Cebu's Popular Danggit

They say that the original and authentic Danggit can only be found in Cebu City. That's why whenever someone visits Cebu, danggit will be one of their "pasalubong". But the question is, where can you exactly find them. Before we went to Cebu, my supervisor which was born there, told me "good luck finding danggit." The first thing that came to my mind was, "what!!!?? good luck??? is it that hard to find???". Every time we step out of our inn, we try to look around and see if we could see some danggit on the street of maybe have some hints that we're getting close. On our last day, my mom asked me to come with her to buy some "pasalubong". The first thing we did was go to the public market. We didn't know where it was so we took a jeep, keeping an eye on the inner streets then we decided to get off and ask for direction. Lucky for us, the market is just a block away. The market was located near the pier. Even though we found the market, were still not sure were to find danggit. We ask this "manong"  that was passing by carrying a sack of something and asked him where we can find the stores of danngit. He pointed us at the near end of the market and instructed us to turn right once we saw a street. We thanked the man and head on. Immediately after turning right, we saw this one store of the danggit.

I looked around looking for another store but all I could see was some fresh fish stand and more vegetable stand. So this means that this was the only danggit store in the market of Cebu.

The price of danggit per kilo is now Php600 and with the dried pusit (squid). I know the price is ridiculously high, but it is sure to be worth it. We bought a half kilo of danggit and a 1/4 kilo of squids. Now the only problem we had was how are we going to conceal the smell of it. Wrapping it with paper and lot's and lot's of plastic should somehow do it.

After our market visit, we bought some Otap, dried mangoes and some more home made treats of Cebu to take home.

Foodie: Zubo Chon Lechon

During our stay in Cebu, my mom has been telling us that we should try Cebu's Lechon, the one without sauce. I told her that is it the same with Chick Boy's cebu lechon. She said "no" and that it was way better. She told us that she found an article about it on one of the in-flight magazines and that she remembered that it was located somewhere called "magallanes st." .... not sure if that's the one. The first night of our stay in Cebu, before deciding to call it a day, we tried to look for it. We even ended up asking the police about cebu's lechon but they kept pointing us on a different one. Tired and hungry, my ended up eating at McDonalds then head back to the inn. Morning came and we immediately departed for our trip to Bohol. When we came back to cebu from bohol, my mom insisted that we should look for it again. My brother and I agreed to look for it. We asked these one security guard to one of the hotels if he knows a place named Zubo Chon. We told him the street and pointed us to the right direction. He told us that it's on a "Mango 1" compound, across the "Mango 2" and that we can easily spot it because they had a sign on the side of the street. So we walked for a few minutes then finally found it.

I was like, what!!! when I saw this

We take a looked at the Menu and was a bit confuse which is which, If I remember it correctly, everything has Zubo Chon -_- , even Dinuguan. When we saw the part with price per grams, we guessed that it's probably the lechon and we were right. We ordered about 1/2 kilo I think and some adobong kangkong for veggies. While waiting for the order, I took some shots inside the restaurants.

When the food arrived, first thing I did was take some pictures. :)

Zubo Chon's Cebu Lechon

and told my mom and my brother to drink some pineapple juice after we eat. So, as I watched my mom and my brother tasting the lechon, all they said was... "uhm.. sarap". I look at it closely inspecting for something unusual from the usual look of a lechon since I'am not very fond of it before I tasted it. First thing that I noticed that it doesn't look pale or under cooked. It looked perfect, perfect enough for me to try it. I tasted eat and chewed slowly to savor the flavor and ingredients. I tasted some large amount of rosemary that probably eliminated the taste of raw pork, some hint of ginger I think and other herb and spices that's common for cooking. As the food depleted our tummy became bloated. After finally, eating my mom's craving, we headed back to the inn but dropping by first a convenient store to buy some pineapple juice.

Foodie: Tsiboom!!!!!!!!!!!

After exploring the Lapu-Lapu Shrine, we felt more hungrier than before. We took a jeep from the Shrine and trusted fate that it will take us were we needed to go which is to Mandaue City. Bothered by the long jeep ride, my Mom and I tried to look around to look for clues to see exactly where we are. Still trusting the instruction of the cab driver, we waited for it to stop on a terminal. Finally, we saw a terminal. The Mandaue City Park Mall. We got off the jeep and went inside the mall to have a quick restroom break. Afterwards, we went looking for a place to eat. My mom saw this restaurant that says something about native foods. So we went inside and had a looked on their menu. We didn't expect that the food here is super awesome.

Make sure you visit

We ordered their version of Paksiw na Tanigue , Sizzling Bangus, Bicol Express, Pork Binagoongan, unlimited rice and Iced tea.  Oh yes, were hungry.

One of the best home made Iced tea ever!!!

These iced tea is super awesome. I'm not usually a fan of unknown made iced tea but this one, I'm speechless to how good it was.

