Are you a lechon lover? Do you dream about tender, juicy lechon with crispy, golden brown skin? If so, you’ll want to plan a lechon tour to some of the best places in the Philippines (and beyond) for savoring this classic dish.
What is Lechon?
Before we dive into the top lechon destinations, let’s make sure everyone understands what lechon actually is. Lechon is a beloved Filipino dish made by slowly roasting an entire stuffed pig over hot coals. The result is incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork with an amazingly crisp, crunchy skin.
Lechon is a celebratory food served at important events like weddings, graduations, holidays, and festivals. But it’s so delicious that many Filipinos enjoy lechon regularly, not just on special occasions. If you’ve never tried authentic lechon before, getting your hands on some crispy pork goodness needs to go on your food bucket list immediately!
Top Lechon Spots in the Philippines
While you can find decent lechon in many places around the Philippines, there are certain areas renowned for producing the best, most authentic lechon. Here are some key lechon hotspots to hit on your Filipino lechon tour:
Cebu
Is considered by many to be the lechon capital of the Philippines. On this island in the Visayas region, lechon is absolutely huge – it’s a way of life. There are numerous lechon pit masters in Cebu that have been roasting whole pigs to perfection for generations, using special spice blends and techniques passed down over decades.
Some of the most famous lechon houses to try in Cebu include:
- Lechon House, Rico’s Lechon, and CnT Lechon which all have multiple locations around Cebu
- The lechon at Grand Convention Center of Cebu and Alejo’s Grill are also heralded by locals as among the best
Outside of restaurants, keep an eye out for lechon being sold by roadside vendors and at public markets. And time your visit for the Cebu Lechon Festival every June/July to sample lechon from the island’s top producers.
Manila
While Cebu may be the lechon mecca, you’ll find exceptional lechon in the Manila area too. Some great spots are:
- Alejandro’s in San Juan, which uses special charcoal stoves to lend a wonderfully smoky flavor to their lechon
- Amber’s Organics in Quezon City makes delicious lechon stuffed with healthy organic fillings and seasonings
- Pacific Plaza in Taguig has some of the juiciest lechon around
Don’t forget to order lechon sauce like spicy liver sauce on the side for dipping the crispy pork skin.
La Loma
The town of La Loma in Quezon Province is another lechon hotspot known for its Lechon de La Loma style. This area has an abundance of skilled lechon makers like J&A Foodhaus that use traditional methods. They carefully choose the right pig breed, stuff it with flavorful lemongrass, cook it over woodfire for hours, and baste it constantly while roasting for optimal skin crunchiness.
Antipolo
For lechon aficionados, the city of Antipolo in Rizal province should be on your radar. This lush area near Manila is renowned for producing some of the most succulent and flavorful lechon around.
While you’ll find excellent lechon at many establishments in Antipolo, one place stands out – Teryos Lechon. This family-owned lechoneria has been serving up extraordinary spit-roasted pigs.
What sets Teryos lechon apart is their precise cooking process using wood fire and traditional marinades. The result is lechon with amazingly crispy, blistered skin and juicy, fork-tender meat infused with intense smoky notes.
Other Top Lechon Destinations
While the places above are considered the top lechon havens for connoisseurs, you’ll encounter incredible lechon all across the Philippines. Don’t miss out on sampling it in places like:
- Ilocos region for their bagnet-style crispy lechon
- Batangas for lechon de leche (roasted suckling pig)
- Pampanga for lechon stuffed with star anise and other spices
- Bicol region for fiery spicy lechon
Lechon Around the World
Thanks to the Filipino diaspora, you can find amazing lechon beyond the Philippines too. The Hawaiian island of Oahu has an abundance of lechon houses started by Filipino immigrants. And California’s Bay Area, especially Daly City, offers some of the best lechon in the mainland United States.
Singapore and Hong Kong are two other destinations with vibrant Filipino communities that have brought their lechon traditions abroad. Places like the Kam Loong Canidrome in Hong Kong serve over-the-top meals centered around whole roasted pigs.
Tips for an Epic Lechon Trip
- Go in with an empty stomach since you’ll want to eat A LOT of lechon
- Ask locals for their personal lechon recommendations beyond just tourist guidebook listings
- Book lechon tours with lechon tasting stops if offered
- Don’t just eat the meat – sample the crispy lechon skin which is the ultimate prize
- Wash it all down with a cold refreshing beverage
- Wear loose, stretchy clothing to accommodate your lechon baby after indulging
With a little lechon planning and these expert spots in mind, your lechon tour is sure to be unforgettable. Just be warned – lechon is insanely addictive! One taste of that crispy crackling pork skin and you’ll be craving it constantly. The good news is you can always plan a return lechon tour to get your fix.
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