Dinakdakan Vs Sisig: What Will It Be For You?

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.

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.

You can do more than just share this post. Consider supporting this local food business the next time you want to satisfy a craving. 🤗