Ilonggo Dishes: Must-Try Local Food and Delicacies in Iloilo

Team Out of Town was recently invited to join the Philippine Tourism Influencers’ Program, an initiative organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) to promote local travel destinations. This particular leg of the program is a caravan event held on Panay Island, a region known for its rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and vibrant festivals.

During the mentioned caravan, we spent most of our time in the beautiful province of Iloilo. Needless to say, the “Heart of the Philippines” made us love absolutely everything about Iloilo. From its breathtaking natural wonders and cultural landmarks to its spectacular man-made attractions, Iloilo ensured that we had an action-packed experience during our visit.

Another highlight that made our vacation truly unforgettable was the legendary Ilonggo cuisine—renowned for its richness, vibrant flavors, and irresistible charm. We were fortunate to enjoy a curated culinary journey, sampling some of Iloilo’s most iconic dishes, each featuring unique local ingredients and time-honored recipes. Every bite—from savory soups and freshly grilled seafood to delectable native desserts—offered a genuine taste of Iloilo’s culture and hospitality.

In this blog post, we proudly share our list of must-try local foods and delicacies that every visitor should experience! As a special bonus, we’ve also included a few dishes from our past Iloilo adventures that left a lasting impression.

Laswa (Vegetable Soup)

The first on the list is Laswa. This simple Ilonggo vegetable soup, particularly rich in fiber, resembles the famous Dinengdeng of Ilokano Cuisine. The only difference is that Laswa is usually seasoned with salt, while Dinengdeng recipes use bagoong.

The usual ingredients of Laswa consist of squash, sitaw, eggplant, Okra, ampalaya, and patola, and are made extra special by shrimp!

Kansi/Cansi

This next dish is a popular, fan-favorite Ilonggo dish for anyone craving a unique combination of beef and soup. Kansi, or Cansi, is a collaboration of two famous Filipino dishes: Bulalo and Sinigang.

Kansi typically features tender, delicious beef shanks seasoned with a sour fruit called the Batwan. Instead of using usual Sinigang Vegetables such as kangkong, Okra, and gabi, Kansi uses a unique alternative, jackfruit.

KBL

Were you also intrigued by the name? KBL (Kadyos, Baboy at Langka) also caught my attention when I first heard of it. It’s also a popular Ilonggo soup dish with a sour, tangy flavor. As the name suggests, KBL uses Kadyos (pigeon peas), Pork, and Langka, a Tagalog term for jackfruit.

It also shares significant similarities with Cansi, as it uses the Batwan fruit to impart a naturally sour flavor.

La Paz Batchoy

And there it is! La Paz Batchoy is widely regarded as one of the most iconic dishes in Iloilo and across the country. This exquisitely delicious noodle soup features pork, chicharon, egg noodles, flavorful broth, and raw egg as its main ingredients.

This extraordinary dish originated from La Paz, Iloilo, and is characterized by an oozing, savory, and delicious “liquid gold” soup.

Pancit Molo

Pancit Molo is another traditional Ilonggo soup dish that originated in the town of Molo in Iloilo, where several Chinese immigrants once lived. It’s a soup very similar to the famous Wonton Soup of China.

These Molo Dumplings, traditionally made with finely ground pork mixed with a carefully balanced blend of herbs and spices, are further enhanced by the addition of succulent shredded chicken and fragrant toasted garlic, creating a rich and complex flavor profile. Yum!

Chicken Inasal

Well, well, well! I think everyone’s familiar with this savory and extremely delicious dish from Bacolod, right? There’s no way I wouldn’t take the golden opportunity of tasting this juicy, flavorful, and delicious Filipino-style chicken barbecue during our caravan!

Chicken Inasal has a unique flavor, featuring a blend of vinegar, citrus juice, lemongrass, and atsuete, and pairs best with steamed white rice.

Chicken Binakol

Chicken Binakol is a renowned and traditional Ilonggo chicken dish celebrated for its comforting and flavorful qualities. This hearty soup features tender native chicken, carefully simmered for several hours to develop rich, deep flavors. What sets Chicken Binakol apart from similar dishes like Chicken Tinola is the unique use of coconut meat and coconut water, which serve as the primary broth base.

The addition of these coconut components imparts a subtle sweetness and aromatic richness to the soup. Typically, the dish is prepared with fresh, native chicken, which enhances its taste and texture. The slow-cooking process allows the flavors to meld, resulting in a nourishing, fragrant dish popular in Ilonggo cuisine.

Pinamalhan na Isda

Ah, yes. Pinamalhan na Isda is a beloved classic of Ilonggo cuisine, known as a hearty fish stew that showcases the rich flavors of local ingredients. The dish typically features a variety of fresh fish, including Bangus (milkfish), salmon, bilong-bilong, sap-sap, and abo, depending on availability.

