{"id":11004,"date":"2026-01-06T11:43:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T03:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/?p=11004"},"modified":"2026-01-06T11:43:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T03:43:26","slug":"curious-about-the-best-siopao-in-iloilo-city-we-tried-robertos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/curious-about-the-best-siopao-in-iloilo-city-we-tried-robertos\/","title":{"rendered":"Curious about the &#8216;best siopao in Iloilo City&#8217;? We tried Roberto\u2019s"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>The Grab driver told us that the \u201cdowntown\u201d area of Iloilo City has moved, from the older city center not too far from the city hall and provincial capitol, to the commercial area of Mandurriao. This shift means many of the older attractions are ignored, if not forgotten. And among these is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/p\/Robertos-Iloilo-100064108446570\/\">Roberto\u2019s<\/a>, popular for selling <em>siopao<\/em> (hot buns) since 1978.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@outragemag\/video\/7592086753536822548\" data-video-id=\"7592086753536822548\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;\" >\n<section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@outragemag\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@outragemag?refer=embed\">@outragemag<\/a> Have you tried the supposedly best <a title=\"siopao\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/siopao?refer=embed\">#siopao<\/a> in <a title=\"iloilo\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/iloilo?refer=embed\">#Iloilo<\/a>? We <a title=\"lgbt\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/lgbt?refer=embed\">#LGBT<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c original sound  - Outrage Magazine\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-Outrage-Magazine-7592086827824794376?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>With good word of mouth (and not just from the Grab driver, but also from the hotel\u2019s staff, bank security guard, and so on), we checked the maker of, supposedly, the city\u2019s \u201clargest best-tasting <em>siopao<\/em>\u201d. And <em>kumusta ang <\/em>experience <em>namin<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Una<\/em>, the place is easy to find. Locals know about this place, so \u2013 if you ask \u2013 you will be guided accordingly. Not that this is needed, actually, since the place is located in the historic street of Calle Real, a.k.a. J.M. Basa Street, which tourists tend to pass through if checking the older parts of Iloilo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ikalawa<\/em>, the resto is old, complete with old furniture, those old mirrors, old photos and tarpaulins pasted on various parts of the resto, and so on. I doubt people visit for the glam, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ikatlo<\/em>, they have a <em>karinderya<\/em> system. Here, you are supposed to queue to order, and then find your own table\/seat. The place can get full, so that take-out orders are common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ika-apat<\/em>, the workers are\u2026 impersonal. No engagement of customers happens here; just order and pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ikalima, kumusta ang<\/em> offerings?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are four types of <em>siopao:<\/em> the \u20b1180 Queen, \u20b1150 King, \u20b1100 Jumbo and \u20b160 Regular. Aside from the size (e.g. the Queen is the biggest, at least they\u2019re not patriarchal), the fillings also vary. The Queen, for instance, has bacon, Chinese sausage, chicken-pork adobo, and egg; while, for the King, remove the bacon). Yes, the <em>siopaos<\/em> we got were bigger-than-usual. And the dough used was soft. But, taste-wise, they were\u2026 not exactly memorable. <em>Malaki <\/em>and<em> malaman<\/em> but unremarkable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The \u20b1115 <em>bihon<\/em> was served in a plastic bag; you, yourself, had to transfer it to the Styrofoam provided. This one didn\u2019t have a lot of <em>sahog<\/em> except for those pesky chicken bones. And, sadly, it was quite tasteless.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The \u20b145 meatballs were surprising, tasting like skinless <em>lumpiang<\/em> Shanghai.<\/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\/Roberto1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11015\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto1-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto1-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto1-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto1-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto1-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto1.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\/Roberto2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11005\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto2-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11005\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto2-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto2-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto2-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto2-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto2.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\/Roberto3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11012\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto3-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto3-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto3-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto3-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto3-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto3.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\/Roberto4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11014\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto4-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto4-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto4-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto4-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto4-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto4.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\/Roberto5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11016\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto5-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto5-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto5-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto5-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto5-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto5.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\/Roberto6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11017\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto6-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto6-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto6-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto6-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto6-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto6.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\/Roberto7.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11006\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto7-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11006\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto7-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto7-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto7-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto7-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto7.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\/Roberto8.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11007\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto8-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11007\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto8-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto8-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto8-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto8-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto8.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\/Roberto9.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11008\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto9-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11008\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto9-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto9-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto9-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto9-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto9.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\/Roberto10.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11009\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto10-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11009\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto10-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto10-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto10-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto10-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto10.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\/Roberto11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11010\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto11-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto11-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto11-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto11-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto11-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto11.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\/Roberto12.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11011\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto12-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11011\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto12-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto12-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto12-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto12-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto12.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\/Roberto13.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11013\" src=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto13-572x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto13-572x1024.jpg 572w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto13-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto13-768x1375.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto13-858x1536.jpg 858w, https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Roberto13.jpg 1127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Long queues form in front of Roberto\u2019s almost every day, with many just ordering the Queen <em>siopao<\/em>. We\u2019re on the fence here, on whether this is deserved. Because we know Iloilo has other offerings that deserve just-as-much if not even more attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And so off we go in search of more <em>lafangan<\/em> venues\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Roberto\u2019s is located at 61 J.M. Basa Street, Iloilo City.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We checked the maker of, supposedly, the city\u2019s \u201clargest best-tasting siopao\u201d. And kumusta ang experience namin?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11018,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,8,7],"tags":[1165,1347,772,1832,2546,110,1742],"class_list":["post-11004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destinations","category-dining-out","category-travel","tag-food","tag-food-trend","tag-foodie","tag-iloilo","tag-robertos","tag-travel-2","tag-travel-adventure"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11004"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11004\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11019,"href":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11004\/revisions\/11019"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}