You know that special feeling you get when your parents or friends bring home pasalubong from their travels? Well, with quarantine and the ban on travel, we realized we won’t be receiving those for a long time. And it’s even worse for those of us with provincial addresses but have been stuck in Manila for five months now. We’re truly missing those delicacies that are specially made in our hometowns.

However, with the rise of small businesses in Manila, there are a few dessert shops and bakeries that are actually selling these regional delicacies. Here’s where to find some:

Creamhorn from Alfonso’s House of Creamhorn

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This sweet and creamy delight comes all the way from Iloilo. It’s actually a pretty simple dessert—a crunchy puff pastry in the shape of a horn, but it’s what’s inside that matters the most: uber creamy custard that’s addicting once you get the first bite. Alfonso’s also sells ube and buko pandan-flavored creamhorns.

Napoleones from Cab Cafe

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The owners of this restaurant are the same owners of Bacolod City’s popular Bob’s Restaurant. The napoleones, a sweet pastry inspired by France’s mille-feuille, has a sweet custard filling and a sugar glaze on top. For an extra touch, Cab Cafe also adds a chocolate drizzle on top.

Silvanas from Sans Rival

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If you’ve ever been to Dumaguete, then you’ve probably seen this at the airport. Silvanas is a buttercream cookie sandwiched between two cashew-meringue wafers coated with cookie crumbs. You can have them in Manila by ordering from Sans Rival through their Facebook.

Davao chocolate from Malaogos Chocolate

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One of Davao’s redeeming factors is that it built a name for itself as a source of high-quality cacao beans. Malagos Chocolate is one of the most critically-acclaimed chocolatiers in the country, having won trophies at the International Chocolate Awards and Academy of Chocolate Awards. Luckily enough, they have multiple branches here in Metro Manila.

Calamansi Muffins from It’s Muffin Day

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For those who are missing the island life, then you may also be missing the famous calamansi muffins from Boracay’s Real Coffee. Well, good news, It’s Muffin Day, a small bakery in Pasig, just popped up in Metro Manila selling muffins that are very close to the OG online.

Budbud Kabog from Gourmet Suman

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This kakanin is most known to have originated from Cebu City. It’s a dessert roll made of sticky rice and various fruits that make for the perfect pair with your morning coffee. Order it here in Manila from Gourmet Budbud, which sells the dessert in mango, chocolate and ube langka flavors.

Header photo courtesy of Cab Cafe

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