Tags: Exotic Food, Street Food, Truly Pinoy Food and Drinks
By KC Santos
CEBU CITY, CEBU – The small eateries lining up city sidewalks are a favorite destination for those looking for a food adventure in Cebu.
One of the most popular dishes found in these eateries is balbacua. This dish is well-loved by Cebu locals and foodies looking for something different.
During lunch time, commuters are often found lining up to have their bowl of balbacua, which is basically stewed oxtail and cow skin mixed with beans, peanut butter, and other spices. More exotic animal parts are sometimes thrown in to make the dish even tastier.
It is easy to spot eateries serving balbacua. Once you see small eateries with big cauldrons, particularly those in Ramos Street, you can be sure you can order balbacua there. A P30 per order, the dish is filling yet inexpensive.
For first-timers, the balbacua is quite an interesting fare.
Blogger Marketman wrote that he wasn’t instantaneously crazy about this dish. However, the texture of the cow skin, which is similar to jell-o, is a treat to the palate. Although cholesterol levels might shoot up, he adds that this intriguing taste is enough for him to give the dish a second shot.
Other provinces like Davao also have their own version of the ‘balbacua’ without peanut butter and less spices. Theoretical Cook, a Davao native, wrote that he was surprised how the Oarhouse Restaurant at Mabini Street in Manila made a nice version of this dish by putting extra peanut butter and some banana additions.
Some say the balbacua from General Santos in Mindanao is closest to the original Cebuano recipe and flavor.
Reel and Grill of Petit Chef wrote that the balbacua is a hit even to Filipinos abroad. He wrote that he achieved the “sweet and tangy” flavor of the original Cebuano specialty and shared the dish to fellow Filipinos abroad.
Blogger Rene of Rapsa, however, feels nothing tops the Cebuano original. In one of his trips, he wrote that a particular restaurant in Cebu allows you to decide which other parts of the cow you would prefer. He added that you can even request for beef or cow fat for added flavor.
Some might notice that the ‘balbacua’ is very similar to ‘kare-kare’ minus the exotic animal parts. One thing is for sure, ‘balbacua’ will always be a favorite gastronomic treat in Cebu.
(Photos taken from Recipes By A Pinoy and Market Manila)
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A new dining experience with Cebu’s ‘pungko-pungko’
The ‘sutukil’ remains a must-have treat when in Cebu
‘Tuslob-buwa’ is one of Cebu’s exotic treats
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