A Taste of Iloilo: Local Favorite Food You Have Got to Try

Where to find it: LARS Buko Batchoy, 122 Oñate de leon Street, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Batchoy (pork noodle soup) is a hearty Ilonggo soup people love not just on rainy days but on all seasons. This noodle soup, which originated in the market of La Paz district, has pork liver and kidney and topped with crushed pork cracklings and vegetables. It can also be served with either boiled or raw eggs. While many are claiming to be the original, some have already made their own version. One unique take to this classic dish is the addition of coconut flesh or buko in the batchoy. It can be found at Lars Buko Batchoy in Mandurriao district.

October 2020 Update: LARS Buko Batchoy is open for delivery

Where to find it: Cafe Iloilo, M. H. Del Pilar Street, Iloilo City

As the City of Love, it’s no surprise Ilonggos are also known for their sweet accent. Aside from that, the sweetest thing about the city is their food. And when it comes to dessert, Iloilo is known for its butterscotch. This soft chewy brownie-like confectionery is a favorite pasalubong (souvenir) from the city. But did you know that this dessert can also be turned into a sauce. Butterscotch sauce is being used by Café Iloilo for its fried ibos (rice cake). This is one of their classic twists to modern Filipino dishes.

October 2020 Update: Café Iloilo is open for take-out and delivery.

Where to find it: Crispy Ulo Ulo Iloilo, Central Park, Taft North, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Kare-Kare is a popular Filipino dish with peanut butter sauce. It is usually made of pork and also has vegetable-only options. But if you’re a pork lover, you’ll love this even more with its crispy twist. Instead of the usual pork meat, Crispy Ulo Ulo Iloilo uses crispy pata (crispy fried pork shank) instead. With its crispy twist, you can have your Kare-kare meal with a crunch. Their version still comes with pechay, string beans, banana heart, of course, a sautéed shrimp paste on top.

October 2020 Update: Crispy Ulo Ulo Iloilo is open for take-out and delivery.

Where to find it: Punot Restaurant, Boardwalk Diversion Road, Iloilo City

Punot Restaurant has found a way to make liempo (crispy pork belly) even more tempting. Liempo is usually grilled or fried and chopped in smaller bites. But at Punot, they made it into chips. The pork is thinly sliced and you can eat it anytime you want. Being bite-sized, you can forget how much calories you can gain after eating it.

October 2020 Update: Punot Restaurant is now open.

For more mouthwatering dishes from all over the country, check out Yoorekka.com.

Where to find it: Ang Kamalig Restaurant, Donato Pison Avenue, Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Spring rolls or lumpia are also very traditional to the point that you can eat it for every occasion. Meanwhile, chicken inasal (marinated, roasted chicken) is famous as well in Iloilo. In fact, there are a lot of local chicken inasal restaurants in the city with their own flavor. At Kamalig restaurant, chicken inasal is not on a stick but is wrapped in spring rolls. Since it is grilled, it has a unique, smoky taste you will surely love.

October 2020 Update: Ang Kamalig Restaurant’s Atria branch is closed indefinitely, but its branch in Robinsons Jaro is open for delivery.

They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. With this unique take of the Ilonggos on these classic dishes, you will surely love the city even more.