Ask anyone what they love about Iloilo, and the answer will often be the food, which has made a unique, indelible mark in Filipino culture.
The best part? Food in Iloilo is really cheap, so even on a quick trip, you can go right ahead and binge to your heart’s content—and even bring some treats home to your family and friends.
Whatever the cuisine, be it Filipino, Chinese, Korean, American, or European, Iloilo City’s restaurants can do it well. With the dizzying variety of options available, these 10 classic must-eats need to be on your priority list.
The original La Paz Batchoy
Much has been said about the famous La Paz Batchoy, and you’ve likely encountered it in Manila or other parts of the Philippines. But you haven’t had real batchoy until you’ve tried it in Iloilo, in at least one of the three restaurants who claim to have originated it: Ted’s Batchoy, Deco’s, and Netong’s Original La Paz Batchoy.
All three are worth a try and have branches around the city, but if you want a truly authentic La Paz Batchoy experience, you have to go straight to the one place where it was created: the La Paz Public Market. (There’s an unassuming but air-conditioned branch of Netong’s
Pancit Molo
As the name suggests, the best place to sample this iconic Ilonggo dish is obviously in Molo, where locals were inspired to create their version of the wonton soup made by the Chinese community who settled in the area.
The other half of its name is not as straightforward, however; contrary to what you’d expect, you won’t find “pancit” noodles in this dish. Instead, ground pork dumplings in wonton wrappers and shredded chicken swim in a hot bowl of clear yet rich and flavorful chicken broth seasoned with fried garlic, spring onions, and black pepper.Well known original restaurant serving pancit molo is Kap Esing Pancit Molo.
Bisayang Lechon Manok
Beyond the chicken inasal that you can try anywhere these days (Mang Inasal came from Iloilo, after all), the chicken dish that will complete your Iloilo food trip is bisayang lechon manok, or charcoal-roasted native chicken. Tatoy’s Manokan makes the best version. You’ll gain a greater appreciation of free-range chicken, which is leaner than your usual poultry, after a bite of this tasty local specialty. Marinated in vinegar and calamansi then stuffed with lemongrass and sampalok leaves, this simple but satisfying delicacy is best paired with garlic rice.
Biscocho
Biscocho Haus – If there’s any pasalubong to buy in Iloilo, then the many desserts and snacks Biscocho House offers is the best place to go. If you don’t know what to get, our top main picks are the Biscocho, a crispy buttered toast sprinkled with sugar; Barquillos, thin and crispy wafer rolls; Pinasugbo, thin slices of caramelized native banana sprinkled with sesame seeds; and, of course, their famous butterscotch treat.
KBL
KBL or Kadyos, Baboy at Langka like the name suggest is a soup dish made out of Kadyos (Pigeon Peas), Baboy (Pork preferably pork leg) and Langka (Jackfruit), similar to sinigang this dish is sour due to the flavours of Batwan fruit used . A popular dish from Iloilo, it is one of the most requested dishes if there is an event hosted by an Ilonngo.
Binakol
Binakol – Binakol is the Ilonggo version of a Tinola. What makes it different, however, is it’s made with coconut juice and slivers of coconut flesh, making it taste sweet. It’s also cooked traditionally using bamboo tubes and served in coconut shells.
Laswa
Laswa is a vegetable dish that’s very popular for Ilonggos. It’s also everyone’s go-to recipe for that perfect vegetable stew as you can pretty much make it with everything from your vegetable produce.
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