My Favourite Cebuano Food (at the food court malls)
Summer has left the Netherlands unfortunately, although we are still officially in the summer season so to speak. We have been having rain spells in the last week with temperatures dropping between 15C and 18C during the day. I am now back to wearing a bit thicker stockings and contemplating on donning on my boots. This kind of weather makes me look forward to our autumn trip. Back to Asia =)
Nothing has been booked yet but we are eyeing some exciting destinations and looking forward to meeting the family once again. Moreover, I cannot wait to eat real Asian fare again. To be honest, I am not really that partial to Filipino food only, as long as its Asian and looks tasty, I am all for it. Cebuano food on the other hand though, I have to admit, I am a bit partial, but just a wee little bit. Perhaps because it is the food that I can mostly identify with. I grew up eating this.
I do know many people uprooted from their native land and now living somewhere else, who still tend to yearn for their homeland's food after 10, 20 or 30 years. I can understand, it is their comfort food, which interestingly though, I do not always share in those yearnings. I would be happy to eat Filipino, Cebuano or Asian food if it's there, in front of me, but I will not go out of my way to search for it. I am not sure if I am just a lazy person or my taste buds have changed and remodelled into an internationally-wired palate, or rather have become just practical. I assume it is the latter.
Speaking of food, I took these pictures when I went out with my mom and dad on separate occassions to do some shopping errands at the malls in Cebu last year.
In the Philippines, the malls are a huge phenomenon and they have become a major lifestyle destination for many locals. Equally, every mall has its own food court. Food is big in Asia and although the Philippines may not be hailed as the best country for the ultimate gastronomic destination, the Filipinos love and are proud of their (fatty with loads of pork) cuisine.
The food courts are similar to an open food market in Europe but set indoors where you buy your meal from any of the food stands. The prices are relatively higher compared to a Filipino carinderia (street side canteens) but cheaper than at the restaurants of course. They are simply fast food. Asian people are always eating; and Filipinos, as well as Cebuanos are by no way exempt, thus after some grocery shopping for example, people often retreat to the food courts to have a quick eat.
This aspect of Asian life I kind of miss. I say Asian loosely because in my knowledge and travels around Asia, the accessibility to ready-to-eat warm food, on-the-go and the propensity to snack all the time are common denominators with regards to Asian countries and Asian people. You do not see this for example in northern Europe.
So everytime I come back home, I always treat myself to these fares. That makes it a once a year opportunity, so sometimes I do indulge and eat for example Halo-Halo a few times in a week. I never felt guilty =)
Visit Period: August 2013
Destination: Cebu City (Cebu), Philippines
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
Do you know this most loved Filipino dessert? Halo-Halo. It's delicious.
Nothing has been booked yet but we are eyeing some exciting destinations and looking forward to meeting the family once again. Moreover, I cannot wait to eat real Asian fare again. To be honest, I am not really that partial to Filipino food only, as long as its Asian and looks tasty, I am all for it. Cebuano food on the other hand though, I have to admit, I am a bit partial, but just a wee little bit. Perhaps because it is the food that I can mostly identify with. I grew up eating this.
I do know many people uprooted from their native land and now living somewhere else, who still tend to yearn for their homeland's food after 10, 20 or 30 years. I can understand, it is their comfort food, which interestingly though, I do not always share in those yearnings. I would be happy to eat Filipino, Cebuano or Asian food if it's there, in front of me, but I will not go out of my way to search for it. I am not sure if I am just a lazy person or my taste buds have changed and remodelled into an internationally-wired palate, or rather have become just practical. I assume it is the latter.
Speaking of food, I took these pictures when I went out with my mom and dad on separate occassions to do some shopping errands at the malls in Cebu last year.
Clam soup. A very simple Cebuano dish and I always order this when coming home. I also smell the aroma before eating. So good.
Tortang talong: a whole eggplant (or aubergine) fried in battered egg. I have never seen eggplant fried like this in other cuisines.
Kinilaw na tanguigue (spanish mackerel), Cebuano style. This is a bit similar to ceviche in Peru. It is basically raw fish with onions, tomatoes, banana heart and jackfruit in vinegar and coconut milk. This makes me remember our family beach outings during my childhood days.
A typical food court in the malls of Cebu.
Another favourite, sauteed in soy sauce kangkong leaves (water spinach). Of course, because you are in the Philippines, you get a few sightings of pork snips in there.
In the Philippines, the malls are a huge phenomenon and they have become a major lifestyle destination for many locals. Equally, every mall has its own food court. Food is big in Asia and although the Philippines may not be hailed as the best country for the ultimate gastronomic destination, the Filipinos love and are proud of their (fatty with loads of pork) cuisine.
The food courts are similar to an open food market in Europe but set indoors where you buy your meal from any of the food stands. The prices are relatively higher compared to a Filipino carinderia (street side canteens) but cheaper than at the restaurants of course. They are simply fast food. Asian people are always eating; and Filipinos, as well as Cebuanos are by no way exempt, thus after some grocery shopping for example, people often retreat to the food courts to have a quick eat.
This aspect of Asian life I kind of miss. I say Asian loosely because in my knowledge and travels around Asia, the accessibility to ready-to-eat warm food, on-the-go and the propensity to snack all the time are common denominators with regards to Asian countries and Asian people. You do not see this for example in northern Europe.
A quintessential Filipino favourite: Fried pork chop with atchara (thinly sliced unripe papaya in vinegar) on the side. I do not mind eating this but this is really for my mom's =) I love the atchara though which is similar to sauerkraut in Germany (and zuurkool in the Netherlands) which I actually sometimes buy here and eat as a side dish just like atchara. Improvisation it is.
Ah, another favourite of mine: Salted egg with tomotoes and dipped in vinegar and chili.
In my travels, I have tasted so many pork barbecues on a stick but the best pork barbecues so far can only be found in Cebu, Philippines. Dip them in vinegar with a bit of soy sauce and chili and you are solved, just like how we normall say to each other there. Of course some atchara on the side would do good as well.
Siomai with lots of garlic and chili! Chinese cuisine meets Filipino.
The everpresent condiments on the table in Cebu: vinegar, chili sauce (sometimes they really give you real chilis) and soy sauce. We love making side sauces while eating =)
The epitome of Filipino dessert: halo-halo. You must try when in the Philippines. And it is not complete without the ube ice cream.
So everytime I come back home, I always treat myself to these fares. That makes it a once a year opportunity, so sometimes I do indulge and eat for example Halo-Halo a few times in a week. I never felt guilty =)
Visit Period: August 2013
Destination: Cebu City (Cebu), Philippines
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
Comments
Post a Comment
Hi, thank you for taking time.