Its lechon has placed Cebu in the world cuisine spotlight. It is so in-demand, in fact, that people in Manila have it shipped all the way from Cebu for their banquets.
However, Cebu’s seafood dishes are making the waves in the local culinary scene. This comes as no surprise since the region is surrounded by waters and fishing is a major industry.
Here, the number one seafood delicacy is the danggit or rabbit fish. According to Chef Gilbert Alan Mathay of Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, there are actually two types of danggit. One type of danggit is dried on its own while the other one is dried in salt. He recommended the type which is dried on its own because it is “tastier.”
Chef Mathay says, “You just fry it and then you dip it in vinegar with garlic and ginger. It gets really crispy so when you eat it it’s not salty.” Danggit can also be served sinugba style or grilled with light seasoning.
Talking about grilled seafood, people can also enjoy the sinugbang anduhaw or grilled mackerel.
Another fish variety that is also popular here is the pogapo or grouper. The pogapo is well-loved because it has a very soft flesh with buttery texture and light tangy flavor. The most popular way of cooking the pogapo is tinola style with fish stock, pandan, ginger, lemongrass, onions, chili, tomato, and malunggay. However, Chef Mathay recommends seasoning pogapo with fish sauce to “enhance the flavor of the fish.”
Prawns in Cebu are also the highlight of the Cebu noodle dish called Bam-i. This dish is unique because it has both the pancit canton noodles and the rice noddles in a sautéed blend of local seafood.
Last but not the least, a food trip to Cebu will not be complete without sampling the local version of fish ceviche called kinilaw na isda. This dish is fish fillet, usually tuna, soaked in vinegar for that strong sour taste. This is best eaten with a cold glass of beer.
These seafood dishes may not be as popular as the Cebu lechon. (Heck they might not get a nod from an international food critic.) But locals attest that their seafood dishes “are really good.” And as what any foodie knows: always trust the locals.
source: fit to post