CASE # 013: La Union Weekend Part 3

After exploring Ma-Cho Temple, we then walked down the street back to the highway. As Cuz instructed, pumara kami ng tricycle at nagpahatid sa Halo-Halo de Iloko.

Halo-halo de Iloko is a small but cozy restaurant located within the narrow Zandueta St. The restaurant served Filipino dishes cooked the Ilocano way. Siyempre kapag sinabing Ilocos, hindi mawawala ang bagnet sa menu. Pero ang pinaka-specialty nila, siyempre, halo-halo!

From the looks of it, the restaurant appeared to be a former two-storey house converted to a business place. The small garage served as waiting area for customers in queue. The front door opens to a receiving counter wherein you would be asked if you were dining in or ordering for take-out. Iba kasi ang number para sa dine-in at take-out. Number 12 kami for dine-in kaya tumambay muna kami sa labas kasi medyo masikip sa loob.

When our number was called, we were positioned at a table near the front door. Mistulang maliit na souvenir shop din ang receiving area nila kasi may mga tinda rin silang chichacorn, chicharon, native bags, t-shirts, shawls, woven blankets, atbp.

We ordered pancit, binagoongan with rice, sisig with rice, okoy, and fiesta halo-halo. They first served us the okoy. Ang alam ko okoy is made up of shrimps breaded by flour, egg, and orange food color (much similar to the one used for kwek-kwek). It would be flattened into a patty then deep fried into boiling oil to have the crisp, golden exterior. Minsan may halo itong toge as extender. Masarap na merienda, pwede ring ulam. The best if isasawsaw sa suka.


Well, their version of okoy was very different from that of my childhood. Para kasing walang hipon at more on veggies like kamote, toge, etc. Para siyang spring roll only that it wasn't rolled but flattened and sliced into triangles like cake.  Pero masarap iyong suka nila. Suka ng Iloko na tamang asim at anghang.

Then the binagoongan and sisig were served. Again, I was a little disappointed with the sisig because it did not taste like the sisig that we are used to in Manila. Hindi siya crispy and sort of bordering to kilawin ang dating niya. Hindi rin siya ganun kalinamnam. It was missing that savory goodness that makes sisig a perfect match to your favorite alcoholic drink.


Again, siguro dahil ganun talaga ang Ilocos version ng sisig. Hindi pa lang siguro ready ang panlasa ko sa ganung pagkakaluto ng sisig. I’ve only tried the ones in Metro Manila, and the Kapampangan version which is somewhat close to kilawin as well pero andun pa rin iyong crisp and savored flavor.

The binagoongan was great. May halong konting suka and it looks like bagnet yung chunks ng pork. Since si Hubby ang may order ng binagoongan at ako ang may order ng sisig, we just switched plates dahil mas nagustuhan ko yung order niya.

The pancit was supposed to be good for two persons. Pero ang dami ng servings nila. It looked like it could serve up to four. Buti na lang I wasn’t able to enjoy much sa rice meals kaya I opted for the pancit. It was fully loaded with veggies, may pork din, fish balls, with matching hard-boiled egg and squid on top. Hindi nga lang as savory at we are used to kasi hindi ma-toyo iyong pansit. We still were not able to finish it and just opted to take it out together with the okoy.

By the time they served the halo-halo, super busog na kami. Pero na-appreciate ko pa rin ang matamis at malamig na dessert na ito. It was served in a tall glass, decorated with pandan leaves. May ube ice cream on top of the shaved ice. Leche flan and ube halaya were place at the side. It was filled with milk and there’s a dulce de leche (tastes like yema) at the bottom together with the sweetened bananas, beans, and camote. Maraming halo as expected at mabigat din sa tiyan.

All in all, it was a satisfying meal. Tamang-tama because we are off to Poro Point Baywalk for the Sillag Festival.


to be continued...