Street Food You Must Try in Cebu

A Delicious Journey Through Cebu’s Vibrant Street Food Culture

Cebu, known as the Queen City of the South, is not only famous for its stunning beaches and historic sites but also for its irresistible street food. As you stroll through bustling streets, night markets, or small barangay corners, you’ll find food vendors grilling, frying, and serving some of the most flavorful and affordable dishes in the Philippines.

Whether you’re an adventurous foodie or a curious traveler, Cebu’s street food scene is something you shouldn’t miss. This guide will take you on a gastronomic tour of must-try dishes, the best places to find them, local etiquette, and tips for a safe and enjoyable street food experience.

1. Puso (Hanging Rice)

You can’t talk about Cebu street food without starting with puso—steamed rice wrapped in woven coconut leaves. This heart-shaped bundle is a staple across Cebu and usually accompanies grilled meats. It’s hygienic, portable, and easy to eat with your hands. You’ll often find it hanging like decorations beside food stalls.

• Best with: Grilled pork belly (liempo), barbecue, and chorizo

• Where to try: Larsian BBQ in Fuente Osmeña, or any local carinderia

2. Tuslob Buwa

One of Cebu’s most unique and interactive dishes, Tuslob Buwa (literally “dip in bubbles”) originated in Pasil and has gained cult status. It’s a bubbling mix of pig brain, garlic, onions, and soy sauce cooked in a large pan. You dip puso directly into the pan and eat it as it is.

• Pro tip: This is often shared, so come with friends and an appetite.

• Where to try: Azul Tuslob Buwa near Lahug, or in Pasil for the most authentic experience.

3. Ginabot (Deep-Fried Pork Intestines)

This crunchy delicacy is Cebu’s answer to chicharon bulaklak. It’s deep-fried until golden and crispy, often served with vinegar and chili. Don’t be put off by the idea of intestines—locals swear by its addictive texture and flavor.

• Goes well with: Ice-cold soft drinks or beer

• Where to try: Pasil Public Market, or outside schools and terminals in the evening

4. Ngohiong

Ngohiong looks like a spring roll but tastes very different. It’s a deep-fried roll with a filling of minced vegetables, sometimes meat, and seasoned with five-spice powder. It’s often served with a spicy-sweet dipping sauce.

• Cultural tip: Ngohiong is Chinese-inspired and very popular among students.

• Best spot: Doming’s Ngohiong near Guadalupe or the original in Fairlane Village

5. Barbecue Heaven: Isaw, Chorizo, Chicken Skin, and More

Street-side barbecue is a Cebuano classic. You’ll find skewers of almost everything—chicken intestines (isaw), liver, pork belly, and the much-loved chorizo de Cebu, a sweet, red sausage bursting with flavor.

• What to order:

  • Isaw (intestines) for a chewy texture

  • Chicken skin for crispiness

  • Chorizo for a sweet-salty explosion

• Sauce tip: Always ask for the spicy vinegar or soy-based dipping sauce.

• Where to go: Larsian BBQ, Sugbo Mercado, or outside Colon Street at night.

6. Balut (Fertilized Duck Egg)

The ultimate test of your adventurous palate. Balut is a fertilized duck egg boiled and eaten straight from the shell. You’ll find it sold from baskets in the evening, often with salt and vinegar. Locals believe it’s a good source of energy and stamina.

• Level up: Try penoy, a less developed version.

• Best time: Sold after sunset, often around public parks and terminals

7. Tempura, Kwek-Kwek, and Fish Balls

Cheap, filling, and fun to eat, these fried snacks are staples near schools and busy streets:

• Tempura: Flattened fish cakes on skewers

• Kwek-Kwek: Quail eggs coated in orange batter and deep-fried

• Fish balls: Classic street snack served with sweet or spicy sauce

• Dipping ritual: Use skewers to dip into a shared sauce—an iconic street food experience.

• Where to try: Colon Street, Carbon Market, or outside SM City Cebu

8. Siomai sa Tisa

This Cebuano-style siomai is steamed pork dumplings, typically served with rice, soy sauce, and chili-garlic oil. It originated in Barangay Tisa and became so popular that “Siomai sa Tisa” is now a recognized name all over the city.

