Best Pasalubong from Bacolod City – Top 15 Best Picks
October 9, 2021
Did you just have an awesome vacation in Bacolod and now you’re trying to decide what pasalubong to bring back? Or maybe you just want to make sure you check out all the famed Negrense delicacies while you’re there. (Note: I assume you aren’t a local since you’re reading this LOL, but if you are, feel free to drop a comment if you have any suggestions and I’d be more than glad to add it in!)
Anyway, you’re in luck – because I’ve written up this article for the express purpose of sharing with you suggested pasalubongs while at Bacolod! Word of warning, as the undisputed “Sugar Capital of the Philippines,” please be prepared for massive sugar overdose as I walk you through this list.
In no particular order, let’s begin!
Bailon Piaya Honest Review
For detailed review: Bailon Piaya Honest Review – Goldie Goes Global
If you’re from Manila like me, the piaya we’re most accustomed to would probably be Bongbong’s. Thick crust, generous filling of different flavors such as ube and mango. It’s an institution, and I love it!
But, I must say, the piaya is in a whole another level here in Bacolod – probably because this is where it originated from. Here, we hearken back to its origins where piaya is essentially a toasted flatbread made out of dough then filled with muscovado sugar.
Where to buy Piaya?
I recommend Bailon Piaya! It’s incredibly light – practically air-like, but with a distinct taste and crispness to it. I recommend you bite down, but then let it linger in your mouth and savor the taste of the muscovado. Here is an excellent example of how less is actually more.
Emma Lacson’s Pili Square Honest Review
For detailed review: Emma Lacson’s Pili Squares Silay Bacolod Pasalubong Honest Review – Goldie Goes Global
The very first pili square (and currently the only pili square LOL) I’ve ever tasted was Emma Lacson’s. But once you’ve tasted the best, why bother shopping around for anything else?
So what makes this so good, and what is a pili square anyway? Well, to the uninitiated, pili square is essentially like butterscotch except made from confectioned pili nuts. Sounds weird? It works very well surprisingly!
This pili square is just the right amount of sweetness, mildly nutty in flavor, but moist and buttery and crumbly in actual texture. Definitely check this out – it’s one of a kind!
Where to buy?
Check out Emma Lacson’s Delicacies
Calea Pecan Pie Honest Review
For detailed review: Calea Bacolod Pecan Pie Honest Review – Goldie Goes Global
Calea! If you’re currently in Bacolod, definitely go Calea – cakes and cakes galore. I think if my dreams could be translated into a physical place – it would manifest as a cakestore hahaha! Or maybe a cakestore + bookstore, plus the guarantee that I won’t get fat and diabetes with all the imbibed sugar and sedentary reading lifestyle. Hmmm…
Anyway, I digress. Calea has a ton of cakes to choose from – the most popular of which is the Choco Mud Pie, a chocolate ice cream cake with crushed chocolate cookie crumbs and walnut slivers. To chocolate lovers, this is what heaven tastes like.
BUT, for pasalubong, this won’t work. It won’t make it to the intended recipient (one, because you’ll eat it all; but also two, because it’ll melt!). Therefore, I recommend their pies instead. I recently tried their Pecan Pie and quite liked it! Pecans are not native to the Philippines so it isn’t something I’ve had the pleasure of trying before. But now that I’ve tried it, I really like it – ergo, I am now recommending it to you as well.
The candied pecans are sweet but still retains a crunch. On top of that, the pecan itself is nestled within this sweet corn soup mixture filling (I assume!) which makes for a delightful contrast. Actually, this really reminds me of pili tarts – but the pie version.
So that’s it – definitely go Calea. Even if you aren’t planning to buy pasalubong, but just so you can check out Calea sweets.
Mila’s Potato Cake Honest Review
For detailed review: Mila’s Potato Cake – a Bacolod delicacy Honest Review – Goldie Goes Global
Goodness, this cake is DELICIOUS. I had no idea what to expect when I heard potato cake, but essentially it’s cake, with delicious buttercream frosting (really delicious frosting). Definitely a great and interesting pasalubong for friends who won’t know what to expect.
Virgie’s Caramel Tart Honest Review
Speaking of pili tarts, let’s discuss Virgie’s Caramel Tarts next. Now you might be wondering what this is, and it’s likely because you know it by its other name – boat tart (so named because of its boat-like shaped crust).
Some say this is the best tart they’ve ever tasted in their lives! Well, I wouldn’t go that far. Whoever said that needs to eat more tarts. But I must admit the rich creamy buttery caramel filling makes for a distinct filling, and the boat-shaped delicate crust certainly doesn’t disappoint (in that I don’t taste the crust because all I taste is the delicious caramel!). The meringue icing on top, I can live without, but it does add a certain fluff to your bite, I suppose.
