Filipino food might not be for everyone, but it’s of course what you get when you travel to the Philippines. Sometimes it just felt better to go for Korean or Thai though. Seafood was mostly delicious, except when it was doused in a sugared sauce. Anyway, here are the places I went to while traveling in Cebu, Bohol, and Siargao.
In Cebu City I had dinner at Stk Ta Bai, which came recommended by my guide book and was just around the corner from my hotel. I ordered roasted baby squid, because it just sounded so delicious and was also pricewise something for one person. Everything else sounded to be for a family of four. This squid though is definitely not something I would want to eat again. Too sweet, too roasted, overall very sorry that a baby squid had to die for that.
roasted baby squid @Stk Ta Bai
On Bohol I found a restaurant called Mist in Panglao. The building looked fabulous and Mist offered some kind of fusion cuisine. What an interesting concept as the restaurant seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Since I walked to get there I know what I am talking about.
restaurant Mist @Panglao
I got a nonalcoholic drink, a dragon roll, and crab tartar tacos. Both dishes were okay, but not great. To be honest, I would not order them again. But the atmosphere was great and I ate my meal sitting on a swing. In any case, it was my most expensive dinner up to this point in my trip at 900 PHP (14,- Euro including tip).
non-alcoholic drink @Mist
crab tartar tacos @Mist
At Alona beach on Bohol I ate at Dae Jang Geum Korean restaurant and it was a very wise decision. The restaurant might not be much to look at, but the food was fantastic. I ordered Kimchi Jjigae, maybe not the best choice for a hot day. Nonetheless it was very tasty and with the AC on full blast inside, I could eat something hot. Most amazing though were the different Banchan (side dishes), which came as a starter surprise and were refilled.
Banchan set included @Dae Jang Geum Korean restaurant
Back on Cebu I had a couple of meals while in Moalboal, but the one that stands out was a fish and seafood platter at ‘The Pleasure Principle‘. It was on the street with all the tour agencies and therefore maybe a bit less touristy. I ate there twice and both times just a couple of tables were busy. Food was great and portions generous. I guess since the restaurant is not on the main street and definitely not flashy, it gets easily overlooked.
seafood platter @The Pleasure Principle
On Siargao I stayed at the Happiness Beach Resort hotel, which includes a restaurant named Goodies and serves international fusion. What ever that means, so far most of the restaurants in the Philippines served fusion cuisine. For dinner one evening I ate the daily special, a Mahi-mahi with lemon sauce and broccoli. The lemon sauce over the broccoli was not special, but the fish was juicy and the red sauce on the plate worked well with it.
Mahi-Mahi with lemon sauce and broccoli @Goodies
I liked Goodies better for breakfast. Here for example I had a toast with spinach and mushrooms and two eggs sunny side up.
breakfast @Goodies
La Mesa on Siargao serves wonderful Thai fushion cuisine and is also a stylish place. I tried their chicken salad as well as Kinilaw, which looks like carpaccio but is the local version of ceviche. Absolutely delicious!
chicken salad @La Mesa
ceviche @La Mesa
The Happiness Beach resort offered a two for one ‘happy hour’, which I loved. My friend and I shared drinks, the only way to take full advantage of the amazing mango daiquiris.
let’s enjoy Happy Hour @Happiness Beach resort
Across the street from the Happiness Beach resort lies a very busy coffeehouse called ‘Spotted Pig‘. They have really nice eggs Benedict, not the lightest breakfast for this kind of weather. But the AC works fine here and it’s a nice break from all the rice.
eggs Benedict @Spotted Pig cafe
So while the Filipino food might not be your thing, apparently the locals realize that as well. Therefore most places offer some kind of fusion cuisine, which makes everything a little more interesting. Make the most of it and take full advantage of that trend! Yours, Pollybert
