Cebu may be known for having the best roasted pig in the world, but it has a lot more to offer in terms of pork dishes. One of these dishes is the liempo. The word “liempo” is a Filipino word that means pork belly. While the liempo has been sold for some time already in Cebu, it was only in the recent years when stores opened with the liempo as their main product. We came up with a short list of stores selling liempo in the Queen City of the South.
Liempo in the City – image source: Balamban Liempo Official Facebook Page
Balamban Liempo
Balamban Liempo is the brainchild of Cebuano couple Jojo and Honey Vergara. Honey hails from the town of Balamban. The store was a hole-in-the-wall eatery located at the house of the father of Jojo. When it opened in 2009, their first customers were residents of Mabolo. Soon, people from other parts of metro Cebu started to flock to the place to get the chance to taste the Balamban Liempo.
Balamban Liempo is the brainchild of Cebuano couple Jojo and Honey Vergara. Honey hails from the town of Balamban. The store was a hole-in-the-wall eatery located at the house of the father of Jojo. When it opened in 2009, their first customers were residents of Mabolo. Soon, people from other parts of metro Cebu started to flock to the place to get the chance to taste the Balamban Liempo.
Liempo in the City – image source: Balamban Liempo Official Facebook Page
The Balamban Liempo is grilled to perfection using herbs and secret ingredients. The meat is tender while the skin is crispy. It is best paired with the puso or the hanging rice. There are numerous Balamban Liempo outlets in the island of Cebu as well as different parts of the country. Even as the main product of the store is the liempo, they also offer other products on their menu, including the lechon manok and sisig.
Liempo in the City – image source: Balamban Liempo Official Facebook Page
Mr. Liempo
Mr. Liempo is another store that specializes in the liempo. Similar to Balamban Liempo, an enterprising couple was also behind the success of Mr. Liempo, Cesar and Grace Suan. They were also behind the popular Mactan Grill Restaurant and Catering Services, Talisay City Grill, Highway 101 Food Plaza, and A-1 Special Restaurant. They conceptualized Mr. Liempo basing on their proven recipes that have piqued the interest of Cebuanos. The first outlet of Mr. Liempo opened in Cordova, Cebu on August 2009. By the end of the year, there were already ten outlets around metro Cebu.
Mr. Liempo is another store that specializes in the liempo. Similar to Balamban Liempo, an enterprising couple was also behind the success of Mr. Liempo, Cesar and Grace Suan. They were also behind the popular Mactan Grill Restaurant and Catering Services, Talisay City Grill, Highway 101 Food Plaza, and A-1 Special Restaurant. They conceptualized Mr. Liempo basing on their proven recipes that have piqued the interest of Cebuanos. The first outlet of Mr. Liempo opened in Cordova, Cebu on August 2009. By the end of the year, there were already ten outlets around metro Cebu.
Liempo in the City – image source: Mr. Liempo Facebook Page
Eight months of testing and fabricating resulted to the Mr. Liempo concept. Aside from the liempo, Mr. Liempo also offers lechon manok in the market. They already have a number of outlets throughout the island of Cebu and other places in the country.
Liempo in the City – image source: Mr. Liempo Facebook Page
Andok's
Even though Andok’s main product is their roasted chicken, they also offer their own version of the liempo. The company first opened in Quezon City in 1985 and offered quality products at reasonable prices. The first Andok’s store in Cebu opened at the corner of Archbishop Reyes Ave and M. J. Cuenco Ave in Mabolo, Cebu City in 2002. They eventually expanded and opened more outlets in and around the island of Cebu.
Even though Andok’s main product is their roasted chicken, they also offer their own version of the liempo. The company first opened in Quezon City in 1985 and offered quality products at reasonable prices. The first Andok’s store in Cebu opened at the corner of Archbishop Reyes Ave and M. J. Cuenco Ave in Mabolo, Cebu City in 2002. They eventually expanded and opened more outlets in and around the island of Cebu.
Liempo in the City – image source: Andok’s Facebook Page
The liempo of Andok’s is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The aromatic and luscious pork belly can definitely tickle the taste buds of anyone who tries it. Aside from the liempo and roasted chicken, Andok’s also offers a number of other dishes, including pork barbecue, bangus, lechon Kawali, crispy pata, and pork sinigang, among others. Andok’s also has a number of dine-in stores in and around the country.
Liempo in the City – image source: Andok’s Facebook Page
Kusina ni Nasing
Kusina ni Nasing is another homegrown hole-in-the-wall place located along V. Rama Ave, Guadalupe, Cebu City. The place is owned by the daughter of Mrs. Ignacia “Nasing” Tiu, Marlyn. Similar to Mr. Liempo, Kusina ni Nasing has the Liempo and Lechon Manok as their main products.
Kusina ni Nasing is another homegrown hole-in-the-wall place located along V. Rama Ave, Guadalupe, Cebu City. The place is owned by the daughter of Mrs. Ignacia “Nasing” Tiu, Marlyn. Similar to Mr. Liempo, Kusina ni Nasing has the Liempo and Lechon Manok as their main products.
Liempo in the City – image source: Kusina ni Nasing Facebook Page
The liempo at Kusina ni Nasing features layered herbs that allows the flavor to permeate into the meat. Aside from the liempo and lechon manok, Kusina ni Nasing also sells lechon belly, ngohiong with rice, and chorizo with rice, among others. In addition to the branch along V. Rama, the store also has a branch in Mandaue and a takeout outlet along Gorordo Ave, Cebu City.
Liempo in the City – image source: Kusina ni Nasing Facebook Page
Where is your favorite liempo place in the city? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
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