PAOAY CHICHACORN

Corn is widely produced in the Ilocos region, making the cornick or chicacorn one of the major processing industry. Corn is a seasonal produce and the quantity of harvest varies on the cultural practices

of farmers. The chicahcorn has made the white corn variety the new white gold among entrepreneurs, specially those who are situated in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

Chichacorn or cornick is a favorite snack, not just by Ilocanos but is now popular nationwide. It is fried and crunchy glutinous white corn

kernels. Made special by the garlic seasoning and made even more tempting by the additional flavouring like cheese, sweet and spicy,

barbecue and the Filipino favorite, adobo. Chichacorn is a great snack

during movie marathon, can be an alternative to popcorn. It is as well becoming one of the top pasalubong being bought by tourists. 

LONGGANISA

Longganisa is one of the breakfast favorites of the Ilocanos. It is known the locals for its affordability as well as for its accessibility. The Ilocos Longganisa is pretty much available in all the municipalities in Ilocos Norte, more specifically in their wet markets. The Ilocos Norte Longganisa is distinct in taste with its garlicky flavor and less fat content. It is usually paired with a healthy dose of the sukang Iloco and for some, a dip in KBL,or what we refer to us the kamatis, bagoong, and lasona(mini shallots).

PASUQUIN'S GRILLED DUMADARA

Ilocos Norte is pretty much known for their mind blowing beaches which comes with succulent seafoods as a testimony to the bountiful fishing of the Ilocanos. One of municipalities known for this industry is Pasuquin. This town fills the highways with the tummy-growling scent of the smokes coming from the grilled dumadaras sold along roadsides. Dumadara is a well-known catch in this locality. Freshly caught  from the sea just across the road, the dumadara is carefully broiled slowly over live coals, drenched with fine sea salt locally made in nearby pagsanaans (salt making place) in the area, placed atop a tin foil, and displayed there hot and fragrant, irresistible for travelers to and from Cagayan or Ilocos to make a stop.

BISCOCHO

Another delicacy that Pasuquin is known for is their famous biscocho. Biscocho in Spanish means biscuits and in the Philippines, it’s typically day old bread that is toasted, buttered or daubed with margarine and then sugared. It is eaten as a snack paired with either hot coffee or milo and is available in many bakeries or groceries around.

In the town of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, the biscocho comes in three forms: the traditional hard biscuit made from the outer part of the bread, a soft version of the former and the inner core which is called bugas, soft and tasty. Of the three, the soft ones are quite popular that the Pasuquin Bakery has become a sort of landmark in this province with several visitors and travelers stopping to buy their products Thebiscocho is not sweet, compared to the traditional but what it lacks in sweetness is compensated by the anise flavor and aroma and, especially if its freshly baked, its just one piece of bread goodness! Locals usually eat it alone but some do make sandwiches out of it: butter, sardines, jam, scrambled eggs…