Paksiw na Tanigue

I forgot the exact name of this food, because it's named in Cebuano, but if you ask what it is, it's their own version of "paksiw na isda" One of the best paksiw I have tasted. It's sour and the fish is fresh. If I'm not mistaken, it also has a hint of coconut milk which makes it a little sweeter. Definitely 2 thumbs up.

Pork Binagoongan

My mom and my brother was very fond of these dish. They said that it was the best Binagoongan they have tasted. Not too salty of not even fishy. For me it was ok, I was enjoying more with the paksiw. :)

Bicol Express

Their version of bicol express has some chopped string beans (sitaw) , chopped chillies and some pork. I was also enjoying this dish because it's not the spicy. Our fourth dish, the Sizzling Bangus, sad to say we didn't got a chance to take a picture of it. But, that bangus dish was simply mouth watering. Of all the food the we ordered that day, that one simply is the number one.

Looking for authentic food around cebu was a little hard. Or maybe we just didn't know where to look. We all decided to have a lunch at Tsiboom again before we leave for Manila. On our day of departure we ordered Adobong Pusit (without the ink), Lechon Kawali, Laing, Salt and Peppered Shrimp and unlimited rice and iced tea. :)

Adobong Pusit

They have 2 version of adobong pusit. One is without the squid's ink, the other one has. So I decided to order the one without the ink. The squid is so fresh and tender. Definitely a must try.

Lechon Kawali

Not just your typical lechon kawali. Liked I said, everything about this restaurant is so much yummier.

Laing

I also enjoyed eating this one, I'm a little picky when it comes to Laing, but this is also a must try. Our fourth dish, the Salt and Peppered Shrimp has no picture too. But, also a mouth watering dish for all the Shrimp lovers. It's fresh and crispy and yummy.

So if your planning to visit Cebu, make sure you drop by the Tsiboom Native Restaurant at Park Mall Mandaue City

Foodie: Sagada's Yoghurt House

A lot of people don't like yogurt because of the sour taste and the icky feelings it gives after eating it,  even though they know that it's very healthy. Kimi told me that Sagada has there own popular home made yogurt and since I'm used to the commercial one (Nestle Yogurt), I was excited to have a taste of it. When we got to Sagada, we finally had the chance to try it out. On the right is there famous yogurt house near the municipal hall. It does not only serve yogurt but also a wide variety of meal from breakfast to dinner and anything in between. It was after dinner so all we have room for in our stomach was desserts. When we got inside, we saw a group of people eating with this huge bones on their table and wondering what it was. We sat a few tables away from them then had a look on the menu. My mom is not a fan of yogurt so Kimi and I are the one's who ordered yogurt. Kimi got the banana and strawberry jam and I got the banana with granola.

Banana and Strawberry Jam

Banana and granola

My mom ordered some of their home made cookies and a cup of coffee. While we wait for our orders, I looked around the parlor and it kinda have a very ethnic environment with all the wooden sculptures. I think I even saw a head of an animal hanging on the wall, not sure it's a cow or something. A few minutes later our order arrive. Of course we took some pictures first before we dig in. I took a taste first of the yogurt first and it was exactly what a yogurt would taste ..... sour , but the difference is that you can also feel the creaminess of it (kind a like a heavy cream). For me, the yogurt itself is too sour to eat as it is. So I tried another spoon with the granola, the granola's are just toasted perfectly with a hint of sweetness, eating it together with the yogurt definetly lessen the sour taste. Then I tasted it with the banana, then altogether. I looked at Kimi and she seems enjoying it too. Took a taste of her strawberry jam and it was a perfect combination. Told her I like her yogurt more than mine. When all the granola and banana gone, I couldn't finish the remaining yogurt not because it is too sour, but also the creaminess of it over powered my taste buds, So I gave it to Kimi (can't remember if she was able to finish it.)

All in all, our experience with their yogurt was great. We will definetly try it again when we go back there.

Foodie: Cold Pie with a Warm Touch

Visiting Sagada in Mountain Province definetly started my year the way I want it to be. Full of adventure and people that will bring me inspiration. Foods that I will always remember that nowhere else can be found. Kimi told me about their popular "Lemon Pie". I told her that I'm not fan of any kinds of Lemon but I said I'll still try it. With days of hiking, climbing and lot's of walking. On our third day we finally had the time to look for it. We looked for every souvenir shop who might be selling a lemon pie but we cannot find any. And since it is our third day, It was with a heavy heart to admit that we were leaving the wonderful place of Sagada. On our way to the bus terminal, I was thinking what food to bring for my officemates and lemon pie would have been perfect. So, we arrived at around 10 AM in the terminal and the conductor informed us that the bus will be leaving later at 1pm. So it means we have a lot more time to reminisce and look around the municipal. I asked them if they want ice cream because I remember Awingan eating a drumstick after our tour. Inside their cooperative store, I saw this pies sitting inside a windowed cabinet then I ask if that was their lemon pie. They said yes and the other is an "orange pie". I said to myself, perfect. Because with all the oranges around Sagada, for sure they have some specialty made out of it.

