Cagayan de Oro: A Chef's Messy Take
so i landed in cagayan de oro, and let me tell you, it’s not exactly what i expected. for a chef, i usually go for the bustling food scenes, but here? it’s a different kind of chaos. the air feels thick with humidity and the scent of something cooking everywhere. i just checked the weather, and it’s clinging to 20.46 degrees with humidity that could make your hair frizzle, hope you like that kind of thing.
first things first, i hit the *local wet market. oh man, the fish there still had their eyes blinking. you don’t see that in the city. bought some fresh tuna for dinner. also spotted some strange-looking fruits that the vendor called 'marang'. had to try one. sticky, sweet, and a bit like a jackfruit but messier.
if you get bored, iligan and butuan are just a short drive away. i’m told iligan has the waterfalls, butuan has the history. me? i’m staying for the food.
someone told me that the best street food in cagayan is right outside st. agustin cathedral after mass. so i went. and there it was: skewers of something that looked like intestines but tasted like heaven. check out yelp for more street food spots.
i heard that the chefs at a restaurant called 'chicoy's' use secret family recipes that they won’t share with anyone, even if you pay.
then, i tried this place called kafe bodabil*. the ambiance is quirky, but the food? it’s a hit-or-miss. the kinilaw (ceviche) was fresh, but the sinigang (sour soup) was a bit too sour for my taste. tripadvisor reviews say it's a must-try.
someone warned me about the 'balut' (duck embryo). they said it’s an acquired taste. i passed. but i did try the 'tamilok', which is a wood worm that locals eat raw. tastes like oyster but chewier. not bad, but not my thing either.
also, if you’re into local governance, the city has this cdo local board that posts updates. might be useful for events.
all in all, it’s a messy, humid, and delicious kind of place. if you’re a chef, you’ll find inspiration in the chaos.
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- https://votoris.com/post/chasing-monsoon-light-in-prayagraj