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Crispy skin and succulent meat--these are the qualities of a good lechon!
Image: Zubuchon
Cebu has always had the best lechon (roasted suckling pig) in the country. It tastes so good that it does not need any sauce to tickle your taste buds. But, no two lechons are the same. One has claimed to be so good that a former president had dozens prepared at the Malacañan Palace. Another was deemed to be the best pig ever by an international celebrity chef.
We came up with a list of places where you can find the best lechon in the Queen City of the South.
1. Rico’s Lechon
Where: Mactan Promenade (Restaurant): Unit 3 & 4 Mactan Promenade, Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday - 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Scrumptiously delicious Rico’s Lechon waiting to be chopped and served.
Image: Rico’s Lechon
Rico’s Lechon was started by Enrico “Rico” Dionson, who wanted to augment his income by selling lechon. At the start, the lechon he offered was salty. Instead of being discouraged, he worked on perfecting his craft. Rico’s Lechon eventually reached the halls of Malacañan Palace after former president Joseph Estrada had him prepare dozens of his lechon in the country’s capital. Aside from Cebu, Rico’s Lechon also has three branches in Metro Manila: Pasig City, Makati City, and Taguig City.
Rico’s Lechon comes in two variants, regular and spicy, in six sizes. The prices of Rico’s Lechon start at PhP250 for a 1/4 kilo of regular lechon up to PhP15,200 for the extra large lechon.
2. House of Lechon
Where: Tojong St, Cebu City
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday - 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Guests can take a bite at the famous Carcar lechon without having to travel around an hour or so at the House of Lechon.
Image: House of Lechon
House of Lechon is one of the few places in Cebu offering the famous lechon of Carcar City. This southern city is said to be the home of the best lechon in Cebu. Some people even brave the traffic just to grab a bite of this mouth-watering dish. Established on November 16, 2015, the restaurant is within walking distance from Ayala Center Cebu. The restaurant itself has contemporary Filipino design highlighted by wood, abaca, and bamboo. It evokes a homey atmosphere where family and friends can enjoy this delectable dish.
House of Lechon offers two types of lechon, the Carcar Special and Carcar Spicy. Prices of the lechon are between PhP270 for a 1/4 kilo of Carcar Special and PhP850 for one kilo of the Carcar Spicy.
3. Tatang’s Boneless Cebu Lechon
Where: Wilson Street, Lahug, Cebu City
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
A plate of the Tatang’s boneless lechon can easily tickle the taste buds of any pork-loving foodie in this side of the archipelago.
Image: Tatang’s Boneless Lechon
Tatang’s Boneless Lechon has an innovative way of offering the traditional Cebu lechon. Instead of cooking a whole pig, the place roasts a deboned whole pork belly infused with their secret herbs and spices. The result is a symphony of tastes inside your mouth. Tatang’s Boneless Lechon has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a small stall set up during the Buglasan Festival in nearby Dumaguete City. Aside from its main branch in Cebu City, Tatang’s already has branches in different parts of the country, including Metro Manila, Laguna, and Palawan.
Tatang’s Boneless Lechon offers two variations of the boneless lechon, classic and spicy. The prices of their lechon start at PhP175 for the 1/4 classic lechon up to PhP700 for one kilo of the spicy lechon.
4. Zubuchon
Where: Escario St., Cebu City
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
The chicharon-like skin of the Zubuchon lechon has people coming back for more.
Image: Zubuchon
Zubuchon rose to fame after the late TV host and chef Anthony Bourdain declared the lechon made by its founder, Joel Binamira, as the best pig ever. After that encounter with the No Reservations host, Binamira created one of the more popular lechon restaurants in Cebu. The name Zubuchon comes from “Zubu,” referring to the old name of Cebu, and “chon,” referring to the lechon. Aside from the secret spices he infuses into the lechon, the Zubuchon version also has a chicharon-like (pork rind) skin that makes it extra crispy.
Zubuchon offers the classic lechon and the boneless lechon. Prices are between PhP340 for the small serving of the classic or boneless lechon and PhP840 for the large serving of the lechon.
5. Se Ben’s Lechon
Where: White Gold Supermarket – North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, Gaisano Country Mall – Banilad Road, Cebu City, A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City
Operating Hours:
S Jayme St. Branch: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Gaisano Country Mall Branch: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
The lechon of Se Ben’s Lechon slowly roasting over a bed of red-hot charcoal.
Image: Se Ben Lechon
Se Ben’s Lechon may not be as well-known as the others on this list, but has built a name for itself as one of the best lechon places in Cebu. It had a humble start as a home-based business in March 2002 as it catered mainly to orders for special occasions, such as birthdays, parties, and weddings, among others. The first retail outlet of Se Ben’s Lechon opened in June 2002 in Lapu-Lapu City. It gradually built a following among Cebuanos who liked the way the 15 herbs and spices enhanced the flavor of the lechon.
Se Ben’s Lechon comes in four variants: spicy whole classic, regular whole classic, spicy boneless lechon, and regular boneless lechon. Prices start at PhP2,200 for the regular boneless lechon up to PhP10,000 for a large spicy whole classic lechon.
6. Ayer’s Lechon
Where: Mactan Promenade (Restaurant): Unit 3 & 4 Mactan Promenade, Airport Road, Ibo, Lapu-Lapu City
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The juicy meat of the lechon of Ayer’s Lechon is so invitingly delicious you can’t help but salivate just by the mere sight of it.
Image: Cebu Ayer’s Lechon
Ayer’s Lechon is among the more popular lechon places in Cebu. With numerous branches all over Metro Cebu, Ayer’s has built a reputation of offering lechon that is crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. It also is among the more well-liked suppliers in Cebu since the scrumptiousness of their lechon lasts longer.
Ayer’s Lechon offers the regular and spicy lechon as well as the regular and spicy lechon belly. Half a kilo of regular lechon costs PhP350, while a kilo is at PhP700. For spicy lechon, half a kilo is at PhP375 and a kilo is at PhP750.
The Cebu lechon is one sinfully-delicious delicacy you should try if you ever find yourself in the Queen City of the South.
Here’s our list of lechon restaurants in Cebu. Check out Yoorekka’s Dining & Leisure category.
* Click the store links to see the exact addresses and contact numbers of featured establishments.
* Photos/Images are from the official websites and/or Facebook pages of featured establishments and/or organizers.
* Promo dates/Prices may change without prior notice.
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on November 23, 2018.
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