Burong Isda Pampanga • History of Philippines Fermented Rice

To many Filipinos and the outside world, Pampanga, Luzon is the foodie capital of the Philippines. Pampanga is best known as the birthplace of the world famous sisig dish. Sisig is chopped meat, fat and skin from pig head sautéed in sizzling margarine with onion and vinegar. 

Manila Galleon · How Chocolate Connects Philippines, Mexico & Spain

When in the Philippines you may experience their tsokolate or traditional chocolate beverage. It is made with milk and tablea / pure roasted cacao. It's a frothy, rich, full body, milky, bitter sweet, chocolaty brew.

Anthony Bourdain at the World Street Food Congress 2017 in Manila

Anthony Bourdain is the most famous street food advocate in the world. He is also a member of the World Street Food Congress Council. He graced the WSFC Dialogue on the afternoon of 1 Jun and hosted a media conference on 2 Jun.

What to Eat at the World Street Food Congress Jamboree 2017 in Manila

Most Manila foodies would have heard that the World Street Food Congress Jamboree took off to a booming start today and the festivities will last till 4 Jun 2017.

World Street Food Congress Jamboree WSFC16 in Manila BGC - Survival Guide

Happening now (20 to 24 Apr 2016), the World Street Food Congress Jamboree at Bonifacio Global City in Manila, Philippines. The response since the opening day on 20 Apr was simply stunning. People in the Philippines love food! Wholeheartedly :-D

WSFC16 World Street Food Congress in Manila - Breathtaking Flying Start on 20 Apr 2016

20 Apr 2016. Had an inspiring opening day at the World Street Food Congress and Jamboree 2016 held at the open space in front of the iconic Spaceman mural in Bonifacio Global City.

WSFC16 World Street Food Congress in Manila - Welcome Dinner at La Cocina de Tita Moning on 19 Apr 2016

19 Apr 2016. On my way to Manila to attend the World Street Food Congress held for the first time in the Philippines, and in fact, the first time overseas since the inaugural WSFC 2013 in Singapore.

10 Must Try Philippines Food from WSFC 15 Hour Food Frenzy Safari

Philippines food is unique - in it we can taste the essence of Malay, Indian, Spanish, Chinese, and American food adapted to local ingredients. Philippines cuisine is a blend of sweet, sour and savoury, and uses less hot spices characteristic of Southeast Asian food.

I had the opportunity to taste many Philippines dishes - traditional and avant-garde during the 15 Hour Food Frenzy Safari, in conjunction with the media launch of WSFC16 or World Street Food Congress 2016 (which will be held from 20 - 24 Apr 2016) in Manila.

These are just 10 of the highlights.

Chef Sau del Rosario's Cafe Fleur Pampanga Philippines

The WSFC16 15 Hour Frenzy Food Safari brought us to Chef Sau del Rosario's Cafe Fleur in Pampanga (2 hours by road north of Manila). We visited more than 10 eateries during the food safari and I personally felt this was the highlight.

Aling Lucing Sisig in Angeles Pampanga Philippines

Sisig is a popular Filipino dish found all over the Philippines and anywhere in the world wherever there are Filipinos. I am grateful for the opportunity to visit the birth place of modern sisig during the 15 Hour Food Frenzy Safari in conjunction with the WSFC World Street Food Congress 2016.

15 Hour Food Frenzy Safari in Manila with WSFC16 World Street Food Congress 2016 by Makansutra

I just got home from the gruelling 15 Hour Food Frenzy Safari in Manila curated by KF Seeton of Makansutra and Anton Diaz of OurAwesomePlanet in conjunction with the World Street Food Congress WSFC 2016. I am so excited to share this crazy foodie adventure with you :-D

Parr't E'Belle Tinola • Must Eat Grilled Seafood & Fish Soup in Cebu Philippines ☎ +63 3 2419 1611

I first stumbled upon Parr't E'Belle while exploring the street side stalls outside SM City mall for local food. My second and third times were at the courtesy of my gracious Philippines hosts. And, every time I spoke with Cebuanos about hometown food, they always mention Parr't E'Belle. I'll say a trip to Parr't E'Belle is a must, if you a foodie visiting Cebu.

10 Best Things about Cebu and Bohol I Love

This was my second visit to Cebu this year and still I was excited to be in the Philippines again because there is so much more I like to see, do, and eat in Cebu.  

I have to confess that before this trip, I have not even heard about Bohol Island and the diving resorts around it.  Bohol is a large island about two hours boat ride south of Cebu.  

Now, I hope to be back to both Cebu and Bohol to discover more about these fascinating places and it's warm people.

Here are my 10 reasons to go back.  

The Irresistible Little Tarsier



Remember Yoda? That adorable wise being in the Star Wars Trilogy?



The Yoda character is inspired by a native of Bohol Island, the Tarsier. 

