26 Sep2009
Ever since the No Reservations Philippines episode of Anthony Bourdain, I have received dozens and dozens of requests to purchase the same kind of lechon served in that show. The subsequent feature on Jessica Soho’s program only increased the inquiries for the accupunctured pig. I have steadfastly responded that it is not for sale. Well, now it is. At least on an experimental basis. My office crew in Cebu have been on my case to allow them to try their hand at an entrepreneurial effort, so the result is ZUBUCHON. Zubu was the designation for the island of Cebu in a few of the really old Spanish and Portuguese maps of the Philippine archipelago, so ZUBUCHON is the crew’s brand name for our unique style of lechon.
Now first let me say what ZUBUCHON is not. We do not use MSG. We do not use mixes of any sort such as sinigang mix, ginisa mix, etc. We do not use paintbrushes to paint the skin with soy sauce, and we do not use blowtorches to even out the caramelization of lechon skin. We do not use very large pigs for sale by the kilo (these pigs at 45+ kilos live weight tend to have more fat content). We do not extract any of the prime meat inside the pig before cooking (some folks remove the tenderloins). We do not have a smooth shell-lacqued skin.
ZUBUCHON is about doing things the old fashioned way. We carefully select our pigs from folks who generally raise them in their back yards, not from large commercial piggeries. As such, we feel we pay a fair price with little intermediation to the individuals who actually raise the pigs, even if we must drive an hour away to obtain them. We often “fatten up” our pigs for several days or weeks before they are slaughtered. We use only the freshest and often home grown organic lemongrass, green onions, siling labuyo or peppers, local sea salt, and other herbs and spices. We use good olive oil. And we prepare, accupuncture and cook the pig by hand, with no mechanized systems at all. We cook the pigs on natural bamboo poles over charcoal purchased from small scale manufacturers in the highland towns of the province. And yes, our lechon probably costs more than any other lechon for sale in the city of Cebu. But it doesn’t get more artisanal than this. And I hope you will find that it’s worth the small price premium. :)
So if you live in Cebu, and have been pining to try this pig, now is your chance. The crew is going to try their hand at running this lechon business from now until the Christmas holidays, to see how it fares. Any profits at this point will be split amongst all of the crew that participate in the effort. No profit will accrue to Marketman. And no, we do not ship the lechon out of Cebu at the moment, as we firmly believe it is best enjoyed within an hour or two after it comes off the charcoal flames. And remember, this might not be what you normally expect in a lechon. What you will get is something with a slightly uneven colored and blistered skin, that looks less traditionally “attractive” but which is hopefully quite crisp, and whose meat is naturally perfumed with fresh herbs and spices.
There are two ways to try ZUBUCHON… If you just want to try a kilo or two, then go to:
BANILAD TOWN CENTER
Sunday Market in the Lobby
Sundays, 10am-1pm
Zubuchon at PHP385/kilo (practically at cost, this would cost PHP600+ a kilo in Manila!)
If you want to order a whole lechon, please call at least 3 days in advance:
ZUBUCHON
032-236-5264 (M-F 9am-4pm)
Look for Edrid or Beverly
Free Delivery within 15 minutes drive of the Capitol building.
Price is based on the size of pig, not the supposed number of people it might feed. And if you compare prices with others, ask them for the approximate LIVE and COOKED weight of their lechons.
Lechons from PHP4,000-PHP6,000
The crew can only do a maximum of 2-3 pigs per day at this point, so please call early to reserve your lechon (particularly for weekend orders). They will gracefully decline your orders if they can’t do them justice. Many thanks in advance to readers who decide to give the crew’s new lechon venture a chance… :)
COMMENTS:
odette, says:
I so want to be in Cebu right now!
Sep 26, 2009 | 4:05 pm
Jing_Bacolod, Philippines says:
sinfully yummy! masarap ang bawal…( i am trying to control my cholesterol level)
Sep 26, 2009 | 5:00 pm
rhea, says:
argh! i’m seriously craving lechon skin and buy-on right now!
Sep 26, 2009 | 5:41 pm
Tricia, Philippines says:
I wanna go to Cebu just for this!
