We’re all familiar with green mussels or tahong. In many Filipino restaurants around the coutnry, baked tahong is a popular appetizer, best enjoyed with beer.

The town of Jiabong, just next to the capital Catbalogan City in Samar province, is a major producer of mussels. In fact, they supply the majority of tahong to areas like Manila, Cebu, Bicol, Davao and other parts of the country. So it should be no surprise that you can find tahong cooked and used in creative ways.

Here are just a few of the interesting tahong-based treats and souvenir items I came across while walking around the city.

1. Tahong Barbecue

In New Romantic Canteen, a humble eatery in Allen Avenue, Catbalogan City across a van terminal, I found a stall serving grilled mussels or tahong barbecue for just P5 a stick. Each stick was loaded with at least seven to as many as 12 pieces of mussels on one skewer.

Grilled over charcoal and coated with a savory reddish sauce, the juicy morsels take on a rich, smoky flavor. Tahong barbecue seems very popular with locals, based on the line of people crowding around a few nights later when I returned with friends to let them try it out.

2. Lumpiang Tahong

In the park plaza near the Provincial Capitol, you can find vendors selling Lumpiang Tahong for P20 for 7 pieces. Normally, lumpia or spring rolls are filled with assorted vegetables and minced meat, so it’s possible for mussel meat to be used as a substitute. The small cheese-stick sized tasty appetizer is also a popular merienda fare.

3. Tahong Balls

The same stalls selling Lumpiang Tahong also sells other deep-fried street food like baduya and tahong balls for just P5 for three pieces. Similar to fish balls or squid balls, Tahong Balls seem to be made of mussel meat wrapped in a flour-based breading before being deep-fried. Both the lumpia and tahong balls are very oily, so it’s best to dip these in vinegar while eating and pair it with softdrinks.

4. Crispy Tahong Crackers

In the souvenir shop right below the Provincial Tourism Office, you can buy interesting souvenir items including Crispy Tahong Crackers with squash, made with ground tahong flesh, flour, salt, sugar, chili, cooking oil and black pepper. Tahong crackers contain no preservative or artificial ingredients. The small 50-gram packs cost just P15 per bag, while the larger 200 gram packs are sold for P50/bag. These crunchy crackers have a very rich briny flavor and distinct mussel taste. They make an interesting alternative to your usual potato chips.

5. Adobong Tahong

For another unique souvenir item, how about a jar of Adobong Tahong? Small-scale entrepreneurs also package premium quality mussels from the bountiful waters of Jiabong for tourists to enjoy long after. Satisfy your craving for this exotic and tasty delicacy that you can mix in seafood pasta, or add to make your own seafood salpicao or gising-gising at home. Adobong Tahong comes in Garlic and Hot variants for P120 per jar.