Where to Find Bacolod's Best Napoleones: Pendy’s vs. Merci
Renz lives in the Philippines. He's passionate about food and created his own food blog, A Not-So-Popular Kid.
The fine Napoleones of Bacolod, Philippines
Bacolod, Philippines
The city of Bacolod, in the Philippines, is well known for its sugar industry. It is also famous for its sweet delicacies, especially Napoleones, which is an all-time favorite of locals and tourists alike. In this article, I'd like to compare two famous local producers of Napoleones: Pendy's and Merci.
What Are Napoleones?
In case you're not familiar with these famous local delicacies, Napoleones are delicate puff pastries with delicious, custard-like filling topped with sugar glazing that gives it a light crunch once you take a bite. If you have a sweet tooth, you will surely enjoy this treat. It may even become one of your all-time favorites!
Napoleones Make Great Souvenirs
If you arrive at Bacolod Airport and realize you've forgotten to buy your souvenirs, or if you realize the souvenirs you've already purchased need to be supplemented, fret not. You can find most of what you need at Merci, which is conveniently located inside the airport. This shop sells some wonderful Napoleones, among other delicacies such as Piayaya.
If you have time in the city of Bacolod before heading to the airport, you could visit Pendy's on 25th Street. They carry a wide selection of food souvenirs, including many that are freshly made right there in the shop.
In this article, I'd like to provide a comparison that will help you choose between Merci and Pendy’s.
Pendy's vs. Merci: Who offers the better-tasting Napoleones?
Read More From Delishably
Table of Comparison
| Pendy's | Merci | |
|---|---|---|
Price | 10 pieces @ P250 (as of 2019) | 12 pieces @ P145 (as of 2013) |
Sugar Glazing | Thinner and has a melt-in-your-mouth texture | Thicker but has less apparent melt-in-your-mouth texture |
Sweetness | Sweeter | Just right |
Filling | Smooth and velvety | Dry and lacks smoothness in texture |
Crust | Softer, fresher and tastier | Lacks freshness and texture isn’t so great |
Packaging | Simple yet elegant | Commercialized design |
Other remarks | More memorable | - |
My Verdict
In my opinion, Pendy's offers better Napoleones than Merci. My family agreed: When I shared these treats with them, they also chose Pendy's over Merci. Another bonus is that, considering the quality, Pendy's offers cheaper Napoleones.
Now, let me know what you think by participating in the poll below.
What Do You Think?
Where to Find Napoleones?
Questions & Answers
Question: How could the Pendy's price cheaper? How would one calculate a Pendy's price change?
Answer: Prices in this article may no longer be updated since this was written years back. Pendy's prices (using the old prices) is definitely more expensive on its face, but when you factor in the quality, you'll realize that Pendy's will have better value for money. In this sense, it's "cheaper".
Question: Is Pendy's Napoleones available in Manila?
Answer: As far as I know, there are no retailers of Pendy's Napoleones here in Manila. It's perhaps due to preservation of the pastry's freshness.
© 2013 Renz Kristofer Cheng
