Casa Naimas: A taste of Ilocos at the heart of QC

Coming from a family with Ilocano taste buds, I came to appreciate the unconventional way of preparing classic food items such as Langgonisa and Empanada.

Unlike the Longganisa from most parts of Luzon that Pinoys have grown accustomed to, the Ilocano Longganisa, is not sweet but looks basically the same as the traditional langgonisa, sans the color. Marinated with the well-known vinegars from Ilocos, the Iloko Longganisa is salty and garlicky and quite perfect for the palate of the grown up.

Meanwhile, the Ilocano Empanada is a treat that may not appeal to many but may grow on some if they have an open mind (and stomach) to appreciate what it offers.

First Day Food Trip

Kung ang High School ay may "First Day High", 
ang Grad School ay may "First Day Lamon".

(If High School has its "First Day High", Grad School has its "First Day Gorging")

My classmates Salve, Vanessa and I were not supposed to eat lunch that day because we were about to head to UP to crash Salve's graduation. She enrolled for the Filipino Sign Language Program in the University of the Philippines' College of Education for two weeks, which she attended 5 days in a row for 2 1/2 hours. Van and I expected that there would be food enough to be our lunch but since we walked (instead of riding a jeepney) from the Morato - Kamuning extension to the Timog-Morato Rotonda, we were understandably famished.

It was hard to think of where to eat at first but when we saw Lugaw Republic, I began to crave for Pares, so we checked out the food across the famous lugawan. The place was like a "food court" where there are different stalls that offer different menus.

At home we never really have beef meals because my mother hates the smell. So I immediately ordered the braised beef dish called "Pares".

Camachile Cookies

When I was a kid, our family would go to a restaurant in Cubao called "Pancit ng Taga Malabon" and papa would treat us to a sumptuous pancit palabok after enjoying playtime at the Fiesta Carnival. Their staple appetizer was a plate of biscuit cookies called Camachile, which I enjoyed very much.

Lumpiang Shanghai

Lumpiang Shanghai is a Chinese-influenced Filipino delicacy. Also known as Spring Rolls, the Lumpiang Shanghai is also popular in Indonesia,Vietnam and the Netherlands where its name is spelled "loempia", an old Indonesian term that the Dutch eventually adopted and used to refer to "spring rolls". It was brought by the Chinese immigrants from the Chinese province of Fujian.


This recipe has become so popular among Filipinos that the number 1 fastfood chain in the country even included it in their value meals -- and you know I'm referring to Jollibee, right?

When my mother and I were in Savemore Market near Meycauayan tollgate (our favorite hangout just because it's near our house), I suddenly had a craving for lumpiang shangai so I asked my mom if we could have it for dinner. We bought the lumpiang shanghai ingredients that we thought we needed...

Pichi Pichi: Filipino Snack Recipe

Last month, my Aunt visited us at home and while we were chatting over lunch (or merienda, i can't remember), she mentioned that she knew how to make Pichi pichi!

You see, Pichi-pichi is one of my favorite Filipino snacks because they're really delectable. A store here in Bulacan named "Tetok's" sells well-made Pichi pichi as well as palabok and barbecue. Because that store has really delicious pichi-pichi, their product became my standard.

When my Aunt taught us the Pichi-pichi Filipino recipe, I was pleasantly surprised how Tetok's product and my Aunt's pichi tasted the same! It was really a delightful experience watching her make one of my favorite Filipino desserts and tasting how good they are.

Let me share a few things about how my Aunt did it.

Lengua de Gato from Good Shepherd (Baguio City)

Almost all the people I know have passed by Good Shepherd in Mines View, Baguio City before heading home to buy their pasalubongs for their loved ones in the city, or wherever they live. Good Shepherd is in fact a very popular place. From what I gather, the nuns in this convent are the ones making the treats and there is no doubt about it because the snacks are just heavenly!

This is one of my favorite purchases at Good Shepherd. There are a lot of different brands for the Lengua de Gato - long thin milk cookies that's become a popular pasalubong option - but I love Good Shepherd's lengua the best.  It is very creamy and not too sweet so it just tastes heavenly! I love how it just melts in your mouth and satisfy the sweet-tooth kid within you. 

Puto Seko: Melts in your mouth… Seriously.

Puto seko is only one of the Filipino rice-based delicacies that we love to eat. It has always been a favorite, so just imagine our excitement when we learned of its entry into the commercial market!