La Paz batchoy, one of Iloilo’s signature dishes, is a favorite not only among locals but also among visitors, including foreigners.
Originated from La Paz district in Iloilo City, batchoy has been named by TasteAtlas, an international food database, as the world’s best offal soup.
“From La Paz, batchoy spread to other parts of the country to become one of the most famous Filipino soup dishes,” said TasteAtlas.
Based on reviews, batchoy received 4.3 stars out of 5. The noodle-based soup shared the top spot with Turkey’s Kelle paça çorbası.
Batchoy is composed of homemade noodles, sliced pork offal (intestines, liver, spleen), and chicken or beef stock.
The soup, “seasoned with shrimp paste and (occasionally) soy sauce,” is garnished with pork cracklings, fried garlic bits, chives or green onion leaves, and boiled egg.
TasteAtlas identified Netong’s Original Special La Paz Batchoy, Ted’s Oldtimer La Paz Batchoy, and Deco’s Original La Paz Batchoy in Iloilo City as the best batchoyans or places that serve batchoy.
Other popular batchoyans in Iloilo are Inggo’s La Paz Batchoy, Popoy’s Original La Paz Batchoy, and Alicia’s Restaurant.
Batchoy comes in different serving sizes: regular, special, super special, mega special, etc. It is usually served with puto or pandesal.
There are now many variations of batchoy. These include buko batchoy (mixed with coconut juice and meat) bulachoy (combination of bulalo and batchoy) and patachoy (combination of para and batchoy).
Batchoy is believed to have been created before the second world war.IMT
Photos by Ian Paul Cordero/IMT NEWS
