The Ultimate Guide to PINOY KAKANIN (Rice Cakes)

Have you tried eating a snack that is as filling as a whole meal? You guessed it right, we’re talking about rice cake. Rice Cake is made from rice that has been cooked and formed into shapes and eaten as a snack/dessert. In tagalog, we call it KAKANIN.

Puto Bumbong at Bibingka- A pinoy favorite specially during Christmas season

Kakanin is a common delicacy in the Philippines. You can eat it as a breakfast or snack which is as filling as your meal because of course it is made of rice. Different regions in the Philippines have specialized in making kakanin like in Laguna for example, Espasol can be found in almost all pasalubong shops. Espasol is a translucent elongated rice cake that has a similar consistency with mochi. Another example would be sapin sapin, a rice cake that originated from Abra in Northern Luzon. Sapin or blanket is what the kakanin literally looks like- a layer of blankets on top of one another in different colors. There are lots of different kakanin all over the Philippines that you should try but if your stomach could only handle five of them, here’s what you should be tasting:

1.BIKO

Biko is Chris Urbano’s personal favorite kakanin. It is made from glutinous rice, brown sugar, and coconut milk, topped with latik, a coconut milk residue. It is often served in a bilao with banana leaf. Its sticky and sweet taste is simple yet very unique.

I want to make this rice cake: https://glebehousemanila.com/maputingcooking/recipe/biko-filipino-delicacy/

2. PICHI PICHI

This kakanin is made from grated cassava and it is steamed until it forms into a gelatinous rice cake. You can choose whether your pichi pichi is topped with cheese or grated coconut. Eat whatever suits your taste or you can just munch on both!

I want to make this rice cake: https://glebehousemanila.com/maputingcooking/recipe/pichi-pichi-recipe/

3. SUMAN

Suman is one of the most common kakanin in the Philippines. This rice cake is made from glutinous rice, coconut cream, and sugar, wrapped in a banana leaf, and steamed. Although it looks and tastes plain on its own, this delicacy is perfectly paired with sugar, ripe mango, and hot chocolate drink. Once you’ve tried this unique pinoy food combo, you’ll love it.

I want to make this rice cake: https://glebehousemanila.com/maputingcooking/recipe/filipino-sweet-rice-cake-recipe-suman/

4. KUTSINTA

Kutsinta is a classic kakanin that can be found sold in the streets of manila. Some vendors would ride a bicycle loaded with kutsinta inside a large bin, and roam around the village to sell it. This delicacy is brown in color and shaped like a disk. It is often topped with grated coconut for added flavor.

5. PUTO

Also a common kakanin, puto is a steamed rice cake in different colors but mostly in white. It is topped with cheese and salted egg for added flavor. This kakanin is a perfect pair with dinuguan, the filipino pork innards stew.

Craving for these rice cakes? Don’t worry! Everything’s easy to find in supermarkets, streets, and in your neighbor’s kitchen. So go and start your kakanin mukbang and let us know what’s your favorite!

If you want to know more why these are Chris Urbano approved kakanin, watch this video:

Keep in touch! Let us know what other top 5 lists you want to know more about. And if you want to see more of his recipes, get a copy of the cookbook!

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