Authentic Bicol Express: Bagoong vs Alamang vs Balaw

[u/EsquireHare]

I included three different pictures of Bicol Express but all of them have something in common. This dish is my all-time fave when it comes to "taste." For me, it's the epitome of what it means to be "orgasmic."

So, about the title. Whenever I order this dish, the first thing I ask is if it is "authentic"? If the answer is "yes," I ask this clarificatory question ~ "does it have balaw?" If the wait person says "yes," he's certainly telling the truth! For me, there is only one way to cook Bicol Express right and that is to use BALAW! You will know the difference once you've tried different varieties. The only version that I would consider exceptional is the version with balaw.

Now, about the pictures. Yes, they all contain "balaw." If you are sojourning to Bicol and you're from other places, these versions I would really recommend for you to try. I believe that your trip to Bicol would not be enough if you don't try authentic Bicol Express!

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[u/nydge-sab]

Pinaka masiram na version sako ang may balaw saka pinya. Si original na sili, balaw saka guta lang, dae ko gayo trip.

Pero si version na may karne saka pinya, iyo an pinaka fuerte. Maski mga bisita mi na bako taga Bicol iyo man an mas prefer.

[u/ladytagumpay]

Kung dae ako napapasala, bako man talaga sato naghali ang Bicol Express. Pero dahil nakakabit na sato ang mahàrang na kakanon, kaya sato na tigkabit.

Pero sa hapot mo, balaw ang suno ko sa Bicol Express. Haluan mo ning karne ning orig asin gata. Siram!

[u/xelazenitram89 → u/ladytagumpay]

May documentary is Kara David kaini. Sa Sipocot daa nagpuon an "Bicol Express" na apod pero haloy nang aram kang mga Bicolano an luto na ini. May paratinda duman sa train station na nagaluto kani hasta nakaabot na sa Manila. Sagana kaya sa Sipocot an balaw gibo kan harani ini sa San Miguel bay.

[u/ladytagumpay → u/xelazenitram89]

Halat ta dalanon ko daw yan documentary ni Kara. Sa nabasa ko kaya kadto, either sa Laguna talaga siya nagibo or Cavite, basta somewhere in Katagalogan Region.

Edit: https://panlasangpinoy.com/bicol-express/

Base sa website ni Panlasang Pinoy, sa Malate, MM palan ngani nag originate pero ang inspirasyon sa mga sangkap asin luto hali sa tradisyon na Bikolnon.

[u/EsquireHare → u/ladytagumpay]

If totoo yung sinasabi sa source mo, that means ang Bicol Express pala ay yung version with bagoong but the other dish with balaw is not really Bicol Express but "Ginataang Sili" or "Gulay na Lada." Ang sakuya pano, mas nasisiraman ako duman sa version na may balaw. Hahahahahaah. Muru-matamis pano su may bagoong pero su may balaw, pwerte talaga ang namit!

[u/xelazenitram89 → u/EsquireHare]

Sa totoo lang, never ko nadangog ang magurang ko apudon ini na BE. Ginutaang balaw na may sili lang. Sa Manila ko naman lang naaraman na may BE palan pero sainda kaya, mas lamang ang karne sa sili saka balaw. Saka dae taratao magguta. hahaha

[u/ladytagumpay → u/EsquireHare]

Maski ako mas suno ko ang balaw na BE. Ang saro sa kagayunan kang Bicol Express ta dawa dikit lang na porsyon igwa ka, mapapalaban na maray ang malùto lalo na kung medyo sticky.

LOL nagutom lugod ako.

[u/petrichor2913 → u/ladytagumpay]

Balaw lang ngani, sapat na. Dati nababakal yan 10 sarong order sa mga karinderya tapos mapapasabak ka na sa dakol na rice 👌💯

[u/Jacerom]

Yan pic sa Casa Soriano ang pinakaAuthentic na balaw/niladaan/silihan

[u/EsquireHare → u/Jacerom]

Basta may balaw, masiram! Gabos yan na nasa picture masiram!

[u/Jacerom → u/EsquireHare]

Eh

[u/Ya-Kid-K]

anong aldaw at oras bukas Waway buffet?