and more. If available, duman is also served. Another plus is that you can also try rice planting at the farm!
Location: Sta. Rita Pampanga Contact Ms. Celi Alviz at Mobile 0906-449-1151 for reservations.
RAZON'S HALO HALO
Razon’s Halo Halo – there may be different kinds of halo-halo in the country, but Razon’s in Pampanga is definitely one of the best. It is very simple with saging na saba, macapuno, special leche flan with dayap rind as the key ingredients. Perfect way to beat the heat and satisfy your cravings.
Location: Jose Abad Santos Ave. (JASA) cor. Lazaitn Blvd., City of San Fernando Pampanga | Northwalk 2 JASA, City of San Fernando Pampanga | Marquee Mall
Explore, enjoy and understand why Pampanga is the Culinary Capital of the Philippines with these culinary selections. Happy eating everyone!
- See more at: http://www.clarkisit.com/food-adventure-in-pamanga/#sthash.agdN1BCn.dpuf
Angeles is known for being the "Culinary Center of the Philippines." This reputation reportedly goes back to the Spanish colonial times where it is said that the Kapampangan cook learned very quickly to improvise on Spanish dishes using local ingredients.
The culinary adventure in Angeles is sure to be an experience of a lifetime. A must-eat dish is "Sisig", from which Angeles is famous for. From its humble beginnings in Aling Lucing's Eatery along Angeles' railroad to its present top-of-the-menu ranking in Manila's bars and nightclubs, sisig has come to conquer the Filipino drinkers' palate. It has become the quintessential pulutan fare — the default order that comes with every round of beer.
Other not-to-be-missed local mouth-watering cuisines are Dencio's kare-kare (another Kapampangan menu, which is a Philippine stew made from peanut sauce with a variety of vegetables, stewed oxtail, beef, and occasionally offal or tripe), bringhe (local Spanish paella), fresh papaya lumpia, tilapia in tausi sauce, adobong pugo, morcon, tortang bangus (milkfish stuffed with ground pork), camaru (fried cricket adobo), kilayin baboy (pork meat and lungs pickled in a marinade of vinegar or calamansi juice, usually along with garlic, onions, and hot/sweet peppers), bulanglang (meat or fish broth soured with guava fruit), burong isda (fermented rice with fish or small shrimps), Aling Luring's batute (a frog stuffed with ground and seasoned pork, then deep fried to a crisp), pork and carabao tocino, Bale Dutung's burong talangka (the fat of salted little crabs, very rich and laden with cholesterol but hard to resist), Filipinized pizza in a bilao at Armando's Pizza, brazo de mercedes, halo-halo from Razon's and Corazon's (a popular dessert that is a mixture of shaved ice and milk, added with various boiled sweet beans and fruits, and served cold in a glass or bowl), Susie's Cuisine's famous pancit luglog (palabok), tibuk tibok (made from carabao's milk and also known as "maja blanca"), tocino del cielo (a richer version of leche flan) and turron de casoy.
If you are a person inclined to drinking beer and eating barbecue, then Frank & Jim, Ikabud, Marisol Steakhouses and the eateries along Angeles railroad crossing are certainly the spots for you. Street foods, such as fishballs and kikiams on sticks, are a must-try at Nepo Compound vendor stands.
If local cusine is not your type, no need to worry as the city has a wide range of pretty decent restaurants to choose from. Fine restaurants and eateries that serve international menus are C Italian, Maranao Grill, Salvatore's, Zapata's, Cottage Kitchen, Red Crab, Subdelicious, Rumpa, VFW, Chic 'N Ribs, A la Crème, Rib Eye Steak House, Fortune Seafood, Perfect Loaf, Angeles Fried Chicken, Bretto's, Mar's Restaurant, Shanghai Palace, Toll House, Hana-mi, Didi's Pizza, Peking House, Mister Frosty and a host of other American, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican and Korean restaurants along the Perimeter Road in Don Juico Ave., Balibago.
A number of coffee shops are also to be seen even in the outskirts of the city, such as Northern Brew, Baracas, Coffee Overdose, Coffee Outlet, and Beatico along MacArthur Hwy in Balibago (service Road of Diamond Subd.), that serve drip regular coffee, decaff, brewed coffee, espresso-based hot drinks, other hot and cold drinks, and snacks. (Source: www.wikitravel.org)
The Kapampangan cuisine is highly regarded as one of the most delicious variety in the Philippines. Discover the secrets of the locals and explore the rich culture of Pampanga through this one of a kind cultural culinary experience. We bring YOU to the some of the old kitchens of Pampanga...because the best Kapampangan dishes are made at home.
