Bibingka or Rice Cake

What comes into your mind when you hear the word bibingka? Well, it may sound weird to you! And you may be wondering what strange thing ever existed in the world could it be. But for the rest of your imagination to venture for on what really that word is. I’ll share to you what bibingka really is and how it became the pride of Mandaue.

According to what I have been researched about the history of bibingka, its name comes from the Hokkien root word “bi” which means “uncooked grain”. An anthropologist named E. Arsenio Manuel said that bibingka was originated from the Chinese. So much for the brief origins of bibingka, we will discover its secret ingredients that make it very delicious.

       Bibingka of Mandaue is simply made with rice flour and coconut milk or water. Well, just two ingredients and you can now have a delicious bibingka to crave for. But I know there’s still a question mark into your mind why for just two ingredients its taste is very impressive and mouth-savoring and that’s only here in Mandaue.  Well, the key to the secret ingredient of bibingka which makes its taste  very astounding is just on how it is prepared because It is what matters most as much as the ingredients. But according to a Bibingka maker from Mandaue, the smoke from the charcoal gives the bibingka its distinctive taste and the cooking style also which follows a traditional way of preparing the bibingka or what they call inurno style also is involved to its delicious taste. Moreover, adding its fluffiness and softness especially when it is still prepared hot makes it very pleasuring to eat.   

Map to Cebu and Mandaue City

           There are variations of bibingka in different locations in the Philippines but the most prominent variety of bibingka can be located in Mandaue! Many tourists are already coming into Cebu, particularly to visit the delicious bibingka spot which is Mandaue. When you’re in Cebu, don’t forget to taste this native specialty that Mandaue is famous for. The rice cake or bibingka is perfect for snacks or dessert. Even if you are not in familiar with Cebu, it is easy enough to find their selling station. Just tell the taxi driver you’re bound for Mandaue City’s “Coliseum”, the popular name for the cockpit. If you feel adventurous and want to go on a jeepney, look for one with “Mandaue Ibabao” on the signboard route which is located infront of the jeepney or the destination place painted on its sideways. It passes by Ibabao Street where the bibingka makers sell their product.