I can now cross out Inggo's Lapaz batchoy on my to visit/eat list as I finally visited it's branch at the back of Robinson's Place Iloilo a week ago. Despite the searing noon time heat I braved the unfamiliar part of the city to satisfy my curiosity for this Lapaz batchoy.
The ambiance of the batchoyan was reminiscent to that of La salette building before it go renovated with Ted's nat's or even Oak Barrel, it was atypical modern batchoyan caught between the past and trying to be "in" at present. It was like a deja vu of sorts.I read a lot, heard and seen this batchoy before and since then my curiosity heightened especially on its claim to be the "original" beating the other "original" (Deco's) by 17 years. On tarpaulins, Inggo claims to have been serving batchoy since 1921 compared to 1938 of Deco's. But enough of who's original claim! It's time for the real thing ...So I got the biggest bowl of Inggo's Lapaz batchoy and had a puto plus a bottle of soda for less than a hundred. The rice cake was good, enough to be almost like the "manapla" kind and I enjoyed dipping into the broth. The contrast of the hot broth to the puto's cold and semi bland taste was a perfect combination.
The ambiance of the batchoyan was reminiscent to that of La salette building before it go renovated with Ted's nat's or even Oak Barrel, it was atypical modern batchoyan caught between the past and trying to be "in" at present. It was like a deja vu of sorts.I read a lot, heard and seen this batchoy before and since then my curiosity heightened especially on its claim to be the "original" beating the other "original" (Deco's) by 17 years. On tarpaulins, Inggo claims to have been serving batchoy since 1921 compared to 1938 of Deco's. But enough of who's original claim! It's time for the real thing ...So I got the biggest bowl of Inggo's Lapaz batchoy and had a puto plus a bottle of soda for less than a hundred. The rice cake was good, enough to be almost like the "manapla" kind and I enjoyed dipping into the broth. The contrast of the hot broth to the puto's cold and semi bland taste was a perfect combination.
Now, the batchoy! Hmmm, it was good but not enough to make me forget my name. The aroma is that of the typical batchoy but it was more on the ingredients and taste that I find some things. First the broth as not as tasty as Ted's Oldtimer that I lost count how many times I used the soy sauce and pepper bottles. The amount of ingredients are not as generous (though it costs around 10 pesos lesser than Ted's, I think).
But it's definitely better than Deco's in my opinion though I have to taste Deco's batchoy in their original batchoyan at the Lapaz market (very) soon.
But it's definitely better than Deco's in my opinion though I have to taste Deco's batchoy in their original batchoyan at the Lapaz market (very) soon.
Over-all, its a good batchoy experience for the Ilonggo tastebud or for those looking for their first taste of lapaz batchoy. The unhurried ambiance is reflective of Iloilo City's way of life plus the taste mirrors the Ilonggos love for good food and the good life.
Inggo's Original Lapaz Batchoy has branches at the Iloilo City Terminal market (back of Robinson's), inside Iloilo Central market and at the canteen of WVSU (Don Benito) Hospital.
Inggo's Original Lapaz Batchoy has branches at the Iloilo City Terminal market (back of Robinson's), inside Iloilo Central market and at the canteen of WVSU (Don Benito) Hospital.