Sep 26, 2009 | 5:51 pm
chinky, says:
This is a great initiative by your crew, MM. Now, I want to go to Cebu to try this!
Sep 26, 2009 | 5:59 pm
chris, says:
it is so nice of you to let them in on the business of the lechon you popularized. the more i admire you for sharing with them your wealth of knowledge and giving them the chance to make their own wealth. kudos, mr. mm.
Sep 26, 2009 | 6:28 pm
Connie C, United States says:
Labor of love for an accupunctured zubochon! I can already feel the sensory delights from the aroma steaming out of the vents to the crunch as one takes the first bite of the puffed skin. Good luck to the crew on their entrepreneurial venture!
Sep 26, 2009 | 6:34 pm
Gener, says:
I want to know where i can stay in CEBU? at least the nearest where i can feast! how fast is the travel time from manila to cebu? i have to bring my family of 4 just to do some touring around and try this ZUBUCHON!
Sep 26, 2009 | 6:48 pm
Susie, says:
MM, your guys are incredibly enthusiastic and we (spouse, child, nephew and I) are thrilled to bits we can bring some home on Sundays! It is delicious!
Sep 26, 2009 | 7:03 pm
deirdregurl, Philippines says:
i so want to be in cebu right now ;p just to have a taste of the famed zubuchon :)
Sep 26, 2009 | 7:12 pm
silly lolo, United States says:
I wish your crew all the luck in the world. They are embarking on a business venture that seems to be more a labor of love than anything else. They say however, that at times one must “make their own luck”! I personally believe in that mantra.
I can see it now: Zubuchon restaurants all over. A 3 -shift operation to cook the lechon to support a delivery schedule to Manila, Davao, Bacolod, etc. An Airline/Airfreight operation that will put Fedex and UPS to shame (call me when you are ready for this part – I spent my entire career doing this).
But wait, I want in on the action! I would assume you put your sharp “pencil” on this business plan and so there must be a modicum of success in the near future, How about I invest in charcoal production? You guys will need lots of that and to corner the charcoal market seems like a plan to me!
And you guys are going to need freight containers! A purpose designed unit lined with insulated tin foil so temperature is retained and the lechon arrives in Manila still hot! Hooboy, you guys are going to be busy. But hey, call me. I will help and I swear I come cheap. All I need is a piece of lechon cheek once in a while!
Sep 26, 2009 | 7:21 pm
bearhug0127, says:
ha! am craving for it by just looking at it right now..am sure the venture would be a huge success and the crew would get their hands full and would need to do some really good planning when the business needs to expand to accommodate the orders…but then again, mm, you will be there to guide them…good luck!!!
Sep 26, 2009 | 7:37 pm
Lee, says:
Zubuchon and kinilaw…
Catering option to prepare fresh kinilaw on site upon delivery of lechon? I loved the eyeball combo of kinilaw and lechon.
Sep 26, 2009 | 7:39 pm
Artisan Chocolatier, says:
To all Cebu residents who plan to try a kilo or two of Zubuchon at the Banilad Town Center (BTC). I stongly suggest you come early to get choice cuts.
The Sunday market at BTC started 3 Sundays ago and Zubuchon has been enjoying brisk sales. Two-thirds of the lechon is usually gone by noon and the crew already have “regulars” who come in every Sunday to get their fix of the “best pig ever”.
Sep 26, 2009 | 8:07 pm
Johnny, says:
MM,
When I saw the title, I first thought today’s entry was about another Keller restaurant: Zubuchon…Bouchon…Hmmm. Hehe. Good luck to you and your crew!
Johnny
Sep 26, 2009 | 8:28 pm
moni, says:
Gener, the Manila-Cebu flight is one hour. The nearest hotel to MM’s office where Zubuchon will likely be roasted, is Mayflower Inn. You can also stay in Casa Escano on Juana Osmena St. An added treat in Casa Escano is being able to taste the best ensaimada ever at breakfast — Artisan Chocolatier’s brioche. Where are you traveling from Gener? If you need survival tips in traveling to Cebu, post a comment here.
Sep 26, 2009 | 8:31 pm
jtan, says:
wishing you and the crew much success. i admire your support and encouragement for your crew to continue and share this perfected craft of the lechon roast. this little start-up is fueled by passion and pride of artisanal excellence. Long may it grow and prosper.
