The famous La Paz Batchoy of Iloilo – soup for the gods!

To be a certified traveler in Iloilo you gotta try a bowl or two of the famous Lapaz Batchoy. Iloilo is home to this hearty kind of soup which is basically made from round noodles or miki, pork meat and innards (liver, heart, spleen, and kidneys), fried chopped garlic, spring onions, crushed pork cracklings, and vegetables.

It is widely believed that this food specialty was first introduced by Chinese immigrants, and that the term Batchoy was derived from the Chinese word (Hokkien) Ba-chui which means pieces of meat. As this unique and tasty soup was originally popularized in Lapaz, Iloilo, the word Lapaz has always been attached to Batchoy.

Lapaz Batchoy can be eaten by using spoon, fork, and chopsticks. Most people consume the solid ingredients first before the broth. At times when the customer happens to consume the broth first, the restaurant would never hesitate to replenish it. With the large bowls of soup that the restaurants dish up, a serving is usually already enough to replace a meal.

There are two leading Lapaz Batchoy restaurant chains in Iloilo – Ted’s and Deco’s. The first to really branch out and establish a marketing scheme is Ted’s. In fact it already has branches in Manila. But Deco’s is challenging the dominance of Ted’s, and has been doing extensive promotion.

Above: La Paz Batchoy is a symbol of Ilonggo Tradition

Lapaz Batchoy is everywhere in Iloilo as it has become a symbol of Ilonggo tradition. It is served in the market, in the malls, and in the streets. The Ilonggos love it, tourists and visitors look forward to it. Bon appetit!