{"id":10987,"date":"2026-01-03T10:52:53","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T02:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/?p=10987"},"modified":"2026-01-03T10:52:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T02:52:55","slug":"trying-iloilo-citys-original-batchoy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/trying-iloilo-citys-original-batchoy\/","title":{"rendered":"Trying Iloilo City&#8217;s original batchoy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><em>May<\/em> select food <em>sa<\/em> Philippines that made such big impressions so that they\u2019re now being mimicked in various forms. Iloilo\u2019s <em>batchoy<\/em>, <em>halimbawa<\/em> \u2013 like Batangas <em>lomi<\/em> and Bacolod <em>inasal<\/em> \u2013 was already appropriated by makers of instant noodles.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@outragemag\/video\/7590959340480154900\" data-video-id=\"7590959340480154900\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;\" >\n<section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@outragemag\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@outragemag?refer=embed\">@outragemag<\/a> <a title=\"lgbt\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/lgbt?refer=embed\">#LGBT<\/a> tasting original <a title=\"batchoy\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/batchoy?refer=embed\">#batchoy<\/a> in <a title=\"iloilo\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/iloilo?refer=embed\">#Iloilo<\/a> via the grimy <a title=\"netongslapazbatchoy\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/netongslapazbatchoy?refer=embed\">#netongslapazbatchoy<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c original sound  - Outrage Magazine\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-Outrage-Magazine-7590959381286701831?refer=embed\">\u266c original sound  &#8211; Outrage Magazine<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And so while in Iloilo City, we headed to one of the original makers of <em>batchoy<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/netongsrestaurant\/\">Netong&#8217;s Original Special La Paz Batchoy<\/a>, established in 1948 by Teodorico \u201cNetong\u201d Guillergan Sr., and try one of the country\u2019s most distinct noodle soups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Una<\/em>, this place is easy to find. Located inside the Lapaz Public Market, surrounded by other <em>batchoy<\/em> venues, locals actually also know of this place, so you can be guided accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ikalawa<\/em>, the actual resto is\u2026 nothing special. Looking like a small <em>karinderya<\/em>, this not-classy place isn\u2019t the cleanest-looking, with the varnish or paint of the wooden tables already peeling, the flooring already seeing better days, and so on. But you do get proper seating in a <em>masikip<\/em> venue that\u2019s better suited for smaller groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ikatlo<\/em>, the workers are\u2026 perfunctory. They know what they\u2019re selling, yes, but this isn\u2019t a fine dining venue, so don\u2019t expect to be pampered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ika-apat<\/em>, now\u2026 <em>kumusta ang<\/em> food?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The place only really sells <em>batchoy<\/em>, and there are three variants: the \u20b1100 Super, \u20b1120 Extra, and \u20b1140 Mega. The differences are the <em>sahog<\/em>. We wanted to order the Mega, but <em>ubos na<\/em>. So we got the Extra, which had pork, beef, liver, entrails, crunchy garlic, <em>chicharon<\/em>, and so on. For \u20b120, we also added eggs (raw, added into the broth). And yep\u2026 this one\u2019s good, with the flavors mixing properly. <em>Matamis na<\/em> garlicky <em>na<\/em> salty, just as <em>batchoy<\/em> should taste.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The \u20b1100 <em>dinuguan<\/em> (pork blood stew) was actually good, not <em>malansa<\/em> (fishy or off-putting) since it\u2019s properly cooked and flavored. <em>Maasim-asim<\/em> due to the vinegar used, though not overpowering, so that it could also be okay as <em>ulam<\/em> (viand).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The \u20b130 <em>puto<\/em> that come in threes are actually hefty. This isn\u2019t dry, nor too airy, so it\u2019s actually quite filling.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10989\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong1-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10989\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong1-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong1-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong1-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong1-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong1.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10991\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong2-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10991\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong2-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong2-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong2-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong2-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong2.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10988\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong3-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10988\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong3-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong3-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong3-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong3-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong3.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10994\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong4-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10994\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong4-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong4-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong4-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong4-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong4.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10990\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong5-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10990\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong5-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong5-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong5-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong5-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong5.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10998\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong6-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10998\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong6-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong6-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong6-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong6-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong6.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong7.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10992\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong7-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10992\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong7-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong7-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong7-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong7-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong7.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong8.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10993\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong8-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10993\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong8-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong8-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong8-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong8-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong8.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong9.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10995\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong9-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10995\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong9-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong9-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong9-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong9-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong9.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong10.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10999\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong10-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10999\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong10-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong10-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong10-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong10-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong10.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10996\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong11-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10996\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong11-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong11-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong11-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong11-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong11.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong12.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10997\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong12-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10997\" srcset=\"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong12-572x1024.jpg 572w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong12-168x300.jpg 168w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong12-768x1375.jpg 768w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong12-858x1536.jpg 858w, http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Netong12.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fact: Iloilo City was recognized in 2023 as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, stressing how some of its culinary offerings are really must-check. And yes, include <em>batchoy<\/em> among those that should be tried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But off we go in search for more <em>lafangan<\/em> venues\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Netong&#8217;s Original Special La Paz Batchoy is located at Lapaz Public Market, along Rizal Street in La Paz, Iloilo City. Contact (033) 396 2189, or head to their (not very active) Facebook page for more info.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We&#8217;ve all tried the #batchoy flavor of the instant noodles, but what does the non-fake version actually taste like? In Iloilo, we checked out one of the original batchoy makers, Netong&#8217;s.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11000,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,7],"tags":[1445,1832,2545,110,1742],"class_list":["post-10987","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destinations","category-travel","tag-dining-out","tag-iloilo","tag-netongs","tag-travel-2","tag-travel-adventure"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10987","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10987"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10987\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11001,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10987\/revisions\/11001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10987"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10987"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10987"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}