Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Bacolod, Bacolod, Philippines
1. Chicken Inasal
Grilled chicken marinated in a special blend of herbs and spices, cooked over hot coals. A must-try Bacolod delicacy.
- Authentic Flavor: Experience the original taste of Chicken Inasal as it originated in Bacolod.
- Social Experience: Enjoy this dish with family and friends at a traditional Manokan Country, an open-air food court popular in Bacolod.
- Spiciness Level: Customize the spiciness level to your preference by adding bagoong (fish sauce) or sili (chili).
2. Kansi
Sour beef soup made from a native species of bamboo called tubô, known for its distinct flavor.
- Traditional Recipe: Taste the centuries-old recipe of Kansi passed down through generations.
- Unique Ingredients: Savor the unique taste of tubô, a native bamboo variety only used in making Kansi.
- Hearty Meal: Enjoy a hearty meal perfect for cooling down the spiciness from other local dishes.
3. Pechero
A dish consisting of chicken pieces, vegetables, and rice cooked in a clay pot over low heat.
- Slow-Cooked Flavor: Savor the rich flavor developed from slow cooking Pechoerro in a clay pot.
- Comfort Food: Enjoy a comforting and filling meal with friends or family.
- Versatile Ingredients: Try different variations of Pechoerro using chicken, pork, or seafood.
4. Lansones Pie
A pie filled with sweet and tart lansones (sugary-tart local fruit similar to a small orange), often served during special occasions.
- Seasonal Delight: Taste the seasonal Lansones Pie, typically available from May to July.
- Unique Filling: Experience the distinctive taste of lansones, a local fruit unique to the Philippines.
- Portable Snack: Grab a slice of Lansones Pie as a sweet treat while exploring Bacolod.
5. Batchoy
A hearty noodle soup made with miki (fat rice noodles), chicken stock, pork organs, and topped with chicharon (pork cracklings).
- Comfort Food: Warm up with a bowl of Batchoy on a rainy day in Bacolod.
- Distinctive Toppings: Enjoy the unique combination of noodles, broth, and toppings that make Batchoy a standout dish.
- Local Specialty: Taste this iconic dish at iconic eateries like Ted's La Panderia or Netong's Batchoy.
6. Pochero de Bacolod
A hearty beef stew cooked in a rich broth flavored with annato seeds and served with vegetables.
- Slow-Cooked Flavor: Savor the rich flavor developed from slow cooking Pochero de Bacolod.
- Hearty Meal: Enjoy a filling meal perfect for cooling down the spiciness from other local dishes.
- Versatile Ingredients: Try different variations of Pochero de Bacolod using chicken, pork, or seafood.
7. Hilantawan ng Kabkab
A dessert made of glutinous rice and coconut milk, steamed in a young bamboo tube.
- Traditional Dessert: Taste this centuries-old Hilantawan ng Kabkab dessert.
- Unique Cooking Method: Experience the unique cooking method of steaming dessert in a young bamboo tube.
- Sweet Ending: End your meal on a sweet note with Hilantawan ng Kabkab.
8. Silvanas
A popular dessert made of meringue cookies layered with creamy buttercream and coated with desiccated coconut.
- Creamy Texture: Indulge in the creamy texture of Silvanas.
- Traditional Recipe: Taste this classic Filipino dessert at a local bakery like Baker's Corner.
- Portable Snack: Grab a box of Silvanas as a sweet treat to bring home or share with friends.
9. Chico's Tuna Pie
A pie filled with creamy tuna flakes, cheese, and topped with a golden-brown crust.
- Seafood Delight: Taste the rich flavors of Chico's Tuna Pie, a Bacolod specialty.
- Unique Filling: Experience the distinctive taste of tuna and cheese combination in a pie.
- Portable Snack: Grab a slice of Chico's Tuna Pie as a quick snack while exploring Bacolod.
10. Bakawan
A dessert made of glutinous rice dough wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
- Traditional Dessert: Taste this centuries-old Bakawan dessert.
- Unique Cooking Method: Experience the unique cooking method of steaming dessert in banana leaves.
- Sweet Ending: End your meal on a sweet note with Bakawan.
11. Pasalubong sa Bacolod
Local delicacies like piaya (flat, unleavened bread filled with muscovado sugar and butter), suman (rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves), and tablea (cocoa tablets) that are perfect souvenirs.
- Authentic Flavor: Bring home the authentic taste of Bacolod through its local delicacies.
- Unique Packaging: Enjoy the traditional packaging and presentation of Pasalubong sa Bacolod items.
- Perfect Souvenir: Share these delicious treats with your loved ones back home.
12. Balbagan
A dessert made of glutinous rice dough filled with muscovado sugar and roasted peanuts.
- Traditional Dessert: Taste this centuries-old Balbagan dessert.
- Unique Filling: Experience the sweet and nutty combination of muscovado sugar and roasted peanuts.
- Sweet Ending: End your meal on a sweet note with Balbagan.
13. Chicken Empanada
A savory pastry filled with chicken and vegetables, deep-fried to golden perfection.
- Crispy Texture: Enjoy the crispy texture of Chicken Empanada.
- Portable Snack: Grab a Chicken Empanada as a quick snack while exploring Bacolod.
- Iconic Street Food: Taste this iconic street food at local eateries or night markets.
14. Kapisi
A dessert made of glutinous rice flour steamed in a banana leaf, filled with grated coconut and sugar.
- Traditional Dessert: Taste this centuries-old Kapisi dessert.
- Unique Cooking Method: Experience the unique cooking method of steaming dessert in banana leaves.
- Sweet Ending: End your meal on a sweet note with Kapisi.
15. Ube Halaya
A popular dessert made from purple yam (ube), cooked until it reaches a smooth consistency and sweetened with sugar.
- Traditional Dessert: Taste this centuries-old Ube Halaya dessert.
- Unique Ingredient: Experience the distinctive taste and color of purple yam (ube).
- Sweet Ending: End your meal on a sweet note with Ube Halaya.