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Pungent Perfection

          
The making of Dinailan in Camarines Norte starts from the sea. From late November to early May or during the rainy season, hired fishermen go out to sea to catch approximately 100-150 kg of krill. Let us see how Dinailan is made!






 
Did you know that Dinailan can be stored for up to two years before  spoiling, even without refrigeration? 1

In other countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, their process of making their version of Dinailan (Belacan) is by first steaming the krill then mashing it into a paste and storing it for several months. Then, after it is fermented, the paste is fried and hard-pressed into cakes. It has a hard brick like appearance. 2 China’s Dinailan (Hae ko), on the other hand, is mixed with sugar which gives it a sweet taste and a molasses like consistency instead of the normal shape. 3

Only in Mercedes and Bagasbas can you find the original Dinailan without any additives. According to Mr. Nelson Ngo, a well-known Dinailan maker in Bagasbas: “Masarap ang Dinailan [namin] dahil puro ito at walang hinahalong kahit ano. Pinipili namin ang the best na alamang na walang halong dilis. (Our Dinailan is delicious because it is pure and is not added with anything else. We pick the best krill that has no anchovies mixed with it.)”

Lets learn more about Dinailan with Mr. Nelson Ngo, please watch this video:




   
Opinion of an Outsider?

We asked some people, new to Dinailan, to try and taste it. Let us see what happens? Will they find the dish thumbs up or thumbs down? Watch this video:






        
Christian, is a third-year student of Naga City Science High School. With a dual citizenship of Filipino-American, he was born and  raised in a small town in the Marianas Islands called Rota and moved here last 2009 to study in high school. Joshua Tresvalles  and Arjay Nellasca were born and raised here in the Philippines but have never encountered Dinailan.

Not all people can be delighted by the taste of Dinailan, but rest assured most people will like it. For an overall opinion, they say it’s smelly but tasty –even the store owner Tita Beth and her customers agree.













  1. Nelson Ngo; Bagasbas,  Personal interview: , Camarines Norte
  2. "TERASI - (Dried Shrimp Paste)". Retrieved July 11, 2011 November 5, 2011 <http://www.baliguide.com/balifood/dried_shrimp_paste.html>
  3. Timothy Tye 2008-2011 <http://www.penang-traveltips.com/laksa.htm>



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What is this? This blog is the official entry of Naga City Science High School for the "Doon Po Sa Amin Ano ang Kwento Mo?" Video Blogging Challenge. This falls under the Travel and Cuisine category.