Have You Tasted The Bingka Dawa Of Asturias?

​When it comes to food, Filipinos are a rather creative bunch. They can create a treat out of nearly anything. They can also merge two dishes and create something new. Many of these food items are loved not only by the residents but by visitors to the island. These visitors normally bring a package full of these goodies home with them.  Aside from the well-loved Peanut Browas, Toasted Mini Mamons, and Butterscotch, there are also some native delicacies you can find in the different towns of Cebu. The bingka dawa of Asturias is just one of these delicious treats. 

Bingka Dawa – image source: burpple.com

Bingka Dawa

The bingka dawa is a delicacy from the northern town of Asturias. While it is not easy to find this local treat, it is one of the things balikbayans look for whenever they return to Cebu. It is essentially a rice cake, bingka or bibingka with a twist. While many of these rice cakes use pilit or glutinous rice or even cassava as their main ingredient, the version of Asturias makes use of dawa or millet.

The dawa is actually used as bird food. But, in the town of Asturias, it is used as an ingredient in making a delicacy. The bingka dawa has a smoother and softer texture and is fluffier compared to other versions of the treat. There may also be some variations to the treat depending on the other ingredients used. 

Bingka Dawa – image source: langyaw.com

​The bingka dawa of Asturias shows the creativity and ingenuity of Cebuanos when it comes to food. It also demonstrates the culinary skills of Cebuanos by using any available ingredient and turning it into a delicacy enjoyed by both residents and visitors to the town of Asturias. You can find this tasty treat in the public market and pasalubong shops in the town of Asturias.

Have you tasted the bingka dawa of Asturias already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.