21’s La Paz Batchoy

La Paz Batchoy is one of my ultimate favourite Filipino soups. For the readers abroad, batchoy is a type of soup that has egg noodles, shrimps, vegetables, crushed pork cracklings, stripped chicken breast, beef loin, spring onions fried garlic and other pork organs in chicken stock. The numerous ingredients do not sound quite delectable, but it’s an entirely different thing when a bowl of hot soup is sitting right in front of you, releasing its appetizing aroma.

When I learned that I was heading to Bacolod, I was thrilled because I’d be tasting one of the best versions of La Paz Batchoy. While I was completely contented with Ilonggo Grill’s version, a colleague from my former job told me that it can’t stand up against the ones made in Ilo-ilo and Bacolod.

21 has quite an intimidating interior. The ambiance is similar to fine dining restaurants here in Manila. The crowd is composed of well-dressed middle-aged couples or group of friends having an enjoyable breakfast. I came in shorts. It was a good thing that they do not have a dress code, otherwise, I surely won’t be allowed to dine. 

You’ll be surprised by the prices of the food though we only ordered La Paz Batchoy for breakfast. The regular one is Php 60. Oh yes, you read that right. A more special one that comes with pork liver is available. There was also an even more special than which has bone marrow in the soup. The price differences were nothing over Php 30. Everything was under Php 100 and I couldn’t be happier. I like my La Paz Batchoy with an egg (so that was an additional of Php 15).

 

As for the taste, I loved that it was served really hot. It is how soups are supposed to be served. The taste of this La Paz Batchoy did not rely on its saltiness, which was great. There were a lot of ingredients in the soup so I loved the fact that 21 does not scrimp. Also, the bowl was huge. The meat were tender. The soup was not too oily either. I know I ordered a La Paz Batchoy but I always take out the pork cracklings (health concerns), so I wouldn’t know how that tasted like.

 

We also ordered dinuguan (pork blood stew) and brewed coffee. I don’t eat dinuguan so I can’t tell if it was good but according to feedback, it is. I’m not a coffee expert as well but the coffee was good enough for me. I’m especially glad of the muscovado sugar served.

Aside from the cozy interiors, people in Bacolod are generally friendly and service here was really good. It was fast and the staff are accommodating. We were served, we’ve eaten and we were given the bill in an hour’s time. We were in a hurry because we needed to attend the Sunday mass at noon (naks!). 

21 Restaurant
21st Lacson St. Bacolod City
(63-34) 4334096
info@21restaurant.com
http://www.21restaurant.com/