5 Iloilo Delicacies You Need to Try
Prepare your wallet and your stomach, as these Iloilo delicacies will make you crave their distinct image and taste!
by Patricia Lanzagarita
Photos courtesy of Flavours of Iloilo, Detouristahq, Cookwith.Hanah
December 13, 2023
Visiting the Philippines would be incomplete without savoring its distinct and remarkable delicacies. Rooted in the local regions and cities of the Philippines are delectable and scrumptious foods that you can only find in the country.
One of these cities is the so-called ‘Queen City of the South’: Iloilo City. Apart from its rich history and heritage, Iloilo City has always excelled in the field of gastronomy, giving rise to various dishes that have become standards for the sensitive taste buds of Filipinos.
Due to its significant contribution to the prominent flavors of the Philippines, the city was declared by UNESCO as the first Creative City of Gastronomy in the country.
As the city introduced Filipino flavors to the world, it's now time to explore their local menu by tasting these Iloilo delicacies!
Lapaz Batchoy
Do you also crave noodles with hot broth to sip when it's raining or on cold days? Originating from La Paz, Iloilo City, Lapaz Batchoy is a prominent dish that Filipinos and even tourists should try. With its rich chicken broth, rounded noodles, pork organs, beef loin, and shrimp stock, garnished with chicharrón, it's not just an eye-catcher but also a definite chef’s kiss! Lapaz Batchoy is the kind of food that provides comfort, especially on cold nights, making you crave it for the warmth it brings.
Pancit Molo
If trending foreign soup dishes have you thinking about local alternatives, fear not! Iloilo City offers the local counterpart of Chinese wonton soup—the Pancit Molo. Originating in the heart of Iloilo City, in the district of Molo, Pancit Molo features locally-made dumplings with shredded chicken or sea flavors from crabs and shrimp. Unlike traditional pancit, it doesn't have the look of noodles, as the noodle is actually the molo ball wrappers, which have the same recipe as making noodles. Sipping a piping hot bowl of Pancit Molo can be exciting as it warms your tummy and definitely your heart.
Valenciana
As a Filipino, you probably crave something heavy like rice. Iloilo has your back with its local counterpart of paella—Valenciana! Perfect for occasions such as fiestas, reunions, and birthdays, Valenciana is made up of malagkit (sticky) rice, pork, chorizo, and comes with beautiful garnishes such as eggs, peas, bell peppers, and raisins. You won’t go home hungry after visiting friends or relatives in the Philippines, as they will enthusiastically offer you fulfilling meals such as Valenciana.
KBL (Kadyos, Baboy, at Langka)
One of the exotic foods unique to Iloilo City is KBL (Kadyos, Baboy, at Langka). Made with pigeon peas, unripe jackfruit, pork, and a locally-made souring agent known as batuan or batwan, KBL offers distinctive warm and sour flavors that will make your taste buds cheer.
Bitso-Bitso
After all those fulfilling and heavy meals, missing dessert would be a pity! If South Korea offers twisted donuts, Iloilo City offers bitso-bitso. Made of rice flour, twisted and deep-fried, then dipped in muscovado sugar syrup, bitso-bitso is the perfect dessert to complete your meal during your stay in Iloilo City, whether you're a tourist or a fellow countryman.
Iloilo City has proven that it deserves the title of the first Creative City of Gastronomy in the Philippines. With its distinct flavors, it has become the home of foods that have contributed to the identity-making of the country. With every bowl of hot soup, every plate of a fulfilling meal, and every granule of sugar, Iloilo makes you feel the warmth of home.
