Balajadia Kitchenette: Baguio City’s Famous Carinderia Serving Filipino and Ilocano Food (and Fall-Off-the-Bone Bakareta)

Because Baguio is a foodie haven, there is a food spot for every budget. If you’re on a tight budget, you can go to GoodTaste for delicious Filipino-Chinese food with good quantity at affordable prices. Or you can head to the Slaughter House compound where different carinderias (eatery) are located. We went to a popular one: Balajadia Kitchenette.

Inside Balajadia Kitchenette (Hello, Wifey!)

Balajadia Kitchenette is possibly the most popular carinderia in all of Baguio. Since it’s located in a slaughterhouse compound, you know that the meats they use are truly fresh.

It’s so popular that celebrities, politicians, and other personalities visit this humble eatery:

Balajadia Kitchenette serves Filipino and Ilocano (northernmost region) food. Because it serves the latter (which I love), we ordered one of my favorite Ilocano dishes—Poqui Poqui, a scramble of grilled eggplant, eggs, and tomatoes (some recipes include ground meat). Balajadia makes a traditional version. It’s smoky because of the eggplant and wet because of the eggs.

We also tried the Pinapaitan/Papaitan, which is another Ilocano delicacy. It’s a soup dish with innards (could be beef or goat) made bitter with papait (bile). I like Balajadia’s version because it’s really bitter (some regions incorporate a souring agent, which I also like) and truly traditional.

We can’t resist the Inihaw na Liempo (grilled pork belly) so we ordered it as well. You really can’t go wrong with this dish!

It was already late when I found out that the the Ilocano way of eating grilled liempo is dipping it in Dinuguan (blood stew). I’m wondering why it wasn’t offered to us. I guess it’s a reason for me to go back. LOL.

Finally, we tried their version of Bakareta or Kalderetang Baka (a tomato-based beef stew). I’m aware that the original maker—Mang Ed’s—is just next door. But Balajadia makes a good version. (Honestly, I missed to put Mang Ed’s in my eatinerary. So another reason to go back to Baguio! LOL.)

Their Bakareta has beef ribs that’s fall-off-the-bone tender. It also has halved potatoes and a creamy gravy, which makes it “extra rice-worthy”!

Balajadia Kitchenette is best known for their Bulalo (bone marrow soup). But we missed ordering it so that’s another reason to return.

I’ll keep on listing down reasons to return to Baguio for another food trip! LOL. Anyway, if you’re looking for good Filipino and Ilocano food that won’t break the bank, then this place is for you. As a carinderia enthusiast, I highly recommend this place to you!

Address: Slaughter House Compound, Slaughterhouse Rd., Brgy. Sto. Niño, Baguio City, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 6AM-9PM | Contact No.: 0927-7149219 | Facebook