FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

Lunch around ten days ago brought me to one of Iloilo’s most popular seafood joints – Allan’s Talabahan in Oton. It’s a byword among Ilonggos in this part of Iloilo as this hole in the wall restaurant attracts not only Ogtonganons but tourists and foreigners as well. A no-frills food stop, Allan’s Talabahan claim to fame are obviously oysters (talaba) thus the name “talabahan” - an oyster place. Among its best sellers are their baked oysters with fried garlic and powdered milk as toppings. They also have other fares like kinilaw na tangigue, a variety of fish – grilled, kinilaw, made into soup or whatever customers request. Grilled pork, squid, and a whole lot more makes Allan’s Talabahan a foodie magnet in the part of Iloilo. Good thing to know that they will be transferring to a bigger and better branch very soon and it’s really worth another visit.

The heavy rains one afternoon didn’t stop us from seeking what is considered to be an oyster Mecca in the town of Oton . Allan’s Talabahan , a few minutes from the town center, is among the most popular no frills food stop and has quite a number of patrons ranging from locals to balikbayans and even foreigners. It’s no nonsense accommodation gives diners more chance to focus more on its gastronomic delights that people come in droves. It was my first time at Allan’s though I have blog entries about it through the photos I my acquaintances who are regulars. The few times I’ve been to the area, I pass by it not knowing what I was missing – I’m no oyster fan at all. But the bloglure of being there and experiencing and sharing what it like to be actually there is way different than just sharing what others had been through. So with no protest, together with other bloggers we sought a late lunch at Allan’s one day and yes, our table had oysters – lots of it. The most popular of which is no ...

I'm no talaba eater nor have been to this native restaurant but Allan's Talabahan is a popular food trip destination that my blog can't resist. As the restaurant names say's it's talaba (oyster) that patrons keep coming back for despite roadside and simple ambiance. Bob of GoIloilo has this to say about Allan's Talabahan "Allan’s Talabaon Restaurant on the National Highway in Oton, just as you’re leaving town heading toward Tigbauan. This is an economical, dirt-floored and popular local eatery specializing in oysters. My wife is an oyster aficionado and says Alan’s are the best. There are other choices, whole BBQ native chicken stuffed with lemon grass and various kinds of grilled fish. The Pantat is especially good." Photo credits: SNEEZENIZ , NATIE, and DRAFKN

WEEKEND PASTIME: Jake M wrote" I ordered 1 serving of boiled oyster (1 kilo including shell) plus 2 cups of rice for a light dinner at Allan’s Talabahan in Oton. Cost: PhP55 (US$1+) including softdrink. The waitress set the table with a small bowl of siling labuyo (hot chili), slice of kalamansi, a bottle of soy sauce and sinamak. Sinamak is a bottled concoction made of red and green siling labuyo, ginger, coconut vinegar, garlic and other spices..... " Courtesy of WeekendPastime