Top 10 Must Try Food Trips in Luzon! 2025

Luzon, the Philippines' largest island, boasts a rich tapestry of culinary experiences that reflect its diverse regions and cultures. Here are some must-try food trips to embark on in 2025: 1. Vigan Empanada is a beloved Filipino street food from Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. It features a thin, crispy rice flour shell filled with grated green papaya, savory Vigan longganisa (a garlicky pork sausage), and a whole egg, deep-fried to a golden hue. This delicacy offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, making it a must-try for visitors to the region. 2. Bicol Express is a renowned Filipino dish originating from the Bicol region. It consists of pork pieces stewed in a rich, creamy sauce made from coconut milk and chili peppers, delivering a harmonious blend of spicy, savory, and creamy flavors. The dish also incorporates shrimp paste, adding depth and umami to its profile. The name "Bicol Express" was inspired by the Bicol Express train, symbolizing the dish's roots in the Bicol region. It's commonly enjoyed with steamed rice, making for a hearty meal. 3. Sisig is a popular Filipino dish originating from Pampanga, known for its rich and complex flavors. Traditionally, it consists of chopped pig's head parts—such as the cheeks, snout, and ears—mixed with chicken liver, onions, chili peppers, and seasoned with calamansi (a local citrus fruit) and vinegar. The ingredients are typically grilled or fried, resulting in a combination of crispy, creamy, salty, tangy, and spicy tastes. Often served sizzling on a hot plate, sisig is enjoyed as a main dish, appetizer, or pulutan (a snack accompanying alcoholic beverages). Over time, various adaptations have emerged, including versions using chicken, tuna, tofu, or even plant-based proteins, catering to diverse preferences 4. Bulalo is a traditional Filipino beef shank soup originating from the provinces of Batangas and Cavite in Southern Luzon. This hearty dish features tender beef shanks and bone marrow simmered for hours until the collagen and fat have melted into a rich, flavorful broth. Common additions include vegetables such as cabbage, bok choy, corn on the cob, onions, garlic, and sometimes potatoes or carrots. The soup is typically seasoned with fish sauce and served with steamed rice, accompanied by soy sauce and calamansi (Filipino lime) for added zest. 5. Puto Bumbong is a traditional Filipino delicacy traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season, though it's available year-round in various parts of Metro Manila. This purple rice cake is made from steamed glutinous rice, topped with grated coconut, butter or margarine, and brown sugar. 6. Laing is a traditional Filipino dish from the Bicol region, celebrated for its spicy and creamy profile. It consists of dried taro leaves simmered in rich coconut milk with chili peppers, resulting in a flavorful blend of heat and creaminess. This dish is distinct from Bicol Express, which typically features diced pork cooked in a similar spicy coconut milk base. 7. Pancit Habhab, also known as Pancit Lucban, is a traditional noodle dish hailing from Lucban, Quezon Province in the Philippines. This flavorful stir-fry features miki Lucban noodles—distinct dried flour noodles that differ from those used in Pancit Canton—tossed with a savory mix of pork, pork liver, shrimp, and an array of vegetables such as chayote and carrots. Traditionally, Pancit Habhab is served on a banana leaf and eaten directly from it without utensils, enhancing the authentic experience. A splash of vinegar is often added before eating to elevate its flavors. 8. Vigan longganisa is a traditional Filipino pork sausage originating from Vigan City in Ilocos Sur. Renowned for its distinctive savory, garlicky, and slightly sour flavor profile, this small, plump sausage is typically made from ground lean pork, coarsely ground pork fat, crushed garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices such as black pepper and bay leaves. The inclusion of annatto gives it a characteristic yellowish hue. Chili flakes may also be added for an extra kick. 9. Bagnet is a Filipino dish originating from the Ilocos region, consisting of pork belly that is boiled, dried, and deep-fried to achieve a crispy exterior and tender interior. The preparation involves boiling the pork belly with seasonings such as garlic, black peppercorns, bay leaves, and salt until tender, then allowing it to dry overnight before deep-frying. This process results in a texture reminiscent of chicharrón, with a crunchy skin and succulent meat. 10. Halo-halo, which means "mix-mix" in Tagalog, is a popular Filipino dessert that combines shaved ice with a variety of sweet ingredients, offering a refreshing treat, especially in warm weather. A typical halo-halo includes layers of sweetened beans, fruits, jellies, and other toppings, all topped with shaved ice and drizzled with evaporated milk. It's often finished with a scoop of ice cream, adding a creamy touch to the mix.