I will have my bite into a crunch of skin maybe next year!
Sep 26, 2009 | 9:14 pm
Gener, says:
Moni,
Thanks for your answer. My flight is actually from Morocco to qatar then from qatar to manila but i checked today from the airline that there is actually a flight direct to cebu which makes my travel path easier. I may stay in cebu for few days then travel back to luzon to continue my vacation there. Well any help from you guys there is big for me since i never visited cebu yet. Ill try to visit all those places you mentioned as part of the vacation thrill…thanks again.
Sep 26, 2009 | 9:52 pm
dyosa, says:
Sinfully delicious!
I’m going to try this when I go to Cebu this Nov. BTC isn’t too far away from my hotel. Thanks MM!
Sep 26, 2009 | 10:09 pm
Jaja, says:
yey!!!! I will be able to finally taste the lechon!!! :D Can’t wait! :D
Sep 26, 2009 | 10:23 pm
Liz Tolentino, Philippines says:
*sigh* ang layo ko…
but hey MM, sobrang mura ng Zubuchon compared to commercially available ones, and you only use premium ingredients huh!
all the luck to your crew MM!
Sep 26, 2009 | 10:40 pm
jun b, says:
more reason to be in Cebu. Goodlyck to your crew and more power to zubuchon
Sep 26, 2009 | 11:03 pm
millet, says:
yeheyyy! hooray for the crew! wishing you the best of luck, everyone!
Sep 26, 2009 | 11:14 pm
millet, says:
very chic name.
Sep 26, 2009 | 11:18 pm
wahini, says:
just ordered a whole zubuchon for my birthday last sunday. may have been one of the best birthday gifts i’ve ever given myself!
Sep 26, 2009 | 11:58 pm
chrisb, Philippines says:
Oh boy, I so want go to Cebu right now =)
Sep 27, 2009 | 2:02 am
chrisb, Philippines says:
Btw, Millet is right, chic name for a lechon. I actually thought Zubuchon was part of your NY restaurant series, haha
Sep 27, 2009 | 2:04 am
betty q., Canada says:
May your crew be blessed with 1000 + Zubuchons!!!! I bet they see Zubuchons even in their sleep! A word of advice to the crew…maybe while the ink hasn’t dried yet, it is not too late to add THE ORIGINAL to the Zubuchon….this is just a suggestion!
…and I call first dibs to being SILLY LOLO’S executive assistant, Doc!
Sep 27, 2009 | 2:11 am
Bong, United States says:
Very nice! Zubuchon… I like it! Very catchy! I wish your crew well and I hope they sell lots and lots and lots!!!
Sep 27, 2009 | 3:00 am
Vicky Go, says:
Good luck & best wishes on this venture! I just hope that by the time I make it to the philippines, you would have a Manila branch to provide Zubuchon to the city & environs!
PS – Hope Typhoon Ondoy didn’t do much damage to you & yours!
Sep 27, 2009 | 3:00 am
Maria, says:
ooooooooh a MUST try in my cebu trip next month. Thanks MM. I was anxiously waiting for an annual lechon eyeball post. But, this will definitely do. Thanks again. i’m so excited!!!!
Sep 27, 2009 | 3:07 am
edee, says:
all the best in this new venture, hopefully next time we’re home, matikman ko din ang best pig ever :)
Sep 27, 2009 | 3:18 am
bearhug0127, says:
sorry, mm, out of topic… here’s hoping all our friends and readers of the blog in metro manila and those affected areas are safe and dry from ondoy. we’re praying for your safety..
Sep 27, 2009 | 4:58 am
Artisan Chocolatier, says:
It’s raining here in Cebu too….and I know the perfect dish to take the blues away….ZUBUCHON!!!! And then make sinigang na lechon ala marketman for dinner!!!! Saaaaaarap!!!
