Bacolod and Iloilo Food Adventure

My Bacolod food list that shouldn't be missed!

1. Calea’s Cake

“You must try their cakes, especially their chocolate cake!” This is what my friend to me not to miss during my stay in Bacolod.  They are the household name for pastries, so being known to have a sweet tooth; I definitely didn’t want to miss the opportunity to taste their well-known cakes! They are located at Balay Quince, Lacson Street, just across of the L’Fisher hotel.

2. Napolones

What is napolones? It is a small squared -sized layered desert that is glazed with sugar with custard like cream in the center. There are 2 well-known shops that sell napolones in the city. They are Merci and Bong-bong’s --  they are both well-commercialized establishment with may branches that sells “pasalubongs”,  from otap to different flavoured tarts to different kind to piyaya. They even have branches in Silay International  Airport if ever you forgot to buy “pasalubong”. One less commercialized establishment is Virgies that  can only be located in 59 San Sebastian Street , Bacolod City. They are also well-known for their napolones.

The first napolones that I’ve tasted is from Bob Pastries that is located inside Robinson’s place Bacolod. I really don’t know how to describe the taste and the feeling, all I can remember is that it really taste good for me.  

3. Guapple of El Ideal

While strolling around Robinson’s Place Bacolod, I came to pass by a mini branch of El Ideal. Their main branch is located in Silay City, wherein I wasn’t able to visit due to bad weather. So I was really happy and excited when I saw that they have a branch inside Robinson’s. I even asked and confirmed from the sales clerk if it is the real “ EL Ideal”, and indeed, it was! I ordered for the famous guapple pie. It has chunks of guava, wherein you can really taste the guava favour, and since I have been eating guava since young, two thumbs up for the taste!

4.  Erv's Cane Juice

The first time I tasted this sugar cane drink was during our tour inside The Ruins. It is freshly squeezed from sugarcane without adding any flavors or sugar on it. It is 100% pure sugarcane. The biggest size is 50 pesos, and I was surprised when I saw the same clerk from The Ruins selling this inside Robinson's Place. He still remembered and greeted me nicely. And since I really enjoyed this drink, I think I was able to buy 4 big size cup during our last 2 days stay in Bacolod!

5.  Aleah’s Tuluhan in old Pla- Pla Market

The concept of Aleah is the same as dampa here in Manila, you need to buy your food to be cook from the market, and then look for a store and ask them to cook it for you.  Aleah tuluhan is located just across the Pla- Pla Market. But beside the market, there are few more stores that cater the same service of “paluto”. I chose Aleah because I’ve read that they cheaper than the others.

Since it has been raining for the whole week in Bacolod, there are only few sea food choices. We bought ½ kgs of crab, ½ kgs. Of shrimp and ½ kgs. Of Lapu-lapu which cost 600 pesos, and “paluto” in Aleah is around 229 pesos, the bill altogether is 829 pesos. Pricey, eh? But I love how they cooked all the sea food, it was all sumptuous and good, especially the shrimp that was cooked in peanut-like sauce.

5. Manokan County (Please see http://abhuy.blogspot.com/2014/02/bacolod-iloilo-getaway-part-1.html )

Iloilo food list to try on!

1. Batchoy

The only batchoy that I left a spot on my taste buds is the misua batchoy from Netong’s. Netong’s Batchoy is located only inside the La Paz Market. It is clean with wooden furniture inside.  They even had mural painting on their wall. Great affordable food with clean surrounding and nice staff, what else could you ask for? Other stores that sell batchoy are Ted’s Oldtimer La Paz Batchoy and Deco’s La Paz batchoy which has more branches and some are even located in malls.  I tried them both, but nothing beats Netong’s Misua batchoy for me!

2. Roberto’s 

If not for Kuya Paulo( a random guy that we met during our visit in Molo Church)  I wouldn’t have known this place. Roberto’s is situated in Calle Real, near City Hall. Kuya Paulo told us that they are well-known for their jumbo siopao without any sauce needed. And so, we tried to look for it before heading to the port back to Bacolod. If you saw a store that has a long line, then you’ll know you’re on the right direction. We tried to buy one for each 4 flavours, but we only have bought 2 because the rest is already out of stock. The price ranges from 60-90 pesos depending on the flavour. The size is somewhat the same size as “Tai pao” that can be seen on Chinese restaurants in Ongpin. The taste is flavourful and when you checked the inside, it is really full of meat and other ingredients. It is worth all worth it! We even bought 2 more as our snack along the way back to Bacolod.