IF you think vegetables are bland and boring, then you’ve probably been eating in the wrong places. There are so many veggie-based dishes that are not only healthy and guilt-free, but are also delicious and filling! In celebration of Eat Your Vegetables Day, here are five dishes available in Cebu that will change the way you perceive and consume vegetables.
1. Tofu Summer Rolls from Phat Pho
Where: Robinsons Cybergate, Ayala Center Cebu, Crossroads Banilad, Skyrise 2 Cebu IT Park
These Vietnamese rolls are a fresh and vibrant appetizer made of hand-rolled rice paper filled with marinated tofu, vermicelli, wood ear mushrooms, carrots, daikon, peanuts and fresh herbs. On the side are two tasty dips: sweet and tangy vinegar and a creamy peanut sauce.
2. Qdon Quinoa Bowl from SaladStop!
Where: Ayala Center Cebu and Oakridge Business Park
The Qdon is a mix of warm quinoa, kale, edamame, sweet corn, cucumber, mandarin orange, grated eggs, carrot ginger and Japanese wafu dressing, and then a topping of thick-cut tofu. It’s nut-free, dairy-free and meat-free!
3. Carrot Tempura from Siosai Tempura by Yasu Suzuki
Where: Bonifacio District, F. Cabahug St., Kasambagan
It’s fried so it’s not totally healthy but it’s a vegetable so it still counts, right? For the vegetarians who can’t resist the good ol’ deep fry, this is the perfect compromise: fresh carrots sliced thinly into strips and coated in Siosai’s signature tempura batter, fried to crisp golden perfection.
4. Vegan Sisig from Lun-haw Vegan Cafe
Where: Ground Floor, The Maxwell Hotel Cebu, N. Escario St.
Usually made from pig’s mask, the deliciously sinful sisig is given a healthy twist by Lun-haw using mushrooms, tofu, onions and green chilies, and then topped with a vegan egg. To round up the meal, it’s served with a side of garden greens and a cup of turmeric brown rice.
5. Salt Baked Beetroot from The Pig & Palm
Where: MSY Tower, Pescadores Road, Cebu Business Park
Slices of beetroot are baked with salt until beautifully translucent, perched on top of miniature mounds of creamy pureed goat cheese, and then sprinkled with crushed walnuts for added crunch. This dish was awarded Best Restaurant Special by SunStar Best of Cebu in 2017.