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. According to a press release, the initiative aims to modernize Manokan Country while preserving its cultural identity, ensuring it remains a beloved culinary landmark for generations.
HISTORIC CULINARY LANDMARK
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.
WORLD-CLASS DESTINATION
According to a press release from the developer, 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.
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.
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.
“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.*