This little fella was sleeping as the Tarsier is a nocturnal animal. The cute Tarsier is only slightly larger than a man's fist. 

Don't worry. The Tarsier is sleeping safe and sound as it has sticky padded feet like a lizard.

If you can't resist taking home a cuddly Tarsier......, you can buy a Tarsier stuffed toy from the gift shop :-p

The Amazing Chocolate Hills



The more than 1000 knolls looked like Hersey's chocolate kisses, hence the name Chocolate Hills.



There are many geological theories about how the unique Chocolate Hills came about but none are conclusive.  

Since science could not provide us a convincing answer, I prefer the local romantic legend of Arogo and Aloya ;-D  Once upon a time in Bohol, a giant named Arogo fell in love with beautiful Aloya. Arogo kidnapped Aloya and imprisoned her between the fingers of his giant hand. Sadly, Aloya died in Arogo's hand. Arogo was so sad that he could not stop crying. The Chocolate Hills are Arogo's 1000 tears.

How true?

Why not visit Bohol and see it for yourself.

ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) Ride



Everyone enjoys ATV rides because all of us have that inner child that likes fast and bumpy rides. Maybe no one ever had enough of that amusement park bumper car ride when we were children.  

In Bohol, all of us can return to our childhood for a while and spin around scenic dirt tracks near the Chocolate Hills.  

My secret dream is to climb the Chocolate Hills on ATV ;-D  

Dancing with Dolphins



This is the closest I ever got to herds of dolphins born and live free. The dolphins were following us playfully, just beside our boat off Bohol when we were on our way to Balicasag Island dive resort.

Loboc River Cruise



The Loboc river cruise is actually a simple affair. 

The boat cruised silently on the very still river and we had buffet lunch of Filipino cuisine on the boat. This was one of the highlights of the trip for me because I found the serenity of the river captivating and therapeutic.



Bohol suffered a massive earthquake in 2013.

The long red roof building in the background is Saint Peter's church, also known as Loboc church. The old church built in 1602 was split in two by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

The resilient people of Bohol are well on their way of restoring their lovely homeland back to pre-earthquake days.

Bohol is for Everyone



One of the things that deeply impresses me about the dive resorts of Bohol and Cebu is that anyone can enjoy the sea in the Philippines. 

Non swimmers and children are given special consideration so that they need not miss out on the beauty which the sea can offer. Professional guides are specially trained and equipped to help people who need support to enjoy the sea safely. 

So, there is really no reason at all not to go to experience the dive resorts of Cebu and Bohol.

A Day on Nalusuan Island



Just thirty minutes by boat from Mactan Island, little Nalusuan Island is a jewel in the sea popular with day trippers for snorkeling and seafood. 

The shallow sand banks and turquoise waters around Nalusuan are teeming with lots of colourful, lively sea creatures for us to see.

For lunch, we enjoyed the fresh food from the sea which were simply bar-b-qued the Cebuano way, which was just delicious. 

I enjoyed a great day of relaxation and recommend Nalusuan Island resort for families.

See Cebu City from Lantaw Busay Hill Top Restaurant



Taste traditional Filipino cuisine at Lantaw Native Restaurant and enjoy the panoramic view of glittering lights of Cebu City below you from the Busay hill top.

Philippines Home Grown Chocolate



Enjoy artisanal chocolate candies, desserts and beverages in The Chocolate Chamber or TCC handmade by Ralfe Gourmet in the traditional Philippines way.

Lose Yourself in Hideaway Resorts



I was stunned by the beauty of the luxurious Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort. Private beach, famed Filipino hospitality, more than 5-star facilities and amenities.

Delicious Cebuano and Boholano Food



Cebu and Bohol have many signature dishes and is especially famous for their mastery of open grilling with charcoal. I love their bar-b-qued sea food and lechon which I strongly recommend for you to try too :-D

I am missing Cebu and Bohol.  Really hope to be back to relive these moments and also to discover more about these places, especially their unique food culture.  

Acknowledgement: My trip to Cebu was arranged by OMY Sg, and sponsored by Philippines Department of Tourism and SilkAir.



Getting to Cebu is easy as SilkAir flies between Cebu and Singapore daily. 

Date visited: 9 to 13 Nov 2014  

Return to Johor Kaki homepage.

The Chocolate Chamber by Ralfe Gourmet in Cebu, Philippines

After a long day of island hopping and snorkeling in the blistering sun, blue sea and powdery sand around and off Mactan Island since day break, we were totally exhausted by sun down. Our bus was valiantly fighting the evening rush hour traffic as we inched our way to our last stop, Ralfe Gourmet Tavern and The Chocolate Chamber (before dinner in Ayala, downtown Cebu).

By this time, I was famished and tired, and a good dinner followed by sleep were the only things on my mind. I really was in no mood to visit a "chocolate factory".

