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Top 10 Food Delicacies in Northern Mindanao (Region X)

Pinoy Tourist

Northern Mindanao, also known as Region X, is a region in the Philippines that is located in the northern part of the island of Mindanao. This region is known for its rich culture and tradition, and of course, its mouth-watering food delicacies. In this article, we will explore the top 10 food delicacies in Northern Mindanao, along with their descriptions and detailed recipes.

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Kinilaw

Kinilaw is a popular dish in Northern Mindanao that is made of raw fish or seafood marinated in vinegar, calamansi juice, onions, ginger, and chili peppers. This dish is a great appetizer and is best paired with cold beer.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 kilogram of fresh fish or seafood

  • 1/4 cup of vinegar

  • 1/4 cup of calamansi juice

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 1 ginger, sliced thinly

  • 1 red chili pepper, chopped

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Clean the fish or seafood thoroughly and slice it into small pieces.

  2. In a bowl, mix the vinegar, calamansi juice, onion, ginger, chili pepper, salt, and pepper.

  3. Add the fish or seafood into the mixture and mix well.

  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Satti

Satti is a popular breakfast food in Northern Mindanao that is made of grilled meat (usually chicken or beef) on a stick and served with a spicy peanut sauce and rice. This dish is a great source of protein and carbohydrates to start your day.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 kilogram of chicken or beef, cut into small pieces

  • 1/2 cup of vinegar

  • 1/2 cup of soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon of black pepper

  • Bamboo sticks

  • 1/4 cup of peanut butter

  • 1/4 cup of coconut milk

  • 1 tablespoon of sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder

  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix the vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and black pepper.

  2. Add the chicken or beef into the mixture and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

  3. Skewer the meat onto the bamboo sticks and grill over charcoal until fully cooked.

  4. In a separate bowl, mix the peanut butter, coconut milk, sugar, chili powder, and salt.

  5. Serve the grilled meat with the peanut sauce and rice.

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Lechon

Lechon is a Filipino roasted pig that is popular in Northern Mindanao during special occasions such as weddings, fiestas, and Christmas. The skin is crispy, and the meat is tender and juicy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole pig (around 20-30 kilograms)

  • Salt and pepper

  • 10 stalks of lemongrass

  • 10 pieces of bay leaves

  • 5 garlic bulbs, crushed

  • 1/4 cup of soy sauce

  • 1/4 cup of vinegar

Instructions:

  1. Clean the pig thoroughly and remove the internal organs.

  2. Rub salt and pepper all over the pig, including the cavity.

  3. Stuff the pig with the lemongrass, bay leaves, and crushed garlic.

  4. Sew the cavity and truss the pig with bamboo skewers and strings.

  5. Roast the pig over charcoal for 6-8 hours, turning it every hour to ensure even cooking.

  6. In a separate bowl, mix the soy sauce and vinegar.

  7. Brush the mixture over the pig during the last hour of roasting

  8. Remove the pig from the heat and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving.

Binaki

Binaki is a steamed rice cake that is popular in Northern Mindanao. It is made of grated corn and coconut, mixed with sugar and wrapped in banana leaves.

Ingredients:

    • 2 cups of grated corn

    • 1 cup of grated coconut

    • 1/2 cup of sugar

    • 1/2 teaspoon of salt

    • Banana leaves

Instructions:

    1. In a bowl, mix the grated corn, grated coconut, sugar, and salt.

    2. Place a small amount of the mixture in the center of a banana leaf.

    3. Fold the banana leaf to wrap the mixture tightly.

    4. Repeat the process until all the mixture is used up.

    5. Steam the wrapped mixture for 30-40 minutes or until fully cooked.

    6. Serve hot or cold.

Pianggang

Pianggang is a Maranao dish from Lanao del Sur, which is part of Northern Mindanao. It is made of grilled chicken or beef that is marinated in a mixture of burnt coconut meat, ginger, garlic, and turmeric.

Ingredients:

    • 1 kilogram of chicken or beef

    • 2 cups of burnt coconut meat (grated)

    • 1 ginger, sliced thinly

    • 1 garlic bulb, crushed

    • 1 teaspoon of turmeric

    • Salt to taste

    • Banana leaves

Instructions:

    1. In a bowl, mix the burnt coconut meat, ginger, garlic, turmeric, and salt.

    2. Add the chicken or beef into the mixture and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

    3. Wrap the marinated meat in banana leaves and grill over charcoal until fully cooked.

    4. Serve hot with rice.

Kakanin

Kakanin is a type of Filipino dessert that is popular in Northern Mindanao. It is made of glutinous rice flour, sugar, and coconut milk.

