CAVITE DELICACIES

One early Saturday morning, when many regulars of weekend markets visit their favorite stalls, I headed to Mercado del Ciudad de Cavite translated, it’s the Cavite City’s Public Market. 

Oh don't you just love how those Spanish words sound?

Fresh produce at Cavite's wet market

Fresh produce abound, from tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, cauliflower and broccoli. Fruits were laid out beautifully and looked to be at their juiciest.

Aling Ika's daughter, Lolita who mans the pre-WWII eatery

Inside this compound, is one of the oldest establishments a foodie could find. Aling Ika’s Carinderia is a quaint eatery established during pre-World War II era. Although I did not get to meet the woman who established this food landmark, I got to meet Aling Ika’s 74-year-old daughter, Lolita Bautista Allejo. She now runs this place with her staff. Watching them at work was like attending at an orchestra. Everyone knew what was tasked of them, from washing the dishes, to taking orders, packing the take-outs and giving change. On a daily basis Aling Ika’s Carinderia prepares 35 dishes and adds another five during Saturdays, the usual market day for households. Viands range from pinangat, estofado, sinigang and pipian. For snacks, you have a choice of pancit, palabok, lumpiang prito and spaghetti. As for Cavite delicacies, you can choose from pichi-pichi, kalamay sa ube, biko, maja blanca, minatamis na saging and bibingkoy.

For their viand, what captured my attention is their kare-kare version called Pipian. Made with the usual kare-kare ingredients, such as ground peanuts and rice, what made Cavite’s version unique is the use of chicken. 

Lumpiang Prito

Priced at Php10 a piece, their Lumpiang Prito is not short of ingredients from onions, togue, cabbage, carrots, kamote (sweet potato), kinchay and ground pork. The addition of ground pork not only makes this dish flavorful but definitely filling. 

Bibingkoy without the sauce

As for their delicacy called Bibingkoy, which is made up of boiled mongo is enveloped in giniling na galapong. A sauce made of gata (coconut milk) with scented langka (jackfruit) and bilo-bilo is poured over the bibingkoy. Devour while it is piping hot, it is definitely a good way to end this culinary journey.

Bibingkoy made even more delectable with its sauce

Aling Ika’s Carinderia is located at Mercado del Ciudad de Cavite a block away from P. Burgos Street in Cavite City.  At the time of my visit, bus fare was Php45 from Coastal Area in Roxas Blvd., and Php7 jeepney fare from Cavite City intersection (near McDonald’s) to the corner of the wet market at P. Burgos Street. 

Quesillo and Tamales, two famous Cavite Delicacies

Do you enjoy regional dishes and delicacies? Check out my other Cavite delicacy posts Quesillo here and Tamales here.

 

Are you constantly in search for awesome food destinations and curious about the Philippine food scene? Then follow me at Instagram as I often share my latest food discoveries, pristine beach destinations and stunning sunsets  via @eattoyourheartscontent.

Feel free to email me at eattoyourheartscontent@gmail.com

For more deliriously delicious dining discoveries and updates, feel free to follow and connect via these sites :

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter

All photos in this site were captured by Pie Rivera unless otherwise stated.