LOCAL FAVORITE A restaurant worker helps prepare 250 kilos of 鈥減ancit batil patong,鈥� served in a dish measuring 5.48 meters (18 feet) in diameter. The famous noodle was shared by mall-goers during the Foodie Festival at SM City in Tuguegarao City on Sept. 22. 鈥擵illamor Visaya Jr.
TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN, Philippines 鈥� An 18-foot-diameter, 250-kilogram serving of 鈥減ancit batil patong,鈥� locally known in Ibanag as 鈥減ansi batil fotun,鈥� stole the show at the Foodie Festival held at a private mall here on Sunday evening.
As an iconic dish and a popular staple in Cagayan Valley, the local pancit showcased its classic ingredients: carabao beef, shrimp, sausage, vegetables, pork chop, and a poached egg, all served over fresh 鈥渕iki鈥� noodles.
The dish is traditionally topped with saut茅ed meats and vegetables, and a raw egg stirred into simmering beef broth鈥攁 preparation that has long been a favorite among locals.
In Tuguegarao鈥檚 鈥減anciterias,鈥� the dish is served with a cracked egg mixed into the beef broth, poured over the noodles, and paired with a special sauce, chopped onions, and a vinegar dip.
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鈥淚t is delicious. Batil patong is the best pancit in the valley,鈥� remarked Xyle Manuel, one of the hundreds of residents who enjoyed the free servings of this iconic noodle dish.
Mayor Maila Ting-Que highlighted the unique appeal of the city鈥檚 pancit batil fotun, emphasizing its fresh, hand-tossed preparation, made 鈥渙ut of love鈥� every day.
The dish鈥檚 popularity extends beyond the region, attracting visitors from across the country and even abroad.
鈥淲e ensure it鈥檚 always prepared in a clean environment and cooked with love,鈥� the mayor added.
鈥楿苍颈辩耻别鈥�
Lawyer and batil patong enthusiast Rodel Baquiran described its taste as 鈥渦nique,鈥� adding that, 鈥渋t is something that makes us proud of Cagayan Valley.鈥�
Pancit batil patong has evolved from being a humble 鈥渃arinderia鈥� fare in the 1970s, popularized by restaurants like Puring鈥檚 and Balao鈥檚, to a celebrated dish with countless variations.
Establishments such as Tonyo and Berto followed, and soon, panciterias sprouted 鈥渓ike mung beans.鈥�
While the dish has retained its minimalist style, known for its rich sauce and takeout options, modern versions now include additional toppings like 鈥渃hicharon bulaklak,鈥� shrimp, 鈥渓echon kawali,鈥� and pork chop, alongside the traditional carabao beef.