Aside from the white sand beaches and wonderful water, there is one other thing that I am looking forward to when I go to Caramoan: the food. The Bicol Region is known for excellent food, and the dishes almost always are HOT and SPICY and mixed with coconut milk. Chili peppers and coconut milk are staples in this part of the country.

Where we are going, there aren’t too many fancy restaurants. What I am really looking forward to are the small “eateries” where you can taste the local food in all its authentic glory. The best part is that everyone says it’s cheap!

Perhaps the most popular dish from this region is Bicol Express. This dish is available almost anywhere in the Philippines, but I am sure that what I will find in Caramoan is nothing like anything else I have ever tried. Bicol Express is a pork dish with lots of chili peppers (of course), shrimp paste, and coconut milk (of course). They say that every Bicolano family has its own version but at the end of the day, you won’t forget the creamy coconut milk flavor and the fiery peppers.

Another dish that I want to try is laing. This dish features dried out taro leaves. Again, coconut milk and chili peppers are thrown into the mix. Some versions include shrimp paste, while others have dried fish. Perfect for vegetarians!

Pinangat seems to be a combination of the first two dishes: taro leaves with minced pork. Now that sounds like heaven to me! I know that I will be going on a food trip next week!