Food Ventures in Iloilo City by Rowena Dabuet

The word “Iloilo City” came from the shape of the city, cut by the river which looks like the shape of a nose, “Irong-Irong”, nose-like, later became Iloilo. Other accounts point the origin of the name to a fish.

Area Code: 33

Land Area: 78.34 square kilometers

Population: 442,511 (projected SEP 2010)

Population Density: 5,649 persons per square kilometer (Updated as of 2011 projection)

Number of Households: 85,518 (2007 Census)

Lingua franca: Filipino, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, English

A year ago, I was fortunate to visit Iloilo City as part of my job.   First thing I noticed is the warmth of Ilonggo’s and their sweet accent that made me feel “at home.”

And of course, one thing that Filipino’s love to do…eating!  Since Ilonggo are famous for the La Paz Batchoy, this is the first food we tasted.

La Paz Batchoy

This is probably the most famous Ilonggo dish in the national scene which was started in the late 1930’s before World War II broke out. La Paz batchoy is a noodle dish with pork innards, liver and heart served with hot broth and topped with crunchy chicharon, garlic, onion leaves with soy sauce and powdered pepper used to adjust the flavour according to one’s taste.

Well, after tasting the dish, I may agree that they should be really famous for this because chowing down the steaming broth of La Paz Batchoy will surely stimulate and liven up your senses.

If you want to have a taste of this famous dish of Ilonggo, I suggest some of the restaurants who have a very good La Paz Batchoy in town.

Deco’s 

Iloilo City Proper, Iloilo City, Iloilo

Ted’s 

Benigno Aquino Ave, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

(033) 320 1945

    

Netong's Original Special La Paz Batchoy

La Paz Public Market

If you are looking for the La Paz Batchoy that will cook right before your eyes, Netong’s is the place to be! 

You will not find it hard to reach this place since this resto is quite popular in the vicinity.  There's only one Netong's and it is inside the La Paz Public Market. 

Pancit Molo  

Another famous Ilonggo dish named after a well-known district in Iloilo City, the Molo district is “Pancit Molo.” 

It is an adaptation of Chinese wanton soup which is composed of a mixture of ground pork wrapped in molo wrapper, shredded chicken meat and shrimps topped with some minced green onions and lots of toasted garlic.

Where to go?

Tita Paz House of Pancit Molo

Avancena St., So. Fundidor

Molo, Iloilo City

Tel: (+6333) 335-0624

KBL or Kadyos Baboy Langka 



KBL or kadyos baboy langka is a ubiquitous Ilonggo dish found in most households and restaurants in Iloilo and beyond. 

The basic recipe calls for the baboy (pork) usually the pata (hocks) to be broiled. Then together with the langka and kadyos beans, they are boiled until the last two ingredients are cooked - the langka is easy to bite, the kadyos is soft and the baboy 

The greens usually kamote tops or in this case malunggay leaves, adds color, texture and more nutrients to the "health conscious". In my case, when KBL is served at home, this calls bigger than usual serving of rice. 

This dish has been my favorite since I was kid.  My grandparents usually cooked this every time we have occasions.  The best dish ever!

PASALUBONG TIME!

Finally, time to go home…when I reached at Iloilo International Airport and started to unload my things, I can’t believe that I already consumed 15 kg just for pasalubong…

The famous place to indulge your money for pasalubong?...”Biscocho Haus”…

Iloilo’s iconic pasalubong shop, Biscocho Haus, has been around since 1975.

Website: http://www.iloilo.net.ph/biscocho-haus-home-ilonggo-delicacies/

For almost about four decades, Biscocho Haus has been the favorite pasalubong shop of Ilonggo delicacies.

Biscocho Haus was started by Dr. Carlos L. Guadarrama and wife Therese J. Guadarrama. Their specialty and very first product was biscocho, thus the name of their shop. 

Due to the growing demand of their tasty treats, they have come up with new products which were first made in their family kitchens.

Bañadas are toasted bread dipped in white sugar icing. 

       Boat tarts are filled with special caramel 

                 

Barquiron are tiny barquillos sticks stuffed with polvoron.

Butterscotch is a small chewy square that contain sugar, eggs, flour, and butter topped with cashew nuts.

Biscocho - derived from the Latin phrase word ‘bis coctus’ which means “twice baked.” It is a popular delicacy in Iloilo City refers to baked bread topped with butter and sugar, or garlic, in some cases.

Other Pasalubong Shop:

Tinukib Pasalubong Center

Website: http://tinukib.com/best-pasalubong-from-iloilo/ 

Locations : Taytay sa Kauswagan, Incorporated, National Highway, Pavia

Aside delicacies like butterscotch, biscocho, pinasugbo (fried bananas), barquillos (wafer rolls, Hablon and pina products are popular, especially for the ladies. Intricately woven by different communities in Iloilo

Other popular items for domestic and tourists are mugs, key chains, native bags, and nito items.

If you’re shopping on a tight budget and you’re looking for something to give your friends, relatives and loved ones… just visit the Tinukib Pasalubong Center and you may find something worth your budget.

Sources:

http://www.iloilocity.gov.ph/foods.php

http://myphilippinelife.com/dining-in-iloilo/

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/326350/newstv/angpinaka/top-10-yummiest-restaurants-in-iloilo

http://www.exploreiloilo.com/guide/dinagyang-festival/

http://www.exploreiloilo.com/guide/iloilo-churches/

http://flavoursofiloilo.blogspot.com/2014/05/kadyos-baboy-kag-langka-with-malunggay.html

http://www.choosephilippines.com/specials/products/1415/biscocho-haus/

http://tinukib.com/best-pasalubong-from-iloilo/

http://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Restaurant_Review-g298466-d1636226-Reviews-Deco_s-Iloilo_City_Iloilo_Province_Panay_Island_Visayas.html