Its flavorful broth is made from a harmonious blend of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, salt, and peppers, complemented by a variety of spices and aromatic herbs. The ingredients are cooked slowly over low heat for several hours, allowing the flavors to meld thoroughly and develop a deep, satisfying taste that embodies the essence of Ilonggo culinary tradition.

Apan-Apan

Another blockbuster Ilonggo dish we’ve tried is the Apan-Apan, a delicious version of the popular Adobong Kangkong. The rich flavor pairs well with the kangkong and is enhanced by crispy fried pork toppings called Tulapho.

Trust me, you will need extra rice for this one because the overwhelming combination of flavors from coconut vinegar, soy sauce, and bagoong is truly irresistible!

Adobo Nga Takway

Takway is what the Ilonggos refer to as the parts of a Gabi plant that grow sideways. Cooking Adobo Nga Takway follows the same process as the other adobo recipes; you just have to substitute the major ingredients with Takway.

This delicious dish overflows with different flavors and presents a unique texture thanks to the Takway, and it’s really a must-try Ilonggo dish!

Baked Talaba

Talaba or oysters are incredibly abundant in the Western Visayas region, and obviously, there’s no reason I wouldn’t indulge in these tasty seashells now that I’m in Iloilo! One of the best ways to cook Talaba is by baking it with butter, garlic, and cheese.

Baked Talaba is genuinely a heavenly Ilonggo dish, and I bet no one could ever resist it.

Chicken Tinuom

Chicken Tinuom is another iconic Ilonggo dish that promises a delicious combination of flavors and textures. This delicious chicken recipe is made with native chicken seasoned with onions, tomatoes, and tanglad, then wrapped in a banana leaf. It’s really a unique, flavorful dish and is one of the famous “Binalot Recipes” of Ilonggo cuisine.

Pangat

Pangat is widely known as Ilonggo-style Laing, featuring a flavorful combination of coconut milk and laing (taro leaves). Everyone knows Laing is best served extra spicy and savory, right? Like what the Bicolanos love.

What makes Pangat unique is the addition of the Ilonggos’ very own Batwan, which adds extra layers of flavor and texture to this already irresistible dish.

Ramboys Liempo

Stories say you will never look at Liempo dishes the same way once you try the legendary Ramboys Liempo of Iloilo. Well, it’s hard to disagree!

The tender, juicy, and flavorful meat of their liempo, combined with the sinful crispy-licious skin and delicious sawsawan, is genuinely addicting. You would regret not trying Ramboys Liempo and their other flavorful dishes!

Fried Ibos

Fried Ibos is one of the most heavenly and delicious creations of the Ilonggos, and it’s absolutely a must-try. Ibos is a rice cake and is highly similar to the Suman of the Tagalogs.

Ilonggos made it extra special by frying the Ibos and serving them with a Mango Jelly Dip or rich Tsokolate Tablea. Ah, what a perfect way to end our gastronomic adventure, huh?

Tambo / Utan na puti sabaw

Bamboo Shoots boiled with Okra, shrimp, and coconut milk. One of the favorite Ilonggo dishes cooked with Tambo has gata (coconut milk), tugabang (Jute leaves), Okra, Corn, and crabs or shrimp. This dish is sometimes called “utan na puti sabaw” (white vegetable soup).

Lampirong

Lampirong, also known as the Capiz oyster, is found in abundance around the seafood capital of the Philippines, particularly in Capiz, Roxas. Additionally, the artisanal lampirong fishery in Oton, Iloilo, has been a reliable source of this seashell. Along the highway of Oton, you can buy cooked Lampirong and enjoy it with vinegar.

Bingka

So there you have it! There are truly a lot of beautiful reasons to visit Iloilo, and trust me when I say that the famous Ilonggo Cuisine is one of them. Their unique, flavorful, and mind-blowing food creations are irresistible and world-class!

That’s why when you have the chance to visit Iloilo and the lovely Panay Island, make sure to enjoy all of the must-try dishes that I’ve mentioned. See you on our next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the traditional food of Ilonggo?

The traditional food of the Ilonggo people includes dishes such as La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo, KBL, Kansi, and Laswa. These dishes showcase the province’s rich and diverse culinary heritage.

What is the most popular food in Iloilo?

The most popular food in Iloilo includes La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo, KBL, and Kansi. These dishes are widely enjoyed and celebrated for their unique flavors and cultural significance in the province.

What is the signature food in Iloilo?

The signature food in Iloilo is widely regarded as La Paz Batchoy, a noodle soup featuring pork offal, crushed pork cracklings, and a flavorful broth, typically served with egg noodles.

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Also read:

• Flavors Of The Philippines: Sabores De Visayas
• Have You Ever Tried a Deconstructed KBL? This Degustation Experience Made Me Love it
• Iloilo is now a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
• Iloilo: The Philippines Premier Culinary Destination