Let there be Lechon Cebu, let there be Hecky’s Lechon!
Well, going into the meat of the matter, I may not have found the bargain that I was looking for, but I did find something else that was equally delightful. I found Hecky’s Lechon Cebu.
At the bazaar, the concessionaires were arranged by product, so all food items were in their own aisle. Among the food finds were Vietnamese spring rolls with Calamansi (Philippine lemon) juice, banana muffins and Lechon Cebu (roasted pig cooked in the style of Cebu, an island south of the Philippines.) I personally do not like lechon as it is usually bland and the liver sauce is way too salty for my taste. But Hecky’s Lechon Cebu has made a believer out of me.
I bought 100 grams so I can taste it, as Noreen was so curious of how Lechon Cebu tastes. We bought green tea frappe at Starbucks then sat down to try it. The gentleman who sold it to us was nice enough to cut it in small bite-sized pieces, so it was easy to eat. The verdict? It was the best lechon I have ever tasted. Succulent, juicy, the skin was still crunchy despite having cooled down for several hours. According to the vendor, they airlift the lechon from Cebu daily. My experience tells me, airlifted food is highly coveted, which is why they go through quarantine and customs to bring the exquisite tastes to eager customers.
Noreen by the bazaar banner. It’s a good bazaar to go to. Free parking and admission.
The bazaar inside the churchyard. It’s bigger than it looks and extends all the way inside one of the buildings that house the cafeteria.
This lechon arrived from Cebu early morning that day, but by 1.30 pm, the rind was still crunchy and the meat, so tender. You can see the juices flowing from the cut-out meat. It has little fat, unlike ordinary lechon, where you can see thick layers of fat. Lechon Cebu does not need to be reincarnated as lechon paksiw (stewed in liver sauce), leftovers can be placed in the refrigerator and pan-fried. The taste and flavor is maintained.
- De Leche (10-15 people) P3,000
- Extra Small (20-25 people) P4,000
- Small (30-35 people) P5,000
- Medium (45-55 people) P6,000
- Large (60-70 people) P7,000
- Extra Large (80+ people) 8,000
They deliver for free within Metro Manila. Call them at 807-0329, 771-1034, 0920-9384310 and 862-5208 (Fax).
[Postscript: I was in no way paid by the owner to blog their products. I haven't even met them. This is solely based on my opinion of their product.]
Comments
Comment from arpee lazaro
Time: October 24, 2007, 12:51 pm
sige, when i get the chance to visit cebu again, hanapin kita and we’ll have cebu lechon, lots and lots!
Comment from Makoy
Time: October 25, 2007, 3:08 am
yummy!
thanks btw for the bday greeting 
Comment from Nadriamez
Time: October 27, 2007, 7:25 pm
i love your site!
the pics made me hungry, and guess what: one of my wishlists is to eat at ma mon luk
Comment from mrs.j
Time: October 28, 2007, 10:38 am
wala na ko masay! i love it… gutom na me…! hehe
hope to c u again tc!
helo po sa wifey!
Comment from Olivia
Time: November 1, 2007, 2:40 am
Here I am seriously considering if I should start giving up pork then you show me this. Tsk tsk tsk…
Ruy and I linked you up by the way
Comment from christine
Time: November 9, 2007, 5:50 pm
i don’t need photos to make me want to eat this lechon that you just described (and i’m not really a big fan of pork). you’re getting really good at this, arpee.
Comment from Betchay
Time: November 9, 2007, 6:45 pm
Hecky’s Lechon serve other pinoy dishes at SM Foodcourt, Mall of Asia and Makati
Their value meal includes rice, soup, atchara, choice of 1 (P68)or 2 (P78) ulam..and FREE DESSERT!
Once tasted, you’ll never forget the atchara…yum-yum!
Comment from arpee lazaro
Time: November 10, 2007, 8:06 am
to christine: thanks a lot for visiting my site! i just wish i get another chance to attend your food writing classes.
Comment from arpee lazaro
Time: November 10, 2007, 8:07 am
to betchay: thanks a lot for the tip! i might just troop over to MOA to have another mouthful of their lechon.
Comment from juvelle
Time: July 28, 2008, 1:52 pm
Bago ko lang nalaman na ang Heckeys lechon ay galing cebu pala. D’best talaga ang lechon sa cebu. Nothing can beats talaga sa lasa ng lechon cebu.
Try also Lechoncebu.com. The tasty, tender juicy meat and crunchy skin was great. Its yummmy and very delicious.
Comment from canswell
Time: September 30, 2008, 1:25 pm
The lechon is quite different from the lechon that can be seen in Luzon. You don’t need to have a sauce or gravy.
Comment from ruby
Time: September 30, 2008, 1:27 pm
Yes lechon cebu is different from lechon in luzon. Coz cebu’s lechon taste good. It is very delicious.
Comment from Arpee
Time: September 30, 2008, 11:13 pm
to canswell: i most certainly agree. cebu lechon is top-notch.
to ruby: true, i just wish they can make the same lechon here.
thanks to you both for visiting my blog.
Comment from Sabra of UP Los Baños
Time: October 6, 2008, 3:05 pm
The experience with lechoncebu is great. Our class had lunch at their office and the taste of the lechon was very satisfying to the tummy. The owner’s too are very accommodating
Comment from Arpee
Time: October 7, 2008, 5:41 pm
to sabra of up los banos: i’m also convinced that there is nothing better than lechon cebu. thanks for visiting my site!
Comment from judith
Time: December 3, 2008, 3:59 pm
I agree. Cebu’s lechon is really the best lechon. Kakaiba ang sarap. Walang katulad.
Comment from anya
Time: October 24, 2007, 5:27 am
my gosh… I didn’t know lechon in Manila costs so much. Anyway, I haven’t heard of Hecky’s lechon but CNT and Cang’s are quite popular. It’s normal even for simple office gatherings here to have lechon. Yup, Cheap! Regular size is Php2500 - Php3000. Lechon de leche is from Php800 - Php1500. And yes, you can get 1/4 lechon for just Php75.
At an average, I’ve been eating lechon once a week. sometimes twice or thrice. So easy to get lechon for lunch. There’s just something about this wonderful city I now call home. yeah, cebu lechon is just so yummy. I heard that lechon in Cagayan de Oro is something to look forward to as well. I’m going next week. hehe… Anyway, I’ll feed you all the Cebu lechon you can eat if you and Noreen decide to show up here in Cebu.
ang haba yata ng comment ko. parang blog. — Donna