🍖 What is Etag? Sagada's Boldest Flavored Delicacy
Etag (also spelled itag in Ilocano, also known as innasin) is the Cordillera's traditional way of preserving meat. It’s a cultural staple among the natives—especially the Igorots—and is not for the faint of heart (or weak of nose 😅).
🔥 How Etag is Made:
- Salt-curing: A thick slice of meat is generously rubbed with salt and cured for at least a week.
- Drying or Smoking: The meat is then either:
- 🌤️ Air-dried under the sun for several weeks or months
- 🔥 Smoked using local hardwood—alnos (preferred for its aroma) or guava wood as an alternative
- Or both!
The longer the drying or smoking process, the darker, richer, and more flavorful the etag becomes. Some pieces are aged for months and command a high price in local markets.
⚠️ Etag may develop surface mold or even maggots during drying, which is considered normal. The outer layer is washed off before cooking.
😬 My Honest First Taste
I’ll admit—I didn’t do my food research before going to Sagada. And I’m actually glad I didn’t. Knowing how etag was made might have scared me off completely.
But even without that knowledge, I could still tell it was different. The flavor is strong, smoky, and distinctly aged—something I wasn’t used to.
While etag is a big part of local meals (like pinikpikan or stews), it’s definitely an acquired taste.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Sagada (My Personal Food Stops)
After a long 14-hour journey to Sagada, your belly will thank you for making a food stop. Here are the places we tried:
🥩 Salt and Pepper
Steakhouse & Lodge Inn Hotel
(Formerly Salt & Pepper Diner)
📍
Sagada Town Proper
Our first stop for breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed Sagada coffee
alone was worth it.
☕
Sagada Coffee is now my 2nd favorite local brew after Matutum from Cotabato.
📌 Not the easiest place to spot, but your guide or driver can easily bring you there.
👉 Pro Tip: Best visited early in the morning before it gets busy.
🔥 Log Cabin & Café
Possibly the most well-known restaurant in Sagada. It
usually operates by reservation, though walk-ins are allowed if seats
are available.
While nothing stood out food-wise during our visit, many travelers swear by its
cozy mountain vibe and weekend buffet.
📌 Make a reservation in advance, especially on weekends.
🍧 Yoghurt House
One of the most famous spots in town—but for me, a little
overrated.
The place was packed when we arrived, and I was excited to try their house-made
yogurt, but personally, I didn’t enjoy it much.
Still, it’s worth trying for yourself—everyone has different tastes, and
you might love it more than I did.
🍴 Pro Tip: Eat Anywhere, You Won’t Regret It
Too tired or cold to find the "popular" places?
Just walk into any diner or small restaurant around town.
In Sagada, even the lesser-known eateries offer warm meals and good coffee. The
vibe alone—misty air, pine wood interiors, and friendly locals—makes
every meal a cozy memory.
🤔 Will I Try Etag Again?
This was only my second local travel and I wasn't adventurous enough to try all the native delicacies. But next time I go back, I promise to:
✅ Try etag in a local stew
or soup
✅
Sample more Cordilleran dishes
✅
Visit more local food spots and support homegrown cooking
📣Are You Brave Enough to Try Etag?
If you're planning a trip to Sagada, don't just chase the sunrise or explore the caves—taste their culture too!
🔥 Would you try etag
or are you sticking to safe meals?
💬
Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried etag or plan to!
📸
Share your food pics using the hashtag: #EatInSagada
🧭 Stay tuned for more travel
+ food posts from my Cordillera adventure!
📝
Subscribe to get my full Sagada Travel Guide PDF + Food Checklist!and it's called "Etag".
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😀
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