El Ideal Bakery’s Guapple Pie Honest Review
This is a pie made from guapple – an oversized variety of guava. The pie itself is moist, with a slightly sour sweet taste (aided by that dash of cinnamon). Filled to the bring with layers of fruit, that crunchy topping, and the buttery crust – I brought this home, and the pie was decimated in a single sitting! Super good.
Victoria and William’s Truffle and Jamon Ensaymada Honest Review
Amazing ensaymadas!!! Super fluffy (no need to reheat!). The truffle taste is super distinct and the jamon was just excellent. Another ensaymada I also liked was the Quezo de Bola ensaymada. So if you can’t decide, just get the assorted ensaymada! Best of all worlds
Merzci Pasalubong – Piaya and Biscocho Honest Review
Tried these four and loved them all – ube piaya baon pack (super siksik sa ube, banana chips (tastes healthy and not so sweet! Perfect for grandparents), napoleones, biscocho (made over 4 days!! So good with coffee or hot chocolate hehe). I heard there’s also a cinnamon biscocho!! Should check that out.
Pendy’s Half Moon Honest Review
Pendy’s half moon is so named because of its shape. It’s essentially a half moon shaped sponge cake, with egg custard atop the cake. I’ve tried this both while in Bacolod and as a pasalubong.
The sponge cake is incredibly airy and is really SO good when consumed quickly. The airy texture disappears once you’ve refrigerated it, so do NOT refrigerate and just consume ASAP.
The egg custard, on the other hand, remain superb regardless of how long it’s been in the refrigerator. It’s smooth and creamy and well a tad bit too sweet if I’ll be honest with myself, but what’s life without your guilty pleasures?
Pendy’s Napoleones Honest Review
Tada! Pendy’s is featured again. I really really REALLY like napoleones. They’re delicate puff pastries with delicious, custard-like filling topped with sugar glazing. What’s not to like?
Well, out of all the napoleones I’ve tasted, I like Pendy’s the most! The sugar glazing on top is thin, but it really melts well in your mouth (super important, because the sugar glazing taste lingers very well). As for the puff pastry itself, the crust is soft and fresh, while the filling is smooth and velvety in texture (but not the same consistency as the ones found atop their half-moon).
Ok, I’m drooling as I type this out…
Roli’s Napoleones Honest Review
Tbh, Pendy’s and Merzci were both better, but adding this one here because it really is dependent on a person’s preference! I really liked the sugar topping and the creamy center, but alas I would have preferred the puff pastry to be flakier!
Totong’s Barquillos and Muscovado Piaya Honest Review
Barquillos are essentially wafer pastry, but rolled into elongated cylindrical shapes. This pastry was likely introduced by the Spanish to the Filipinos – thank you Spaniards! Interestingly, the Chinese equivalent of this is our egg roll (also delicious – especially when it has ma hu filling!!!).
Anyway, here in the Philippines, barquillos are more commonly associated with Iloilo. I have relatives from Iloilo who regularly bring us barquillos when they come visit. Yum yum!
Aside from Totong’s Barquillos, I also quite like their muscovado piaya! Best eaten when toasted because that’s when the muscovado sugar really shines! Delicious!
Silvanas (Dumaguete) Honest Review
Okay, I know technically silvanas is purchased from Dumaguete, but Dumaguete is a stone’s throw from Bacolod so let me include this here! But seriously, I am so in love with silvanas (you might be noticing a trend at this point hehehe). It’s literally made of layers of buttercream (SO GOOD), sandwiched between two cashew meringue wafers coated with cookie crumbs (SO GOOD). Mygosh, God clearly put silvanas on earth to bless us all.
Pastillas de Leche Honest Review
Pastillas de Leche is a sweet, milky treat made with carabao’s milk, sugar, and butter. This one from Virgie’s is rather sticky to the bite – I personally prefer the mushier version. Regardless, this is deadly but very good. I have a guilty habit of popping one into my mouth and letting it linger there every time I pass the dining table (thankfully, it looks like the pack’s about to run out, so this guilty pleasure will no longer be sustained…)
Felicia’s Cakes and Ensaymada Honest Review
Felicia’s Sans Rival (Original AND Caramel), Swiss Chocolate Cake, and Rum Cake are DELICIOUS. These I will personally attest to. I much prefer them over Calea’s cakes actually, which I find too sweet. Aside from that, I’ve heard Felicia’s ensaymada are to-die-for as well, and that they’re the best ensaymada she’s ever tasted. Phew. Well, that one I just need to try! Let’s see how it stacks up against Victoria and William’s ensaymadas.
Okay that’s it. I’ll add more to this list later on!!