• Must-try: Add a lot of chili oil and squeeze calamansi.

• Go to: Original vendors in Tisa or at malls like Ayala’s food court.

9. Sweet Treats: Bibingka, Banana Cue, and Taho

Bibingka

This rice cake is baked over coals and topped with salted egg and cheese. It’s soft, slightly smoky, and best eaten warm.

Banana Cue

Caramelized bananas on a stick. It’s crunchy on the outside and sweet inside.

Taho

A morning delicacy made from soft tofu, sweet syrup (arnibal), and sago pearls. Street vendors sell it from large aluminum containers while shouting “Taho!”

• Best locations: Near churches, markets, or school gates

10. Halo-Halo: The Ultimate Summer Dessert

Though not purely street food, halo-halo (literally “mix-mix”) is sometimes sold at mobile carts. It’s a colorful mix of crushed ice, beans, sweetened fruits, jelly, leche flan, and ice cream.

• Hot tip: Mix everything well before eating!

• Find it at: Larsian, roadside dessert carts, or even 7-Eleven

11. Buwad (Dried Fish) and Street-Style Tinapa

If you’re wandering early in the morning, you might see locals grilling buwad (salted dried fish) or tinapa (smoked fish) served with rice and vinegar. The smell might be strong, but the flavor is uniquely Filipino.

• Pair with: Garlic rice and eggs for a classic silog meal

• Best in: Carbon Market or early morning roadside grills

12. Pancit Canton and Batchoy from Carinderias

While not always classified as street food, many small roadside carinderias serve excellent noodle dishes.

• Pancit Canton: Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and meat

• Batchoy: Egg noodle soup with pork, liver, and crunchy toppings

These can be found in sit-down stalls with minimal seating, often served in plastic bowls.

13. Where to Go for Street Food in Cebu

Larsian BBQ

A classic barbecue hub in Fuente Osmeña. Dozens of stalls line the open-air compound, offering grilled meat, seafood, and puso.

Have BBQ at Larsian Night Market: The Ultimate 2025 Guide

Sugbo Mercado

Located in IT Park and other spots around Cebu, this weekend night market features street food with a gourmet twist. Great for foreigners easing into the local food scene.

Sugbo Mercado IT Park – The Best Night Market for Food Lovers in Cebu (2025 Edition)

Colon Street

The oldest street in the Philippines, Colon is packed with stalls selling tempura, fish balls, and quick snacks—especially at night.

Ultimate Guide to Colon Street, Cebu

Pasil Public Market

For the most authentic and adventurous street food, head to Pasil. It’s gritty but full of character.

Taboan Market

While more famous for dried fish, you’ll also find stalls selling budbud, binignit, and other local snacks.

Visit Taboan Market for Dried Fish: Cebu’s Authentic Pasalubong Experience [2025 Guide]

14. Street Food Etiquette and Safety Tips

• Watch the hygiene: Stick to stalls with a high turnover of food and visible cleanliness.

• Eat while hot: Most street food is best fresh off the grill or fryer.

• Use your hands wisely: Puso is designed to be eaten with your hands, but bring wet wipes.

• Ask locals: Cebuanos love sharing their food favorites—don’t be shy!

• Bring small bills: Most vendors don’t carry change for big denominations.

• Be respectful: Take photos, but always ask vendors first.

15. Why Cebu Street Food Is So Special

Cebu’s street food reflects its diverse cultural roots—Spanish, Chinese, indigenous—and its warm, communal way of life. Food here isn’t just fuel; it’s a conversation starter, a shared moment, and a sensory adventure.

The affordability, creativity, and passion behind each dish make Cebu’s street food scene unforgettable. Whether you’re sitting on a plastic stool at Larsian or standing beside a tricycle vendor in Tisa, you’re part of something local, lived, and loved.

Final Thoughts

If you want to understand Cebu, eat like a local. From puso to tuslob buwa, ngohiong to balut, the streets of Cebu offer more than just snacks—they offer stories. So bring your appetite, keep your mind open, and explore the Queen City one bite at a time.

See also:

• “Top Restaurants in Cebu for Expats”

• “Daily Life in Cebu: Transport, Groceries, and Safety”

• “Living in IT Park: Pros and Cons”