Bangga's Special Bagoong

ULTIMATE TASTE TEST DISCOVERIES SERIES

We got a lot of raves about Bangga's special bagoong (shrimp paste). It garnered an Ultimate Taste Test (UTT) rating of 3.4 out of 5.0.

Even before the UTT Event, we were already enjoying Bangga's special bagoong. It is different because the first impression is that it is sweet. But it has a lingering salty taste at the back of your mouth and is highlighted by chili spikes in the end. You can actually eat the bagoong on its own and it is quite addicting. We find it a perfect companion to an extremely sour green mango. It can also make simple rice into something you can finish even without other ulam (dishes).

Our family is from Bicol and we did not find the laing anything special, and we like it with even more gata (coconut milk).

The Story of Bangga's Special Bagoong

by Patrick Cruz, son of Bangga

Our bagoong recipe was the product of a personal quest by Ms. Victoria Cruz in the early 80’s to perfect this popular condiment to suit her own palate, as she found those in the market as salty, commercially made and quite unhealthy. Vicky, or Bangga, as her family and friends from her hometown Gubat, Sorsogon fondly called her, stumbled upon a well-kept bagoong recipe from her mother-in-law, the late Felipa Cruz of Malabon. With Lola Ipay’s blessing, Bangga studied the recipe and experimented on it to come up with her own version of the said viand.

The secret is in the cooking process, as the ‘alamang’ (shrimp fry) is cooked for almost three hours to ensure its savory flavor remains intact. After simmering to an almost ‘heavenly’ scent (as bagoong is known for its strong smell), it is then enhanced by freshly picked and delectably secret ingredients for it to achieve a distinct taste. No preservatives, MSG or any artificial ingredients are used to ensure that such comes out to be a healthy treat.

Bangga first introduced her bagoong recipe to family, friends and officemates who all swore to its addicting effect; as it leans towards a sweeter, tangier side. They used it as a substitute for ‘patis’ (fish sauce) or soy sauce, serving as an apt dip for Kare-Kare, Sinigang (of any meat), Nilagang baka/baboy and other Pinoy staple viands, as well as the perfect partner for pregnant moms' favorite ‘lihi’ fruits like manggang hilaw, pinya, santol etc. (a recent patron swore it tasted well with bananas). Word of mouth spread regarding this homemade product, enabling it to reach the US, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and other parts of the globe, with orders coming in from those who’ve heard it from their relatives here. Such helped it gain a steady stream of foodie orders on a regular basis, helping Bangga earn both revenue and recognition for this condiment that is very much Pinoy as its pungent and mouth-watering taste.

Along with her bagoong, Bangga was also able to concoct her own ‘laing’ recipe, which was a product of her Bicolana heritage, with her version using more ‘gata’ (coconut) compared to the others seen in the said region. Coconut milk is prepared and cooked for hours, separately from the dried taro leaves used to prepare this dish -- also done to ensure richness and creaminess of taste. Special toppings like large shrimps, ‘tinapa’ (smoked fish) and crispy chicken skin are used to add presentation value to the said dish. Those who’ve tried it have also expressed appreciation for such, by spreading the word about this delicious dish, with orders also coming in from various parts of the world to have a taste of this appetizing pride from the Bicol region.

BANGGA’S BAGOONG AND LAING 

(VTC FOOD PRODUCTS) 

"It's not bagoong if it's not Bangga's!" 

Address: 10 Marco Peter St. Vermont Royale Subdivision, Antipolo City

Phone: (+632) 645-7768 

Mobile: (+63917) 09064722281 / (+63917) 8860706 

Email: cruz_patrick1@yahoo.com

Live an Awesome Life,  

 

Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2009. 

blog: www.OurAwesomePlanet.com

prof. blog: AntonDiaz.com

mobile: +63917-LOVEOAP (5683627) 

email: anton@diaz.ph

P.S. We are looking for Food Suppliers who are unknown and just waiting to be discovered in the next Ultimate Taste Test Event! Please email rache@diaz.ph.

We will be launching community taste test events to qualify suppliers for the Grand Ultimate Taste Test Event in November. Watch out for that! :)

Comments

[kaye]

hi anton.. im a fan of bagoong.. how much is one bottle? better than bagoong club? :)

[jlsd]

Sounds great.. sana may taste test din sa December

[giannedeperalta@rocketmail.com]

naks. I think it can be ideal for export. =) i know my grandmom in California might like it.

[Nutella]

hi! how much per bottle? one size only? where can we get it?

[patrick]

Hi Anton, this is Patrick of Bangga's Bagoong. Thank you so much for this awesome review. God bless you for helping us small foodie businesses promote our homemade products in this wonderful site. Looking forward to joining more Ultimate Taste Test Events in the future. More power to OurAwesomePlanet!

Hi Kaye, Our bagoong comes in 3 bottle sizes. The smallest is P 50 pesos, the size of a small Cheez Wiz bottle (as seen in the picture). Medium size is P 100 pesos and the largest bottle is P 240 pesos. Hope you could try our product too. =)

[Ryia]

hmmm, now i'm craving for bagoong...where can i buy it? =)

[Nutella]

where to buy it???

[Ayee]

I bought one of this before and I remember consuming everything with my "manggang hilaw" even before I could use it for my bagoong rice! Sobrang yummy! I especially remember this because it does not have the infamous "lansa" typical of bagoong. I'm glad I've encountered it again thru this site. Such a priceless food treasure!

