Deco's Original La Paz Batchoy: Innovating the batchoyan while keeping the Ilonggo culinary tradition

Vibrant and festive hues of red, orange, yellow and blue welcome diners to the newly opened Deco's Original La Paz Batchoy at Robinsons Place Jaro.

The chain’s third branch ushers in the batchoyan of the 21st century as it features modern and chic interiors.

An open kitchen surrounded with a counter where the guests can eat their meals, highlights the newest branch as it also becomes the prototype for future branches and renovations.

With the concept, diners get to see how their bowls of La paz batchoy are prepared from scratch and served to them – just like the typical batchoyan but in a modern setting

Ditas Taleon of Injap Investment, Marichel Magalona, Marilou Cacho, Ted Magalona, Atty. Helen Catalbas, and Fr. Joseph Haw, S. J. during the opening of Deco’s Original La Paz Batchoy in Robinsons Place Jaro

“We are revolutionizing the look of a batchoyan in Iloilo to make it more exciting to our guests.” says Mrs. Marichel Magalona, licensed operator of Deco's Original La Paz Batchoy.

“Given the fact that Iloilo is very progressive, Ilonggos today are more modern and many tourists are visiting our city. We have created a look that has an inviting ambiance that people from all walks of life will be happy to eat there,”

The ambiance of the restaurant may be modern, but the batchoy is very much traditional Ilonggo and prepared the way it has been for decades.

“We continue to prepare our batchoy the same way it was done and created in La Paz before the 2nd World War broke out. This is how Ilonggos love their batchoy, and to this day, we continue to please their palate,” says Mrs. Magalona.

Deco's Original La Paz Batchoy was founded in 1938 by Federico Guillergan Sr., a butcher in La Paz Public Market. Deco, as what he is called by family and friends, loves to cook and experimented on a soup by combining miki, pork meat, liver, intestines and different spices.

“We do not practice shortcuts in our stock making. We ensure the quality of our ingredients. We have our own reverse osmosis system so clients are assured that the water used for our stock and for drinking is clean and safe,” adds Mrs. Magalona.

Deco's Original La Paz Batchoy Jaro branch is a far cry from the batchoyans in La Paz Public Market decades ago.

It is not your typical batchoyan as this one is a fusion of Asian and Ilonggo – Ramen-style setting serving an Iloilo specialty

The menu also had some changes as it has been streamlined. Aside from the batchoy served with puto and/or pan de sal, one can opt for dinuguan, sio pao (chicken and pork) and sio mai.

You can also have this Ilonggo specialty to-go as orders are placed in convenient containers for easy handling during travel.

This new branch in Jaro is certainly good news for the residents as well as the neighboring districts who want to have a taste of the first and original batchoy.

Visiting tourists who are touring the area need not go far to have a taste of Iloilo’s most popular signature soup.

With the opening of Deco’s Robinsons Jaro, locals and tourists can now enjoy the Ilonggos’ favorite soup in 3 locations. The other 2 branches are in Valeria Street (La Salette Building) and Robinsons Place Iloilo.

To be kept updated of their latest offerings and promotions, Like or follow them on Instagram @decosbatchoy and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/decos.lapaz.batchoy.official/.

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