Two of the most popular Ilonggo dishes are La Paz Batchoy and Pancit Molo. The former is associated with La Paz district, while the latter originated in Molo district where most Chinese Ilonggos lived. While Pancit Molo has Chinese influences, Ilonggos have made this dish truly their own.
If you’re craving for something hot in the City of Love, below is a list of where you can eat the Best Pancit Molo in Iloilo City.
1. Kap Ising Pancit Molo
Price: PhP45 to PhP75
Where to Buy: South San Jose, Molo
Wonton soup as prepared at Kap Ising
Image: Kap Ising Pancit Molo
Kap Ising Pancit Molo is one place where locals can satisfy their soup cravings. Kap Ising’s is said to have the best-tasting Pancit Molo in town. This famous Ilonggo soup is priced at PhP50 to PhP75 depending on the number of wonton balls.
Kap Ising’s caters to individual or bulk orders. To cater to more clients, Kap Ising’s has put up a mobile kitchen near The Medical City Iloilo to bring people closer to their favorite dish.
2. Tita Paz House of Pancit Molo
Price: PhP50 to PhP100
Where to Buy: Molo, Iloilo City
Pancit Molo is best enjoyed with bread.
Image: Randy Javier Fadrigo
Tita Paz House of Pancit Molo claims to be the place where the famous soup originated. The said restaurant shares space with Molo County Bakeshop where locals can also purchase take-home gifts or pasalubong items from Iloilo.
If you can’t stay long enough to try their Pancit Molo, you can buy freshly prepared wonton balls. Just boil the wonton balls with the suggested amount of water, and you can already enjoy Pancit Molo at home.
3. Carlo’s Bakery Cafe
Price: PhP70 to PhP100
Where to Buy: Various places in Panay Island
A generous serving of Pancit Molo from Carlo’s Bakery Cafe
Image: Carlo’s Bakery Cafe
If you wish to taste Pancit Molo without really visiting Molo district, you may opt to go to any branch of Carlo’s Bakery Cafe within the city. Their Pancit Molo comes with big wonton balls sprinkled with a generous amount of garlic toppings and served with a slice of bread.
Diners can have a taste of Pancit Molo from Carlo’s Bakery Cafe inside major malls and supermarkets in Western Visayas for them to try out iloilo's unique dining experience.
4. JD Bakery Café
Price: PhP40 to PhP60
Where to Buy: Various places in Panay Island
Pancit Molo may be tasted at any JD branch in Western Visayas.
Image: Jay Levi Sy
Homegrown restaurant JD Bakery Café also offers this popular Ilonggo dish. JD’s version has a little deviation from the original recipe because of the addition of shrimps. Nevertheless, it can still satisfy your craving for this Ilonggo dish at a very minimal cost.
JD Bakery Café has branches in La Paz, Molo, Iloilo City, SM City Iloilo, Robinsons Place Iloilo, and Antique.
5. Ted’s Oldtimer Lapaz Batchoy
Price: PhP100
Where to Buy: Diversion Road, Mandurriao
Ted’s Old Timer La Paz Batchoy also offers the ultimate favorite Ilonggo dish.
Image: Ted's Oldtimer Lapaz Batchoy
Perhaps you’ve been used to going to a branch of Ted’s Oldtimer La Paz Batchoy to try La Paz Batchoy. Interestingly, Ted’s has also started preparing Pancit Molo, the twin dish of batchoy. This means that one need not go to other restaurants to try these two famous Ilonggo dishes.
The branch of Ted’s by the Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City is open 24 hours a day.
6. Book Latté
Price: PhP80 to PhP100
Where to Buy: Robinson’s Place Iloilo and Festive Walk
A satisfying serving of Pancit Molo from Book Latté
Image: Book Latté
Do you wish to have a comforting bowl of soup while studying? Book Latté is then the best option for you. Located at Robinson’s Place Iloilo and Iloilo Business Park, the first and only library lounge in Iloilo also serves Pancit Molo. The hotness and taste of their Pancit Molo is just perfect for you to stay awake while studying or finishing your school requirements. Diners who want to read can also enjoy comfortable seats at Book Latte.
7. Lars Buko Batchoy Mandurriao
Price: PhP100
Where to Buy: Mandurriao, Iloilo
Pancit Molo in buko from Lars Buko Batchoy
Image: LARS Buko Batchoy Mandurriao
If you wish to try a one-of-a-kind Pancit Molo recipe, you can head to Lars Buko Batchoy Mandurriao where they serve the dish inside a coconut shell. The sweetness of the buko (coconut) and saltiness of the dish blend well to give customers a unique dining experience. With its affordable price, locals and tourists can always come back for more.
Make sure to visit Yoorekka to learn more and find out the best places eat in Iloilo City.
When in the City of Love, be sure to taste Pancit Molo, a dish that reflects the identity and history of Iloilo.
* Prices may change without prior notice.
