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Lechon Five Ways at Bale Dutung, Pampanga

On another trip to Claude Tayag and Mary Ann Quioc's Bale Dutung in Pampanga, Philippines, I tried the special menu with lechon. In addition to some of the more customary fare at the restaurant, such as fern salad and balo-balo, the famous whole roast pork of the Philippines is also served. If you're a fan of this Filipino pork preparation, you should try to time your reservation at the renowned Capampangan food spot when the menu includes it. It's served in the following ways:
  • traditionally, i.e., the meat chopped straight from the just-cooked pig
  • all skin, in my opinion the best part, at least when it's still  hot and cripsy
  • as paksiw na lechon, a more vinegary preparation
  • as filling for Korean tacos, with the meat fried and shredded like pork floss
  • and sisig, the spicy and sour concoction made from pig's ears.
Here's Claude about to cut up and carve the roast.
The first serving you'll receive is the meat of the pork. Get it while it's hot! Cold, it's not as great; it has to be cooked into something else for it to be, at least for me, palatable again. But not to worry, it's the product of a resourceful and inventive culinary tradition. Hardly anything goes to waste. Filipinos have been practicing nose-to-tail dining and offal cooking even before Fergus Henderson could think of the words.
Next, a serving of the skin. Crispy like potato chips, like chicharrones but tastier.
Paksiw na lechon in a sinigang broth. Thick, rich, hot broth and vegetables. Next, Korean tacos with pork floss, also from lechon. The meat's been shredded then fried till it's dry and crunchy. 
Sisig, a putatively Capampangan invention, now a staple at most Filipino restaurants. Chopped pig's ears from the lechon mixed with peppers and vinegar. Claude cooks, then serves.
The sisig on top of salted egg and eggplant, with a side of rib, pepper and calamansi.
Lunch must end with dessert. Below, the restaurant's famous Paradiso, christened by a food writer who, when she first tasted it muttered, "This is paradise!" It's multicolored and multiflavored balls of yema on a bed of custard. Paradise? I would say Bale Dutung is a garden of earthly delights.
Lunch only and only be reservation. Call or email to find out what the restaurant is serving in the upcoming weeks and time your reservation appropriately.

View other pictures from another visit at the restaurant.

Bale Dutung
Villa Gloria Subdivision
Angeles City, Pampanga
Mobile: 09175359198 (02) 6684038, (02) 5024527
reserve@baledutung.com
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Location: Pampanga, Philippines

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