Food tripping in Cebu

When I learned that I had to go back to Cebu even for only a few days, I immediately drew out my list of food to eat. After not being able to go back home for more than a year, I certainly missed out on a lot. I wasn't able to cross out every item I thought of... Nobody wants to die of food coma, right? So I'm wrong if you don't agree. Anyway, here are some of the things I was able to help myself to while I was there.   

Larsian Barbecue. There are a couple of stalls to choose from. Take your pick from the array of meats to be barbecued then hand it over to be cooked. Siomai is also available and I suggest you help yourself to a few pieces while waiting. When I say siomai, don't think about the stalls  in Manila because the ones we have over there are tastier. The wrapper is soft and not dried out, and the meat has more flavor. Top the dumplings with soy sauce, kalamansi juice, and chili sauce(!) for maximum enjoyment. (Note: use the same sauce for the barbecue) 

My friend Julie and I were so hungry, we just kept on pointing at stuff and ended up with siomai, several sticks of bochi, isaw, chicken skin, and chorizo, all grilled in deliciously sweet barbecue sauce. Another thing: the chorizo (or as we call it, 'soriso') in Cebu are these little round guys that are a bit spicier and more garlicky than Tagalog longganisa. The best way to cook it is by grilling, thus its inclusion on the menu. Don't forget your puso, or rice cooked in diamond-shaped wrappings made of woven coconut leaves. The place is nothing fancy, so if you're a bit picky, please get over it and just sit down to eat. You'll enjoy the food, i promise.

 

 

 

 

Lava Cake at Fudge. For dessert my friend Aiza swore that I should try this place called Fudge. She said that if I liked La Marea's Warm Brownie Cup, I'd like Fudge's Lava Cake even more. Of course, she knows best so it was bye for now, La Marea.

                                                                                           Warm Brownie Cup at La Mare

The Lava Cake was much better than I expected. Imagine a warm cake/brownie with a fudgy, crackly outside. Then when you cut into the cake, a warm chocolate goo flows out. Make sure to take a bite of the chocolatey cake and the vanilla ice cream topping together for the hot and cold explosion in your mouth. The teeny tiny P95 peso treat was enough for three people, since it was a bit too sweet and we were really full. I'm glad we had some room left for dessert.

                                                    Great friends, great dessert

                                                         Lava Cake, I miss you!

 

 

 

Rewind to my first day when I went to Leona bakeshop at SM Cebu. Aiza and I decided to get a small bite and I ended up choosing the Japanese Cheesecake for a mere P52! It wasn't too sweet and the texture was smooth. A couple of days after that I returned to buy some pasalubong-Blueberry, Pine Oat, and Choco Mallow loaves. The strawberry loaf is out of stock until the next few months because   of problems with their strawberry supply.  

 

 

 

Japanese cheesecake and coffee at Leona.

                                      

 

 

 

 

 For a late snack one evening, after enjoying some drinks at Outpost we went to get some ngohiong. It's one of those things that I only find in Cebu, and no Cebuano will say he has never heard of or eaten it. It's like lumpia but not quite. The wrapper is thicker and more dense, probably because they say  it is dipped in batter before cooking.The filling is primarily composed of ubod and has a distinct Chinese spice flavor to it. Don't forget the dipping sauce that goes with it. I couldn't resist ordering some baked scallops too. I love love love scallops!

You can say our pulutan came after the drinks. I was equally amazed at how cheap night outs are in Cebu. For example, a glass of vodka sprite was for P55. I hadn't gone home for so long, I forgot how the cost of living there was relatively more affordable.

                                                                                                                                                       Baked scallops and Ngohiong. Delicious!

 

Fast forward to lunch with Aimee and her sis. We were looking for something quick and so we found ourselves at Dimsum Express.  I didn't realize how much I missed steamed rice until I finally took a bite out of my small bowl. I know what you're thinking...I must be crazy to miss plain old white rice. Note to the non-Cebuano: steamed rice in Cebu is not just plain rice. It's flavored rice with saucy toppings (usually pork). Included in our meal were several orders of authentic yummy dimsum and we were all set. 

 

                                  Crab pinchers, quail egg siomai, steamed rice, and chili sauce!

Last but not the least, Cebu lechon. I had so much to squeeze in during my stay that I almost didn't have time to buy some. Good thing, there was an Ayer lechon stall right outside the Mactan Airport. I was afraid it wouldn't taste as good as the brands we usually bought, but  I was proven wrong when I got back to Manila and had the lechon as late lunch. The skin was still crispy hours after it had been packed. The salt and spices flavor Cebu lechon so well that you wouldn't need any condiments to go with it. Stash away your Mang Tomas and toyomansi. I ate my homesickness away and somehow the Cebu lechon helped. 


You would think I crossed out most of my food list after all those. Not really. I'll have to go back home for more wonderful food and of course, wonderful people to share it with.