Savor Pidigan’s delicious yet cheap pansit miki

I was not really feeling well when me and Elric, from the Office of the Vice Governor of Abra toured me around Bangued and surrounding municipalities where we visited several places including Calaba Bridge. But what the heck. I was there for a few days more after our epic three day trek in the hinterlands of Tubo.

Before heading to the Pidigan church ruins, we stopped at Rico’s Pansitan for early lunch. Located just right beside the highway near the gasoline station at the junction going to the town proper, I was quite excited to finally taste for myself Abra’s pansit miki.

Pansit miki, I was told, is quite popular in Abra and, as Edmar said, seems each town has their own version differing in the type of toppings included. I’ve tasted this noodle dish in Batac, opposite the empanadahan but wasn’t happy with the taste. It was just too salty for my taste.

Elric ordered the deluxe pansit miki. When it was served, I was amazed! Large bowls, filled with wide flat noodles, lots of strips of pork and one boiled egg. It has a a side dish of nilaga broth. I was told that the noodles are hand made and the pork comes from pig’s head which is boiled for three hours. The soup is yellowish, said to be colored with achuete and differs with Batac’s which is orange in color.

I took a sip, the broth was savory. Well seasoned. It brings you memories of home and rainy days. The noodles, al dente, firm and not soggy. The meat was delicious too, soft and tender and well flavoured. If I didn’t have some tummy problems, I would have finished all.

Rico’s Pansitan is popular with its miki. It’s Vice Governor Chari Bersamin’s favorite stopover. Other than the noodle dish, the serve tradtional Ilocano food. And how much per bowl? P35. Yes, for a big, filling bowl, it was so cheap. Add P15 and you have super deluxe pansit miki with extra meat. If you’re really on a budget, you prices start at P15 for the ordinary.

My gratitude to Vice Governer Chari Bersamin for giving me this opportunity to explore Abra. To Elric and Edmar who were my companions in exploring wild Tubo and around Bangued.