15 Of The Yummiest Pasalubong From The Philippines

1Inipit (Bulacan)

Before we could buy inipit from every grocery in the nation, Malolos has been specializing in this delicacy for decades. Inipit is a bite-sized chiffon cake with custard filling. Though dozens of bakeries in Bulacan have their own renditions of inipit, Eurobake’s original recipe is still arguably the best version. It also comes in other flavors such as ube and langka, but the original manages to be the most loved flavor.

Where to buy: Eurobake is at MacArthur Highway near the boundary of Malolos and Guiguinto. In Manila, they have branches at Greenhills and Greenbelt 1.

2Chichacorn (Ilocos Sur)

Just tell anyone that you’re visiting Ilocos for the weekend, and they’ll surely reply with a gleeful smile, “Chichacorn!” It’s a semi-popped glutinous white corn that comes in multiple flavors such as natural, garlic, sweet and spicy, adobo, barbecue, cheese, and chili garlic. It’s similar to cornick but a hundred times more addicting.

Where to buy: Available in majority of the pasalubong centers in Ilocos Sur and bus stops when traveling from the North

3Piaya (Negros Occidental)

The flaky flatbread filled with concentrated muscovado syrup has been a long-time favorite pasalubong from Bacolod. Though we can now buy piaya from the pasalubong section of any supermarket, it’s still a best-seller when you bring it to the office. Aside from muscovado, there are now other flavors such as pandan, caramel, cheese, ube, and mango.

Where to buy: Bongbong’s, Robinson’s Place, Bacolod City; Merzci, Gonzaga Street, Bacolod City

4Galletas (Davao)

Heading to Davao? Well, the durian fruit and durian candy aren’t the only things you can bring home. Galletas de Davao may not yet be on everyone’s radar as a staple pasalubong from the Philippines, but you cannot miss it when you’re in the city. It’s like lengua de gato, but in uneven round sizes, packaged in a clear tub. It comes in classic, ube, ube and langka, and durian flavors, and each one is undeniably delicious.

Where to buy: Davao International Airport; Carmela’s, Loyola Street, Poblacion District, Davao City, Davao del Sur

5Pili Nuts (Albay)

Bicol is known best for two things—Mayon Volcano and pili nuts. You cannot take home the Mayon Volcano, but at least you can buy various delicacies made from the most loved nuts in the region. For the sweet tooth, pili tarts and candied pili nuts are recommended. For those who are more into savory treats, roasted and salted varieties are also available. You can also purchase raw shelled pili nuts per kilo.

Where to buy: Albay Pili Nut Candy, 873 Rizal Street, Old Albay District, Legazpi City, Albay

6Yema Cake (Quezon)

There’s no telling how the yema cake craze started. Through word of mouth alone, this specialty cake from Quezon has been making its way to dining tables everywhere. It’s the combination of the chiffon cake, yema icing, and grated cheese that makes this one a winner.

Where to buy: Rodilla’s Yema Cake, Quezon Quezon Ave., Tayabas, Quezon

7Cream Horn (Iloilo)

You probably won’t find this sweet delicacy anywhere else but in Iloilo. Though Iloilo is known for other yummy treats such as biscocho, barquillos, and mango bars, cream horns get plus points for its novelty. The original rolled puff pastry has yema as filling, but now, it also comes in other flavors such as chocolate, strawberry, and buko pandan. Cream horns can be bought per piece, but it’s advisable to buy boxes because you’ll be craving for more after the first bite.

Where to buy: Margec’s Original Cream Horn, E. Lopez Street Jaro, Iloilo City

8Toasted Peanuts (Lanao del Norte)

These toasted peanuts are so good that it’s actually called “Iligan’s Pride.” To keep the peanuts moist-free, it’s placed in brown paper bags before wrapped in plastic packaging. The product has no preservatives, too. It now has ten flavors, and the packaging comes in different sizes—1 kg, 1/2 kg, 370 grams, 50 grams, 1/4 kg and 200 grams. You’ll need extra space in your baggage for this addictive pasalubong from the Philippines!

