My Cebu Gastronomic Adventure

I was born in Cebu and left for Manila to study college and work. Now, I am back in Cebu, Philippines for good and I am having a grand time here. One thing I love doing here is exploring the different food outlets and trying out different dishes. I love food and I realized that there are items here that are somehow uniquely Cebuano. I also realized that you can practically find many different cuisines in this top island destination.

I decided to start an adventure. An adventure that will highlight the things that you can eat and make you full in Cebu. I will explore the popular places, the hidden ones, the expensive ones, and the really cheap ones. From snacks to dinners to 20 peso meals to exotic food to local delicacies. Name it and I will really try to write about it. I hope that this hub would help in giving you information about the many ways to break or keep your diet while in Cebu. ;)

Before Chowking invaded the Island of Cebu, Cebuanos were already used to eating dimsum treats. The island, just like any other part of the country, has a rich Chinese heritage. Many Chinese migrants made Cebu their home. We can see their influence in our food. Pancit, lumpia, humba, siopao, and siomai are just a few of the dishes created by the Chinese, that have found their way to our local vocabulary and tables.

I first discovered Dimsum when I was still in Elementary school. My Aunt would bring me to this place near Rustan's in Mango Avenue (Gen. Maxilom). The place was Ding Qua Qua. I was really amazed by it because it did not serve food the way other restaurants did. The food was served on top of carts. You can actually just point to an item and the server will give it to you. Talk about fast food. Each serving has a portion good enough for one person. It's like 3 pieces of spring rolls or 3 pieces of siomai or 1 siopao. For Cebuanos though, the favorite is the "steamed rice". It is not your usual white steamed rice. It's actually a rice dish that is a meal on its own.

So, what is the Cebuano steamed rice? Well, the original version is made of rice topped with a pork stew with shrimps and green peas. To eat it, you have to mix the stew with the rice. You can use a spoon, a fork, or a chopstick. After mixing, you dig in and eat. It's perfect with spring rolls, siomai or your other favorite dim sum items.

Where are the best places to eat dim sum in Cebu?

1. Harbour City at Ayala Center Cebu - This place serves the Cebuano dim sum the traditional way. You have food carts going around to show you fried or steamed entrees. The carts basically have it all and you can order some items that are not on the carts. Some, like hakao or steamed shrimp dumplings, will be available after a few minutes of waiting. Harbour City is at the 2nd floor of Ayala Center Cebu, one of the major malls in the city.

2. Dimsum Break at BTC, SM, or Mango Square - Dimsum Break offers dim sum choices in a fast-food setting. They have value meals that can include steamed rice, combined with other favorites, plus a glass of soft drink. The branch at BTC even allows you to order your meals via drive-through or delivery.

3. Ding Qua Qua at JY Square, Lahug - If you are quite hungry, you may try the buffet dim sum at JY Square. You can make your own steamed rice and have your fill of the fried and steamed favorites like shark's fin siomai, crab pinchers, shrimp toast, spare ribs, and many more.

4. Tsim Sha Tsui at Ayala Terraces - While you can order via ala carte in this restaurant, Tsim Sha Tsui is popular for its eat all you can conveyor belt style. If you really have a big appetite for dim sum, you better check out this place.

If you wan to enjoy dim sum items at the comforts of your home then you may check out this article: http://buyincebu.blogspot.com/2011/08/dimsum-delivery.html

I have lived in Bohol, Manila, and of course, Cebu. I have been to many parties and occasions in many different places.The favorite fare in Cebu is definitely the Lechon. There has never been a major celebration without the lechon as the centerpiece in the main table. In Manila, I rarely see lechon in a typical celebration. In Cebu, I can see lechon even in a kid's birthday party. It can be a whole pig or by the kilo, Cebuanos really love to eat lechon.

Cebu Lechon is known for its flavor. It is saltier than the lechon from luzon that needs some liver sauce as condiment. Usually the dip that we use is vinegar. When the world famous host of the show No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain visited the country, he named the Cebu lechon as the best pig ever.

What are the best parts?

1. Skin - People really love the crispy red skin of a lechon.

2. Ribs - I know a lot of people who love to nibble the tiny piece of meat attached to the ribs.

3. Belly - It is saltiest part of the pig and all the flavors are concentrated in this area. I particularly like the thin meat that is in the lining of the stomach.