Lemon Pie

Orange Pie

So I told Kimi that they have some lemon and orange pies. I ordered a slice of lemon because were not sure how it will taste. (it's kinda like a taste test.) I took a bite, it was exactly what I thought it would taste. Like lemon. (means sour). The yellow filling is the lemon custartd, the white one is a soft meringue. All in all it was okay, but for me who isn't a fan of lemon, a taste would be enough. My mom took a bite too then had the same reaction. Kimi on the other hand who loves sour and everything else. Enjoyed eating the rest of the pie. After tasting it, I immediately ordered the orange one. I took a bite, had a funny face (just to tease my mom), and said that it tasted like orange. With a bitter, orangey taste, it is something I could definetly enjoy eating. My mom took a bite then made an icky funny taste. LOL. Kimi tasted it and said the she likes the lemon better. I said I like these one.  The yellow custartd is the orange flavored one, and the white is also a soft meringue.

If you're planning to visit Sagada, make sure you taste there hometown foods. I also had a chance to taste their home town dish which is Pinikpikan, but for I now I wouldn't make any comment about that because I haven't tasted the authentic one yet.

Foodie: Pinikpikan

One of the authentic dish of Sagada is the "Pinikpikan", which in my understanding could also be called "battered chicken". We got the chance to eat this dish when we invite "Awingan" to have beer with us later since it is our last night. He told us that instead of hanging out at the Salt and Pepper for dinner and booze, he told us to try the Pinikpikan House instead and have a drink after. Kimi and I both agreed and told my mom where were having dinner. 

Pinikpikan with brown rice

The reason why I called it "battered chicken" is, what they do they just beat the chicken to death. They don't slit the throat or even bother to drain the blood of the chicken. They want the blood to cloth on the arteries throughout the whole body, does giving it the authentic taste. It looks like a "nilagang chicken" because of the vegetable is comes with, but it has more oil floating on top of the soup (maybe it's because of the blood in the chicken). Now for the taste test. I watch kimi have a sip first before I try it. She said it was fine if you're adventurous when it comes to food. It was my turn to taste because my mom wanted me to taste it first before she does. Took a sip on a spoon..... and it tasted weird. I've never tasted anything like it. The broth was the one that tasted weird, but the chicken itself tasted ok though. It has a piece of pork to lessen the taste of chicken broth. My mom tasted it and she went "eeeeewwwww"..... she ordered another food which is an omelet. She gave her pinikpikan to kimi, and I just ate my chicken avoiding the broth. For those who have taste for something unusual, then you should try it. 

After eating, we ordered some booze. :)

Foodie: Salt and Pepper

After our tiring hike and trekking at the Pongas falls , we headed back to our inn to rest for awhile and went back outside to look for a place to eat for lunch. We were discussing what food to eat and what place we should try out. When we had our dessert at the yoghurt house , there was as restaurant on top it named Salt and Pepper. We all decided to try it out and have a look.

My mom and Kimi ordered the Roasted Chicken that was salted and peppered.

I ordered the Roasted Chicken with Rosermary Herbs

I know they both look the same but the taste is different and it was awesome. The salted and peppered roasted chicken tasted great, the chicken was roasted fine and the seasoning is just perfect. Same as the roasted chicken with rosemary herbs, you can taste the earthy taste of the herbs that goes so well with the chicken. Both comes with a freshly cooked vegetables that was grown around Sagada. The next time I visit Sagada, I'll most likely to go back there and have a try of there other dishes.

Foodie: My Big Brother Experience

Yummy!!!

No it's not the one on TV. I am talking about the Brothers Burger. Last week, my mom and I, together with my brother went to  Greenhills in San Juan to have the CPU's video card fix (I think it kinda melted). Also, since I stupidly updated my ITouch which is jailed break, I cannot access any of my installed application (the cracked ones) because my OS became legal again, I decided to came along too. The technician told me that if I jail break it again, I would never, ever have to let it run out of battery because I will have to re-open it via computer. So I decided to have it installed new original ones. (Cost me Php500.00). After we had our errands done, we decided to have a snack on Brothers Burger, my mom and I are both first timer so we don't really know what to get and whether if it's any good, we just trusted my brother's word. I am a fan of burger and my mom is not. So we kinda both know what a good burger is and what is a no choice burger. At first we were going to order the Brothers Burger but the cashier told us that their Big Brothers Burger is on sale. (Php95.00 only which before was I think Php165.00 or something) We got that one because it's cheaper than the first one. When the burgers arrived, it was huge, like the champ on Jollibee. My mom instantly said that she cannot finish it because it's big and not a fan of burgers. I took a bite on my burger and it tasted awesome. It did not taste greasy and funny at all. All I can taste was a clean grilled patty. Heck, could be even better than Burger King. I look over to my mom to see how she is doing. To our amazement, she is almost done. We teased her if it's that good that she is almost done with her burger. She only said that she was hungry, we just said "right...." hahaha.

So yeah, for all the burgers lover out there. You must try Brothers Burger!!! Now I want one ...