Chicken Inasal in Bacolod and Iloilo

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Chicken inasal is the most famous food of Bacolod. It is chicken marinated in vinegar, calamansi lime, lemongrass and garlic, then grilled over charcoal. While it cooks, it is brushed with annatto oil, which gives it an orange colour. It is served with rice, a dipping sauce and the bright chicken oil. This guide explains how to eat it like a local.

What makes it special

Inasal means grilled or roasted in the local language. What makes Bacolod chicken inasal different is the marinade. The sour taste of vinegar and calamansi mixes with the fresh smell of lemongrass and ginger. The chicken is grilled slowly over hot charcoal and brushed with annatto oil until the skin is golden and a little smoky. The meat stays juicy inside. Each grill shop has its own recipe, and locals often have a favourite place. You can order different parts, such as the leg, breast, wings or liver.

How to eat it

Inasal is served with a plate of rice, often with chicken oil on the side. Pour a little of the orange oil over the rice for extra taste. On the table there is usually soy sauce, vinegar, calamansi and small chillies, so you can mix your own dip. Many places give you a spoon and fork, but eating with your hands is common and fine. In some restaurants rice is unlimited. Order a cold drink, because the meal is hot, smoky and salty.

Manokan Country

The best-known place to eat inasal in Bacolod is Manokan Country. It is a row of simple grill stalls side by side, all cooking chicken over charcoal. Manok means chicken. Staff invite you to sit down, and the smoke and smell fill the air. The food is cheap and fresh, and it is lively in the evening. Since 2024 the old site near SM City Bacolod has been rebuilt, and during the work the stalls moved to a temporary area at the mall. Ask locally where the stalls are now. Choose a busy stall where the chicken is cooked to order.

Other Bacolod food

Bacolod is in Negros Occidental, a province known for growing sugar cane. Because of this, the city has a strong sweet tradition. Piaya is a flat, round bread filled with brown sugar syrup, and it is a popular food gift. Napoleones is a flaky pastry with custard cream. Bacolod also has many cafes and cake shops, and locals take their afternoon snacks seriously. For something savoury, try kansi, a sour and rich beef soup made with batwan fruit, found in Bacolod and in Iloilo.

Chicken Inasal at a glance

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