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Clucking for Inasal
Bacolod City
Before anything else, the capital city of Negros Occidental is known for its Chicken Inasal (roast chicken). Unlike Western-style barbecue wherein the meat is rubbed with sauce then placed over a grill, Bacolodnons (locals of Bacolod) marinate the chicken in an assortment of sauces and spices, skewer the chicken, and roast it over an open flame. Find out why Bacolod City is dubbed the “City of Smiles” as you go through our list of the best Chicken Inasal joints in town. For the best experience, skip the utensils and do as the locals do—eat with your hands!
Look for the buff chicken statue to find Aida’s Chicken in Manokan Country. While there are many variations of the beloved local delicacy, the quaint open-air joint seems to have it in the bag with their tasty-to-the-bone barbecues. It seems that everyone agrees, as seen in the crowd of locals and tourists lining up by its doors. Complete the Chicken Inasal experience at Aida’s Chicken by dousing your well-seasoned Garlic Rice with loads of Chicken Oil!
- +63 34 434 0603
Manokan Country, Father M. Ferrero Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/Aidas-Manokan-462216613822043/
Taste the Chicken Inasal that started it all at Chicken House. What started out as a sidewalk eatery became an institution for the best-tasting original-recipe. Take a seat at the restaurant’s al fresco area and bask in the mouth-watering aroma of your next favorite meal being cooked on the grill.
- +63 34 434 9405
Lacson Street corner 24th Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
- https://chicken-house-lacson.business.site/
As the weekend arrives, Negros Farmers Weekend Market comes alive! Get your Chicken Inasal fix at Yongski’s, where the man himself grills up your food using an old family recipe. The delectably charred poultry paired with rice is the perfect hearty meal after rounds of fruit and vegetable shopping.
- +63 922 860 6633
Negros Farmers Weekend Market, Magsaysay Boulevard, Negros Occidental, Philippines
- https://www.negrosmarket.com/
Visit 21 Restaurant for a plethora of Negrense (natives of the Negros region) cuisine dishes! The fine dining restaurant at the corner of 21st and Lacson Streets has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a hole-in-the-wall snack house. From primarily serving Batchoy (pork noodle soup) and other local favorites, the joint has fused modern techniques and recipes into native delicacies to create an expansive menu. For your fix of Chicken Inasal, sample their Chicken Inasal Lollipop (roast chicken winglet), an appetizing mini-version of the famous Bacolod dish.
- +63 34 433 4096
Lacson Street corner 21st Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/21-Restaurant-174681132582731/
Amidst the city’s main Lacson Street, Nena’s Rose provides a warm homey respite for Chicken Inasal lovers in the busy urban area. The open-air restaurant roots onto native Filipino architecture—from wooden benches to rattan roofing—to round up the local experience. Feel like a true local as you enjoy your perfectly roasted Chicken Inasal served on a round banana leaf.
- +63 34 458 1771
Lacson Street corner 14th Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/nenas.rose1960/
Masskara Chicken sheds a spotlight on the two things Bacolod is known for: the Masskara Festival (the city’s annual festival) and Chicken Inasal—apparent through chicken paintings and colorful masks on the restaurant walls. Despite being a newcomer in the food scene, Masskara Chicken has gained a huge following for its soft and juicy Chicken Inasal. With flavors perfectly balanced, you’ll be tempted to skip the soy sauce and calamansi that’s usually paired with the dish!
- +63 34 435 1749
888 Chinatown Square, Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Chicken Deli (short for “Chicken Delicious”) has served Bacolodnon families for three decades, offering the same savory, smoky chicken inasal that first captured the hearts of its patrons. From its founder Mamang Lourdes’ humble homegrown joint, Chicken Deli has boomed dramatically, taking the country by storm with over 50 branches nationwide—all thanks to the chain’s consistency in serving scrumptious authentic Bacolod Chicken Inasal.
- +63 34 432 0395
Lacson Street corner 8th Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
- https://www.chickendeli.com.ph/en/
Head on over to Nena’s Beth, another go-to Chicken Inasal place at Manokan Country, for a reliable serving of Bacolod’s best! The pieces may be intimidatingly big, but we’re positive that after sinking your teeth into the flavorful chicken, you’ll devour it to the bone and keep wanting more. Order a plate of fresh Talaba (oysters) too, that’s around 15 pieces for a little over 60 pesos—what a steal!
- +63 34 433 8830
Manokan Country, Father M. Ferrero Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
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