Bringing Cebu’s lechon in KL!

Let's admit it, to get the best lechon, there's only one place to go: Cebu. Cebu's lechon is known for its skin, cooked to perfection, shiny and stays crispy for hours. It's the centerpiece of every fiesta table and big occasion, well who doesn't love lechon?

Living in Malaysia for 8 years, this is definitely one of the things I miss about my hometown. In KL, we can't buy it anytime any day, unlike how accessible it is back home although Chinese roasted pork is available but it tastes really different.

Since I have been craving it for a long time, I tried to cook it. Traditionally, it is roasted whole over hot coals. But cooking a whole young pig in the kitchen is a bit ambitious not to mention, I didn't know where to get it from the market, instead I made lechon pork belly roasted in the oven for 3 hours.

I used boneless pork belly with skin on about 2.5kg, brined it overnight. The process of brining is easy. Just boil 6 cups of water with 1/4 cup of rock salt, garlic powder and sliced ​​onion. Let it cool and then soak the pork belly overnight. To achieve a juicy inside and crispy outside lechon, this is the secret. Yummy!

I am always generous when it comes to ingredients so instead of just adding lemon grass, spring onions and salt I added more flavors and aromatics.

Skin side down, I begin rubbing the flesh with finely chopped onion and garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne powder, ground black pepper, chilis (optional) and salt. And then put the spring onion and lemongrass in the middle of the belly, roll and tie with a butcher's string. Rub the skin with the soy sauce before putting it in the oven to get a golden brown skin color when cooked.

This version of lechon did not disappoint at all. It's so deliciously rich, there's no need to pair it with your favorite sauce as it is flavorful on its own. Finally we can eat lechon again and it has become part of our celebration in Malaysia. And always the most requested by friends in every gathering.

How I wish you get to taste it while reading this post :)

Have a great day! 😍

all photos used are mine unless stated otherwise.