Manokan Country: A Fusion Of Tradition And Progress In Bacolod City
No trip to Bacolod City is complete without a visit to Manokan Country, home of the famous Chicken Inasal. This must-visit spot draws food enthusiasts eager to savor authentic Inasal and Filipino street food. To further boost tourism and the local economy, the city government has partnered with SM Prime Holdings Inc. for the Manokan Country Redevelopment Project. This initiative aims to modernize Manokan Country while preserving its cultural identity, ensuring it remains a beloved culinary landmark for generations.
The new Manokan Country located adjacent to SM City Bacolod is designed by DSGN Associates. It stands as a sophisticated, bold, and respectful design that blends tradition and innovation, creating harmonious and functional spaces that celebrate Bacolod City’s proud heritage.
Historic Culinary Landmark of Bacolod
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a street food scene near Bacolod Public Plaza led to the creation of Manokan Country. Established by the local government in the 1980s in the Reclamation Area, this complex provided a dedicated space for grilling and serving, evolving into a renowned destination for Bacolod Chicken Inasal. Today, Manokan Country’s simple huts continue to welcome locals, celebrities, and tourists, with its grilled chicken embodying Bacolod’s rich heritage.
Elevating Manokan Country into a World-Class Culinary Destination
Manokan Country is now poised to enter a new era as it evolves into a dynamic marketplace for dining and specialty concepts. This transformation honors the city’s proud history while embracing modernity, offering an exciting fusion of the past and present that resonates with today’s Bacolodnon way of life. As Manokan Country expands its reach to serve a broader market, it remains a beacon of Bacolod’s rich cultural legacy, particularly its iconic chicken inasal.
Upon entering the open-air plaza, customers are greeted with dozens of tables and chairs for outdoor conversing, eating, and relaxing. And inside, one can also explore a two-level beer garden, numerous hawker stalls, a hypermarket, and various retail shops.
The city government of Bacolod has partnered with SM Prime Holdings Inc. through a Public-Private Partnership to bring this vision to life. The Manokan Country Redevelopment Project reflects Bacolod City and SM Prime’s shared commitment to progress and advancement. The project aims to create a world-class destination where locals and tourists can savor Bacolod’s Chicken Inasal — in a setting that offers enhanced spaces, facilities, and experiences for everyone to enjoy.
“At SM Prime, our vision is to create innovative, sustainable developments that serve as catalysts for a better quality of life. Our commitment to revitalizing Bacolod’s Manokan Country aligns with our broader mission to contribute to the nation’s robust growth,” said Steven Tan, president, SM Supermalls.
Contribution to Bacolod City’s Sustainable Growth and Development
With its exceptional design and state-of-the-art facilities, Manokan Country is poised to become a world-class destination, attracting tourists and investors from around the globe. Set to open in 2026, the Manokan Country Redevelopment Project is committed to provide an enhanced dining experience, transforming the area into an iconic tourist destination. This project is expected to add significant value to the city’s progress, stimulate the local economy, boost business activities, and create new job opportunities.
The newly designed Manokan Country pays homage to the existing outdoor hawker stalls that sell chicken inasal, as well as classic Filipino street food. It also features a striking exterior that combines modern industrial and vernacular Filipino architecture.
“We partnered with SM Prime for this redevelopment project not only to preserve a cultural landmark but also to ensure its evolution to meet future needs, thereby making a significant contribution to the sustainable development of Bacolod City,” said Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
With the revitalization of Manokan Country, there are even more reasons for tourists and locals to smile in the “City of Smiles.” This enhanced facility not only preserves a cherished cultural landmark but also offers a vibrant new space that will attract visitors, support local businesses, and contribute to Bacolod’s bright future. As Manokan Country evolves, it will continue to be a source of pride, embodying the warmth and spirit of Bacolod while driving the city’s progress forward.
