Visiting ‘Sutukil’ in Mactan Island, Cebu
Back in October last year, we stayed in Mactan Island in Cebu for almost a week holiday. Dutchman loved doing his usual stuff and that is baking his white body under the sun. Unfortunately, it is not the type of activity I desire so one day I escaped the hotel resort and went to Sutukil, a food market place, and an abbreviation for sugba (grill), tuwa (soup) and kilaw (raw fish eaten with vinegar).
Sutukil is a very popular Cebu attraction that truly illustrates Cebuano food culture at its core, which in my opinion is far better than what is known about Filipino food today, and healthier as well. Or maybe I am just one of those—I love my own kind of thingy.
Nonetheless, I went and took lots of fotos, however decided against eating in Sutukil. It’s still too early in the day and I don’t like treating myself alone when I am holidaying with the Dutchman who freaks out anyway when it comes to eating seafood.
Many sutukil restaurants were offering their fresh catch of the day and it’s a bit strange because, while taking fotos, I have this sudden massive wave of pity for the sea animals. Poor them, and yes, that’s it—they are animals, living entities like you and me as well. But they are dead. And about to be filleted, stewed or grilled.Why am I seeing them as dead animals and not as food? And why am I getting so philosophical about this? Am I turning into a self-righteous vegan? Oh please, no way! LOL
Around the sutukil restaurants are little shops selling native Cebuano made products. I really liked the ambiance that they created. They ringed the area with these charming stalls which are definitely a come-on to visitors, and in turn helps the locals make a decent living, as well as promote Filipino made products. If you are good with haggling, you can buy nicely made wooden bangles here at 1/3 the price in the department stores. Great to give as gifts to my teenage nieces, the in-laws and my girlfriends in the Netherlands. I always buy here every year.
Location of Sutukil is beside Mactan (or Lapu-Lapu) Shrine in Mactan Island, Cebu. I don’t know how to get here via public transport from Cebu City or from the airport but for a small fee you can park your car in the parking lot in front.
Now, let’s check out the sutukil market place and restaurants and see what they have to offer:
You basically choose which you would like to be cooked, sutukil style.
Is it just me but the last foto with the big mollusk, I can see the huge eyes staring back at me? It's like the stare of death...
Then let’s also have a look at the stalls selling locally made Philippine products, and the surroundings as well.
For sale: guitars, decorative starfishes, shellcraft, bags, sandals, jewelry accessories, hats, shell curtains, hanging lamps and even, oh dear (hear this PVD-Partij van de Dieren in other words Animal Party in the Netherlands, yes they have a seat in parliament and I am not kidding), frog sling bags!
I came across these kids playing basketball, just at the back of the sutukil restaurants. They actually liked being photographed.
Travel Period: October 2010
Destination: Mactan Island (Cebu - Visayas Region), The Philippines
Sutukil is a very popular Cebu attraction that truly illustrates Cebuano food culture at its core, which in my opinion is far better than what is known about Filipino food today, and healthier as well. Or maybe I am just one of those—I love my own kind of thingy.
Nonetheless, I went and took lots of fotos, however decided against eating in Sutukil. It’s still too early in the day and I don’t like treating myself alone when I am holidaying with the Dutchman who freaks out anyway when it comes to eating seafood.Many sutukil restaurants were offering their fresh catch of the day and it’s a bit strange because, while taking fotos, I have this sudden massive wave of pity for the sea animals. Poor them, and yes, that’s it—they are animals, living entities like you and me as well. But they are dead. And about to be filleted, stewed or grilled.Why am I seeing them as dead animals and not as food? And why am I getting so philosophical about this? Am I turning into a self-righteous vegan? Oh please, no way! LOL
Around the sutukil restaurants are little shops selling native Cebuano made products. I really liked the ambiance that they created. They ringed the area with these charming stalls which are definitely a come-on to visitors, and in turn helps the locals make a decent living, as well as promote Filipino made products. If you are good with haggling, you can buy nicely made wooden bangles here at 1/3 the price in the department stores. Great to give as gifts to my teenage nieces, the in-laws and my girlfriends in the Netherlands. I always buy here every year.
Location of Sutukil is beside Mactan (or Lapu-Lapu) Shrine in Mactan Island, Cebu. I don’t know how to get here via public transport from Cebu City or from the airport but for a small fee you can park your car in the parking lot in front.
Now, let’s check out the sutukil market place and restaurants and see what they have to offer:
You basically choose which you would like to be cooked, sutukil style.Is it just me but the last foto with the big mollusk, I can see the huge eyes staring back at me? It's like the stare of death...Then let’s also have a look at the stalls selling locally made Philippine products, and the surroundings as well.
For sale: guitars, decorative starfishes, shellcraft, bags, sandals, jewelry accessories, hats, shell curtains, hanging lamps and even, oh dear (hear this PVD-Partij van de Dieren in other words Animal Party in the Netherlands, yes they have a seat in parliament and I am not kidding), frog sling bags!I came across these kids playing basketball, just at the back of the sutukil restaurants. They actually liked being photographed.Travel Period: October 2010
Destination: Mactan Island (Cebu - Visayas Region), The Philippines
