Going On A Culinary Journey In Cebu

While Cebu is known for its beaches, it is also a good place for anyone looking to go on a culinary journey. Since Cebuanos are known to be picky when it comes to food, it is not surprising that Cebu offers a good number of dishes that can tickle the taste buds of foodies who were lucky enough to set their food on the island. The following are some food options food lovers can consider if they want to go on a culinary journey in Cebu.

Appetizer

Peanut Browas – image source: Peanut Browas Facebook Page

Similar to many places in the country, Cebu also has its share of delicacies that tourists can bring home with them after their visit. One of these delicacies is the Peanut Browas. The Peanut Browas are bite-size peanut-flavored delicacies that were conceptualized during the time when Cebu had a flour shortage. Its rich peanut flavor can easily catch anyone’s fancy. Sold in boxes consisting of packs of the delicacy, the Peanut Browas has consistently titillated the senses of both residents and visitors to the island. 

Main Dishes

Cebu Lechon – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

​When it comes to the main dish, the first thing that comes to mind is the Cebu lechon. Cebuanos take pride in the lechon that they would say of the lechon needs lechon sauce, it is not Cebu lechon. The Cebu version of this sinfully-delicious dish is already tasty that you do not need lechon sauce when you eat it. 

Bisnok of Dumanjug – image source: dumanjug.gov.ph

​Aside from the Cebu lechon, another dish you may want to try while in Cebu is the bisnok of Dumanjug. Bisnok comes from “Bisaya,” which is the language spoken in Cebu, and “Manok,” which means chicken. The bisnok of Dumanjug has a distinctive taste due to the special spices used in cooking it. A purely organic native chicken is also used for the dish, which is fried before any seasoning is added. 

Danggit – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

​The danggit is a dish that has a special place on the breakfast table of many Cebuano households. The danggit of Cebu has also become one of the pasalubong items many visitors to Cebu take home with them. While it is mainly eaten during breakfast, it can be eaten at any time of the day. The term “danggit” is actually the method of preserving the fish, which is either spinefoot fish or rabbitfish. Some Cebuanos also use the danggit to spice up some dishes they are cooking.

Puso – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

​While these dishes can be paired with a plate of rice, when you are in Cebu the puso is the way to go. The puso or hanging rice can be considered as one of the icons in the food landscape of Cebu. This humble dish makes it easy to eat rice without using any utensils. Wrapped in coconut leaves or “lukay,” the puso are sold in places where the Cebu lechon, lechon manok, and any other Cebuano finger food are sold. 

Dessert 

Dried Mango – image source: Alibaba.com

​Cebu is also known for exporting dried mangoes to different parts of the world. The dried mangoes of Cebu are sweet to the taste with a hint of sourness in them. This unique combination makes the dried mangoes of Cebu among the popular pasalubong items from Cebu, aside from the Peanut Browas, Toasted Mini Mamons, and Butterscotch. Aside from the dried mango, the mangoes of Cebu can also be made into a deliciously-fruity Mango Float. You

These are just a sample of the dishes you can try if you go on a culinary journey in Cebu. Which of these dishes have you tried? Tell us about it in the comments section below.