Negros Trade Fair Is Back With Chicken Inasal, Piaya, + More From Negrense Merchants

(SPOT.ph) With the popularity of chicken inasal in Metro Manila—thanks in part to influencer and “King Inasal” BradleyTries—there’s no better time to explore the diverse food of Bacolod and the rest of Negros. A good place to start? This year’s Negros Trade Fair.

Now on its 40th year, the fair takes on the theme “Butlak,” a Hiligaynon word that refers to the rising of the sun. It’s a fitting nod to the Negrenses’ enduring passion for their food, craft, and culture—one that has continued to grow since the very first fair, fourty years ago today.

The Negros Trade Fair will take place at SMX Convention Center Aura in Bonifacio Global City this September 22 to 27 (Tuesday to Sunday). The fair will highlight Negrense merchants coming from Negros Occidental (Bacolod), now joined by merchants from Negros Oriental (Dumaguete) and Siquijor, bringing together the region’s food, crafts, and local products in one place.

The fair runs for six days, but you might want to make multiple trips: there are 45 food merchants, 30 Negrense fashion brands, and 18 shops offering gifts and housewares, with even more local finds to browse. In other words, one day might not be enough.

Negros, like many regions in the Philippines, has its own talent for food. Bacolod, in particular, deserves a special mention because, based on our experience, you can never leave the province the same weight as you arrived, but you are 100% guaranteed to leave with a happier heart, the fondest memories, and a craving to go back.

But if you can't squeeze in a trip to Negros just yet, the Negros Trade Fair makes for a great fix. You can get Bacolod staples like Bob's Cafe, El Ideal, and Virgie's Homemade Products, plus new items that have great potential to become your new favorites, like chicken inasal from Inasal sa Dalan, creamy ube halaya from Cocina Javellana, and more.

Here's a list of all the food merchants at Negros Trade Fair:

• 21 Restaurant

• Ading's Gourmet Kitchen

• Altertrade Phil.

• Ann Co Cakes

• Bacolod Chicken House

• Bluecrust Processed Foods Manufacturing

• Bob's / Cafe Bob's

• Cadiz Coffee

• Casa Carmela / Felicia’s Pastry Shop

• Casa Del Formaggio

• CJ Dried Fish Trading

• Clara's Food Products

• Ereñeta-Manaloto Chorizo de Bacolod

• Cocina Javellana

• El Ideal Bakery

• ELG Gourmet

• Elsie's Frozen Bread

• Fog City Creamery

• Fresh Start Organics

• Generations Roastery

• Grem's Deli

• HG Pasalubong

• Imay's Bar & Restaurant

• Inasalan sa Dalan

• Jinky's Kitchen Empanaditas

• Kusina Jamora

• Leny's Dried Fish

• Manolo's

• Manong Kingko

• Mang Kaloy Hot Sauce

• Margie’s Cakes and Pastries

• MLC

• Mok's Recipes Frozen Foods

• Plentitude Chocolate

• Quan Delicacies

• Red Kitchen

• Rensel's Food Products

• Senorita de Bacolod

• Shiena's Homemade Products

• Sir and Ma'am Restaurant

• TESDA

• Vaca Japonesa

• Victoria's Foods Corporation

• Wawa Bing's Kitchen

• Zigmund Enterprises

Fashion takes up a huge space at the fair too. From the 30 brands that will be present at Negros Trade Fair, you'll definitely want to drop by Jean Jaquet and Arete's booths for some unique handmade pieces, and Emgee's for its quirky co-ord with a food pattern printed on the top and maxi skirt.

And while you're at it, you might as well get a head start on the Christmas shopping. The non-profit NVC Foundation upcycles materials like used Nespresso capsules and shattered ceramic tiles into one-of-a-kind jewelry and decorative pieces, while Hacienda Crafts Company makes woven pieces that bring a little more texture to your home.

Catch The Negros Trade Fair at SMX Convention Center Ausa from September 22 to 27, 2026. For more information, check out The Negros Trade Fair's Instagram page.