The main reason why  Dagupenos like me love to revisit our hometown is the FOOD. I realized how lucky I am to be born and raised in Dagupan City during my first OJT stint in Metro Manila. There’s wide variety of restaurants in food strips and shopping malls, but the servings are either too small or the price is quite expensive. The craving for reasonably-priced meals made me miss my hometown more.
Pangasinan in general is known for the sumptuous seafood selections that will satisfy one’s cravings. In Dagupan City alone, we have some really interesting must-try dishes to boot. Are you ready?
DAGUPAN BANGUS
Dagupan City is known as the Bangus (Milkfish) Capital of the World. Ten years ago, it held the World Guinness Book of Records in the longest barbecue category! The fun part of the Bangus Festival is the snatching grilled bangus in barbeque stands for free.
What is so special about the Bonuan or Dagupan Bangus? Visit my hometown, dine in one of the restaurants or stalls and ‘taste’ the answer!
There 101 Ways to Cook Bangus (as presented in the yearly festival), but the most famous include are the Grilled and Boneless Bangus. The latter is my favorite. Don’t you just enjoy eating without the hassle of removing the tinik?
PIGAR-PIGAR
Pigar-Pigar is another fast-rising delicacy. Galvan Street is a busy market street in the morning that transforms into a Pigar-Pigar Strip at night. Pigar-Pigar is a dish composed of thinly-sliced meat with liver and cabbage. Aside from the popular Bangus Festival, Pigar-Pigar lovers launched their very own Pigar-Pigar Festival.
KALESKES
Kaleskes means ‘intestine’. I can say that it is one of the quirky food Pangasinan has to offer. The dish includes Pa le (intestines) and some meat cuts. It is the customer’s option to add sebo or dugo (blood). Yummy, right? Kaleskes is available in Herrero-Perez and Galvan Street.
PLATO WRAPS
Sounds familiar? Plato Wraps is a widely known original food cart franchise stall that originated in Dagupan City. If you’ve read some of my previous Pangasinan updates, you would’ve noticed my love for this product. Plato Wraps’ tagline is ‘Great Meals in Small Packages’. Plato Wraps fillings include Chunky Chicken, Very Veggie, Ham and Cheese, Yummy Tuna, Wrap ‘n Roll and Beef Gyros.
Woot. Now I’m starving! I know that a lot of people are traveling to Dagupan this week for the festival. Don’t forget this foodie checklist!
Here’s another link on Where to Eat in Dagupan City and Calasiao. Will write another version later so stay tuned. Have Fun in Dagupan!
I only know about bangus in Dagupan because of your bangus festival. Hope I can join a food tour there, your dishes look really delicious!
Thanks! Feel free to visit Dagupan 😀
I love the food in Dagupan. This is a reminiscence of sorts during my frequent trips to Dagupan for my field work in Sta. Barbara and Bolinao. I made sure I did not miss Dagupena resto. Is it still there?
Woot glad to hear that 😀 Yup, Dagupena Restaurant still exists, but they moved the main resto to Calasiao na. Bigger space and more food selection 😀
I’ve heard about pigar-pigar. The kaleskes (I thought it’s the bangus scales), I just learned it here.
Will definitely try these if I go or pass by Dagupan.
Hehe akala ko yun din yun nung bata ako. 😛 Ano yun, soup na fish scales? Hehe. Try these when you visit Dagupan 😀
photos are so enticing! ill definitely try this when i pass by dagupan maybe this weekend. hehe
Go Go Go! 😀
ARGH! I miss Dagupan! Sana makabalik this summer.
Going in Panggasinan this month or in August. Hope we can drop by Dagupan to taste those tummy teasers or might just have some na available in Bolinao.
Maam, Can I have some copy of these photos?
Haven’t heard of this unique delicacy, the kaleskes. I’m quite curious of the taste.
Good day ma’am, permission to use photos for our travel magazine! You and your website will be cited! Thank you!
Hello!
For which magazine po? Kindly send me an email. Thanks!