Bantay Bread started out in 2010 as a local panaderia in Ilocos selling Pinoy’s favorite bread, pandesal, and later added more freshly baked bread. Their business started to expand and became popular during the pandemic. Now, they’ve become a food trip destination for those traveling to Ilocos and the best part was, now, you can also buy it in Metro Manila without having to travel all the way north.

And if variety, something new or unique is what you are looking for, the first thing you should try is their Rainbow Pianono. Bantay Bread is well-known for their pianono and this Rainbow Pianono is the same pianono but with a twist.

Rainbow Pianono

Mind you, it is not just food coloring but each color represents different flavors. You can get these in a box of 20 with flavors pandan, ube, strawberry, and mocha.

My favorite among the 4 flavors were mocha and strawberry. The ube and pandan taste good too especially if you love those flavors. I just wish that I could buy these in fewer pieces or selected flavors only.

Price: Php 270
Table for: 20 pcs
Food Rating: 4/5

Pianono

If you want to stick to the original, make sure to try their famous pianono. Bantay Bread is well-known for its pianono and you should not miss this one!

Soft pillowy sponge cake sweetened with margarine filling. Their pianono is siksik, unlike the ones I know in our province in Quezon. You can easily get full with just a piece or two.

Definitely love their pianono!

Price: Php 200
Table for: 20 pcs (small)
Food Rating: 5/5

Hopia

A flaky Pinoy puff pastry made with pork fat and sweet onion paste just like how we know hopia. The difference was its savory and rich in flavor. Also, this one is siksik. I think all their bread was siksik and heavy. Definitely a good companion while traveling in Ilocos!

Price: Php 200
Table for: 20 pcs (small)
Food Rating: 5/5

If you can’t decide whether to get a whole box of Pianono or Hopia, why don’t just get both? You can get a Hopianono box which is half hopia and half pianono for only Php 250! Each Hopianono box contains 10 pcs pianono and 20 pcs hopia.

Crinkles

Cocoa powder and dusted with powdered sugar.

As I’ve said earlier, their baked goodies are all siksik including this one. It has a rich cocoa flavor with a browny-like texture inside. For me, it was like having my favorite crinkles and brownies in one!

Price: Php 150
Table for: 12 pcs
Food Rating: 5/5

Kababayan

I think this is their most underrated bread. I mean, this easily became my favorite! It was lighter than the other bread. Also, this is something that I would want to eat at midnight.

Price: Php 200
Table for: 16 pcs
Food Rating: 5/5

Overall, Bantay Bread is something that you should not miss when in Ilocos! Traveling to Ilocos is quite tiring but you can definitely enjoy it with a box of Bantay Bread that can come in handy. Also, if you are looking for some pasalubong, this is something new to take home with you and share with your loved ones at home. I would highly recommend that you try their Pianono, Hopia, Crinkles, and Kababayan. And if you can’t decide among the four, just get their Hopianono and I’m sure that anyone will definitely enjoy it!