Sep 27, 2009 | 6:25 am
Cecilia, United States says:
Really, I’ve often wanted to say this to you, MM. What a generous spirit you have! … Best wishes to the crew on this new venture, and someday soon, I will have the Zubuchon! :D
Sep 27, 2009 | 6:30 am
Lilibeth, says:
Wow! If I were in Cebu right now, I would be one of the first customers of Zubuchon! Your price is very reasonable compared to Manila and here in the US. May God bless your crew with success in their business and may God bless you too Marketman for your support of the crew.
Sep 27, 2009 | 6:43 am
Marketman, says:
Hi Everyone, as I type this I am watching all of the news programs on the effects of Ondoy, and the several flash floods that hit Manila yesterday. There are thousands of folks terribly affected by yesterday’s storm, and I hope that rescue efforts increase as daylight comes this morning. MM and family are fine, though for a moment yesterday it was almost certain that our home would be flooded, and we watched with a huge sigh of relief as the waters peaked at about 1 centimeter below our front door… It was quite amazing how quickly nearby creeks swelled by 10-12 feet and breached their banks… there are parts of Metro Manila that are still under several meters of water and we hope for the best.
Sep 27, 2009 | 6:48 am
marilen, says:
MM, you have such a joyful way of sharing, you are a good steward of God’s blessings. God’s blessings on you snd the crew. Best pig ever!!
Sep 27, 2009 | 6:55 am
bearhug0127, says:
good to know you and the family are fine. sorry to see and hear about our kababayans affected by ondoy.
ZUBUCHON = BEST PIG EVER!!!
Sep 27, 2009 | 7:04 am
silly lolo, says:
Lee: I bet they will give you free Zubuchon if you design them the best T-Shirt ever!
Sep 27, 2009 | 7:14 am
farida, says:
I am glad your family and home are fine, MM. I have not heard of the typhoon, have not watched the news lately. Wow! just a matter of centimeters. I know how you feel watching the waters creep closer. The creek in my backyard turns into a large lake in the rainy winters and I just cringe every time I watched the waters creep closer to the deck.
I am looking forward to have a taste of the Zubuchon lechon when I visit home. For sure, I will let the relatives know about it.
I know in the town where I come from we usually have someone do the lechon by hand in our backyard. My uncle, God bless his soul, was a great lechonero(?). He would go home to Cebu to get his ingredients. I am sure your lechon will be just like that… Yuumyummy. More power to you, MM and to Zubuchon.
Sep 27, 2009 | 8:00 am
moni, says:
Gener, for details, you can email me at: m.escalada@gmail.com. I am based in Baybay, Leyte and Makati but I’ll share with you the Cebu vacation I planned and hosted for my U.S.-based siblings. They were in Cebu on Sept. 3-6, 2009 but within that short time, they had a great time.
At the suggestion of Artisan Chocolatier in this blog I booked them in Casa Escano B&B. Check it out at: http://www.casaescano.com. But Mayflower Inn, where room rates are slightly cheaper, is also a worthy option. It is on Villalon Drive, just beside the Cebu provincial capitol. Mayflower Inn has no website, tel. is (63-32) 255-2800. I will email you the room rates tomorrow coz I left the flyer in the office.
While in Cebu, you can book a rental car with driver and a well-informed tour guide for 3 hours, from 8:45 a.m. to 12 noon. I booked that through Casa Escano. It was well worth the city tour because the guide who knows the history well be a great resource.
Then you can have your meals at the Terraces wing of Ayala Cebu where it is so pleasant. Go to Cafe Laguna in Terraces. The Filipino food we ordered — sinigang na tanguigue sa bayabas, lumpiang sariwa, green mango shake, inihaw na atay ng baboy, etc. — was so good. My guests were quite impressed, they wanted to return. For a group of 4, I only paid a little over P1k (about $25).
Both Casa Escano and Mayflower Inn are quite accommodating that you can bring your 2 kg of Zubuchon and eat it in their dining area.
Sep 27, 2009 | 9:24 am
bearhug0127, says:
mm, asking your permission to share this: update on typhoon ondoy see link: http://www.quezon.ph/2009/09/26/how-to-help/
Sep 27, 2009 | 10:00 am
Beth, Canada says:
Nice. Hopefully you can also perfect the traditional smooth skin lechon. That would truly impressive.
