sison_5

Eat breakfast like the locals do in Dumaguete

by in Food | 15 Comments |

The three ladies of Teofilo Sison Stall #24: Geraldine, Pina and Sylvia

Check out Sison, the last stall at the Dumaguete Public Market…

Piled budbud kabog

My silverhaired friend, Verna told me, when I asked her where to get the best budbud kabog in Dumaguete.

Budbud kabog is a native delicacy that is popular here as well as in the municipalities of Carmen and Borbon, Cebu. It is derived from kabog or dawa (millet). Budbud is the general form, elongated, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. In many provinces across the Philippines, it has many forms but usually made either from malagkit (sticky rice) or balanghoy (cassava).

The budbud is a bit pricey, because of the millet which is a bit difficult. But its well worth the try. It’s semi sweet and breaks down into millet granules when in the mouth and best paired with hot thick sikwate or chocolate. When in Dumaguete, cheaper budbud is sold at the port but better go to this stall.

My breakfast of budbud kabog, pan de sal with fried egg and chocolate drink

The section of snack eateries lining one section inside the Dumaguete Public Market

But I was only expecting to eat budbud. When I went inside the market, I found that these are a series of snack stalls offering breakfast fare of pan de sal, popular local bread, fried eggs, puto and sikwate (native rice cake and chocolate).

Just simple food but it is being patronized by locals, both elderly and people on the go.

Stall number 24, under Teofilo Sison came highly recommended and I didn’t have to chose where to eat. It is located at rightmost, the last one in the long line of eateries. But if you go here, you’re not only eating at an ordinary diner. Pina, the one who cooks the budbud kabog (or spelled also as kabug). She will proudly tell you that they have been featured in a national food magazine and even told me that a blogger interviewed them the other day I was there.

Puto being prepared for a diner

Thick sikwate or chocolate

My breakfast was just simple but filling. But one thing that I can never forget other than the budbud kabog is their chocolate-e (sikwate or chocolate drink) made from pure cacao tablea.

Its hot, thick and mildly sugared. The taste is just awesome! Paired with puto with hints of ginger, it becomes a very delicious breakfast to start the day.

One small cup, bigger than the size of a shot glass is five pesos and I had to get another one because it was just so delicious. Perhaps, the best one that I have ever tasted.

When in Dumaguete, check out Teofilo Sison Stall #24 (opens from 4AM – 7 PM) serving breakfast and snacks. You won’t be disappointed.

Ang Langyaw’s trip made possible by Airphilexpress, the fastest growing budget airline in the Philippines!

Estan Cabigas is freelance photographer, blogger and writer based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. His work has been published in local and international publications including National Geographic Magazine, Geo (Germany), Sunday Times Magazine (London) and other publications. He is also a peripatetic traveler and has traveled to all 81 Philippines provinces. I'm open for work, collaborations and inquiries, including hotel, restaurant and site features and reviews.

15 Comments

  1. Verna
    August 29, 2012 @ 11:02

    Great article, Es…. will show to the Sison folks.

  2. Alvin Mark Navio
    August 29, 2012 @ 11:46

    mukhang sarap po yung tsokolate at budbud

  3. estancabigas
    August 29, 2012 @ 11:49

    thanx Verns!

  4. estancabigas
    August 29, 2012 @ 12:08

    masarap! and i really love their chocolate. the best i’ve tasted!

  5. Reydan Duldulao
    August 29, 2012 @ 15:31

    Kakagutom naman! Must be mouth-watering!

  6. Verna
    August 30, 2012 @ 8:03

    And, Es, I love your description of “silverhaired friend”.

  7. » Crossing the sea between Negros and Cebu | Langyaw: Sojourns and Off-the-Beaten Path Travels
    September 5, 2012 @ 5:45

    […] pleasant way to travel and for one coming from Cebu, a good way to experience Dumaguete, savor the budbud kabog, or a springboard enroute to magical and mystical Siquijor. And I can just travel anytime I […]

  8. Junnjun Mendoza
    September 6, 2012 @ 19:15

    We totally missed this during our recent trip to Dumaguete… 🙁

  9. Junnjun Mendoza
    September 6, 2012 @ 19:15

    We totally missed this during our recent trip to Dumaguete… 🙁

  10. Karl Ace
    September 20, 2012 @ 14:04

    Dapat nga to eat what the locals are eating when you’re in their territory. It’s soaking up on the travel experience.

  11. estancabigas
    September 20, 2012 @ 16:28

    but many travelers would still want to go to the usual national fastfood chains. darn.

  12. » 2012 Travels & achievements, Part 2 of 3 | Langyaw: Sojourns and Off-the-Beaten Path Travels
    January 1, 2013 @ 18:26

    […] overnight stay in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental was just enough to explore some cafes and local food before returning to […]

  13. Bingka dawa, delicious rice cake from Asturias, Cebu
    July 27, 2013 @ 15:59

    […] enthusiasts, dawa is familiar to them as a bird food. But in places like Catmon in Cebu and Dumaguete City, it is formed into budbud, delicacies like rice cakes but elongated and wrapped in banana leaves. […]

  14. Ray
    October 9, 2013 @ 7:06

    I visited this stall when i visited dumaguete. It was the best way to sart my day the budbud was perfect with the thick chocolate drink. Never miss this when visiting dumaguete.

  15. estancabigas
    October 9, 2013 @ 15:46

    Whenever I arrive from Cebu early in the morning, I just head up to this stall and have my breakfast. Cheap. Sated. Happy. 🙂

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