Itinerary:
Departure from Metro Manila (6:30)
Breakfast - Cucina ng Atching Lillian Borromeo
Merienda - Kabigtings Halohalo
Lunch - Everybody's Cafe - Home of Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine
Susie's Cuisine
A Glimpse of Betis Church - The Sistine Chapel of the Philippines
Dinner - Cucina ng Atching May
Departure from Pampanga
Tour Fee:
Regular Tour fee rate is P2700.Price subject to change without prior notice.
Inclusions:
Lecturer fees
Entrance fees
Transportation to and from Pampanga
Set and buffet dishes (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Meriendas)
Pickup/Dropoff Points
5:40AM - Starbucks Greenbelt 1 (in front of AIM)
6:10AM - McDonald's El Pueblo
6:25AM McDonald's Edsa-QAve (near Quezon Ave MRT Station)
For those interested, please email me at
karlodeleon@ gmail.com for reservations.
The Sleepy Traveler
VCM4 is a project of The Sleepy Traveler in cooperation with Alquimista Inc. - a legal Philippine tour operator focusing on Filipino art heritage and cultural trips.
Viajeng Cusinang Matua (Old Kitchen Tours of Pampanga)
Description:
The Kapampangan cuisine is highly regarded as one of the most delicious variety in the Philippines. Discover the secrets of the locals and explore the rich culture of Pampanga through this one of a kind culinary experience. We will bring you to an extra special tour…we bring YOU to some of the old kitchens of Pampanga…because the best Kapampangan dishes are made at home.
Package Inclusions: Day trip to Pampanga and includes chartered bus or van, travel insurance, breakfast, lunch, dinner, 2 snacks, baking demonstrations, side trips to pasalubong shops farm tours, and old churches of Pampanga.
Itinerary and Sample Menu
Breakfast – Cucina ng Atching Lillian Borromeo – Mexico
Native tsokolate, tidtad or dinuguan, galantina, sinangag, tamales, tehadang kamatis, etc. There will also be a baking demonstration of the famous San Nicolas cookies and a tour lecture of the cooking heirloom pieces of the family.
Merienda – Kabigting’s Halo-halo – Arayat
This typical small town halo-halo stop makes one of the most TO-DIE-FOR halo-halos. Made only with 3 major ingredients, namely corn, mashed red beans, and their homemade pastillas! This sweet thing will surely make it to your Top 10 favorite meriendas!
Pasalubong Shopping – Susie’s Cuisine – San Fernando
Susie’s is famous for the tibok-tibok”, mochi, cassava, empanadas, and other kapampangan delicacies.It’s your 1-stop shopping of food, food, and FOOD!
Lunch – Everybody’s Cafe – San Fernando
This restaurant is famous for serving authentic Kapampangan dishes. Try the camaro(crickets) and their morcon. This lunch is a must try if you want to taste what the Jorolan Family has been serving their customers for more than 50 years.
Side Trip – Betis Church – Betis
Pampanga is also known for its beautiful old churches. We will have a glimpse of one of the most famous baroque churches in the Philippines. Betis church is named as one of the most significant cultural landmarks by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Merienda – Prado Farms – Lubao
Walk through a very charming and breathtaking farm of designer Reimon Gutierrez. Taste their family concoction of tsokolate pinipig perfectly matched with their homemade fried suman, bringhe, and sweet mangoes. Learn about organic farming and its health benefits for our bodies.
Dinner – Gosioco House – Sta. Rita
Experience having dinner al-fresco on the front yard of the oldest ancestral house in Sta. Rita Pampanga. The Gosioco family will serve their old family trademark pocherong manok, almondigas, tipe kamangyang.
This entry was posted in travel destinations and tagged Alquimista trails, Apag Marangle, Culinary Tour of Pampanga, Gosioco House in Sta. Rita, Kabigting's Halo-Halo, Kapampangan Cuisine, Lilian Borromeo, Mochi, old kitchens tour, Pampanga food tour, Prado Farm, Reimon Gutierrez, San Nicolas cookies, Susie's Cuisine, tibok-tibok, Tracey Santiago, Viajeng Cusinang Matua.
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