Ingredients:

    • 2 cups of glutinous rice flour

    • 1 cup of sugar

    • 1 can of coconut milk

    • Banana leaves

Instructions:

    1. In a bowl, mix the glutinous rice flour, sugar, and coconut milk.

    2. Grease a baking pan with oil and line it with banana leaves.

    3. Pour the mixture into the pan and steam for 30-40 minutes or until fully cooked.

    4. Let it cool and slice into pieces.

    5. Serve as a dessert or snack.

Sinuglaw

Sinuglaw is a popular dish in Northern Mindanao that is made of grilled pork belly and raw fish or seafood marinated in vinegar, calamansi juice, onions, ginger, and chili peppers.

Ingredients:

    • 1/2 kilogram of pork belly, sliced thinly

    • 1/2 kilogram of fresh fish or seafood, sliced thinly

    • 1/4 cup of vinegar

    • 1/4 cup of calamansi juice

    • 1 onion, chopped

    • 1 ginger, sliced thinly

    • 1 red chili pepper, chopped

    • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

    1. Grill the pork belly until fully cooked and slice into bite-sized pieces.

    2. In a bowl, mix the vinegar, calamansi juice, onion, ginger, chili pepper, salt, and pepper.

    3. Add the fish or seafood into the mixture and mix well.

    4. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.

    5. In a separate bowl, mix the grilled pork belly and the marinated fish or seafood.

    6. Serve as an appetizer or main dish.

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Sinalab

Sinalab is a Tausug delicacythat is popular in Northern Mindanao. It is made of glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves.

Ingredients:

    • 2 cups of glutinous rice

    • 1 can of coconut milk

    • 1/2 cup of brown sugar

    • 1/2 teaspoon of salt

    • Banana leaves

Instructions:

    1. Wash the glutinous rice and soak it in water for at least 1 hour.

    2. In a pot, mix the soaked glutinous rice, coconut milk, brown sugar, and salt.

    3. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.

    4. Remove from the heat and let it cool.

    5. Place a small amount of the mixture in the center of a banana leaf.

    6. Fold the banana leaf to wrap the mixture tightly.

    7. Repeat the process until all the mixture is used up.

    8. Steam the wrapped mixture for 30-40 minutes or until fully cooked.

    9. Serve hot or cold.

Binaki nga Kalabasa

Binaki nga Kalabasa is a squash-flavored version of the popular Northern Mindanao snack, Binaki. It is made of grated squash, coconut, and sugar, and wrapped in banana leaves.

Ingredients:

    • 2 cups of grated squash

    • 1 cup of grated coconut

    • 1/2 cup of sugar

    • 1/2 teaspoon of salt

    • Banana leaves

Instructions:

    1. In a bowl, mix the grated squash, grated coconut, sugar, and salt.

    2. Place a small amount of the mixture in the center of a banana leaf.

    3. Fold the banana leaf to wrap the mixture tightly.

    4. Repeat the process until all the mixture is used up.

    5. Steam the wrapped mixture for 30-40 minutes or until fully cooked.

    6. Serve hot or cold.

Kinampay

Kinampay is a sweet potato-based delicacy that is popular in Northern Mindanao. It is made of mashed sweet potatoes mixed with coconut milk and sugar.

Ingredients:

    • 2 cups of mashed sweet potatoes

    • 1 can of coconut milk

    • 1/2 cup of brown sugar

    • 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Instructions:

    1. In a pot, mix the mashed sweet potatoes, coconut milk, brown sugar, and salt.

    2. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.

    3. Remove from the heat and let it cool.

    4. Serve as a dessert or snack.

Extra - Lechong Baka

I don’t know if lechong baka is a regional specialty, but probably the best-tasting lechong baka I personally had was in Misamis Occidental where we (me together with many visitors) could not get enough of the tender and tasty meat that we kept coming back for more. Try to ask if they have lechong baka when you visit any dining place, and you may perhaps confirm that it should be a regional food pride.

Northern Mindanao offers a variety of delicious food delicacies that are a must-try for any food enthusiast. From grilled meats to steamed rice cakes, these dishes are not only satisfying but also a great way to immerse oneself in the rich culture and tradition of the region.

In addition to the recipes, it's also important to note that these dishes can be enjoyed in various ways. Some can be served as appetizers, while others are best eaten as main dishes or desserts. They can also be paired with different condiments and drinks, depending on one's preference.

When it comes to the ingredients, most of them are readily available in the local markets or grocery stores. Some ingredients, like the burnt coconut meat used in Pianggang, may require some effort to prepare. But with a little bit of patience and practice, anyone can master the art of cooking these dishes.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that these dishes are not limited to Northern Mindanao alone. They can be found in other parts of the country, each with its own unique twist and flavor. So whether you're a local or a tourist, make sure to give these dishes a try and savor the taste of Northern Mindanao.