Cebu Food Scene: Four Food Items that Originated from Cebu




"Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colors, there are only so many flavors--it is how you combine them that sets you apart." -Wolfgang Puck

Cebu's food scene has always been well-known and loved for its diversity and uniqueness. In fact, one might even say that Cebuano cuisine is just as colorful and vibrant as its annual Sinulog parade.
While Cebu's world-renowned lechon is known to be the most popular and famous Cebuano food staple, there is quite a lot of food that are distinctly Cebuano not only by nature, but origin as well. You might have been eating these food fares all your life without realizing that what you are munching on is actually a derivative of Cebuano cuisine and gastronomy. It is also interesting to note that Cebuano's are incredibly passionate about their food--so passionate that they take a lot of pride in serving food that is not only bursting in distinct Cebuano flavor, but unparalleled in terms of taste and flavor as well. From the ubiquitous Cebuano food staple, lechon to the eclectic and delicious street food, Cebu is sure to offer you a wide variety of dishes and delicacies that are bound to be future favorites of yours.

If you will ever find yourself in the island booking one of the budget hotels in Cebu City, here are some of the food fares you should try that originated from the Queen City of the South (and where better to try them than Cebu itself?):

 1.) Puso


Hanging rice or "puso" in Cebuano designation is just as iconic as Cebu's lechon itself. A ubiquitous presence in barbecue and lechon stalls, your average Cebuano pretty much loves puso as much as they love cooked rice. In fact, some would argue that they love this portable and handy dish even more. The Cebuano puso is considered as more than just a Cebuano food staple, it is a work of art as well. While technically, it is just cooked rice, the way its casing its intricate casing is created makes puso deserving a spot in this list.


2.) Pungko-Pungko


Literally translating to "sit down, sit down", Pungko-pungko is the Cebuano version of communal dining. Although boodle style eating has always been the rather popular style of a Filipino joint banquet, pungko-pungko comes in a close second. Moreover, it is known as the ultimate low-maintenance dining--Cebuano style, of course. You can easily find these vendors by the side of the streets selling food wares such as ginabot or fried pork intestines, ngohiong and even hotdogs and longganisas. Their containers are usually filled with a wide assortment of fried goods and they are almost always paired with puso and a cold soda sipped from a straw.


3.) Tuslob Buwa


While not for the faint of heart, you will find that Tuslob Buwa or literally sauteed pig brains is surprisingly delicious and savory. For some, this Cebuano dish might be too exotic for their taste but once they have sank their teeth into that savory puso dipped in Tuslob Buwa juice and bubbles, they would soon realize it is not much different than dipping your rice in pork sauce. The food designation roughly translates to "dipping bubbles" which is actually the manner of how you eat the dish. If you ever get the chance to sample this food delicacy in Cebu, know that it is best consumed with a group of friends. Much like anything that is distinctly Filipino, Tuslob Buwa is also a communal meal. In this regard, you are not only having a meal, but an experience as well.


4.) Cebu Pochero


Filipinos are known for making stewed pork dishes, but every region in the Philippines prepares it differently. If you wish to have this dish outside of Cebu, you would have to be very specific about the way its cooked and ask the chef to prepare it Cebuano style. While others would prepare their pochero as a meat stew with tomatoes, Cebuanos prepare it as a piece of beef simmered for hours until incredibly tender that the meat actually falls off. The broth is clear and bursting with flavor and comes with bamboo shoots, corn cob and pechay--the perfect dish for cold days. Alternatively, if you are looking for something a little more indulgent, this dish can be served on a sizzling plate slathered with savory gravy sauce.   

Image Source

Mga Komento

Mag-post ng isang Komento

Mga sikat na post sa blog na ito

Discover Cebu: The Four Best Budget Resorts for Staycations in Cebu

Imahe
“Travel is like love, mostly because it is a heightened state of awareness in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.”-Pico Iyer Proclaimed and hailed as the Queen City of the South, Cebu has a unique and subtle charm that would enticingly invite locals and tourists alike into the city. Known for its eclectic fusion of city and island living, Cebu has a lot in store apart from Lechon, the city’s claim to fame. The Queen City of the South is also known for its lush, powder white sand beaches and world-class resorts. Unfortunately, while most of these resorts do promise you a luxurious stay, the exorbitant price tag might deter you from booking a reservation with them. Fortunately, Cebu has a myriad of hotels and resorts that would not have you breaking the bank just for a weekend of relaxation. If you wish to book a lavish stay sans the expensive rates, there ...
Magbasa nang higit pa

Cebu Cuisine: The Best Tasting Lechon in Cebu

Imahe
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." -J.R.R. Tolkien   Proclaimed as the best pig he had ever tasted, Anthony Bourdain has propelled Cebu's most favorite food staple into world recognition. Known for its crispy skin and succulent flesh dripping in pig fat, there has never been any doubt that Cebu's lechon is the best roast pig rendition you will find anywhere in the Philippines--or even the world. A ubiquitous presence during momentous occasions such as weddings, birthdays, graduations and even fiestas, the lechon remains to be the star of every Filipino's dinner table that without it, a feast would feel sorely lacking. In fact, it has been shown that tourists, travelers and most notably foreign bloggers would visit Cebu and book cheap Cebu hotels just to sample a taste of this world-renowned dish--much like Anthony Bourdain did. However, Cebuanos are known to be rather passionate about th...
Magbasa nang higit pa

Weekend in Mactan: Three Things to Do in Lapu Lapu City

Imahe
“The most dangerous risk of all—the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet that you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.” –Randy Komisa r Considering that Cebu City is known to be the Queen City of the South, it is highly likely that Mactan (or more popularly known as Lapu Lapu is overlooked). Apart from being the first city one sees upon landing at the Mactan International Airport, Mactan has a lot to offer in terms of adventure and activities. Known to be the lush island of beaches and seafood, Mactan is often greeted by a deluge of foreign tourists during the summer season. Much like most summer capitals in the country, it offers a fair share of watersport activities from jet skiing, diving, snorkeling parasailing to island hopping. If ever you have the chance to visit this vibrant island, never neglect to experience for yourself a brief taste of what the island life in Mactan truly is and immerse yourself in the beauty of its picturesque beac...
Magbasa nang higit pa