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The Philippines has a lot of yummy dishes to offer. As a matter of fact, each province of the Philippines offers a unique dish.
While some of our local dishes may seem the same, there’s usually an ingredient or maybe a method of cooking that makes it unique to a province. 😄
For example, if Pampanga is known for sisig then the Ilocos region is known for dinakdakan. 😀

While some folks may find the two dishes similar, there’s a striking difference between the two.
While some folks may find the two dishes similar, there’s a striking difference between the two.
The main difference is the one ingredient that you will find in a dinakdakan dish.
The main difference is the one ingredient that you will find in a dinakdakan dish.
Table of Contents
What Is Dinakadakan Made Of?
Dinakdakan is an Ilocano dish that is made of grilled and boiled pig parts-it works as a delicious and tasty appetizer, too! The pig’s head, ears, and brains are some of the ingredients incorporated so as not to waste any part of the animal. (1)
Like sisig, these parts of a pig are boiled and grilled. Then they’re chopped into tiny bits.

To make this dish very tasty, lemon juice or vinegar is added. Minced chili peppers, onions, and ginger are also tossed into the dish to add more exciting flavors.
To make this dish very tasty, lemon juice or vinegar is added. Minced chili peppers, onions, and ginger are also tossed into the dish to add more exciting flavors.
At this point, you’d think it’s pretty similar to the sisig dish from Pampanga … but it’s not. 😄
If you want to learn more about dinakdakan, read the related article here.
What Is The Difference Between Sisig And Dinakdakan?
There is one unique ingredient that makes dinakdakan different from sisig and that is the pig’s brain.

Yes, the pig’s brain is mashed and added to the dish to make it creamy … very creamy, as a matter of fact.
Yes, the pig’s brain is mashed and added to the dish to make it creamy … very creamy, as a matter of fact.
Believe me, it becomes really creamy.😉 It pretty much adds another layer of texture to the dish.
Another difference between sisig and dinakdakan, aside from the unique ingredient that goes into the latter, is the way the former is finished off. If you look closely, it’s in the manner in which these two dishes are prepared and cooked. The authentic way of cooking sisig would require another process, one of which isn’t necessary for cooking dinakdakan. 😀
While both dishes require that the pig’s parts are boiled and grilled, the sisig dish adds another cooking method.
The pig’s parts are also stir-fried in a sisig dish.
The pig’s parts are also stir-fried in a sisig dish.
An Alternative Ingredient
Not all dinakdakan dishes use mashed pig’s brain for creaminess. There’s an alternative to it.
Mayonnaise can also make dinakdakan very creamy and tasty.
Mayonnaise can also make dinakdakan very creamy and tasty.

Back in Manila, you can always drop by Pit Stop Grill to enjoy a dish of dinakdakan. 👍
There’s no doubt that both the dinakdakan and sisig are great pulutan dishes. However, only you can answer what is the best pulutan between the two. 😊

So, if you were to choose between dinakdakan vs. sisig, drop by Pit Stop Grill since they offer both of these yummy dishes.
So, if you were to choose between dinakdakan vs. sisig, drop by Pit Stop Grill since they offer both of these yummy dishes.
If you want to learn more about Pit Stop Grill, read the related article here.
How To Contact Them
Pit Stop Grill
#5 Pioneer St., Mandaluyong Landline 02-8-630-9153
Pit Stop Grill offers a wide array of home-cooked dishes. It boasts good food, a cozy ambience, and cool music. Have a beer and hangout here.
Please make sure to let them know you learned about them through EatMyBananas.com. 🥰
You can do more than just share this post. Consider supporting this local food business the next time you want to satisfy a craving. 🤗
I agree that the Philippines has many delicious dishes to be proud of. So, please don’t stop featuring all our local dishes here on your website. Let the whole world know wonderful Filipino cuisine is. 🙂 Keep it up. I’m a fan.
We cook dinakdakan at home and we use mayonnaise. One of these days, I will try cooking it with pig’s brain.
There’s so much fusion in our cuisine nowadays. I still prefer the authentic dinakdakan. 🙂
I agree with you. 🙂
The sisig from Pampanga is very simple. They don’t even put an egg on top but it still tastes good. I haven’t tasted dinakdakan but by the looks of it, it’s not a far from sisig.
Greetings from Hawaii! My wife makes the best dinakdakan. I love watching her prepare and cook it. It’s a dish we all look forward to eating at home. Even my buddies love it.
Hello Russ, Do you mind sharing your wife’s Dinakdakan Recipe? Thank you!
No can do. 🙂
I see a lot of sisig recipes with mayonnaise. So I guess that’s not an original version. Thanks for citing the difference between the two dishes,
I like both dinakdakan and sisig. I have been eating these dishes since I was young and I’m aware of the difference between the two.
Hi Erica! Thanks for visiting. Not a lot of people know the difference. Since a lot of sisig recipes call for mayonnaise, there seems to be a mixup between the two dishes. 🙂
I just realized now that the original sisig doesn’t have mayonnaise. We cook sisig at home and I add mayonnaise for more flavor. I guess I’m making dinakdakan instead. LOL Would you have a recipe for dinakdakan? I would love to cook it. Thanks and more power to you!
Hello, Jeff. This link might be able to help you. https://www.eatmybananas.com/dinakdakan/
Enjoy and thanks for visiting.
I just found out that I can get pig’s brain from our local butcher shop. I can try making dinakdakan now. Excited! Thanks.
That’s great. Thanks for visiting.
There is nothing weird about pig’s brain. As a matter of fact, it’s an ingredient in many other cuisines, not just in yours. Some even use it a sandwich spread because of its creamy texture.
Hi there. Yes, it’s really creamy but I can’t imagine it in a sandwich. 🙂
I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the two dishes. For me, they both taste good. For dinakdakan, I don’t really care if it’s made with pig’s brain or mayonnaise. Either way, I still love it.