4. Legs -The meat here is soft and tasty.

So, what are the best lechon places or outlets in Cebu.

1. CNT

2. Zubuchon - their lechon follows the same recipe as what Anthony Bourdain and the Zubuchon lechon has a very crunchy skin and its flavor is a bit spicy. They have branches at BTC, Escario, Capitol Site, Mango Avenue, and Mactan International Airport

3. Alejo's

4. Carcar City

5. Talisay

Lechon numbers

Sunburst Fried Chicken is Cebu's answer to KFC. Fried chicken is probably one the favorite comfort food of man. Before Mcdonald's, Jollibee, and KFC came to Cebu shores, fried chicken for Cebuanos is synonymous to Sunburst. Sunburst is one my favorite fried chicken places in the world.

The restaurant is known its freshly fried chicken with coleslaw and fried sweet potatoes. Another favorite at Sunburst is their crispy chicken skin that makes my mouth water just think about (forget about and calories when you are in fried chicken place). One nice thing about Sunburst is that you can order several pieces of favorite chicken part: legs, thighs, wings, breast, and even isol (that fatty portion near the tail end). If you are not so keen about parts, just order a sunduo (2-piece chicken meal). The restaurant also offer soups, noodles, and other dishes.

This is not a fastfood outlet so you have to wait a while for your orders to come. You can use this time to talk and catch up because once the fried chicken arrives, you will not be talking that much. ;)

Sunburst has several branches in Cebu. They have one in SM and in Ayala. They also have delivery service in some branches. So when you happen crave for fried chicken in Cebu, try Sunburt and let me know how did it go.

I discovered this place upon the recommendation of my American friend, Paul Petrea. He told me about this place that serves the best burgers south of Cebu. He pointed me to Campfire Grill. The joint is located a few meters away from the Carcar City rotunda. Campfire Grill is owned by a retired Texan who made Carcar his home. The restaurant serves American (more of Tex-Mex) favorites like hamburgers, chili, tacos, fries, onion rings, and many more.

I went there with my wife andRainmaker colleagues. We were on our way to Simala and we wanted to have lunch first, before heading for Sibonga. The prices at the Campfire Grill are more expensive than the usual burger joints in Cebu City but the food really looked and more importantly tasted good.

We ordered different items from the menu so that we will know what to order should we come back. Stephie, my wife ordered Bacon Cheesebueger. Sheila ordered a double cheeseburger. Kerwin ordered some pork chops. Nelfa had squid rings. Evelyn got beef stew. How about me? I wanted to order more, but I decided to get chilis, tacos, and onion rings.

Overall, I enjoyed our meal. The burger really looked good, especially with the melted cheese. I would've wanted my chili to be more spicy. All in all, it was a filling Tex-Mex feast.

One night my friends and I were driving aroung Guadalupe looking for a nice place to eat. We cruised along V. Rama towards Guadalupe Church and did not find anything new and interesting. We decided to go to the Andres Abellana area. Just past the original Moon Café restaurant, we saw a resaurant called Dong Juan. Since it was a rainy night and our stomachs are grumbling, we decided to give place a try.

Dong Juan serves burgers, pasta, pizza, and appetitzers. We tried their mushroom burger, spicy ham pasta, calamares and all-meat pizza. The place looks good and as well as the food presentation. The group enjoyed most the meal. The calamares was a bit overcooked. Pizza was ok. The burger and pasta tastes really good.

Price-wise the place was somewhat more expensive than your burger place but for a resto, the price is just fair. The service was friendly and the food was served without a long delay.

All in all, it was a nice experience and we would definitely go back their if we crave for restaurant type burgers and pasta.

In Cebu, you can find many places that offer pizza and pasta. But if you are looking for a classy place to take some visitor for pizza and pasta then there is no denying that Pizzarea Michelangelo would be top option. The Pizzarea is located in Paseo Saturnino. Old Maria Luisa Road in Banilad, Cebu City. It serves pizza, pasta, and other Italian dishes.

If you truly love Italian food, you will have a hard time picking one item in the menu. You might end up ordering an extra plate. The servings are good enough to share.

The price is a bit on the expensive side but the quality of the dishes is up there as well. The place is cozy and inviting. The service is superb and you do not have to wait long for your orders to come. They also have a good selections to choose from so that you can have that feel an authentic Italian meal.

You may call 236-4301 for seat reservation and delivery.