1. BUKO PIE
Buko Pie is a traditional Filipino coconut custard cake, often referred to as a coconut pie. It is recognized in the town of Los Baños in the province of Laguna. It is similar to a cream pie that is very popular in Filipinos, and the only difference is Buko pie is made with young coconut, no creams, and custard fillings. Buko Pie uses lighter and denser sweetened milk, and its filling is made up of coconut meat. Buko Pie also uses slightly different ingredients, including macapuno tarts, a thick and sticky special type of coconut.
Buko Pie sounds intriguing and delicious at the same time. Yes, you have guessed it, it’s like an apple pie but instead of an apple, a young coconut is used. The pie has a sort of crispy “buko meat” on the top and has a soft buko filling inside, and—with a bite—you’ll feel all the good vibes come to you and forget all other things. The best ones are sold in Los Baños, so if you ever happen to be there, you are obliged to buy one, or else. It is believed that the concept of the buko pie originated from the province of Laguna.
The makers of this delicacy were the Pahud sisters from Los Baños, Laguna. Originally, buko pie was a delicacy only available in the Philippines, but the blast-freezing technology gave buko pie-makers the ability to export. Because it is easier to transport and more accessible worldwide, after visiting the Philippines, people can buy it as a pasalubong or a home gift. Buko pie before was plain, but today it uses flavors like pandan, cinnamon, or even with the presence of almonds.
2. KESONG PUTI
Kesong puti is a Philippine cheese made of soft and non-aged carabao milk and salt curdled with vinegar, citrus, or rennet juices. It is also possible to use goat or cow's milk to make Kesong Puti. Kesong puti was originated in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. White is the color of purity. And that’s what it’s made of, a fresh and soft cheese made from unskimmed carabao milk.
It can be eaten along with bread, or as an ingredient for pastas or burgers, and, trust me it’s delicious and fills up that emptiness the yellow ones don’t offer. To promote this popular product of the Laguna, the Government of Sta Cruz, Laguna has arranged this festival. And it also helps to promote the products of cheesemakers and the different small businesses. It also taught people who want to venture into the industry and people who want other income means with such a business to make this particular white cheese.
Depending on your choices, you can eat Kesong puti with different loaves of bread. In Laguna, hot pandesal is usually served with Kesong Puti. The flavor is salty, and its smoothness and shape will remind you of tofu.
3. MER-NELS
Merle and Nelson Balicao when they started their business Mernels Cake House in January 1996 at The Grove Ave. Los Baños, Laguna. Merle and Nelson’s story was not always a success. Each had its pains and problems. At a very young age, Merle and Nelson had to work hard to support their family. Both of them had to quit school to support their family.
When Merle’s father died, she invested the small amount of money they’ve received from mourning benefits. They invested it in a small oven, a hand mixer, and some pans. She learned simple recipes for chiffon cakes, tarts, pies, and bread. With these, she started taking orders from their neighbors and friends to increase their family income.
Nelson, on the other hand found work at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Food Service Unit as a baker, cake decorator, and driver. With these obstacles, the Balicao’s have dedicated their success not only to their family but also to the people in their community. To share their blessings, employment and support are provided to the people of Los Banos who did not finish school because of financial problems.
MerNels Cake House has gone through a series of trials and errors to satisfy the taste of its customers. For them, feedback from their customers was a number one priority. With perseverance and hard work, MerNels is now one of the famous cake houses in town.
4. NATA DE CALAMANSI
A unique Filipino delicacy from Pagsanjan, Laguna, imagine it will be the flavor of your cupcake, extremely sour calamansi transformed into something sweet.
5. BIBINGKA DE MACAPUNO
If you have already tried a bibingka, good for you, you’re halfway across the battle. But bibingka de macapuno? It’s the winning piece. It’s a rice cake filled with macapuno, a lump of soft processed coconut meat. It has a texture similar to bread but it tastes sweet! Something that must not be missed. Best ones sold in Sta. Cruz. Don't miss it.
6. ESPASOL
Espasol is a Filipino rice cake shaped like a cylinder it is originating in the Laguna province and was traditionally sold during the Christmas season. It's consists of rice flour, which is cooked in coconut milk and coconut stripes, and is poured it toasting rice meal.
This is a rice cake cooked in coconut milk filled with coconut powder which gives an appealing snowy feature. Heaven. It has a soft and chewy texture with a sweet taste that leaves you craving for more. You can buy it all around in Laguna and even on the provincial buses.
The towns of Los Baños, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Alaminos, and Pagsanjan are the best places to buy Espasol. Espasol prices vary from city to city in Laguna. They sell this for three packages in Liliw at P100, while you can only buy it in Los Baños Laguna at P25 per package, which is cheaper than in Liliw but of the same quality. In Pagsanjan, where you can buy the best Espanol, they didn't use any toasted rice flour to dust the product. Their Espasol is much more compact and does not taste too dry, which makes it so delicious. But it is possible to buy around Laguna, especially in transport terminals.
