Netong's is a popular batchoyan in the middle of the Lapaz Market. But it is also turo-turo with more than 20 dishes on display but that didn't distract from the order I actually came for - pata or linaga. Actually, I had my tastebuds set on on their pata but it wasn't available until 3pm that day, so I had to settle for linaga. Equally appetizing and cholesterol laden ... I am not quite accustomed to linaga being cooked in large "kalaha" or frying pan that I looked for deep kalderos in the area until the server pointed that big kawali as the container for linaga. It didn't quite look appetizing at first that I thoughts of cancelling my order and opt for their batchoy instead. But the linaga started to have it's familiar look as the server got a piece of beef then cut it into bite size pieces.From an almost cancelled order to an appetizing bowl of slow-boiled beef, Netong's linaga instantly became a favorite and wouldn't mind having another bowl or eating there for the next few straight days. The beef was very soft but you'd still have to bite in it giving it a contrasting texture. The broth was very good that "sabaw pa lang ulam na". At times there are bony parts attached to the beef but they are quite edible that I had fun crunching them. It was so good and delicious that even two cups of rice wasn't enough, but I had to stop at two. I finished my rice with still a third of the linaga left in the bowl to which I savoured every "strand" of the beef and every drip of the broth. Almost a surprise when the bill came that this bowl of linaga was only Php35! And with two servings of rice, that one delicious lunch was only Php51. Now, Netong's is not only a place where one can have Lapaz Batchoy but also a good bowl of linaga. And I hope I'll catch their pata next time I drop by the Lapaz public market for there's definitely more than batchoy in Lapaz!
K.B.L. or Kadyos, Baboy, Langka is the ultimate favorite dish of most Ilonggos. It is also one of the most missed native dishes as kadyos and the souring ingredient, batwan , are hard to find when outside of the Ilonggo region. Basically, it is boiled/stewed pork dish owing its "deliciousness" to the combination of the soft and tender pork, the tamed sourness of batwan and the malinamnam na sabaw . One of the "secrets" of the malinamnamn na sabaw , is the fact that the pork, whether just the plain meat or pata (hocks) are first grilled or broiled. This gives the broth a rather smoky taste that makes it more appetizing.. Learn how to make the Ilonggo dish KBL (Kadyos, Baboy, at Langka) with the recipe below. Ingredients 1 kilo Pata (pork hocks) or pork cubes, GRILLED and sliced into bite size pieces 1 unripe Jack fruit, cubed 2 cups pigeon pea (kadyos) 6-8 pieces batwan fruit (or tamarind powder) 1 piece pork broth cube (