"Best Pig Ever," and with those three words, late great Anthony Bourdain, put Cebu Lechon on the world culinary map.
For us Pinoys, those big and special celebrations wouldnt be complete without a lechon on the main table and though I grew up near La Loma--which they say is the lechon capital of the Philippines. Almost all the foodies point to Cebu Lechon being the best--and Mr. Bourdain confirmed it.
I've never been to Cebu but all my friends who've been there have told me that trying out the lechon there should be part of any itinerary.
Its a good thing I dont have to go to Cebu to have a taste of their authentic lechon, because finally Rico's--Cebu's Best Lechon had just opened its very first restaurant in Manila.
So you could just imagine my excitement when I got the invite to be among the first to dine in the resto ahead of its public opening. I actually skipped breakfast just so i could make room and be able to try more of their specialties.
And like I mentioned living just a few blocks away from all those roasting stations in La Loma I was really curious if Cebu's lechon was really better.
Rico's Lechon Restaurant in Fort Strip has got that homey vibe into it. You know the feeling that you are there to eat and to taste everything.
When the waiter asked orders for our table. I ordered dinuguan and spicy lechon. My table mates asked for humba, lechon sisig, seafood kare kare, regular lechon, and buco pandan for dessert.
Rico's Lechon Menu
If you're on a diet, I would recommend sizzling tanigue, gising gising, and chopsuey for you. I love that their tanigue is freshly cooked, not malansa.
I admit I fell in love with their spicy lechon. It is not that spicy as it is tolerable. You can eat it alone or with their special sauce lami. It is tasty, the skin is crackling, the meat oh so tender and juicy.
Everyone took home 2 kilos of lechon. When we got home, we put it in the freezer and reheated the next day. We ate it for lunch and dinner. Masarap pa din!
Tomorrow is the big day for lechon fans as Rico’s –Cebu’s best lechon–finally opens its first branch in Manila!
Being the first Filipino brand in the roster of international restaurant brands operated by Meat Concepts Corp., Rico’s Lechon’s Manila debut, as well as the arrival of its famed cooks and roasting team from Cebu, is met with much anticipation and lip-smacking fanfare in its grand opening tomorrow August 3, 2018.
Located at the Fort Entertainment Complex (the Fort Strip) in Bonifacio Global City, the sprawling, 180-seat capacity restaurant promises to deliver the same taste and experience local patrons have enjoyed since it first opened in 1995.
Rico’s prides itself in using native pigs which they stuff with lemongrass, tomato, vinegar, ginger, calamansi, and a few other spices, then roasted whole over a charcoal pit. Its been said that the secret to their scrumptious lechon lies in the addition of spring onions and garlic in the stuffing.
Another highlight in Rico’s Lechon Manila flagship branch is the Roasting Pit, which is expected to be a major attraction. It’s the first of its kind in BGC and the only site to have this viewing corner. Different from Cebu’s – which is done in soil – the lechon roasting is done indoors.
The Roasting Pit is built with innovative mechanism for its exhaust and adjusting temperatures, upholding quality and food safety standards. Customers – and even passersby – can view the lechon roasting at all times and even from the outside.
“I’ve been a patron of Rico’s Lechon for years and personally believe it’s the best,” said Meat Concepts Corp. President George Pua. “We want to be able to have Cebuanos take pride in sharing this with the rest of the country, and eventually the world.”
Look forward for the opening of other Manila stores located in Tiendesitas in Pasig, Top of the Glo in Glorietta Makati, and Ayala Malls Cloverleaf and U.P. Town Center in Quezon City.
The Rico’s Lechon brand has been a mainstay in Cebu for more than 20 years, an institution for Cebuanos and visitors from Manila and all over the world. Indeed, “Da best gyud!”
Open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. For inquiries, you may contact Rico’s Lechon BGC at 0917-844-7067,
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