Eat the Cebuano Way, Take Your Soul To The Nighttide Streets

There is something about the late night that makes Cebuanos crave for a midnight snack; or it wouldn’t be entitled as a “snack” because Cebuanos would even chow down a one piece viand with 3 cups of rice kind of meal late at night. As of today, there are plenty of 24/7 fast food restaurants and convenient stores multiplying around the vicinity of Cebu, and if one is craving something to munch on, it would not be hard to miss. There’s just a downside to it, they’re expensive. Luckily, if you’re a Cebuano who is willing to go on a different, late-night adventure and spend less money while satisfying your appetite, here are some places to go to.

1.Azul

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Azul is a famous tuslob buwa (to dip in bubbles in Cebuano) eatery just located in Gorordo Avenue infront of Asilo de Milagrosa. Tuslob buwa is a dip made out of pig brain, fish sauce, oil, shrimp sauce, onions and other ingredients and is best paired with puso. For 99 pesos, you can buy a set that includes 12 pieces of puso, pig brain, garlic, liver, chili flakes, soy sauce, and shrimp paste. What makes the experience more memorable is that you’re the one who has to mix your own tuslob buwa with the skillet and burner for cooking. The meal is not exactly healthy, but it’s delicious, and it will keep you coming back for more.

2. Any pungko pungko place

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If you have been walking around the streets and you see people squatted in one place as they circle around a plastic box filled with ginabot, ngohiong, lumpia, utok, tambok, chorizo, and many more treats bundled inside, then you just encountered a pungko pungko place. Pungko, in Bisaya which means squat, came up with its name because of the tradition of people squatting in one area while eating food. Once you order, your food is usually served with vinegar, or suka, onions and chili. It’s something different than your ordinary house meal, but this an experience every Cebuano must at least experience. Notable pungko pungko places are in Fuente and Cebu Doctor’s University.

3. Silogan ni Gian

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Craving for breakfast meals late at night? This 24/7 mini-restaurant serves many varieties of affordable, and delicious silogan meals. The most known branch is located just right in front of the University of San Carlos, Talamban Campus. Craving for bacon, chicken skin, tapa, tocino, and many other varieties of food served with rice and fried egg? For less than 50 pesos, you will already satisfy your appetite with one silogan meal. Silogan ni Gian also received a “Best Silogan” reward, which explains why people keep coming back for more.

4. Chinese Ngohiong

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Chinese Ngohiong is located at Jonquera Street, Colon, just a few walks away from the University of San Carlos – Main Campus. Not only does the famous ngohiong house sell only freshly, fried ngohiong filled with vegetables and meat, but they also sell stuffed egg, siomai, stuffed crab, embutido, longganisa, chicken, and many more. With less than 30 pesos, you will already become full. Mind you, the lines can be long, but that just shows that people cannot get enough of Chinese ngohiong. Your meal will be best served with soy sauce or chili sauce.

5. Larsian Barbeque

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If you’re a fan of everything meat and seafood, get ready to binge on treats like barbeque, chicken, liver, chorizo, go drop by Fuente and indulge in the twenty-four/seven, Larsian experience. Once you enter, there are people that will welcome you to eat in their stalls, all are equally delicious. All the food there is cheap, it will be a pig-out session worth the money in your pockets, the more food to binge on, the merrier.

6. Braddex Steamedrice and Batchoy in Tisa

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Tisa, Labangon does not just home their famous Siomai sa Tisa, but also Braddex, where it originated from. Braddex is most known for their steamed rice which is filled with lots of meat and sauce, it’s like something you would eat at a Chinese fast-food restaurant. They also serve batchoy and siomai sa tisa. Lining up outside won’t be such a hassle because, in the end, your orders will get to you in a snap.

7. Any balut vendor

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It’s the middle of the night, and you’re probably just looking for a light snack. Around the corners of the streets, it won’t be too hard to find a vendor because he will just be shouting “BALUT” in a prolonged manner. Balut is a fertilized three week old chick or duckling with an embryo inside. When eating balut, get ready to get your hands dirty, but the aftertaste, well, it will depend on you.

All of these spots mentioned, they will not offer fine dining, air conditioning or the most comfortable seats to rest your butts on, but this is Cebu, anything different is daring, especially their food. You will never know what you’re going to eat, but the experience of trying something new will be worth it. The streets of Cebu can offer something new and exciting, go on and take it. Pair up your balut with vinegar and chicharon for an extra taste.