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If youâre ever in Cebu and craving all the food vibes, drop everything and head to Sugbo Mercado in IT Park. Trust me, this place is the spot for food adventuresâthink loud laughs, smoky grills, and plates youâll wanna Instagram ASAP.
First things first: Whatâs the deal here? Sugbo Mercado isnât your average food court. Itâs a giant outdoor food park with over 60 stalls slinging everything from crispy Cebu lechon to Korean corn dogs. Youâll find local Cebuano dishes (yasss, sisig!), Japanese takoyaki, cheesy fries, loaded shakes, and even vegan options. Pro tip: Wear stretchy pants.
The vibe? Chill but chaotic. Grab a plastic table under the fairy lights, listen to live bands, and watch crowds shuffle by. Heads upâit gets packed, especially on weekends. Go around 5 PM to snag seats before the dinner rush. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 4 PMâ12 AM.
Now, letâs talk TUSLOB BUA. Okay, this dish is wild. Imagine a sizzling pan of dark, savory sauce (made with pork brain, liver, and spicesâdonât overthink it). You dip puso (hanging rice) or bread into the gooey mix. Sounds weird? Tastes like heaven. My friends and I huddled around the pan, laughing as we fought over the last bite. Messy? Absolutely. Worth it? 100%.
Tips for newbies:
1. Go hungry. Portions are big, prices are fair (â±50ââ±200 per dish). 2. Do a lap first. Donât order at the first stallâyouâll regret it when you spot the truffle pasta three stalls down. 3. Bring friends. More people = more dishes to try. Split that lechon belly! 4. Try something weird. Tuslob buwa, balut, or that neon-blue drink? Why not?
Final thoughts? Sugbo Mercado isnât just about foodâitâs about feeling Cebu. The energy, the smells, the âuy, tikim ako nyan!â moments. Just go, eat too much, and leave planning your next visit.
P.S. If you see the stall with giant milk tea bucketsâŠget one. Youâre welcome. đ
Catch you at the next food adventure!