Enjoy Authentic Flavors: 10 Unique Delicacies in Cabanatuan City

Dubbed the Tricycle Capital of the Philippines and the country’s rice granary capital, Cabanatuan is undoubtedly one of the best destinations you can visit or live. It’s the capital city of Nueva Ecija province and one of the most livable cities in the Philippines. 

Cabanatuan is only a 3-hour bus ride to Metro Manila via North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). It is exceptionally famous for its Longganisa Festival, Minalungao National Park, and Camp Pangatian War Memorial Shrine. But, they are incredibly popular with their authentic and unique delicacies.

Take a look at these ten (10) must-try delicacies in Cabanatuan.

1. Longganisa and Batotay

Cabanatuan has its version of Philippine sausages. It is usually served for breakfast and is best paired with a fried egg and garlic rice. Longganisa is made from ground pork with garlic flavors, while batotay is made from beef with a sweet taste. These two varieties can be found in their local wet market. Plus, it can also be eaten in some of the best hotels in the city.

So, make sure you try tasting these authentic flavors from Cabanatuan.

2. Kakanin

When it comes to Filipino delicacies, Cabanatuan has so much to offer. These are bibingka, puto bungbong, biko, palitaw, kutsinta, suman, ginataang bilo-bilo, sapin-sapin, puto, and tupig. The sweetness and softness of these kakanin melt in your mouth and make you crave more.

Kakanin comes from the word Tagalog “kain”, or to eat, and “kanin”, rice. 

3. Tilapia Ice Cream

Who would have thought that tilapia could be used as the main ingredient in making ice cream? If Albay has sili ice cream and Davao has crocodile ice cream, Cabanatuan City has tilapia ice cream. You might think it tastes odd, but unexpectedly, it tastes like a vanilla ice cream flavor. The steamed tilapia flakes perfectly complement the carabao condensed milk, cream, cheese, and hazelnuts.

This unique delicacy is created by a lecturer from Central Luzon University’s College of Home Science and Industry. Besides tilapia ice cream, you must also try their tilapia ice cream sandwich.

 4. Puno’s Ice Cream and Sherbet

Another Cabanatuan’s famous refreshment is Puno’s Ice Cream and Sherbet, which comes in various unique flavors. Their best-seller ice creams are Langka Cheese Cashew, Buko Sherbet with Lychees and Cheese Cashew Macapuno. They also offer flavors like Ube Cheese, Corn Queso, Strawberry, Cookies and Cream, and Fruit Salad.

One distinctive ingredient of their sherbet is buko juice instead of milk in the mixture.

 5. Bangus Spaghetti

If you get hungry while traveling, you can always grab some food and eat a healthy snack along Maharlika Highway, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija and near a gas station.

Chanos Chanos food stall offers one of the unique delicacies in Cabanatuan - the Bangus Spaghetti. It is served in a creamy tomato sauce with Bangus flakes. It is freshly cooked with no artificial ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about eating a lot.

 6. Buco Lumpia

If Laguna has the famous Buco Pie, Cabanatuan has its own Buco Lumpia. It is made with coconut shreds, mixed vegetables, cheese, and ham, wrapped in a regular-sized lumpia wrapper, and deep fried. Thus, it has a more refined flavor, especially when dipped in vinegar sauce.

You can visit Caffe La Tea to enjoy these one-of-a-kind mouthwatering snacks.

7. Sinigang Salad

You already know what sinigang, a Filipino sour soup, tastes like and its ingredients. But what would it taste like if it turned into a salad? Cabanatuenos have an answer for that.

Among the signature dishes of PMP Paradise Farm and Resort is the Sinigang Salad. They used alibangbag leaves as a souring agent mixed in typical Sinigang ingredients, such as kangkong leaves, sliced tomatoes, and chopped onions, and topped with salted egg and chilies. If alibangbang leaves are not too strong for you, add a dash of calamansi to suit your taste.

8. Milka Krem Dairy Products

Whenever you pass the Philippine Carabao Center, take a pit stop at Milka Krem. It’s an outlet store that sells fresh carabao's milk. To help local farmers, PCC provided an avenue to offer pasteurized and homogenized milk products. These are sold in retail and come in Choco Milk and Coffee Milk flavor.

Your kids will surely love drinking these thirst-quenching dairy products.

9. Burikito

You must also try Cabanatuan’s Burikito. It’s a typical bread stuffed with mozzarella filling and seasoned ground beef. Once you start digging into it, you can’t stop eating it. It’s oozing with flavors and one gastronomic experience you could ever have when in Cabanatuan.

10. Cabarako Street Cafe

Are you always in a hurry but want to drink a coffee while on the go? Walk along Kape Kultura Street Cafe. You can find varieties of coffee flavors, either hot or cold; there’s always something for you to grab on. Their best-sellers are Iced Coffee Jelly, Iced Caramel Macchiato, and Revel bars.

Take note; you not only satisfy your coffee cravings but also hit your budget safely.

Lumina Cabanatuan - Your Perfect Haven to Experience Local

Accessibility. Affordability. High-class Amenities.

Cabanatuan is, indeed, an excellent place for investment, not for business but also in real estate. The livelihood opportunities are endless because the best neighboring towns are only a few hours away from the city, especially Metro Manila. It even shortens its travel time and less traffic due to the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union expressways. Thanks to the aggressive implementation of the government’s infrastructure projects.

What’s more, Cabanatuan is filled with quick getaways and adventures. You can easily travel to the nearest beaches or experience an unplanned food trip. When it comes to residential communities, Lumina Homes is strategically located at the heart of the city. It offers an affordable house and lot for sale and access to the nearest schools, malls, public transport terminals, and commercial establishments. Also, it comprises 2155 affordable house and lot properties in a 15-hectare housing community. Thus, it’s a perfect haven to experience local and taste Cabanatuan’s famous delicacies. 

So, are you tired of the hustle and bustle of the city you’re currently living in? Choose Lumina Homes, a trusted provider of budget-friendly house and lot in the Philippines. For more details, contact our authorized sellers today!