Sagada, a small town in the Mountain Province of Northern Luzon in the Philippines is famous for its beautiful caves, hanging coffins, as well as the serene mountains. It is an 8-hour drive from Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines and one jeepney-ride from Bontoc. Local and foreign tourists who travel, Sagada offers a unique holiday experience.
Interestingly enough, Sagada is a culinary surprise. No one would think that a small mountain town, which is worlds away from movers and shakers of the culinary scene, Sagada can offer a myriad of world-class culinary delights and treats. Some of the must-try places with must-try Sagada food include:
- Log Cabin. Sagada’s haute cuisine is showcased by its resident French chef, Chef Aklay on its Saturday night buffet that includes their blockbuster pork and beef pie (with watercress, walnuts and blueberries), strawberry black forest truffle at chocolate raisin flourless cake (with strawberry cream topping and chocolate shavings) and wheat focacia.
- Rock Inn & Café. It is about two kilometers before Sagada town proper and this is where most travelers after the trek to Bomod-ok falls have their late lunch. The famous dish of the Cordilleras, the Pinikpikan – prepared by beating a live chicken with a stick prior to cooking. This technique is said to improve the flavor. Another equally delicious and must-try dish is the Chicken id Ambasing with locally grown red rice which is a more haute and flavorful version of fried chicken.
- Lemon Pie House. Offering delightful fruit-based pies like the Meringue Pie and the Blueberry Pie. This goes perfectly well with a cup of organic homegrown Arabica.
- Yoghurt House. Everyone who goes to Sagada knows about Yoghurt House. Their Hiker’s Delight is a crepe with banana smothered with a huge dollop of home-made creamy yoghurt and finished with strawberry preserves on top. It also comes with a choice of organic coffee or mountain tea, two eggs and a piece of toast.
- Salt and Pepper Diner. This is where mainstream Filipino foods like pork chop with rice and veggies combo, pinikpikan and rice wine can wipe away that gourmet in you. Other must-try are Pork Sinarabsab with vegetable side dish and Rosemary Chix.
- Café Bodega at Rock Farm. Other than the traditional Filipino breakfast treats such as beef tapa or tocino and the more western pancakes, bread and omelets, a must try at Café Bodega is their pancake with yogi (yoghurt) and their house yoghurt lassi mixes (mixed fruits and yoghurt smoothies). Their Crazy Four or C4 lassi combines apples, bananas, mango and yoghurt topped with strawberries.
Sagada’s very own delectable dish and drink are:
- Pinikpikan. This is uniquely Sagada’s very-own chicken specialty. It is prepared by slowly beating a native chicken to death until its blood appears on its skin. The natives believe that doing so will bring-out the best flavor and taste of the chicken. It is cooked ‘tinola’ style but with a twist because a salted pork called “Etag” is added to the meal. The meal is served complete with sliced sayote and green beans. Pinikpikan is best served with native steamed rice.
- Gabay Fruit Wines. These are made from processed berries, roselle flowers, rice and fruits.
Each province, town or locality in the Philippines has their own way of cooking a dish. Sagada happens to have their signature dishes, which tourists look forward to trying. Food is one of the many reasons why people travel. The joy of satisfying ones taste buds and the quest for tasting something new are always part of the journey of discovering places and making momentous memories.
Sagada’s scrumptious signature dishes will surely make anyone want to visit or go back to this surprisingly beautiful mountainside utopia.
