Ilocano Rice Delicacy, Dila-dila

dila-dila, rice delicacy merienda

Dila-dila is one of the very own delicacy of Ilocano. Soft and tasty, very white and very yummy. This is not always in the table or occasions but once it is serve, it will be gone in 60 seconds. Why? It's everyone's favorite.

Dila-dila could be translated as tongue, maybe because of physical look and softness. Literally it also means tongue.


Dila-dila is not easy to prepare because it requires the skill of the maker to taste the perfect tenderness. The softer the better.

How to make dila-dila?

All you need is glutinous rice flour or pulverized 'malagkit na bigas', grated young coconut fruit, muskovado and water.

Directions: add little water to the glutinous rice flower and shape the dough into a balls and then flatten it by pressing it down. When all the dough are made, boil water in a pan and then put the made dila-dila and cook. You know when its cooked because it will float.

In a flat platter, put the cooked dila-dila, put the grated coconut, add the sesame seed. The muskovado or sugar was be placed in separate bowl as dipping.

Enjoy the merienda.