The cuisine is what drives many to visit and revisit Bacolod City at any time of the year. Good food can always elicit smiles. On a recent R&R trip in the City of Smiles, I asked locals where they enjoyed each Bacolod specialty most. They took me to old-time restaurants still serving heritage recipes, and the trip brought them memories of childhood, high school life, including the more recent times.
For three days, we scoured the city for local eats and feasted on locals’ popular and well-loved dishes. Here’s what landed on my must-eat list.
Cansi at Sharyn’s Cansi House. Now run by the 2nd generation family member, the 38-year old restaurant still serves the same recipe that wowed the locals and visitors. A single order can serve two hungry souls and extra rice will be in order.
Address: C-58 Capitol Shopping Center, Narra Ave, Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod
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| Cansi at Sharyn’s Cansi House |
Batchoy at 21 Restaurant. From a hole-in-the-wall snack house to a fancier restaurant it is today, the 1984-established eatery has been known for its batchoy. You say batchoy and they say 21. Why 21? It’s the address at the corner of 21st and Lacson Streets.
Address: 21 Lacson St, Bacolod
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| Batchoy at 21 Restaurant |
Fresh lumpia at Yummy Yummy. It’s old school snacking for the former students of La Salle. What makes this delicacy interesting is the addition of crushed chicharon to the ingredients. It adds another layer of texture and the fatty-salty flavor of the chicharon is a wonderful contrast to the sweetened sauce.
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| Fresh lumpia at Yummy Yummy |
Chicken Inasal at Chicken House. Skipping Manokan Country and having the inasal for a less crowded Chicken House. The chicken was tender and tasty with its smoky flavor. Garlic rice minus the famed sauce (for less guilt) made the perfect pairing.
Address: Homesite branch along Carlos Hidalgo Highway (Circumferential Road).
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| Chicken Inasal at Chicken House |
Sans Rival at Felicia’s. This makes it to my-kind-of-dessert list with just the right amount of sweetness. The buttery meringue cake doesn’t crumble when sliced through with a fork and it melts in the mouth. I like it.
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| Sans Rival at Felicia’s |
Chocolate Mud Pie at Calea. It’s a bestseller and I found out why—it’s chocolate ice cream on a chocolate pie crust, drizzled with sweet chocolate syrup (which I can personally do without) and topped with sliced almonds for added texture and nutty flavor.
Address: Lourdes C. Centre Bldg., Balay Quince, 15th St, Bacolod
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| Chocolate Mud Pie at Calea |
I had the pleasure of trying other recipes- Mimi's Cafe's (once Pendy's) Half Moon Cake and Napoleones, the 21's bibingka and others. The KBL was on my list but wasn't quite happy with the one I tried. Well that gives me a good reason to head back to Bacolod--and try several more dishes that came recommended. Will add to this list soon.
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| With my local food guides Joy, Tessa & Lyn |
Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.
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