larangan sa Pasil:Best fish stew of Cebu
"Context and memory play powerful roles in all the truly great meals in one's life"These are the exact words of Michael Bourdain famous for his food episode on CNN. Indeed it's true, when we are asked our great meal it doesn't necessarily follow that it's a high end restaurant dining in the expensive items in the menu.
So with this in mind, I try my best to sample as many restaurant as I can even those that are off the wall. Thus laSt Saturday I ventured to Pasil's wetmarket to get a taste of the famous fish stew they call "larang"To my dismay the public wemarket was too filthy I almost puke. The smell was terrible comparable to septic tank and there were trashes everywhere .What am i to do then?I asked the pedicab driver to bring me to what he thinks is the most popular larangan spot.
So he brings me to this place called Flores Larangan just near the barangay signage. The place is a bit worn out and the smoke from the cooking would make you all sweaty. But the good part you'd get free cooking class on how to stew fish and authenthic reviews as well from patrons.
From the looks of it this place has earned it's place for their food. I even saw a politician picture on its walls together with their business permits.
I find their wall very interesting. The wall illautrtaes some of the fishes that they use for their recipe. I first ordered the shark look alike then o later ordered the black eel. Both were delicious.
The place is located at 40 L. Flores street Cebu City so one can just take the jeep going Pasil and ask the driver to drop him/her near the barangay signage.
So what did I order?First order was the shark look alike then the black eel.
While others would pay for the experience of watching chef cook I had it free. I. learned it's simple to do this dish just saute garlic, ginger, tomatoes, onions and bell pepper then add the fresh fish or choice and let simmer with some cabbage till tender.
The fish is server at 80php per bowl. I ordered 2 ans a cup of rice and some grilled pork meat with soft drinks all for 250pesos .So. as you can figure out I was full and happy after the meal. I would also suggest you try their grilled fish.
This place is memorable to me as the food was superb despite its not squeaky clean location. I like the way they seve their food .This white and blue plates remind me of childhood days with my grandparents in the province where plates where not plastic it breakable glass. I especially like the idea they also serve corn rice.
The chairs are like those in the countryside too where one can just sit comfortably with his leg raised while digging in with your hands. Yes this place is not for the obsessive compulsive clean diners but it's authethically Filipino as it mirrors the persistence despite setbacks and our love for great food.
Restaurant Information
Larangan sa Pasil
Pasil, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
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