Ben's Authentic Cebu Lechon at Park Mall, Cebu City

Aside from Magellan's Cross, Cebu is also known for its succulent lechon. Lechon or roast pig is actually one of Cebu's best foodie finds. Cebu lechon is different from the lechons found in other parts of the Philippines. For one, it has lemon grass stuffings which enhance the flavor of the lechon and give it a citrus-y smell. Also, it doesn't come with a thick, liver-based sauce and instead, it is only paired with a soy-vinegar dip.


While CNT Lechon is a popular name in Metro Manila when it comes to authentic Cebu lechon, there are also other names that offer Cebu lechon that are as authentic and good-tasting as the ones from CNT. Just like Ben's Authentic Cebu Lechon. My friends and I had a late lunch at their stall inside Save More Market-Park Mall on the day we arrived in Cebu.





We ordered half kilo of Ben's lechon (good for 3-5 persons) for P187.50 and two servings of dinuguan or pork blood stew. We also got a basket of puso, the typical Cebuano rice. It is steamed rice wrapped in coconut leaves shaped like a ball.

What can I say? That lunch was one of the best I've ever had. I loved Ben's lechon at the first bite. The pork skin was crispy and the meat was juicy and tasty. The lechon smelled good, too, just how I envisioned it to be. I really ate a lot. I would have wanted to eat more but I soon realized it was too tasty that eating more would mean eating more puso (Cebuano rice). I was trying to cut my rice intake to lose weight so I behaved myself.




The next time you go to Cebu, try Ben's Authentic Cebu Lechon and get rewarded. It's authentic Cebu lechon at a friendly price. I just love it. :)

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Siomai sa Tisa, Cebu City

Whenever I visit Cebu, there's always something I get to discover. It could be a new place or restaurant, sometimes it's a foodie find worth sharing. Just this morning, after we arrived in Mactan airport, our friend Chivs brought us to Mactan Town Center for snacks. There's a small food court there that can accommodate around fifty people. This was where I got introduced to the Siomai of Tisa or in local dialect, Siomai sa Tisa.

Tisa is a small village in Labangon, the second largest barangay in Cebu City. (EDIT: Tisa is actually a barangay in Cebu City.) It seems the siomai took the name of the place to distinguish itself from the other siomais in the city. So, what makes this siomai different and why do Cebuanos rave about them?


The answer lies in the taste. When I took a bite of the Siomai sa Tisa, I instantly liked it. The pork and the pork fat blended well, creating a fusion of flavors not usually present in other siomais. The good taste was complemented by the chili sauce which had a characteristic spice. Unlike other siomais, the Siomai sa Tisa I ate with gusto was not dipped in soy-calamansi sauce.


When you visit Cebu, try this siomai and see for yourself. I bet you'll like it, too. :)

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Casa Verde Restaurant in Cebu City Serves Great Baby Back Ribs

It doesn't only taste good, it's also very affordable. I'm talking about the baby back ribs at Casa Verde, one of the restaurants located at a newly-opened commercial center called The Walk in Cebu City. For P160, you get two huge baby back ribs with two sidings. Choices include rice, mash potatoes, vegetables and corn on a cob.



The last time we went to Cebu City, Edwin brought me to the restaurant to try its famous specialty. Being the foodie that I am, I got excited at the idea. If you're an average eater, you would've been shocked at how big the serving of the baby back ribs was. In my case, I braced myself for the challenge.



And I'm glad I did because the baby back ribs at Casa verde were well worth each bite. For one, the meat was tender and juicy. The ingredients used for the marinade must have been carefully selected to make sure the melange of flavors come out outstanding. The baby back ribs were awesome. I've never eaten baby back ribs of that caliber before. Without a doubt, it's a must-try for baby back ribs fans out there.



***Casa Verde is one of the newest additions to Cebu City's exciting food scene. It serves international cuisine. The sole branch is located at The Walk, a newly-opened commercial center near IT Park.

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