Pampanga has often been referred to as the food capital of the Philippines for producing some of the best-loved versions of local Filipino dishes, and for its roster of well known food specialties, experts, chefs, food tours, and festivals.

Cabalen in the local Pampanga dialect has meant 'friend' or 'kabayan' or fellow provincemate from Pampanga. It has also come to represent the restaurant Cabalen, founded more than thirty years ago by Pampanga entrepreneur Maritel Nievera.

Cabalen started as a cook-to-order eatery "Ituro mo, Iluto ko" in Pampanga. It later grew into an eat-all-you-can buffet restaurant in West Avenue, Quezon City, which opened in 1986.