I am no food blogger – it’s quite evident on the niche of this blog and the accounts that I have posted. However, beggars can’t be choosers. Sometimes, no matter how picky you are, in the absence of everything, survival instincts come into action. I’m not fond of ready-to-eat soups but I was forced to eat it when the temperature dropped to nearly zero in Mt. Pulag. I don’t eat tomatoes but I discovered its exquisiteness when eaten together with tapa and toyo during our stay in Biliran when we had our extreme canyoning experience. And curiosity killed the cat when I tasted the famous woodworm (tamilok) in Palawan. Food talks a lot about the culture, history, and geography. And I’m a sucker of stories. So no matter how nasty and “eww” looking, when it’s a delicacy of a certain place, as long as it’s not poisonous, I’ll try my best to eat it. *fingers crossed*
Bantayan Island has gained a lot of visitors these past few years, most especially that a lot of local movies had been filmed in the said island. To name a few, you have Camp Sawi and I found my Heart in Sta. Fe. But what most people missed upon going there is getting to know the locals and experiencing the heart of the island aside from going to the beach and taking numerous instagrammable photos. On my second visit to this famous island in Cebu, I found out that heavy traffic can also be experienced there (because of ongoing road construction). Moreover, in a span of few hours after disembarking from the boat, seven whirlwinds hit the seas of the island! Good thing they didn’t land on the town proper and no casualties were recorded. And where was I when that happened? In the market, trying to figure out how to eat tagu-angkan. What is tagu-angkan? Keep reading. HAHAHA.
What to eat in Bantayan?
- Taguangkan
Poultry has been one of the many growing industries in the island of Bantayan. The place supplies a huge number of egg and chicken meat not only in the locale, but as well as in nearby islands including Cebu. And because there is an unspoken rule in every Filipino household that goes: no part left behind; as long as it’s not poisonous, we eat all parts of the chicken – from head to feet. Excluding the feathers, of course. It’s easy to spot these body parts sold on the streets – adidas and helmet. But what you don’t usually see is the uterus of the chicken. However, if you really wanted to try eating it, well, you’re in the right place. Bantayan Island offers a unique and affordable barbecue dish that would provide you all the protein needed for a whole day of swimming and island hopping! Tagu-angkan generally looks like a large intestine with big masses in the inside. These circular masses are actually the undeveloped eggs of the hen. It looks weird at first but once tasted, it actually tastes like normal, unsalted eggs.
- Wasay-wasay and Takab-takab
Hammer shells and scallops are but normal viand for Bantayanons. With the rich underwater ecosystem of the place, it’s easy to order these as part of a regular meal. However, because of overfishing and change in the weather condition, locals have shared that the supply of these is regressing.
- Dried Danggit
With the bounty catch from the surrounding seas of the island, the locals have adopted one of the perennial methods of food preservation – drying. Aside from this appetizing dish, you can also try Dangit Tocino, dried squid, and fermented meat of shells.
- Chocolate Loco Halo-halo and Mango Shake
I’m not that fond of visiting cafés in the city but I think it’s about time to change the way I look at those extravagant and overly decorated cafés. Thanks to Kermit’s Cafe and Pastry and MJ Square. Not only that they were able to satisfy my sweet tooth, they were also able to answer my thirst and cravings. HAHAHA.
I’d like to think Chasing Potatoes and Laag Sparkles for the accommodation and unlimited food supply. *kisses*
Of course, these are just my thoughts and opinion. This is a democratic country and you are as well free to air out your comments about these delicacies. The box below is open for suggestions and comments. Have you tried eating these food? How would you rate them? What other food have you tried in Bantayan? Let’s talk about it over Facebook and Instagram?
Dakilanglaagan 