Kalami Cebu! - A Gastronomic Guide to Cebu

Kalami Cebu Food Wars #LechonWars debuted last week and the first match-up ended in a rout as Rico's Lechon handily beat Zubuchon, 10-3.  Many Cebuano foodies in social media said it was going to be a mismatch and they were right.   Most tasters preferred the saltier flavor of Rico's Lechon while Zubuchon got some points from their skin and the meat quality.  Check out our video for what transpired in this episode.

There was a social media firestorm yesterday when an article came out at the ABS-CBN website telling the public that Cebu Favorite Lechon Zubuchon is coming to Manila.  I know Cebuanos love lechon and as a Cebuano, I consider it as a heritage dish.  I did not expect, though, the extreme reactions that the article generated from my fellow Cebuanos. Are we going to destroy friendships over lechon?  Well, here is my take.

Christmas is synonymous to lechon in Cebu. During the Christmas season, you will probably eat lechon every day if you love going to Christmas parties here in the Queen City of the South.  I lived in Manila before and they do not eat as much lechon as an average Cebuano.  Since people living in Cebu eat so much lechon,  each one of us has a favorite part.  Here is my take on the most delicious parts of the lechon.

There are many amazing lechon brands in Cebu but I cannot find an owner as active and visible as Enrico "Rico" V. Dionson of Rico's Lechon.   The "masiador" turned lechon magnate has steered his lechon business into one of the most recognizable food brands in Cebu.  Rico's Lechon is set to dominate Cebu's vibrant lechon market in the years to come. Humble Beginnings of Rico Dionson When I was growing up, I never heard of Rico's Lechon.  In the early 90's, my family would probably get lechon from Alejo's, Cang's, or Villalonga.   Well, in those times Rico Dionson was still a Kristo or Masiador in the cockpit.  I have a dad who loves to go to the cockpit on Sundays and I know that a Kristo's job is pretty tough. A Kristo is a guy who shouts for someone to look for someone who bets against him. They are the ones shouting jargons like "10-7" or "inilog".  They make money if the boss wins the bet.   ...

When it comes to Lechon, one of my personal favorites is the spicy lechon of Rico's Lechon. I also loved the fact that one of their many branches is just a 3-minute drive away from our house. Recently, this favorite lechon brand opened a new branch in Mactan Promenade.  The new restaurant looks different and it is offering new tasty dishes that you rarely see in typical lechon places in Cebu.

My wife and I usually eat out on weekends.  Since it has been a while that we last ate lechon, we decided to look for a yummy lechon place.  There used to be an eatery that serves very delicious boneless lechon near our house, but the eatery moved.  I used Google to search where Tatang's Extra Crispy Boneless Lechon relocated and found out that they have a branch in Wilson Street, Lahug. We went there and had an extra crispy and extra spicy dinner.