5 dishes worth trying when in Iloilo, UNESCO's first Creative City of Gastronomy in PH

Aside from being called the "City of Love," Iloilo is also known for its delectable selection of food you wouldn't want to miss when visiting their vibrant city.

If you're curious about why UNESCO named the city as the Philippines' first Creative City of Gastronomy, let these five authentic Ilonggo dishes convince you why Iloilo is worth the title, as seen on Wednesday's episode of "Unang Hirit."

1. La Paz Batchoy

Whether you're a local or a tourist, La Paz Batchoy is the first dish that comes to mind when talking about Iloilo's cuisine. It's an egg noodle dish with a savory broth, topped with pork, beef, vegetables, and homemade chicharon.

2. KBL

KBL is short for Kadyos, Baboy and Langka. It's an authentic Ilonggo pork stew cooked with Kadyos, which can only be found in Panay Island and Batwan, as its souring ingredient. The broth features a perfect balance of sour and savory. 

3. Darag Chicken 

If Bacolod has Chicken Inasal, then Iloilo has Darag Chicken. It's a roasted native chicken stuffed with lemongrass and Sampaloc leaves.

4. Grilled seafood 

Iloilo is also abundant with seafood products. You may enjoy various fresh seafood dishes in the city, such as grilled oysters, shrimp, squid, blue marlin, and more. 

5. Baye baye

In the Philippines, kakanin, or glutinous rice cake, is a typical dessert among Filipinos, and it has different versions in several parts of the country. In Iloilo, baye-baye is the most common kakanin made of corn. It's usually served during special occasions like birthdays, graduations, Christmas, and New Year.

Earlier this month, UNESCO named Iloilo as the first Philippine city to join its Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of gastronomy for "enhancing access to culture and galvanizing the power of creativity for urban resilience and development."