Sep 27, 2009 | 10:04 am
4btiddy, says:
So happy for your crew that you are giving them this business opportunity. Good luck! I hope I will have a chance to taste Zubuchon the next time I go home. Maybe by that time, you will have worked out a way to export it to Manila.
Sep 27, 2009 | 1:32 pm
marcial bonifacio, Cayman Islands says:
“Best Pig Ever”.. it echoes around the world.. Mabuhay, MM!=D
Sep 27, 2009 | 1:42 pm
Joyce, China says:
loving the name, zubuchon. best of luck to your crew on their new business venture.
saw the pics of the typhoon last night and today, hope everyone is safe there. will be praying for everyone.
Sep 27, 2009 | 2:41 pm
Marketman, says:
Beth, many others do the “smooth” skin… it’s not that hard, and often reached after some tricks of the trade, brushing the skin with a sugared water, soy sauce, oil, etc. I find that the versions now often commercially available are smooth and brown, but not really crisp. It actually seems almost lacquered… Lots of folks do that version, no need to add another one.
Sep 27, 2009 | 3:31 pm
Gener, says:
Moni,
Thanks again for your details, i will check our flight details and try to inform you in your e-mail soon! my mail is gensum@hotmail.com and my phones are 00212-662110910(morocco)and 00971-5818256(qatar)…My wife loved filipino foods too as its totally differs from their cultural culinary foods and my kids are actually stranged to filipino customary kitchen attitude and food but im sure they will enjoy it too..We usually ate tajin,cous-cous & harera shourba all the time so we should change it during our vacation in the country..GOD bless…
Sep 27, 2009 | 4:26 pm
rose, says:
hi market manila!!!
nice to hear your selling this famous lechon… finally we can try this…..my grandma’s bday on sat oct 3.. we plan to give3 this as a gift.. im from manila, can i pick up at the manila airport?i did this before with another guy selling lechon from cebu..please
Sep 27, 2009 | 5:08 pm
Artisan Chocolatier, says:
2 Zubuchon lechon sold in 2 hours!!! Awesome!!
Sep 27, 2009 | 5:31 pm
Hershey, says:
WOW!!! I am now thinking to go to Cebu just to get a taste of it! :D
Sep 27, 2009 | 6:23 pm
Marketman, says:
rose, sorry, we don’t do Manila yet. The minimum 5-6 hour transit from when it is cooked to when it arrives in Manila is too long doesn’t do the pig justice. Basically, you get steamed (in the box), chilled (in the 40F hold of the plane) then room temperature lechon which is nothing like it’s newly cooked self…
Sep 27, 2009 | 6:26 pm
denise, says:
wow congratulations on the crew’s budding business!!…dibs on being betty q’s assistant…
MM…can’t help but wonder…charcoal is mostly done by slash and burn…is there a way you can also make sure that the charcoal the crew buys is from sustainable resources? such as coconut husks? Since from Artisan Chocolatier’s posts,Zubuchon is already at a brisk pace.
waaah can’t wait to come home and invade Cebu! hehe
Sep 27, 2009 | 6:31 pm
moni, says:
Gener, can your wife eat Zubuchon (pork)?
Sep 27, 2009 | 6:41 pm
Marketman, says:
denise, my understanding is that a lot of the charcoal is made from ipil-ipil trees, which grow very quickly, and when cut, grow again. I don’t think most of the charcoal is from slash and burn methods in Cebu, slash, certainly, as they do harvest and cut wood, but not in the kaingin method of clearing an area completely of its vegetation. We have not tried coconut husks, but since the cooking process takes some 2-3 hours, that would use a phenomenal number of coconut husks, which burn much faster than charcoal… Oh, and traditionally, the pig might be roasted over wood burning fires, but charcoal seems to work best for us…
Sep 27, 2009 | 6:52 pm
Marketman, says:
THANK YOU to readers and their friends for your support at today’s Sunday market at the Banilad Town Center in Cebu, my understanding is that the crew brought two whole lechons and left with nothing… :) I hope you enjoyed your taste of ZUBUCHON. Salamat.
Sep 27, 2009 | 6:55 pm
Gener, says:
Moni,
Well my wife cannot eat pork as she was forbidden but im allowed and she cant stopped me as its my custom to eat pork. She may not care much since my wife is europeanized thought shes arabic, there are lot of sea foods and meat alternatives where she can enjoy too and im sure that she will love it..thanks..
