From one Ilonggo icon to another, La Paz batchoy is truly the signature dish of Iloilo. Even though the Big Bee came out with its own version, it never can match the batchoy most Ilonggos have grown up with and still the best batchoy for me – Ted’s Oldtimer La Paz batchoy.
Another comfort food and automatic recommended gastronomic destination if asked what to do in Iloilo City, batchoy has sealed itself as an attraction when in Iloilo. It knows no time, no occasion, or even location – Ted’s has a 24/7 branch and is on its way of invading the country with more branches to come soon.
But I still love the La Salette branch, its proximity and convenience plus the fact they still serve batchoy is shallower bowls that the art of batchoy presentation is still intact. The noodles at the bottom submerged in the broth with the pork, chicharon, intestines and liver .Then with soy sauce and pepper, out comes an explosion of flavours and aroma that is distinctly that of La Paz batchoy and Iloilo. Of course, I always ask for a complimentary bowl of caldo (broth) for me to prolong the goodness of this gastronomic experience. They say a genuine Ilonggo eats batchoy by consuming the caldo first eating little or none of the noodles and its toppings first. With a second or even third bowl of caldo, that’s when he starts consuming the entire dish. I don’t live up with this to make myself a GI, it just comes naturally – even when in the scorching summer heat, I still have at least an extra bowl.
All this writing and looking at the pictures makes me cry out in despair – I want my bowl of Ted’s La Paz batchoy!