Joy-Joy's Talabahan

If you are from or have been to Iloilo, you probably have heard about Joy-Joy's Talabahan, a seafood restaurant along the coastal rode in Leganes. While it may not be as popular as Tatoy's or Breakthrough in Villa, Joy-Joy's Talabahan is famous on its own way.


The restaurant is mostly made of bamboo and is standing over a pond not so far away from the road. As such, people need to walk over a short bamboo bridge in order to get to the restaurant. The restaurant is covered with black screen/net up until the top of the wall. I think it is a wise idea not only to keep people and their belongings safe from falling off the pond but also to prevent them from throwing thrash and let it float in the water.

We got there just before lunch time hence we were able to choose our table. From then on, people started coming, some in pairs and others in group of three or four. There are also customers who came in big groups thus the need to occupy two or three tables.


We ordered one whole managat which is split into two; grilled and sinigang. We also had steamed shrimps and oyster.

Grilled Managat

Sinigang na Managat

Steamed Shrimp

With yummy dishes and abundant supply of fresh air, we went home with full tummy and that refreshed feeling - ready to face another week sitting in front of the computer.

How to get there:

From Jaro Plaza or Tagbak Terminal in Jaro, ride a Leganes PUJ to reach the town of Leganes. Fare is Php 12. Ask the driver to drop you off the terminal to Nabitasan. From the terminal, ride a tricycle and tell the driver that you are going to Joy-Joy's. Fare is Php 10 and the resto can be reached for around 15 minutes.

To go back to the city, ride a tricycle to town proper and then jeepney to the city. If you want to go straight to SM City, choose a PUJ bound for SM City/Doctor's Hospital. Leganes - La Paz will get you to La Paz.

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