CNT Lechon Cebu, Tabo-an Dried Fish Market ~ Cebu Foodtrip Day 1
Cebu Taoist Temple
Cebu Skyline View from the Taoist Temple
After our short visit at the Cebu Taoist Temple we then proceeded to CNT Lechon Cebu at North Reclamation Area, near SM Cebu. We were told by our guide that it is better to be there early catch the first batch delivery of fresh lechon. Again according to our guide CNT Lechon Cebu only serves freshly roasted lechons, for lunch, lechons are usualy delivered to the restaurants at about 10AM then, for dinner at about 4PM. Once the morning deliveries are consumed they stop selling till the afternoon delivery arrives. We did not want to miss it so we listened to our guide and proceeded early. True enough the delivery van was just leaving when we arrived. CNT Lechon Cebu is housed in a very prominent yellow painted three story building. The ground floor is used as a parking area and the second floor is where the restaurant is located there are two service counter one to order drinks and other food that go with the lechon and a separate counter to order lechon. They have a numbering system so make sure that you take a number as soon as you arrive on the place. We though we arrived early, we arrived at about 10:30 AM but there were already a lot of people in the restaurant waiting for their number to be called. People are ordering not just for the lunch itself, a lot of people are ordering by volumes I even seen a man bought 10kilos.
CNT Lechon Cebu Yellow Building
CNT Lechon Cebu V. Rama Ave Branch
A Lady Lechon Chopper
After a long wait our turn has come we ordered 1 1/2 kilos of lechon, ribs part, for a family of six, plus other side dishes, I ordered paklay which I wanted to personally try, a soup dish of chicken tinola with malungay, three orders of fresh lumpia with a yellow colored sauce, a lot of puso rice and some coke that will surely go best with the lechon.
Platters of Warm Fresh CNT Lechon Cebu
CNT Lechon Cebu - Ribs Part
CNT Lechon Cebu Crisp Skin
Lechon Cebu as described by others, do not need a liver sauce that is usually served with a typical Manila Lechon. Our order of CNT Lechon Cebu were still warm when we had it, the skin were very crisp, taste wise the lechon were more on the salty side this is probably the reason why Lechon Cebu is served with vinegar. In fact the saltiness is noticeable if one is used to a diet of low salt, it was evident during the first few bites but we get used to it, especially if eaten with a lot of puso rice.
Puso Rice at CNT Lechon
Fresh Lumpia with Yellow Sauce
Chicken Tinola with Malungay
Cebu Pork Paklay
After our cholesterol laden lunch we continued Day 1 of our Cebu City Tour. Next stop was a visit to two of Cebu’s icon, the Magellan’s Cross and the Basilica Del Santo Nino. The place was very crowded.
Magellan’s Cross
Magellan's Cross Paintings
Basilica Del Santo Nino
Inside the Basilica Del Santo Nino
Next, a visit to the Moseo Sugbo, previously a prison and was converted into a Museum and a stroll on Fort San Pedro a triangular defence structure located at Plaza Indepedencia.
Moseo Sugbo
Inside the Moseo Sugbo
Fort San Pedro
Fort San Pedro at Plaza Indepedencia
Next stop, a visit to a butterfly sanctuary. A visit to Julian Jumalon’s Butterfly Sanctuary and Art Gallery is a must do while in Cebu if you are interested with butterfly and art. The place has no frills to offer the place itself is the residential house of the Jumalon’s, it houses all the butterfly collection and art work of Julian Jumalon. The tour was conducted by the daughter of Julian Jumalon, it was very informative and amazing. The visit also includes a tour of Julian Jumalon’s paintings, art works and lepido mosaic art collections. Lepido Mosaics are made up of cut-up butterfly wings. The mosaics were amazing it gives a 3 dimensional depth to the art work.
Jumalon Butterfly Collections
Julian Jumalon’s Butterfly Sanctuary
Some Butterflies Found at the Sanctuary
Before heading to our hotel we passed by to the Tabo-an Dried Fish Market to buy dried fish and other Cebu goodies for pasalubong, the place is the largest dried fish market that I ever seen, it is also a bargain place for other Cebu goodies like dried mangoes, otaps biscuit ect. It is important that the Tabo-an Dried Fish Market visit will be the last activity for the day, the pungent aroma of dried fish will stick to your clothing and skin.
Dried Fish
More Dried Fish
Tabo-an Dried Fish Market
For our dinner we just went and enjoy some barbecue with puso rice and coke at the Larsian Cebu near Robinsons Cybergate. The original larsian is currently being rebuilt. If you are not to this type of food then you can skip this place.
Larsian Cebu
Puso Rice at Larsian
BBQ at Larsian
I miss CNT Lechon! CNT has a special way of cooking the lechon that makes it different and stand-out from the rest.
ReplyDeleteMay I ask how did you arrange for your tour? Did you have this arranged before your trip or was this through your hotel? We were in Cebu this year for the Sinulog but didn't have the chance to go around. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWe were in Cebu for 2D1N, stayed at hotel for 1nigth only, carry our bags on the van all the time.
ReplyDeleteWe hired a van for 2days thru a travel agent directly in Cebu via internet communication.
The tour was limited to City tours and adjacent Cities only, because of the limited time.
We just informed/highlighted which places we want to go, and the rest of the attractions as per recommendation of the tour guide/driver.