Where to buy: Cheding’s Toasted Peanuts, 25-A Sabayle Street, Iligan City

9Napoleones (Bacolod)

Biting into layers of puff pastries filled with custard cream and topped with crusty sugar may sound too good to be true, but that’s exactly what Napoleones is. This specialty from Bacolod is so good that it can now be bought even in Manila! Of course, it’s much cheaper buying from the main stores of Virgie’s and Roli’s.

Where to buy: Roli’s Bakeshop, Roli’s Arcade, La Salle Avenue, Bacolod City; Virgie’s Homemade Products, 59 San Sebastian Street, Bacolod City

10Buko Pie (Laguna)

Though best eaten when it’s still hot and freshly bought, buko pie is THE pasalubong when you’re coming from Laguna.  The young coconut custard pie originated from Los Baños but other municipalities in the region have created their own mouth-watering versions. The question now is where to buy buko pie depending on your preference. Be it one from Orient: The Original, Colette’s, or Lety’s, don’t forget to bring home a box of buko pie with you.

Where to buy: Orient: The Original Buko Pie Bakeshop, National Highway,  Los Baños; Colette’s Buko Pie, Real, Calamba; El Mare Buko Pie, San Pablo City; Lety’s Buko Pie, Los Baños

11Danggit and Other Dried Fish (Cebu)

Cebu is world-famous for its dried mangoes, but it’s not the only delectable pasalubong from the Philippines. At Taboan Market, you’ll be faced with heaps of dried seafood. Danggit is a crowd favorite, but it’s not the only kind you can buy at the market. Dried fish, squid, and shrimp are also available and can be purchased per kilo. Be adventurous and try Palad Flakes, Fish Tocino, and even Fish Tapa. They can package your purchases for you, so they’ll be airport-friendly.

Where to buy: Taboan Public Market, Cebu City, Cebu

12Silvanas (Negros Oriental)

How do we even begin to describe silvanas? It’s a frozen cashew-meringue wafer sandwich, with buttercream filling, coated with cookie crumbs and maybe a little bit of magic. It’s a bit like Sans Rival, but it’s too small to be a cake. But who cares when it tastes this good? When a piece isn’t enough, you can just eat another one (or the whole box, if you wish).

Where to buy: Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries, G/F Robinsons Mall, Lamberto Macias Road, corner Calindagan Road, Dumaguete

13Ube Jam (Benguet)

Fresh strawberries, sundot-kulangot, and strawberry jam are some of the favorite pasalubong from the Philippines famed summer capital, Baguio. But ube jam has to take the top spot as the best pasalubong you can buy from the city. People line up just to buy this, that it pushed Good Shepherd to limit each customer to two bottles of ube jam per purchase. Good thing other pasalubong centers in the city have stocks of the jam, too.

Where to buy: Good Shepherd, Gibraltar Road, Baguio, Benguet

14Pastel (Camiguin)

Though the bread may not be spectacular, it’s the filling that makes this one a much-loved pasalubong. The yema filling is so rich and sweet, but it’s balanced out by the moist bread. Other flavors have come out of the market, but the original yema flavor is still the best one. It’s a famous pasalubong from CDO, but Vjandep Bakeshop, which is best known for the pastry, is originally from Camiguin.

Where to buy: Vjandep Bakeshop, V1 Plaridel St., Mambajao, Camiguin; Vjandep Bakeshop Commissary, Zone 2, Bulua National Highway, Cagayan de Oro City

15Kapeng Barako (Batangas)

When in Batangas, you cannot leave the province without trying the much-loved kapeng barako the coffee of choice for tough souls. You can easily bring home the wondrous smell of freshly brewed kapeng barako. This variety of coffee has a strong and rich flavor, and the aroma can keep you up for your late-night movie marathons. Pair this with pan de sal and you have the quintessential Filipino breakfast.

Where to buy: Local markets in Batangas

Did we include your favorite pasalubong from the Philippines? Share photos of your treats by tagging @philihappy on Instagram!