Kamayan sa Kainyugan - Artsy, Innovative, The BOMB

On our way back from a field work, we passed by Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya for breakfast. My team leader chose this place that is quite popular among locals and travellers passing by the Vizcaya province. The place definitely radiates a cool atmosphere, with coconut trees at the back of the open resto. A casual dining place – what got my attention was when I first read the signage: "The only day the original Ilocano Pinakbet is not in the menu, is what our lola is not in the mood of cooking it."

I moved my eyes around and found that there were plenty of signs around the resto written in white paint on black rectangular boards. I was so amused. Check out some of my favorite ones below.

"Kahit araw-araw kang kumain ng pinakbet, hindi ka magsasawa."

It was also then that I began to notice the creative aesthetics of the place. The place is effortlessly “Instagram-able”.

They have this area where you can prepare your “sawsawan” (dipping sauce), just how you like it. I loved their halubaybay. You must try it!

This area is definitely my favorite. They have here free soup and free bananas (self-service area). Unfortunately, the other visitors who came before us did not leave even a single one for us (saaad day for the monkey in me :( ).

Now, for the important part: the food. Yes, Ilocano pakbet is definitely the best. I don’t think anyone can counter that. We ordered rellenong bangus (stuffed milk fish) and rice alongside our pakbet. Everything tasted good. They serve native Filipino dishes, and their specialties are Ilocano cuisine. I also appreciate the fact that they offer food for a reasonable price.

Pakbet – Php 65.00
Rice – Php 10.00
Bangus – around Php 200.00 (just an estimate)

We spent a total of 500 pesos for the four of us.

To end this post, I would like to commend the creative minds, good cooks and kind staff for the success that is the Kamayan sa Kainyugan restaurant. I highly recommend this for families or just anybody who wants a refreshing dine out. I did not get a chance to experience the place at night, but I bet it is also an awesome hangout as I saw a BBQ area. I can just imagine how the lights dropped romantically down the tables, and such. I will definitely come back here if given the chance.

Check out their Facebook page!

Link: https://www.facebook.com/Kamayan-sa-Kainyugan-384919445005527

Complete address: Diversion Road, 3700 Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Contact number: 0926-490-4111
Operating hourss: 8:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.

One of the perks that come with my job is that I get to travel. Aside from being immersed in the culture and life stories of the people I meet, I also get a taste of diverse cuisines from all over the country. Thanks to the generosity of the various schools that we visit for our nationwide projects and my officemates for their much awaited pasalubongs upon their return after a field work.

Last week, our team travelled to Ifugao to distribute school bags containing a complete set of basic school materials (5 notebooks, a pad of paper, 2 pencils, a sharpener and crayons) to thousands of incoming Kindergarten and Grade 1 pupils. It was truly fun and fulfilling, despite the difficulty and challenges that we experienced going to the schools – more than 9 hours of rough road, cliffs and potential mudslides and falling rocks and more than 4 hours of hike. Well, that is another story.