The Famous Dried Fish Pedjanga From Lake Mainit

Have you tried tasting dried fish from a lake?

On my way going home from Surigao del Norte, Philippines, I passed by a sidewalk Market at San Roque, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte that sells the best delicacy of Lake Mainit. #MarketFriday by @dswigle

An abundance of Dried Fishes from the lake!

I never thought that there is a product like this in my country since when I was younger, I used to taste dried fish not from the freshwater but from the sea of different kinds from Bolinao to Redsal, Molmol, and Katambak, and all the tasty dried fishes in the Philippines.

Lake Mainit can be seen near the Market, and it is surrounded by two wonderful provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte.

A majestic Mainit Lake in Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte!

When I noticed that the lake can be viewed from my location, I went to an angle where the lake can be captured. And since the place where I was standing had a lot of roosters, they were seen in the picture.

According to my friend who has been here, Lake Mainit is a deep and majestic lake. Even from afar, I could sense the serenity and tranquility of the lake and how I love to have a trail there when I come back to Agusan del Norte and Surigao, Philippines.

A perfect market for freshwater dried fish!

The Market consist of many stalls made with little cottages that has all kinds of freshwater dried fish.

When I went to the first stall, it was open but the vendor was not around. So I went to the second stall. It seemed they were selling similar products but the prices vary and it was cheaper on the second and indeed a winning scene for me.

It is my first time buying freshwater dried fish since I am used to buying dried fish of any variety from salty water. The products sold here are indeed unique since they were all coming from a Lake. Isn't it amazing?

When I went to the second stall, the vendor was so welcoming and even offered discounts to me which made me interested to buy at the stall. There were no other customers aside from us so I never hesitated to stay here and choose the best delicacy I could bring home.

The store is so simple, but they are selling the best delicacy of Agusan del Norte. The prices are the cheapest so I must say that I got the best choice for take-home products to give to my friends and loved ones when I go home. They were selling the best delicacy which I have brought back home to Bukidnon, Philippines.

The dried fishes were packed and hanged on the wall. Most of the mini pack dried fishes were sold at 100 pesos or 1.83 dollars.

The stall displayed all kinds of freshwater dried fishes in the locality such as the pedjanga, bugwan, halu-an. There were also dried fish danggit, pusit, isik or hibi, and even chicharon.

In the Philippines, we used to bring a “pasalubong” whenever we will visit a foreign place or a new territory and brought their best delicacy and souvenirs as an offering to a friend or a loved one. And since then, I am practicing it even when I was younger.

Best delicacy for pasalubong!

Dried Fish Pedjanga is exclusively found only in a majestic lake in the Philippines, known as Lake Mainit in Surigao del Norte along with the Best suka sinamak.

Moreover, dried pedjanga is famous for its rare, fresh, unique, and mouth-watering taste. As the vendors told me, that this delicacy had originated from Bunga, a Barangay nearby, and had been the best seller for all locals and tourists.

Dried pedjanga from Lake Mainit is an unsalted dried fish and it is so crispy when it is cooked through deep fry.

I even tried tasting it when I was at the store. The cooked dried fish pedjanga was sold for 35 pesos or 0.64 dollars. And if one will buy 3 packs, it will only cost 1.83 dollars.

This is the cooked dried fish pedjanga for a free taste. I tried it when I was at the store and soaked it in hot and spicy sinamak.

Perfect combination with sinamak!

Sinamak is a delicacy also famous in the Philippines. It is a fermented vinegar in spices such as ginger, garlic, onion, chili, and coconut vinegar.

And so, before I left, I bought 1 bottle of Sinamak. It was sold for 100 pesos or 1.83 dollars.

They promised that it is the tastiest. And I agreed with them since I have already tasted it while I was there. You know, this is my favorite and my meal would not be complete without this as a sauce.

I also brought home the two huge packs of Pedjanga Dried fish for only 300 pesos per pack or 5.48 dollars. It was supposedly 350 pesos, and I was happy that I was given a discount.

And you know, what I love about this store is having the nicest people that answered all my queries. They were so accommodating, and hospitable too.

They were both husband and wife and they have said to me that their store was already featured many times by local bloggers.

I asked to take a picture at the store together with them, and they were ashamed. I wanted to capture the stall and I was able to capture them.

I was amazed that the place was featured by many influencers. So I said, I am a blogger too, not in Web 2.0 but in Web 3.0, particularly in Hive. They appreciated me and I am in awe.

From Agusan del Norte, I traveled back to Bukidnon. It was quite a long hours of travel but so grateful for the opportunity to explore such simple yet amazing place.

Disclaimer: All texts and pictures are my own unless otherwise stated.