PUSO (Hanging rice) Cebu
“Puso” is crafted from the indigenous material “lukay” coconut fronds. The process involves removing the “tukog” or midrib to create “lilas”, coconut plam strips, which are the woven to form the “lah”
PUSO’S HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE IN CEBU
Puso weaving predates Spanish arrival in the 1500’s. Early Cebuanos offered hanging rice in Pre-Christian ceremonies, inspiring rituals for gratitude, blessings, and ancestral honor. Unique rituals include offering puso to gods before harvesting sap for Tuba. Lukay weaving became a cherished Cebuano art form, taught to youth. Puso became a popular dish at gatherings, enriching local culture.
How much is Puso?
Puso usually costs around 5 to 10 pesos, varying with size. .
Where can you try Puso?
You can try Puso at most Pungko-pungko stalls, Carenderias (local eateries), and even many food courts.
5 dishes best paired with Puso
- Pungko-pungko
- Barbeque
- Siomai
- Cebu Lechon
- Tuslob buwa
Puto – Sikwate
“Painit” and “pamahaw” are Cebuano morning terms. Before modern breakfast options, Cebu enjoyed puto (sticky rice cake) and sikwate (hot chocolate). Puto is steamed sticky rice with coconut milk, and sikwate is a chocolate drink from tabliya. Puto is coconut-flavored sticky rice, often with sikwate. This combo is popular during Simbang Gabi. Find these treats in Cebu’s supermarkets and tablea shops for a sweet fix.
What is Puto and Sikwate?
- Puto is a Cebuano sticky rice cake made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and ginger. Served with ripe mango.
- Sikwate is Cebu’s hot chocolate, made by dissolving tablea (cocoa tablets) and sugar in hot water.
Where can you try Puto and Sikwate?
You can try Puto and Sikwate at “painitan” around some corner of Cebu streets. The Carbon Public Market in Cebu City has a dedicated section for these delicacies.
How much is Puto and Sikwate?
Puto is priced at P15 per serving, while sikwate costs P5 (half cup) and P10 (one cup).
Balut: The Ultimate Filipino Street Food
Cebu is a food lover’s paradise with diverse options. To truly experience Cebuano food culture, you must try the iconic balut. It’s a fun tradition for visitors, almost like a rite of passage. While you can decline, giving it a shot is encouraged.
What is BALUT?
Balut is a boiled duck egg incubated for 16 to 25 days, containing a partially formed duck embryo. A boiled duck egg without the embryo is called “penoy,” which has a different texture and appearance.
What does BALUT mean?
Originating from the Malay word “balot,” which means “wrap,” the term aptly describes this delicacy encased in its shell.
Where to find BALUT?
Look for balut vendors in residential areas, parks, wet markets, and city streets. Listen for the iconic “Baluuut!” call. Some vendors set up near schools, hospitals, and public spaces. Balut is now available all day in local eateries, served in various ways, like with adobo sauce or as a deep-fried snack.
How much is BALUT?
One balut costs between 25 and 30 pesos.
How to eat BALUT?
Here’s how to enjoy balut:
- Gently crack the round end, avoiding spills of flavorful broth.
- Add a pinch of salt, swirl the broth, and sip.
- Peel the egg. Choose to start with the yolk or save the embryo for last. Discard the tough white part.
- Enhance flavor by dipping edible parts in vinegar before tasting.
Savour the Best-Tasting BBQ in Cebu
Barbecue often features chicken or pork skewered on sticks and sold throughout the city. Delicious barbecue is available all over Cebu, from Colon to the most distant corners.
Top 7 Best BBQ’s in Cebu
- Yakski Barbecue
- Lolo Pinoy’s Grill
- Matias BBQ
- Ned Nanay’s Grill
- Kap Litang’s Barbecue and Lechon Manok
- Barbix Barbecue & Grill
- Chixboy
Must Try Bbq’s
- Pork Skewer – Tender meat marinated in soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and banana ketchup, cooked until tender and browned.
- Grilled Chicken Heads (Helmet) – Skewered and grilled chicken heads for a unique street food experience.
- Grilled Chicken Feet (Adidas) – Chewy, crunchy, and salty, rich in collagen for joint and skin health.