Sep 27, 2009 | 8:44 pm
Gener, says:
Moni,
Are you this leader from IRRI and actually participated or a prize winner supported by world bank? i mean this vietnam issue? cause i read a lot about this subject,,are you this person madam moni?…
Sep 27, 2009 | 9:10 pm
Mochikun, Canada says:
That pig looks like it has a disease. I hope someday we can learn the secret to consistently smooth shiny crispy skin. This shortcut way is convenient but the texture, though still crispy, is different.
Sep 27, 2009 | 10:40 pm
Beth, Canada says:
Marketman, are you able to produce the lacquered version that produces really crispy skin vs the commercial ones? If so, please tell us how it’s done cuz I’d love to try my hand again at spit roasted lechon. It’s been a while since I’ve made one.
Sep 27, 2009 | 10:43 pm
moni, Philippines says:
Gener, please check my blogs: http://devcompage.com and http://ricehoppers.net.
MM, sorry, we use the comments to your blog like a Facebook chat. Congrats on your site’s new look. Very easy to read with a lot of white space.
Sep 28, 2009 | 5:32 am
moni, Philippines says:
Zubuchon is a lot healthier than lechon bought from commercial suppliers. My son did an on-the-job training in agribusiness management in one of Manila’s leading lechon makers. He learned that to make the lechon skin stay crispy for hours, MSG is brushed all over the pig. In their commissary, MSG is one of the essential supplies.
Sep 28, 2009 | 6:07 am
Nonon, Philippines says:
Banilad Town Center here we come!!! :D
Sep 28, 2009 | 11:22 am
Quillene, Philippines says:
Good luck to your crew on the small business venture! I hope that they can really turn in a profit and make it grow!
Hope to taste this ZUBUCHON one day!
Thanks to AB and to you for your efforts that they now have an enterprise venture!
All the best to the crew!
Sep 28, 2009 | 12:08 pm
Artisan Chocolatier, says:
The lechon pictured above was done and eaten last thursday (I was privilege enough to be invited by MM…hehehehe) and MM mentioned that he was trying out a different formula thus the color and look of the skin. I can assure everyone that it tasted good. As they say, “the proof is in the eating”…or…”don’t judge a book by its cover”.
The Zubuchon that the crew has been bringing to BTC is similar to the photos in the Bourdain and Soho post.
Sep 28, 2009 | 1:28 pm
Marketman, says:
Mochikun, you may want to check out previous posts (a dozen or more) I have done on lechon, summarized here with all links, and you will realize that skin that is not “shell-lacqued” is utterly intentional. Beth, you might want to do the same, as one of my lechon chronicles did have a smooth brown skin.
Sep 28, 2009 | 3:56 pm
mojito drinker, Philippines says:
this is awesome mm! now i wish i lived in cebu…
Sep 28, 2009 | 4:11 pm
denise, United Arab Emirates says:
off-topic…ooh nice lay-out….
on-topic…that’s good to hear MM! yeah ipil-ipil do grow fast…so fast that one grew to about 2 feet tall on the top of our and our neighbor’s perimeter fence!
re coconut husk charcoal..i remember seeing these in brick form i forgot the name but it was being sold in Robinsons Supermarket…but yes you’re right you might need tons of it.
Sep 28, 2009 | 5:57 pm
Bubut, United States says:
time to check cebu pacific or pal for flights to cebu to taste the Zubuchon! congrats to you MM and the crew.
Sep 28, 2009 | 5:58 pm
thelma, United States says:
i so look forward to eating lechon skin when i fly there next month!
Sep 29, 2009 | 8:42 am
The Steak lady, Philippines says:
This is so very nice of you MM! Your crew is indeed very lucky to have you as their boss :-) can’t wait to try this out on my next trip. More power!
Sep 29, 2009 | 11:54 am
sheena, Philippines says:
I wanna go back to Cebu and try this. :D
Sep 29, 2009 | 2:20 pm
presentacion, Philippines says:
hi MM! congratulations on your new easy to read blog style
and goodluck to your crew’s best-ever lechon endeavors.
