Balanga City's Spabok of Tita Aga's Lutong Bahay
Spabok is a contraction of two names of dishes - spaghetti and palabok (a Filipino sauced pasta dish popular in Tagalog-speaking areas). In Bataan, a peninsular province that is two to three hours away from Manila by land and perhaps an hour away from it by sea (Manila Bay), spabok means a two-thumbs up pasta dish. Judging by its name, spaghetting palabok, one would say that it is a rather simple dish. It is indeed - Its pasta is spaghetti, while the sauce is the native 'palabok'. However, Tita Aga's spabok, which we believe invented the gastronomic sensation, is more than that. Its spaghetti is very well-cooked - al dente. Firm and tasty on its own. The palabok sauce, meanwhile, is its secret weapon. It is very full in taste and spices. Unlike the usual Tagalog palabok, its colour is darker than the usual reddish yellow - which must be due to the ingredients that are mixed together to produce the savory concoction. When served on the pasta, it is generously topped by bits of crunchy and savory chicharon and other garnish. And when you take your first bite, you can confidently say that you have tasted the best native delicacy! You can never forget what Spabok is afterwards. You can also match the gastronomic spabok with Tita Aga's hamburger with homemade patties. They also serve other pasta dishes, though. Tita Aga's is a small food service outlet that can be found along JP Rizal Street, Talisay, Balanga City. The resto itself can accomodate two tables at once and another one which is set in presumably the owner's open garden. Smoking is tempting, but stop yourself as Balanga is a city where smoking is banned - an ordinance that actually is observed citywide. Anyways, the location is sanitary and nice and comfortable. There can be no question about the price for a plate of spabok is for only 30 Philippine pesos! That is less than a US dollar. It can serve one person, but they also serve family-sized bilao that you can take home for your family and friends.