- Grilled Pig’s Blood (Betamax) – Grilled coagulated pig or chicken blood, transformed into a savory delight when grilled.
- Grilled Pig Ears (Walkman) – Crispy and flavorful, resembling crispy bacon and chewy jerky.
- Pork or Chicken Intestine (Isaw) – Skewered hog or chicken intestine cooked over charcoal.
- Atay or Chicken Liver – Grilled tender chicken livers seasoned for a unique flavor.
- Chicken Gizzard – Grilled gizzards with a chewy texture and rich taste, seasoned with delightful spices.
- Botsi or Chicken Esophagus – Tender and slightly crunchy grilled chicken esophagus for a flavorful experience.
- Chicken Barbecue – Common yet flavorful, chicken thighs, legs, or wings grilled to juicy perfection.
- Pork Barbecue – Marinated pork with a hint of fat grilled to succulent perfection, coated in a sweet and savory sauce.
- Hotdog and Fish – A diverse combo including hotdogs, catfish (Hito), and tilapia, creating a mix of flavors and textures.
How much are BBQ’s ?
BBQ prices vary based on factors like food type, vendor, and location. Generally, they start at 10 pesos and can go up to 100 pesos.
Siomai sa Tisa
Siomai, Chinese pork dumplings, are beloved by Cebuanos. Siomai sa Tisa is a particularly popular variation in Cebu City.
What is Siomai?
Siomai is a type of Chinese pork dumplings, known as “shumai” in Cantonese. In the Philippines, they’ve retained the name “siomai.” Cebu has its own specialty, called “siomai sa Tisa,” originating from the Tisa neighborhood. This no-frills version of siomai consists of chopped pork, salt, and secret seasonings enclosed in a dumpling wrapper. Served with vinegar, soy sauce, and chili-garlic oil, it has become a Cebu street-food staple, drawing locals and visitors alike..
Where can I eat Siomai?
The siomai craze in Cebu began in Barangay Tisa. To get there, you can take a PUJ with signs like 12D, I, J, C, G, F, or L. If you have your vehicle, use Waze to locate “Tisa Barangay Hall.”
How much is Siomai?
The siomai cost Php 9 each.
Siomai’s secret?
Tisa’s siomai is known for its special sauce, a mix of spiciness and richness that complements the tender pork. Pair it with “puso” rice for a delicious combo.
Pungko – Pungko sa Fuente
Do you want to try a Cebuano delicacy? Enjoy some real Cebuano street snacks with your family and friends!
What is Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente?
Pungko-Pungko offers Cebuano street foods like ‘chicharon bulaklak’ and ‘ginabot’ in a social setting. With limited seating and a communal table, it’s a unique Cebuano dining experience.
Why is it popular with locals?
Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente is favored by locals due to its wide array of fried foods, including ginabot and lumpia, complemented by Cebu’s hanging rice, “pusô.” Beyond the delicious offerings, the welcoming service, reasonable prices, and adherence to sanitary standards have contributed to its popularity. The warm greetings from staff create a welcoming atmosphere, enhancing the dining experience.
When is the best time to visit?
Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente is busiest during lunch and evening hours due to its proximity to workplaces and universities. To avoid crowds, consider arriving between 10 AM and 11 AM or from 5 PM to 8 PM. The establishment operates from 6 AM to 10 PM.
How to Place an Order
Ordering is hassle-free, even if you don’t speak Bisaya. The food is displayed on your table. Just request your choices, ask for the ginabot to be sliced, and create your own extra spicy sauce with the provided ingredients.
Food they offer:
- Pork chop
- Crab meat
- Utok
- Chicharon Bulaklak or Ginabot
- Longganiza, Lumpia, and Ngohiong
- Atay
Price Lists
The price can vary widely depending on the food, but it starts at 5 pesos to 50 pesos.
How to get there?
Located at 52 A J Llorente Street, Cebu City, it’s across from Apple Tree Suites, behind Fuente Circle. Use Waze or Google Maps if driving. For public transit, take a jeepney passing Fuente Circle, and ask to be dropped at National Book Store on Mango Avenue or Hi-Precision Fuente. Asking locals works too.