MassKara Festival isn't the only thing that makes Bacolod a happy place.

The city has trademark dishes such as these six you should definitely try!

Bacolod. The City of Smiles. The land of sugarcane. It is no wonder that the city is a place full of happy and sweet people. As a prime metropolitan area shaped by history, faith, local culture, and economic growth, Bacolod City remains a popular tourist spot and perhaps a suitable location to find residential real estate to buy and rent.

And if you've recently moved into your house for rent in Bacolod and have yet to learn about
your new home, start with the city's well-known cuisine. That said, here are six Bacolod trademark dishes you should try.

Piaya

Photo by Kguirnela on Wikimedia Commons

As a prime sugar producer and exporter, many of Bacolod's delicacies anchor on this sweet
ingredient, piaya being a prime example. Traditional Bacolod-style piaya is an unleavened flat bread filled with toasted muscovado or brown sugar. The combination of the sticky sugar and thin, flaky dough creates an interesting and chewy texture in your mouth. For your next merienda in your house for rent in Bacolod City, pair piaya with your cup of coffee, tea, or hot
chocolate.

Kansi

Photo by bengv168_food on Lutong Pinoy Recipe

Looking for a savory recipe to cook for your weekend lunch? Kansi is a stew dish you should definitely try out. It is a cross between bulalo and sinigang due to its sour flavor and usage of bone marrow and beef hocks. The combination of two Filipino comfort foods in one will surely make you feel like you're being embraced by a warm, loving hug. Should you want to try kansi from Bacolod's local eateries, Eron's, Sharyn's, and Business Inn are popular places to order the dish.

Batchoy

Photo by Heidigutierrez on Wikimedia Commons

Yes, batchoy is also a must-try for tourists visiting the City of Smiles! And if La Paz is the best place to get batchoy in Iloilo, in Bacolod City, the ultimate batchoy place is 21 Restaurant in Lacson Street. From its humble beginnings as a small eatery, 21 Restaurant has become a household name serving old-style batchoy with liver, chicharon bits, and other flavorful toppings.
Perhaps its not-so-secret ingredient that makes it so good is adding small bits of bone marrow
for a richer and meatier flavor.

Chicken Inasal

Photo by Elmer B. Domingo on Wikimedia Commons

If you're craving a different twist on roasted chicken, Bacolod has chicken inasal—chicken
marinated in calamansi, pepper, annatto, and sukang tuba (coconut vinegar). The chicken is
then grilled over hot coals while being basted with its marinade. The result is a savory, slightly sour, and spicy chicken cooked to perfection! For the best eating experience, eat your chicken inasal with rice, chicken oil, and soy sauce with calamansi, vinegar, and chili pepper.

Calea's Cakes

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After you've eaten your fill of kansi and chicken inasal, a dessert stop at Calea's in Balay Quince at Lacson Street may help you get rid of that post-binge bloating. Calea's classic and must-try cake is its imported chocolate cake, popular for being thick, moist, and not so sweet. Such a decadent dessert is suitable for those who care craving for sweets but do not want the extra sugar. If you aren't a fan of chocolate, Calea's also has ice cream cakes and cheesecakes on its menu.

Barquillos

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Another sugary treat Bacolod has to offer are barquillos, which are thin wafer rolls with a
crunchy texture and sweet flavor. Think of these sweet rolls as Bacolod-style Stik-O wafers. Add these to your favorite ice cream scoops or milkshake blends to recreate the fun and happy childhood memories you've had.
In most areas in the Philippines, food is a defining factor of historical and cultural identity. By exploring these six trademark dishes of Bacolod, you get a sense of the city's past, present, and future.

SOURCES:
https://www.camellamanors.com/2021/08/11/ultimate-food-trip-guide-in-bacolod/
https://www.tatlerasia.com/dining/digest/what-to-eat-in-bacolod\
https://dealgrocer.com/dgtraveler/articles/more-than-inasal-10-other-must-try-delicacies-in-bacolod-5b3490323720645682000035