Postscripts: Food Trip Ilonggo Dishes (Part 1)

By: Sarah

 

My hometown Iloilo City has come a long way and really changed…a lot! I don’t really care much about the modernization, about the Megaworld and the SM City.
I always focus on the irresistible Ilonggo Cuisine — remembering the deliciousness of favorites I ate growing up like BATCHOY (Egg Noodle Soup with Sliced Meats, Chicharon and Raw Egg), CHICKEN BINAKOL (Chicken soup cooked in coconut juice and coconut meat), KBL – KADIOS, BABOY AT LANGKA (Pork Stew with Jackfruit and Pigeon/Black Peas and the souring ingredient of Batwan), CHICKEN INASAL (Grilled chicken marinated in native vinegar, calamansi and garlic), ARROZ VALENCIANA (Ilonggo’s Paella, a fixture at Jaro fiesta), LASWA (Fresh vegetables such okra, squash, string beans, etc boiled and seasoned minimally), PANADERIA DE MOLO’S baked varieties (Barquillos, Banadas, Biscochos, Galletas, Toasted Mamon, etc), LUTIK (Squash cooked in coconut milk my Lola used to make for me regularly). If that doesn’t make you feel hungry now! — there’s plenty of food options to choose from, let the food tripping begin! Namit namit guid ya.

PUNOT. Location: Boardwalk Diversion Road
Considered Home of the best comfort dishes from Western Visayas. These are my favorites: Pomelo Balingon Salad (made of greens, pomelo, local dried anchovies in a special vinaigrette), Crispy Pancit Palabok (noodles served crispy), KBL, and yes to Turon (fried wrapped banana) Sticks with Homemade Mango yoghurt dip.

ALICIA’S SPECIAL BATCHOY. Location: Left side before crossing Tabuc Suba bridge coming from Jaro Plaza.
To me, it’s the best, period. Served with soft miki noodles, the rich savory broth of pork meat and innards and crushed chicharon on top. All gave thumbs up to ALICIA’S batchoy…chose original but EXTRA…meaning large lol. With matching puto. Emman had to take home 2 more orders. Ganyan masarap ah. Well let me know if there’s one superior to Alicia’s pls, para sugurin at uriin. Now slurp slurp anay.

BREAKTHROUGH RESTAURANT. Location: Villa Beach House in Oton Blvd, Villa Arevalo District
To most this is a “must-go” whenever you’re in Iloilo City. Food here is amazing — here you can enjoy Arroz Valenciana, Bangus relleno, Pinakbet and Lechon Paksiw. And the buko halohalo…not too sweet, it’s perfect.

Lechon Paksiw. And the buko halohalo…not too sweet, it’s perfect.
LA MAISON. Location: Leganes Frenchy-Italian fare, it was special date with the bffs – Billy, Rose, Helen, Kaylin, Dottie, and Glenn. We agreed on seafood pasta, fresh greens, 2 chicken dishes, and barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes. Starter surprise: Mani/ Postscripts: Food Trip Ilonggo Dishes (Part 1) peanuts instead of warm French bread. Why why…mahal daw ang bread lol. But Spaghetti and Meatballs
not in the menu…another why.

MANGO ISLAND. Location: Guimaras
Time for snacks at Mango island for its famous winning recipe of MANGO PIZZA. Tastes different, interestingly not the sweet pizza, just hint of mango with pizza sauce, cheese, and crunchy crust. I love it ..gotta find recipe of it. That dragon fruit/mango smoothie…to die for. Not sweet but oh so delish. Tour guide Jeric was awesome.

Y2K. Location: Benigno Aquino Ave, Mandurriao Fun fun at Y2K. Thank you Sonny and Grace of Las Vegas. Wow, pusit (squid), Adobo Native Chicken, talaba (oyster), scallops. And lots of laughs…happy together. Grace Marie, Rose, Des, Frances, Lea, Luzette and Glenn.

MARIDEL’S. Location: The 21 Avenue in Diversion Road
Omg…sweets for my sweet…sugar rush. Chocolate cake varieties, apple pie, mango Brazo, ice cream, coffee, bread pudding…many more…but most of all…hagikhik (laughs and more laughs) to the maxxxxxx!

PONSYON. Location: Plazuela de Iloilo
Grace Marie Aldeguer introduced me to this restaurant…foods so good, friendly staff, so worth it: Chicken Binacol, fried bangus (milkfish), fish lumpia and that buko dessert. Did a second visit, this time with Droliza Fe Alabe Mejorada. Thank you for the treats Drolly — dried mangoes, cashews n muscovado sugar, the more healthy sugar. Now Peal so jealous na lol.

KUYA J. Location: Upper Ground Floor, SM City Cravings satisfaction guaranteed — Kare kare, Crispy Pata, Dinuguan, Pares…yummy.

BITE: Bakery & Kitchen. Location: Diversion Rd, Mandurriao “BITE” moments with bffs – Kaylin, Helen, Palangging Rose n Dottie. Lychee slush, blueberry smoothie, french pastries oh la la si Magnifica! hala … Eat pa more!

PALUTO Seafood Grill & Restaurant. Location: Coastal Road Brgy. Bito-on, JaroGuaranteed “fresh from the sea to your plate”, seafoods you choose are cooked to perfection. Overload is an understatement!!! But we came to eat…and feast we had!!!

MANG INASAL.
Location: 2nd floor, SM City You can enjoy the Chicken Inasal with UNLI (unlimited rice). My favorites though: Lumpiang togue with spiced vinegar, Pancit Palabok and the extra creamy and delicious Halo-halo.

AMOMA.
Location: Santa BarbaraA bit of a hike, but people love coming here for good eats: Chicken Binacol, Crispy Pata, Calamari and Bulalo. Relaxing ambiance too with live singer on some days.
Come and Visit Iloilo soon…there’s always something for everyone!

This and That: I have to make special mention of District 21’s Bihon Guisado. Huge servings and just like how I’d do bihon. No fusion Ek Ek, just classic pancit bihon. Favorite Ilonggo recipes and more Iloilo pictures in Part 2 of FOOD TRIP ILONGGO DISHES.