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Native Ilonggo delicacies from Brgy. Ingore in Lapaz

I missed my chance a few weeks ago to have a food trip somewhere in Brgy. Ingore, Lapaz.  It would have been filled with these mouth-watering native Ilonggo delicacies as that trip would be in a compound that makes these native goodies and sells them throughout Iloilo City. Why in Lapaz did the native-delicacy maker set their compound at? It seems to have started a long time ago when the Panay Railways (connecting Iloilo City and Roxas City in Capiz) was operational. Along with Lapaz's most famous gastronomic contribution - batchoy, the train served a vital role in the thriving business. The demand was there - imagine the throngs of people using the train, buying these for snacks or even something to bring home. Then there's also the supply - raw products coming from the towns can be easily transported to be made into these native delicacies. So the cottage industry has thrived even after the train stopped operations and is still making god business. ...
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The Flavors of Modern Iloilo at PUNOT

On the banks of the Iloilo River, along the side of the Esplanade stands PUNOT - a restaurant named after the fishpens that used to dot the river. The restaurant is s venture of siblings Andrea and Tope Arañador paying tribute to their parents Lea and Rogelio who built the family's two restaurants in Estancia - Friends (1987) and Punot (2000). Andrea, who is now based in Germany, was in town a few days ago and invited the Iloilo Bloggers  to check out the latest creations of Punot concocted by her brother who is Center for Culinary Arts graduate. Iloilo Bloggers Inc. with Ms. Andrea (righmost) enjoying the flavors of modern Iloilo at Punot. It was also an opportunity to bring back the food memories of their best-sellers, which for years have stood the test of time despite the heated gastronomic competition in Iloilo City. Here are some of " The Best of Punot" 1/16 TRES MANGGAS SALAD Will you say no to the burst of fla...
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Ginata-ang Tambo kag Pasayan

  A favorite of many Ilonggos,   ginat-an nga tambo   is heaven to them and fans of Ilonggo cuisine. With coconut milk and greens like saluyot, takway and okra plus subak like shrimps or crabs – this would automatically induce a lot of cravings.  Especially when you’re abroad where raw ingredients are often hard to find and if they are luckily available, it still doesn’t taste like the one you might have grown up with. Even so, it is more than enough one's craving for this Ilonggo cuisine, no matter where you are in the world.
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Roberto's Queen sio pao

It’s been a while since I featured (read gorged on) Iloilo's most popular Chinese bun - Roberto’s Queen sio pao . Aside from being unavailable most of the time (I think it’s now every two weeks rather than monthly), the restaurant is out of my usual way.  Priced at PhP105 and though the size isn’t that overwhelming as before yet still big compared to other sio paos in the city.  It was still hot when I got it from “Roberta” before (he's Clauds by the way, RIP 🕯) and around two hours later with some rainy escapade, I was surprised to sense it warmth when I got home. Aside from what’s inside, I really like the bun of Roberto’s sio pao. With a hint of gumminess yet soft to each bite, it greatly complements the filling.  Though I got a rather one sides sio pao with the filling almost bursting out the bottom part while the top was all bun.  But it’s one of the more photogenic ones I had so far – I halved it perfectly with without much damage to the...
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A boxful of bingka from Mohon

A bibingka so filled with coconut strips that I call the bingka from Mohon -  bingkang bukayo. It is always a treat to savor every bite of this famous bingka from Mohon. Each mouthful is teeming with strips of coconut that would put other bingkas to “shame” in terms of coconut meat filling.  They sell bingka by the box (PhP50) and by the paper bag (PhP20/8pcs) and both have the same delectable goodness of the famed bingka from Arevalo. The only downside is that they only make their bingka on Fridays until Mondays. And if you’re not fortunate enough, you’ll find yourself with none for most are already out by noon time – they don’t usually make a very big batch. But you can make reservations for pick-up; just contact them through 0919-572-2581. Yet be really sure of your reservations because sometimes, even those can be “sold out”. Read more about Bingka from Mohon .
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Bot-ong nga may Latik

If this picture is worth a thousand words, there would be thousands of the word namit (delicious) written all over the page.  Bot-ong is made with glutinous rice mixed with gata  wrapped in banana leaves in a pointed shape then boiled until cooked. It is like ibos, only difference is this one's wrapped in coconut leaves and shaped like tubes. Latik is made with gata and sugar boiled until it is syrupy and caramelized. Not really surprised to have found this in the kitchen but the fact I have some native delicacies to blog really excited me ... So I got one, opened it and poured some home-made coconut syrup known as latik . You get a more mouth-watering look at it in the topmost photo. Still not satisfied, here are two bot-ong's swimming in latik with a spoonful of coco jam. Now have bite...
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Batchoyan ni Jasmin sa Ilawod in Santa Barbara, Iloilo

It's been a while since I visited my hometown's most popular batchoyan, the viral Batchoyan ni Jasmin Sobredo in Ilawod, Santa Barbara, Iloilo. Though I got to enjoy this semi-regularly, it's always on delivery/take-out. So out of nowhere, I just have to satisfy my cravings of having a hot and delicious bowl of La Paz batchoy…. inside a not so typical batchoyan. If you haven't been here for a long time, you'd be glad they now have a bigger parking space and a much more welcoming main entance. It's a testament of its success after it went viral over socmed a few years ago as they were always flooded with hungry guests - locals and tourists alike. With a collection of plants ( borne out of the pandemic, hello plantitos and plantitas) flanking the passageway, its a respite from the hustle and bustle of regular batchoyans located inside wet markets. Not typical but Tropical batchoyan, I may add. Upon entry, you'll already smell th...
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