Manang Juling’s: Sinugbang Tasik and Steamed Bongkawil

Each of the dishes at Manang Juling's Kilawan is very affordable. But when you order three different ones and you are dining alone, that is another story.

Tagala: consistently good fried chicken

But what I really celebrate about Tagala is their consistency. The breast that I had that afternoon was remarkably juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, just like the many, many other thigh parts I've been ordering here. It has always been cooked in this manner ever since, maybe even way back to the time when it first opened between 1999 and 2000.

Back at Tatang’s

The original plan that evening was to do a quick jog right after I pick up my 3-kilo takeway at Tatang's Boneless Lechon, my favorite guilty pleasure tucked in an unassuming corner in Lahug in Cebu.

A good buffet place and it’s only Php 288 per head

More importantly, everything was properly home-cooked here and my colleagues could attest to this. Yes, although we are an 'extra rice bunch,' we also have discriminating tastebuds. You'd be surprised.

Parrt Ebelle: grilled tasik and hearty tinola

We came for the sutukil - sugba (grilled), tuwa (clear broth) and kilaw (ceviche). This timeless trinity of Cebuano comfort food could represent anything that's delicious and good and right in the universe.