Quick, what’s the top food pasalubong you’d bring if you’re on vacation in, or a friend is coming from, Cebu? The title of this post is a spoiler, but maybe you have something else in mind (let us know through the comment section below). Here’s our top four gifts for pasalubong from Cebu:

1. Boneless Danggit

This is dried fish. I used to be contended with this characterization, until I have to search, in writing this blog post, for the kind of fish. Danggit is a kind of fish — rabbitfish. Fry it to a crisp, then dip it in vinegar. Perfect, especially for breakfast.

This is our top pick even if many are repulsed by its smell. Like the durian of Davao, danggit smells like hell but tastes like heaven. Stories from balikbayans abound regarding foreigners complaining when Filipinos cook danggit abroad.

You can buy wrapped danggit at the airport, in the supermarket, as well as other outlets in Cebu. The fun, however, is going through a wide variety of dried fish, including danggit and dried pusit (squid), at the largest open market in Cebu City, the “Carbon Market”.

2. Dried mango

Guimaras is world-famous for its consistently sweet fresh mangoes, but for one reason or another, Cebu is more famous for its equally sweet dried mangoes. There’s nothing more to say, really. Just buy it.

3. Rosquillos

Rosquillo is a sweet, crunchy cookie/biscuit, which looks like a flattened little donut. When we were little, we used to insert this ring cookie in each finger, then eat it one by one. We don’t do this anymore, not because we’re grownups, but because our fingers won’t fit through this cookie.

We prefer the Titay’s brand, which is arguably synonymous with rosquillos and is considered the original. The packaging proudly declares: “Since 1907 Mama Titay, and each following generation have continued serving the best quality baked delicacies from Lilo-an. Titay’s is most known for their Original Rosquillos, the very first of its kind. This uniquely shaped and flavorful biscuit is a patented recipe and remains a closely guarded family secret to this day.”

4. Otap

If rosquillos is synonymous with Titay’s, Shamrock is more known for its otap, a flaky pastry made up of the following basic ingredients: flour, coconut, shortening and sugar.

You may know other delicacies in certain places. Click here for your suggestions.