What Is Dinakdakan? 5 Facts About This Ilocano Favourite
Dinakdakan is an Ilocano pork dish made from grilled pork face, ears, and liver, tossed in a tangy calamansi dressing and traditionally bound with mashed pig's brain.
Filipino dinakdakan in UK is gaining attention among food lovers looking beyond the more familiar dishes on a Filipino menu.
This will help explain what makes dinakdakan distinct from sisig, how it's traditionally prepared, and where to find Filipino dinakdakan in UK today.
1. Dinakdakan Comes From the Ilocos Region
Department of Tourism Office of Public Affairs and Advocacy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Dinakdakan traces back to the Ilocos region, where it's also known by its local name warek-warek. It's traditionally made from pork cheeks, ears, and liver, chosen so no part of the animal goes to waste.
The dish gets its rich, creamy texture from mashed pig's brain, a traditional binder, though many modern versions substitute mayonnaise instead.
This combination of smoky grilled meat and tangy dressing is what defines dinakdakan as a true Ilocano speciality, and it's part of what makes Filipino dinakdakan in UK stand apart from other regional Filipino pork dishes.
For a broader overview of the dish and its regional standing, TasteAtlas's dinakdakan page is worth a look.
2. Dinakdakan Is Boiled Before It Is Grilled
Dinakdakan follows a distinct multi-step process, and each stage builds on the last:
- Boiling: pork cheeks, ears, and liver are boiled with bay leaves and peppercorns until tender
- Grilling: the boiled meat is grilled until crisp and slightly charred for smokiness
- Chopping: grilled meat is cut into bite-sized pieces
- Dressing: onions, ginger, chillies, and calamansi juice are mixed in, along with mashed pig's brain or mayonnaise
This layered process is why dinakdakan carries such a distinct smoky, tangy, and creamy flavour.
Still craving something sweet? We rounded up 5 Filipino pastries and breads worth trying in the UK in an earlier guide.
3. Dinakdakan and Sisig Are Not the Same Dish
Dinakdakan and sisig are different dishes, even though they're often confused with one another. The clearest difference comes down to cut size, binder, and flavour profile.
| Dinakdakan | Sisig |
| Larger, less finely chopped meat pieces | Typically minced or diced smaller |
| Traditionally bound with mashed pig's brain | Relies on mayonnaise, egg, or chicharon for richness |
| Leans tangy and herbal, dominated by calamansi and ginger | Flavour leans more savoury and rich |
| Feels lighter despite using fattier cuts | Feels heavier due to the creamy, egg-based finish |
For anyone comparing dinakdakan vs sisig, the tangy, herbal character of dinakdakan is usually the easiest way to tell the two apart on the plate.
4. Dinakdakan Reflects Ilocano Resourcefulness
Dinakdakan deserves attention because it represents a lesser-known regional cuisine, often overshadowed by more Manila-centric Filipino dishes.
It offers bold, adventurous flavour for anyone willing to try something beyond the usual adobo or sisig.
It also reflects the resourcefulness at the heart of Ilocano food, using every part of the pork, cheeks, ears, and liver included, to create something genuinely craveable.
This same spirit runs through a lot of regional Filipino cooking, and it's worth exploring further if you're building out your knowledge of Filipino food UK-wide.
Planning your month? Don't miss our roundup of Filipino events happening in London this September.
5. Filipino Dinakdakan Is Available in the UK
Filipino dinakdakan in UK is now available to order rather than something you need to travel for.
Finding authentic dinakdakan once meant a trip to the Ilocos region itself or attempting a difficult home preparation.
Now, it ships straight to UK doors, prepared using traditional grilling and calamansi dressing. Uncle Pinoy prepares in partnership with Chibog, with the same bold, smoky flavour found in Ilocano households.
Discover the bold, smoky flavour of Chibog pork dinakdakan. Hungry for more? Take a look at our full menu.
Where to Find Authentic Filipino Dinakdakan in the UK
Finding authentic Filipino dinakdakan in UK once meant travelling to the Ilocos region itself or attempting a difficult home preparation.
Now, it ships straight to UK doors, prepared using traditional grilling and calamansi dressing.
Uncle Pinoy partners with Chibog, who prepares dinakdakan with the same bold, smoky flavour found in Ilocano households.
Discover the bold, smoky flavour of Chibog pork dinakdakan.
Bringing Ilocano Flavour to Your Table
Dinakdakan offers a bold, smoky, and tangy alternative to more familiar Filipino dishes, rooted in Ilocano tradition.
Its use of grilled pork face, ears, and liver, finished with a calamansi dressing, is part of why Filipino dinakdakan in UK is building its own following.
Whether you're a seasoned Filipino food fan or curious to try something new, it's worth seeking out.
Want to know who's behind the food? Meet Uncle Pinoy and food partners. Questions on delivery or ordering? We've got answers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is dinakdakan?
Dinakdakan is an Ilocano dish made from grilled pork face, ears, and liver, tossed in a calamansi dressing and traditionally bound with mashed pig's brain. It's known for its smoky, tangy, and creamy flavour profile.
How is dinakdakan traditionally prepared?
Dinakdakan is boiled first, then grilled for smokiness, chopped into bite-sized pieces, and mixed with onions, ginger, chilli, and calamansi juice, along with pig's brain or mayonnaise as the creamy binder.
What's the difference between dinakdakan and sisig?
Dinakdakan uses larger meat pieces and traditionally relies on pig's brain for creaminess, while sisig is more finely chopped and typically uses mayonnaise or egg. Dinakdakan also leans more tangy and herbal in flavour.
Is dinakdakan spicy?
Dinakdakan can be mildly to moderately spicy, depending on the amount of chilli peppers used, though the tangy calamansi flavour is usually the dominant note.
Where can I buy authentic Filipino dinakdakan in the UK?
Uncle Pinoy delivers authentic Filipino dinakdakan in UK-wide, prepared using traditional grilling and calamansi dressing methods so the flavour matches what you'd find in an Ilocano household