Isabela: A Taste of the Cagayan Valley

Isabela’s scenery ranges from agricultural plains to the eastern coast, but its food provides an equally memorable way into the province. Regional dishes reflect the importance of rice, noodles and shared meals in everyday life.

Pancit Cabagan is among the best-known examples. Named for the town of Cabagan, the noodle dish is associated with a generous combination of toppings and a savory sauce. Binnalay, a rice-based delicacy served with a sweet accompaniment, offers a different expression of local food tradition.

A journey through Isabela can also take in heritage sites such as the old church in San Pablo and the natural landscapes of Palanan. Food gives those journeys a human scale: a place to pause, sit down and encounter the province through the table.