[patrick]

Hi. You could order at these numbers

BANGGA’S BAGOONG AND LAING

(VTC FOOD PRODUCTS)
"It's not bagoong if it's not Bangga's!"
Address: 10 Marco Peter St. Vermont Royale Subdivision, Antipolo City
Phone: (+632) 645-7768
Mobile: (+63917) 09064722281 / (+63917) 8860706
Email: cruz_patrick1@yahoo.com

We deliver for a minimum order of P 500 pesos anywhere in Metro Manila. Or I could personally meet you at a convenient time and place to bring you the product. Just contact me anytime for it. =)

[Marey]

wow :D bagoong! yum :D
true, the store bought bagoong doesn't suit everyone's palate. wondering how this tastes... I WANTTTTT!!!!!!!

[talendz]

we have a neighbor who also sells home-made bagoong but when i tasted your bangga brand it's different. iba pa rin ang lasa... instant hit agad yan kasi amoy pa lang, ulam na. i wonder what's your cooking secret para ituro ko sa neighbor ko, haha! joke!

[Abel]

Our whole family would attest that this is the yummiest bagoong alamang we've ever tasted. And the smell... amoy palang ulam na :). We consumed a big bowl of green mangoes the night we got it. Goes perfectly well with lechon kawali or Kare kare. Addicting nga. Which reminds me, we'll order a big bottle again soon, Patrick! :)

[Jerick]

since i'm from antipolo myself, i wanna try that out!

[Raymund]

grabe...natakam naman ako sa larawan pa lang....naglalaway na ako nung makita ko yung mangga.. namiss ko tuloy mangga naten!

[rhoda mae]

yum...the bagoong looks good and well-packaged, wonder where we can buy it in qc? thanks:-)

[Didi]

SWEAR! I eat this bagoong with Bananas and it is simply addicting! I can finish a small bottle in just one sitting! :)

[Jaki]

Hmmm...I'm craving for green mango now!

[Ewan Martin]

Was able to taste this! Pwedeng pwede nang ulam! tastes best na ihalo sa kanin hanggang magmukhang menudo-rice. Sarap!

[jL]

We in the office just tried it and we're now full after mixing Bangga's bagoong with rice. Ang sarap lang sobra. ü

[pearlyciels]

i just love love love your bagoong!! i was never really a bagoong fan, but when i tried yours, i just couldn't get enough of it! i just mix it with warm rice and i get perfect bagoong rice everytime! chalap chalap! =D

[RBartolome]

My sister and I really love Bangga's Bagoong... Super sarap talaga!.. I mix it with rice. This is perfect for any fried ulam!

[Jay Castillo]

Although I should not eat bagoong because I am in a low sodium diet, I still ate some of this at home with some green mangoes, sarap! I was just frustrated when I found out that nothing was left... walang umamin sa bahay kung sino ang umubos! Ganun siya kasarap. Thanks Patrick for giving us a sample!

[Anton]

Ang daming may gusto nitong bagoong ha... thanks for sharing!

anton

[Anton]

I could understand why you can finish it in one sitting... it is probably not good for your health :)

anton

[Anton]

Thanks for the comment! Sarap no?

[Anton]

Wow, thanks for sharing your rave about this Bagoong :)

[angelo roxas]

Where can i order?

[Anton]

email Patrick cruz_patrick1@yahoo.com, or call the number posted in the comments...

[angelo roxas]

Magkano ito and where could I order. Parang masarap with sinigang!

[Karen Diaz]

Im a big fan of bagoong, lalo na i-mix it with rice. i got the chance to make tikim the bangga's bagoong, and two thumbs up! swak na swak sa panglasa ko...it makes me crave for more rice =)

I highly recommend it!

Congratulations!!!

[kat lucasan]

It's the best bagoong I've ever tasted. Hindi sya malansa. I'd love to eat it w/ sinangag and green manggo. It's affordable, too!

[patrick]

Thanks Jay! Yup, I'd give you some more when we meet. Really thankful to Sir Anton for this feature.

[patrick]

Thanks Jay. Miss kona kayo. Let's sit in again sa Maven class. I really have Sir Anton to thank for this feature. God bless.

[jean]

I've tried this bagoong before and it's by far the best i've tasted. No other bagoong comes close to it.... It has even become my mom's favorite condiment substitute to patis, suka, toyo or ketchup...super all around sya! luvett!

[joiz]

it looks yummy!!!!!pa order naman po....

[patrick]

Hi bro. You could order via these numbers. Thanks.

Phone: (+632) 645-7768
Mobile: (+63917) 09064722281 / (+63917) 8860706
Email: cruz_patrick1@yahoo.com

[patrick]

Thanks Anton for this wonderful feature, as we've had countless orders after this feature. Appreciate it and looking forward to future Ultimate Taste Test Events. God bless you and your family.

[kc]

i just bought your bagoong last week...super sarap! i want sum more!!! =) bilis naubos!

[jeremiah]

best bagoong ive ever tasted!!

[Anthony Erick Totañes]

one reason i think why Bangga's Bagoong is super delicious, is that it is being prepared with such care.
Bangga really makes sure that the ingredients are well prepared. Cleanliness is a guarantee!
i should know i'm her nephew :) i saw how it was done!

[Georgina]

I have always been on a lookout for homemade bagoong. I would say that Bangga's Bagoong made the mark!

[maricel]

Ive searched everywhere for good bagoongs and Bangga's is one of the best if not 'the best'. I soooo love them with green mangoes and with fish and sauteed vegetables. Thanks Patrick...i'll always be a fan!!! Maricel

[Anton]

Yes, I think this is the best bagoong too :)

[patrick cruz]

Thanks Maricel for always supporting Bangga's Bagoong. Thanks too Sir Anton for every opportunity you give us to promote our product. Congratulations to you and your family too, which just got bigger. Send our love to Rache too. See you soon sir. =)