Top 5 Food Finds in Cagayan de Oro City
By: FEBE KAREN RAMONAL
Have you been to Cagayan de Oro (CDO), Misamis Oriental? It is a first class, highly urbanized city in the Northern Mindanao region and is known as the White Water Rafting Capital of the Philippines, offering year-round rafting activity! Aside from its adventurous itinerary and the undeniable hospitality of its people, it is also home to flavorsome treats and refreshments.
Here are some food finds that you definitely wouldn’t want to miss when visiting the City of Golden Friendship.
1. Binaki
Binaki, or Pintos, is derived from the Spanish words “vena qui” (“come here”). It is a known delicacy of Northern Mindanao and was originally a homemade dessert in Bukidnon and Cebu. It is a mixture of grated young corn, powdered milk, butter, and sugar that are wrapped and steamed in traditional corn husks to make delectable treats. This steamed corn cake is the easiest pasalubong to find as it's commonly sold by vendors along the street or in bus stations. Surely, there's no chance for you not to have a bite of this satisfying treat!
2. Pastel Bread
If you want a sweet treat to pair with your morning coffee, Pastel would be a perfect choice! It is a local product of Camiguin Province that has become one of the most sought-after pasalubong treats in CDO. The soft buns and its rich, creamy filling are just so irresistible you can't stop wanting for more! Aside from its famous original yema filling, you can also get your Pastel in ube, macapuno, mocha, chocolate, durian, jackfruit, and many more! This heirloom recipe is a must-try and can't be missed out when in CDO. Better yet, take it home with you to share with the whole family!
3. Sylvannas
Another favorite pasalubong treat in Cagayan de Oro City is the Sylvannas. It is a frozen cookie version of the famous sans rival cake we all love! It's made of the same main ingredient as sans rival, the buttercream! Sandwiched between meringue wafers then coated with crushed butter cookies, the whipped sweet buttercream gives the dessert an extra luscious texture in your mouth! This dessert would definitely make you close your eyes and make you feel like you're on a cloud nine! One of the stores that makes the best slyvannas is Pane e Dolci. In fact, sylvannas became known to Kagay-anons and even to its neighboring cities only when Pane e Dolci started selling them. You wouldn't want to miss getting Sylvannas from one of the best in CDO!
4. Cheding’s Peanuts
This particular pasalubong started in Iligan City but gained popularity amongst the tourists of CDO as it is one of the oldest peanut treats in the area. Cheding’s has been in the business for more than 47 years and has captured the hearts of many peanut lovers in the locale. Cheding’s offers a variety of peanuts - toasted, sugar-coated, salted, crispy garlic hot, spicy, peanut brittle, peanut barquiron, and peanut butter flavor. The store makes a bunch of peanut goodies that are perfect for pasalubong treat from the city!
5. Nanay Choleng’s Muron
Muron is one of CDO’s most famous delicacies offered to both local and foreign tourists. It is similar to “suman”, a native delicacy offered not just in Eastern Visayas but also in the whole of Mindanao region. Muron is made from grounded glutinous rice mixed with sugar and coconut milk. Its original and most famous variant is the chocolate muron! It is gyrated with melted chocolate or tablea powder, which makes it distinct from the regular suman. It's made even more special with its additional ingredients of cheese, vanilla, peanuts, and even mango! Its Ube flavor is a must- try too!