Cebu’s Authentic Cuisines
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Note: This is a guest post from FoodInsurance.com.
Cebu has a rich and wonderful culture. The food is particularly appealing, as it has flavors that will appeal to everyone’s tastes. Whether you are looking for sweet, spicy, or salty foods, there is sure to be something for everyone in Cebu.
Two foods that are quite popular among the Cebuanos are their local chili pepper and their native vinegar. The chili peppers there are smaller than most, at no longer than an inch. Known as silis, they are impossible to eat alone, so they are used for flavoring dishes. It is common to squeeze their juice into sauces for an exquisite burst of flavor. The vinegar is made from the sap of the coconut trees, and is developed from the alcoholic drink called tuba. It is used to flavor nearly all of the dishes in Cebu.
Cebu Ngohiong Photo Credit: georgeparrilla
If you are looking for something quick to eat on your journeys in Cebu, look no further than the alluring street snacks. Some popular ones are the Chinese snack Cebu Ngohiong, which is a lumpia (a type of wrap) filled with meat and veggies, with spicy sauce on top. It is common to put pork in them. Another great street snack is Special Cuchinta, which is a sweet snack that is made with brown sugar, flour, lye, and has grated coconut on top. The cucumber relish and molded fruit gelatin are other common snacks in Cebu.
Cebu Cuchinta Photo Credit: bisayabulletin.com
Speaking of fruit, there are many wonderful dishes and treats which are made using the local fruit of Cebu. For a truly sweet treat, try a crunchy banana lollipop made with a banana, melted chocolate for a topping, peanut butter, shortening, and corn flakes cereal. A dish love by most pregnant women is the green mango salad. This has such diverse foods that seem to have conflicting flavors, but they are a great blend together. It consists of siling labuyo, red bell pepper, mango, green onions, shrimp, and patis. Melons are also quite popular on the island.
Green Mango Salad Photo Credit: anglaagan.wordpress.com
From the amazing restaurants serving local and International fair to the street vendors, you will not be at a loss for places in finding Cebuano foods. Even if you are far from Cebu, you can re-create the taste of Cebu in your own kitchen. Just do some recipe research online, and keep an open mind.
OMG, that looks so yummy!
Thanks Agnes this does look really good! I’m not familiar at all with Cube culture and cuisine, this is new to me but I like trying different things! If you’re into coconut and sugar I can recommend Cookie Monster Cupcakes
These dishes were simply mouth watering and I was really surprised that Cebu foods were so varied. They use fruits to make dishes which again came as a surprise for me. And as it has been said in the post, I too am looking forward to make some Cebu dish on my own, just to see how things turn out to be.
I’m not aware that these are popular foods in Cebu. I should’ve tasted it when I was there. I tried the lechon, otap, etc, but not this. Thanks for the tip. I’ll definitely try these.
I have a fetish for raw mangoes and this Green Mango salad here in this post fascinated me. I went to the extent of googling out the recipe as it is irresistible to wait. Though I am not much of a sweets person but I liked the Cuchinta too.
I agree Cebu culture is really rich and it definitely has something for everyone. No matter what you like – sweet, sour or salty, Cebu cuisine has something special for you. I was fascinated by the uniqueness of the dishes mentioned in this post. Never ever heard of any dish made up of fruits like banana and mango. Thanks for sharing the post Agnes.
This looks delicious. Any recipes coming up?
The green mango salad looks delicious and sounds interesting. I would love to try it.
I have never eaten Cebu cuisine before. It sounds good, so I think I will search for an recipe online. Do you have a favorite one you can link to?
Wow! this looks good!
Thanks Agnes this does look really good. the Green Mango Salad is my favorite.
I haven’t had Cebu cuisine before, but I really love Filipino food in general
looks yummy and delicious..let me google their recipes