Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Biñan, Laguna, Philippines
1. Kare-kare
A traditional Filipino peanut stew made with vegetables, beef or ox tail, and served with bagoong (shrimp paste), rice, and banana heart. It's a must-try in Biñan at the famous Lusia's Kare-Karean.
- Unique Ingredients: Uses peanut butter and annatto seeds, creating a rich, nutty flavor.
- Cultural Significance: Represents the fusion of Filipino and Spanish cuisine.
- Special Occasion Dish: Traditionally served during Sundays or special events.
2. Tilapia Biñan
Fresh tilapia fish coated in a crispy breading and fried to perfection. Try it at the local favorite, Ang Tahanan sa Biñan.
- Local Delicacy: Tilapia is a popular freshwater fish in Biñan.
- Flavorful Breading: Breading made from a special blend of spices.
- Freshness Guaranteed: Made with locally-sourced tilapia.
3. Pansit Biñan
A tasty noodle dish made with thin rice noodles, vegetables, and either pork or chicken. Visit the Pansitan Restaurant to savor the authentic taste of Biñan's namesake dish.
- Traditional Recipe: Follows a recipe passed down through generations.
- Versatile Ingredients: Can be made with various proteins and vegetables.
- Local Pride: Named after the city of Biñan, it's a source of local pride.
4. Bistek Tagalog
A Filipino-style beef steak made with sliced beef sirloin, soy sauce, calamansi (Philippine lemon), and onions. You can find it in many restaurants around Biñan but try it at Casa Verde for an authentic taste.
- Filipino Comfort Food: A popular dish enjoyed by many Filipinos.
- Tangy Flavor: Combines sweet and sour flavors from soy sauce, calamansi, and onions.
- Soft, Tender Beef: Beef is slow-cooked to ensure tenderness.
5. Lechon Kawali
Crispy fried pork belly served with rice and soy sauce. Visit the famous Lusia's also for their mouthwatering Lechon Kawali.
- Crunchy, Tasty Skin: Crispy skin contrasts with tender, juicy meat.
- Traditional Cooking Method: Deep-fried after boiling to ensure perfect texture.
- Flavorful Sauce: Served with tangy, savory sauce for dipping.
6. Adobong Biñan
A local variation of the popular Filipino dish Adobo. Made with chicken or pork, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves. Visit Biñan City Market to savor this unique take on Adobo.
- Spicy Version: Can be made spicy with chili peppers.
- Unique Seasoning: Bay leaves and garlic add a distinctive flavor.
- Cooked to Perfection: Chicken or pork is slow-cooked to tender perfection.
7. Pinakbet
A dish made with bitter melon, eggplant, okra, and other vegetables in a shrimp paste and coconut milk sauce. Visit Ang Tahanan sa Biñan to taste this flavorful dish.
- Healthy Option: Packed with vitamins and minerals from the vegetables.
- Unique Taste: Combines sweet, sour, and salty flavors.
- Versatile Ingredients: Ingredients can be adjusted based on seasonal availability.
8. Sinaing na Isda
A traditional Filipino fish dish cooked in banana leaves and coconut milk. This can be found at the local market or restaurants like Casa Verde.
- Cooked with Banana Leaves: Wrapped in banana leaves for flavor and steaming.
- Flavorful Broth: Broth is infused with the flavors of ginger, garlic, onions, and fish sauce.
- Delicate Fish Flavor: Uses local fresh fish for a delicate flavor.
9. Ginataan
A Filipino dessert made with coconut milk, sago (tapioca pearls), and various fruits like banana, jackfruit, and yam. Try it at Lusia's for a sweet treat.
- Creamy Texture: Coconut milk creates a creamy consistency.
- Tropical Fruits: Features local fruits unique to the Philippines.
- Sweet and Savory Combo: Sago and other ingredients add a savory touch to the sweet coconut milk.
10. Halo-halo
A popular Filipino dessert or snack made with shaved ice, beans, sweetened bananas, and other fruits, corn, ube (purple yam) ice cream, and milk. Find it at Ang Tahanan sa Biñan.
- Refreshing Treat: Perfect for hot days in Biñan.
- Colorful Presentation: Layers of various colors create an eye-catching display.
- Sweet and Creamy: Ube ice cream adds a unique, sweet flavor.
11. Puto Bumbong
A Filipino sticky rice delicacy made with purple glutinous rice and coconut milk. You can find it during the Christmas season at the local markets or restaurants.
- Unique Purple Color: Made with purple glutinous rice.
- Sweet, Creamy Flavor: Coconut milk adds a sweet, creamy flavor.
- Traditional Holiday Treat: A popular snack during the Christmas season.
12. Lumpia
Filipino spring rolls filled with ground meat and vegetables. They can be found in many restaurants around Biñan but try them at Lusia's for an authentic taste.
- Crispy Wrapping: Spring roll wrappers are deep-fried for a crispy texture.
- Flavorful Filling: Filling is made with ground meat and vegetables.
- Dipping Sauce: Served with a sweet and sour sauce for dipping.
13. Pansit Palabok
A noodle dish made with rice noodles, shrimp broth, and toppings like crushed chicharon (pork rinds), boiled eggs, and green onions. Find it at Casa Verde.
- Savory Broth: Shrimp broth creates a rich flavor.
- Crispy Toppings: Chicharon adds a crunchy texture.
- Colorful Presentation: Topped with colorful ingredients like boiled eggs and green onions.
14. Kakanin
A variety of Filipino rice cakes made from glutinous rice flour. They can be found at local markets and specialty stores in Biñan.
- Sticky Texture: Made with glutinous rice flour for a sticky texture.
- Versatile Ingredients: Can be made with various fillings like coconut, mung beans, or taro.
- Sweet and Savory Options: Available in both sweet and savory flavors.
15. Bibingka
A Filipino rice cake baked in banana leaves and coconut milk. Find it during the Christmas season at local markets or restaurants.
- Unique Banana Leaf Wrapping: Baked in banana leaves for a distinctive flavor.
- Sweet and Creamy: Coconut milk adds sweetness and creaminess.
- Traditional Holiday Treat: A popular snack during the Christmas season.