“Kanamit kaayo!”

Known as the capital of Negros Occidental, Bacolod is locally recognized as the “City of Smiles”. In this lush and unassuming city, local residents are well known and loved for their outward hospitality and sweet welcoming smiles.

However, their sweet smiles are not all for naught as Bacolod is acknowledged to be the sugar capital of the country--producing only the sweetest sugar from the best sugar canes in the metro--it should be no surprise if every local possesses a sweet tooth! It is for this reason that the city plays host to innumerable cafés and coffee shops who serve only the finest cakes and pastries.

If you are looking for an affordable condo in Bacolod, or want to bring sweet treats back home, read on.

However, do not limit your pasalubong and souvenir shopping to sweet cafes and souvenir shops, as Bacolod also has an array of food delicacies that can only be sampled within the metro. Their chicken inasal for one has remained unrivaled and if you want your family back home to have a sample taste of this city, bring back home a piece of Bacolod by shopping for these five delicacies that are truly redolent of this sweet and wonderful city.

Bacolod delicacies that are good pasalubongs

1.) Napoleones

Never miss buying a box of Napoleones to bring back home if ever you are in Bacolod. It is well known and loved by the locals for its creamy custard and sweet white sugar glaze on top. These puff pastries are usually sold by the dozen in a box, but can be bought individually. Arguably, Pendy’s has the best-selling Napoleones, but some would say Roli’s has it better. If you are torn between the two, bring a box from both. These pastries are so popular in the city that you will find them anywhere in delicacy stores such as Merczi or Bongbong’s. Finding these stores would not be hard either as they have proliferated in the city--from across the local city’s park.

2.) Piyaya

Best served hot, these wafer-thin treats should be one of the delicacies in your pasalubong box. Piyaya is a flat pastry filled with muscovado sugar which is a healthier alternative to white refined sugar. Muscovado is the least refined sugar of all cane sugars and the molasses is not removed—but, you will find that despite this, Piyaya is still an impeccably sweet snack. For the best Piyaya, take a trip to Bailon’s. It contains only a thin layer of muscovado which balances out the snack perfectly.

3.) Chicken inasal

What is a trip to Bacolod if you cannot even bring home their most popular and beloved dish? When it comes to the best tasting chicken barbecue in the country, Bacolod’s chicken inasal remains unmatched and for good reason. Their own version of this chicken barbecue is so sumptuous because it is marinated in a symphony of different spices such as Sinamak (Negros vinegar), ginger onions, garlic, spices and anato oil. It is then grilled over open flame and enjoyed hot. Bring a box of their famous chicken inasal back home and reheat it in the toaster and you will find it would taste just as good. For top-notch chicken inasal, go to Aida’s as they specialize in packaging their food for plane flights as well.

4.) Guapple pie

A local counterpart to the American’s dessert staple can be found in Bacolod and is locally known as the Guapple pie. Guapple is a Vietnamese variant of Guava and has a texture that is reminiscent and very similar to an actual apple. Alice Villanueva of El Ideal Bake Shop pioneered the very first Guapple pie by using Guapple as a substitute for apples and it was instantly well received. Located just a few minutes away from the airport, pay El Ideal Bake Shop in Silay(a neighboring city of Bacolod) a visit and grab a box of their famous guapple pie. Alternatively, you can also bring home a box of their Buko pie which is just as sumptuous as their famous pie.

5.) Mango tart (Pastillas de manga)

Although Virgie’s has been widely franchised all over the Philippines, the taste would be a lot different if it came straight from the manufacturers. Before you head home, get a box of their mango tarts or pastillas de manga which is what made this delicacy shop so popular. If the tangy taste of mangoes is not to your liking, you can buy a box of their cheese tarts or their other best seller called the Boat Tarts (a butter caramel laced with meringue on top).

Bacolod has been widely known for its great food, excellent and affordable restaurants and warm people. It is truly a one of a kind experience that must be shared and so should you.Give your loved ones and friends a brief sample of your food adventure in Bacolod by bringing home to them some of Bacolod’s best dishes the next time you visit.