Our flight from Clark, Pampanga, departed at 11:30 AM, so by the time we arrived in Cebu, it was almost lunchtime. Instead of eating at the airport, we decided to save our appetites for Cebu’s iconic lechon. Luckily, as we exited Cebu Mactan International Airport, we spotted a small queue at a stall selling Ayers Cebu Lechon. We couldn’t resist and ordered 1/4 kg of lechon (₱335) with two servings of rice. While the lechon skin wasn’t crunchy anymore, it was still tender and easy to chew, even for those with dentures. The real star was their flavorful vinegar, which elevated the taste of the lechon.

3A’s Makabusog Grill Original Larsian BBQ

After checking into our hotel, we decided to explore Larsian BBQ at Fuente Osmeña, about a 23-minute walk away. Arriving at 4:30 PM, the place seemed uninviting, with only a few open stalls and no diners in sight. Based on online recommendations, we tried 3A’s Makabusog Grill Original Larsian BBQ. Our order included grilled tuna panga, a squid skewer, two chorizo de Cebu sticks, and rice (₱475 total). Unfortunately, the panga and squid tasted stale, lacked seasoning, and had a raw, unpleasant flavor. The rice was cold and hard, and only the chorizo de Cebu met our expectations. It was a disappointing experience that left us regretting the long walk.

Shamrock Pasalubong Center

We then headed to the Shamrock Pasalubong Center at Fuente Osmeña Circle to buy local delicacies as pasalubong. Although their items came highly recommended, we were surprised by the steep prices—more than ₱3,000 for just a few treats.

Pungko-Pungko at Fuente

Still unsatisfied, we searched for pungko-pungko, a popular Cebuano street food experience near the circle. The first thing we noticed was the energetic staff in matching orange shirts, enthusiastically welcoming customers. The setup was simple, humid, and lacked basic amenities like tissues. We ordered an assortment of fried foods, including 4 pieces Ginanot (chicharong bulaklak), 1 piece liempo, half shell of rellenong crab, 1 piece sausage, 2 lumpia, and a soda (₱249 total). The dipping vinegar is too sour on my palate and a bit salty. Unfortunately, none of the items were crispy or flavorful, leaving me puzzled about how vloggers rave about this experience.

Pater ni Aki Stall

As the day wound down, we stumbled upon a lively program near the circle with several food stalls. Here, we found two dishes that redeemed our culinary adventure: grilled scallops and Chicken Pater, a Maranao dish. The scallops, priced at just ₱99 for 18 pieces, were small but perfectly grilled with butter and garlic. Meanwhile, the Chicken Pater (₱80) featured fragrant rice cooked with coconut milk (I assume), tender shredded chicken, and a spicy sambal-like side dish. It was a satisfying end to an otherwise mixed food journey. They also sells spider snail with vinegar as the dipping sauce but haven’t tried it. It’s only PhP 25 per piece.

While our Cebu trip had its ups and downs, the grilled scallops and manok pater made the long walks worth it. As they say, food is an adventure, and sometimes it’s the surprises that make it memorable.