Sep 29, 2009 | 2:40 pm
Leilani, United States says:
hhhmmm zubuchon lechon will definitely be on top of my todo list when i go back home. i grew up eating lechon stuffed with lemongrass. definitely best pig ever!!! MM, i’m pretty sure when Zubuchon turns into a full scale restaurant, Augusto and Anthony Bourdain will be cutting the ribbon at the door.
Sep 30, 2009 | 8:28 am
Len, United States says:
I will be going home to Bacolod next May and Cebu is on my itenerary because of this lechon. I am hoping that this will be a very successfull venture so that it will still be available when i get there.
Oct 1, 2009 | 2:37 am
rose, United States says:
Wow! your description of Zubuchon- is soo organic! How I wish you could share the recipe so I can make my own here in the states. As soon as I come home, cebu will be in my a list of cities to come home to. thanks. missing all those otaps too.
Oct 3, 2009 | 4:07 am
Bernard, Philippines says:
I tried the Zubuchon today and in my 20 or so years of eating lechon, the Zubuchon has been the best so far!!! I am waiting for an opportunity to order 1 whole Zubuchon. I wish your crew all the best. I hope Zubuchon will become a household name for lechons :) More power! I am definitely buying again next sunday.
Oct 4, 2009 | 11:54 pm
Marketman, says:
Bernard, thank you for trying the Zubuchon, and for such enthusiastic comments… I am glad you enjoyed it!
Oct 5, 2009 | 8:54 am
Jaja, Philippines says:
can’t wait to try this out! I saw a picture of the stall here…
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30254663&id=1556205665#/photo.php?pid=30255236&id=1556205665
Oct 6, 2009 | 9:45 am
Jonathan, Japan says:
Oh damn it! (So sorry for swearing MM) but I’m just so frustrated right now! I actually came home for a short visit from September 25 to OCtober 4 in Cebu, where I was so busy squeezing in all the good times within the short vacation that I wasn’t able to check your blog. Oh the pangs of counterfactual thoughts of having missed this Zubuchon! Please do consider Japan for a branch when you go international!
Oct 12, 2009 | 8:22 pm
Anton, Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago says:
wow! this is amazing. I can’t wait til my next vacation and hit cebu just to feast on Zubuchon. And the name’s so chic. Awesome!
Oct 21, 2009 | 4:27 am
Jing_Bacolod, Philippines says:
MM, can you open up a place here in Bacolod where we can buy the Zubuchon…this is one of my favorite post….i always dig your archives for more posts. Diri sa Bacolod, we love your site!
Oct 23, 2009 | 4:58 pm
iCharles, Philippines says:
The skin may look like it’s unnatural, but the way MM and crew made it is completely natural. It’s just the appearance of the skin that we Filipino’s are not used to, but if you think of biting on chicharon-crisp skin, heavenly would be an understatement.
Oct 31, 2009 | 5:31 pm
Reme, Philippines says:
Hi MM!!! will this be available in Manila for the holidays by any chance? Just a suggestion =)
Nov 1, 2009 | 8:14 pm
Marketman, Philippines says:
Reme, not likely as the lechonan is located in Cebu.
Nov 1, 2009 | 9:57 pm
des obed, Philippines says:
MM, i like the rough skin lechon better than the smooth,its like chicharon lechon. i love it cooked the old fashioned way like zubuchon, it’s lesser evil to health issues. i’m thinking of buying a live wild boar to grow and breed in the farm. sometimes we raise a vegetarian pig, and i feel guiltless eating the vegetarian lechon.
Nov 18, 2009 | 2:11 pm
freeze, Philippines says:
As a true blue Cebuano, zubuchon doesn’t even come close to the best of Cebu’s lechon. Nevertheless, thanks to Anthony Bourdain for hailing Cebu’s lechon. He ought to come back and try out the best of the best. :)
Dec 15, 2009 | 9:06 pm
fiddle, Philippines says:
PLEASE, PLEASE open an outlet here in quezon city as soon as possible!!! we are so looking forward to being able to taste your lechon here!!! please inform us once you do, thank you very much!!!
Dec 28, 2009 | 3:04 pm