7. CASSAVA CAKE
Mitz Cassava Cake is also a crowd-pleaser. Made with a lot of effort and love, Locals and tourists alike love Mitz’s cassava cake.
Interestingly, the famous bakeshop started as a hobby. Having six kids, the owner wanted to bake cakes for her children.
With a determined mindset, Mitz went to Manila to take short courses about baking. Thanks to her hard work, she learned how to make delicious cakes. Mitz Cassava Cake Started in Los Baños, Laguna.
8. CASSAVA CHIPS
Grace's Original Cassava Chips location in Brgy. Silangan Ilaya, Nagcarlan Laguna. Chiles cassava chips offer a tasty alternative to traditional potato chips. Made from sliced cassava – also known as manioc, yuca, or tapioca root – these chips have a mellow flavor, hearty crunch, and sturdy structure that make them a perfect partner for dips.
9. PUTO BIÑAN
Puto is a bowl of ground rice mixed with eggs and cheese, maybe a common delicacy in the Philippines, but “Puto Biñan” makes all the difference. It has many variations, with different flavors and sizes, making it unique to all the other traditional putos out there. Some have fillings inside, some on top, and can be as large as the size of a pizza. Don’t settle for ordinary, try Puto Biñan. The best ones are sold in, you’ve guessed right, Biñan City.
10. BANANA CHIPS
Sabanana Banana Chips, will not only satisfy your cravings for a nutritious and delicious snack, but you will also help provide a sustainable livelihood for local farmers. Royal Star Appliance Marketing Inc. - San Pablo Branch.
11. URARO
Uraró is a Philippine cookie that is also known as an araró or arrowroot cookie. The texture is dry and powdery and is usually in a floral shape. They come from South Luzon, especially in Laguna, Quezon, and Marinduque provinces.
The traditional processing of uraró is labor-intensive. The whole thing takes a full day, beginning with arrowroots harvesting. In the process called pag-ilod, the roots are caught and then crushed with a stone on a wood plate. The liquids that are extracted from this process are collected and then pinapatining, a second process in which the water can be stored until the starch is removed. The water is poured, and the starchy layer kneaded so that more water is removed. Starch has finally been dried and tamed with katsa to make the delicacy.
Nevertheless, modern uraró usually comes from flour, sugar, milk, margarine (or butter), and eggs. In some situations, a tapioca meal or rice meal is even supplemented by arrowroot flour, leading to inferior cookies. Certain ingredients such as cocoa cream or maple syrup may also be used to change uraró. The quality of traditional uraró made with pure arrowroot flour and lard is normally lacking in the mouth of both versions.
12. BIBINGKA
Bibingka is a kind of Philippine rice cake. It is typically made from galapong, cocoa butter, margarine, and sugar. Every Christmas, side street vendors offer this tasty rice cake along with "Puto bumbong" to the local tourist and even foreign tourists.
When you visit Laguna, Bibingka is a must-try delicacy, and the best Bibingka will be found in the municipality of Pagsanjan. This delicacy can be bought near the town plaza in Pagsanjan.
Bibingka varies from your standard recipe. It's quick and tasty. No toppings, just a simple dish. They use a clay pot and banana leaves in cooking Bibingka instead of using stoves. Underneath the fire, there were hot coals, this traditional way of cooking Bibingka makes it more delicious.
13. UBE HALAYA
A famous "Ube Halaya" delicacies are located in San Pablo City Laguna. Ube halaya or halayang ube is a Philippine dessert made from boiled and mashed purple yam. Ube halaya is the main base in ube/purple yam flavored pastries and ice cream. It can also be incorporated in other desserts such as halo-halo.
14. MONAY BAE
In different provinces, you can find various Monay. However, in Bay, Laguna, you can find their unique and different Monay. The shell is crooked, but the inside is smooth. The taste can be enhanced by adding cheese or butter.
Monay, a common type of bread characterized by its large size, is also a familiar delicacy. Monay Bae, which came from Bay (pronounced as ‘ba-eh’), is another. Its appearance has no actual difference in particular compared to a traditional Monay. The differences between the two come out bite after bite—I’ve experienced it myself—in which case I would leave for you to find out why it's life-changing. It can be bought on several bakeries in, you’ve guessed it again, Bay.
15. KINULOB NA ITIK
That is a deep-fried duck recipe with an appearance similar to a deep-fried chicken. But I tell you one thing it is a duck. One cannot simply find a deep-fried duck anywhere. If there ever comes a time that you feel sorry for a chicken, probably because it’s cute, try a duck. You won’t regret it. I think it’s worth it. But seriously, it tastes just as delicious, maybe even better. We have something to add to your bucket list. The best ones are found in Victoria. They are available therefrom small stands to big restaurants.
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