Lantaw Native Restaurant Busay Cebu Philippines

I've been to Cebu twice so far and both times I was brought to Lantaw Native Family Restaurant in Busay for dinner. Both times, Lantaw was full house - so it is best to make a reservation, if you plan to dine here. It's a favourite choice to entertain visitors and for private celebrations from romantic dates to rowdy parties.

Lantaw Native Busay Restaurant is located on a windy hilltop about 30 minutes drive from Cebu City. The winding road was nicely paved but it was narrow and some parts had steep inclines and sharp bends. We had to change over to small cars to get up to the hilltop restaurant.

Lantaw, in the local Visayan dialect, means “to view” or “to gaze”. From Lantaw in Busay on a clear day, we can view the sprawling Cebu City below and the surrounding islands such as Mactan and Bohol.



When you step into Lantaw restaurant, you will be greeted by this icon of Philippines daily life, the colourful ubiquitous jeepney.



The main dining area is like a large pavilion with a high wood ceiling.



The main dining hall was comfortable but most diners prefer to sit in the breezy open terrace.

The outside terrace offers one of the best views in Cebu and is especially popular on clear days/ nights to see Cebu City and the islands of Mactan and Bohol.




The enthusiastic staff at Lantaw were mainly young, cheerful and were very friendly.

Our hosts from the Philippines Department of Tourism ordered a variety of Filipino local favourites from Lantaw's extensive menu for us to try.



Lechon Kawali.

Lechon Kawali is similar to sio bak (Chinese roast belly pork) in cut and texture but with a milder marinade. The crispy skin was done a little stiff and hard.



Crispy Pata.

Similar to pork knuckle but with milder flavours.



Thick grilled meaty Tuna belly.

Grilled with a savoury marinade, the meat was fibrous and most of the natural flavours of the fish were dried up by the grilling.

Huge chunks of Tuna and Swordfish either grilled or cooked in a soup are commonly found in Cebu eateries.



Sauteed prawns (shelled).



Baked scallops.

Topped with fried garlic which overpowered the natural flavours of the scallop.



Sizzling Sisig.

Sauteed diced pork and vegetables dressed with a raw egg.

I also photographed some of the other customers' food to show you what is available at Lantaw. I am not too sure what some of the dishes were.



Vegetables in gravy.



Stir fried calamari rings.



Not sure what was in the large green coconut.



The food at Lantaw may merely be competent but it was a good introduction to the well known Filipino classics. The hilltop location with a panoramic view of Cebu City, makes Lantaw Native Restaurant in Busay a must visit for every guest of Cebu.

Cebu has many unique and interesting local dishes which I hope to come back for - there is so much more to discover and enjoy.



My trip to Cebu was arranged by OMY Sg, and sponsored by Philippines Department of Tourism and SilkAir.



SilkAir flies daily between Singapore and Cebu.

Restaurant: Lantaw Native Family Busay Restaurant 
Address: Busay, Cebu, Philippines
Map: http://bit.ly/LantawBusay
Hours: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Tel:  032 511 0379
Non Halal

Date visited: 9 Nov 2014

Return to Johor Kaki homepage.

Memories of Carbon Market in Cebu • More Fun in the Philippines

✍ Update 16 Jan 2025: Carbon Market underwent major upgrade between 2020 and 2025. The upgrade included a new main building for the market, as well as other retail amenities.

The article that follows was written in 2014, when I visited the market a few years before upgrading works started. It's a nostalgic glimpse of how things used to be in Cebu's largest market. I have re-titled the article "Memories of Carbon Market".

✍ 26 Sep 2014. Carbon Market is the oldest and largest farmers' market in Cebu City, in The Philippines.

Why the quaint name Carbon Market? This over 100 year old market was where coal was unloaded from trains and stored here in huge open heaps in the old days. Carbon is Spanish for coal. Coal is not found here anymore but the charming name Carbon Market remained.

Cebu Larsian BBQ Paradise • More Fun in the Philippines

Cebu City's Larsian BBQ is a must visit for street food enthusiasts.

I found my way to Larsian BBQ easily with the help of staff at Golden Prince Hotel and Suites. The helpful concierge staff drew me a detailed map when I mentioned that I wanted to walk to Larsian BBQ. I was at Larsian BBQ after just 20 minutes walk, thanks to the detailed sketch map.

Lechon in Cebu, Philippines National Dish. Best Pig Ever?

Lechon or roasted pig stuffed with garlic, lemongrass, onions, Rosemary, spices and herbs is The Philippines' national dish. Roast pig culture was brought to the Philippines by Austronesians from Taiwan some 4,000 years ago.

The name Lechón originates from Spain which ruled pre-independence Philippines for over 300 years. Spanish Lechón uses suckling pig, whereas the Philippines version uses young and adult pigs.

Cebu is reputed to have the best Lechón in the whole country. Filipinos from all over The Philippines go to Cebu to get the best Lechón.