Jan and I are definitely lechon addicts and are particularly fond of the belly section. Coming from Cebu, it was a breeze for me to always find a store that sold it when I wanted a bite. Lechon is everywhere in Cebu. For some strange reason, that is not the case in Cagayan de Oro. The city is chock full of grilled food establishments and stands, but it’s hard to come by lechon. I know of only two or three places close to divisoria selling chopped lechon.
It was good news to me then that Liempo King, a new food hangout offering lechon liempo opened four months ago in Cagayan de Oro. Obviously lechon liempo is not lechon but from what I’ve heard from my kin in Cebu where lechon liempo is also a hit, the taste is close enough.
Sadly, Jan, my long suffering personal cook, couldn’t make it with me, but he did give me his blessings to checkout the place with a few blogger friends.
Liempo King did not disappoint. Situated right next to the entrance is the spit so you’re treated to the sight and aroma of roasted pork immediately upon stepping inside. The sight of thick chunks of pork belly roasting over hot coals was appetizing enough to send my salivary glands into overdrive.
The taste was as good as it looked. I expected the skin to be no less than crispy and the meat to be juicy and tender, but it did go over and above that. The flavor did indeed have that touch of lechon belly. Upon much inquisitive prodding, I was told that in between each chunk of pork is the secret to it’s taste, a generous mixture of herbs and spices. It’s prepared by no less than the store owner himself.
I’ve never tasted lechon liempo before so this was officially my first taste. I must say, It’s a definite thumbs up for me. In a city overflowing with grilled food, this is a cut above the rest for being not just flavorful but unique.
One order at 500g costs a mere Php135 and can serve maybe two to three people. If you’re in a tight budget, you can grab their value meal of liempo, rice and soup at Php 60. If you’re not a pork person, you can grab a whole roasted chicken for Php140.
Liempo King
JP Rizal St.
Cagayan de Oro
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