With a wide array of food selections available on campus, it’s difficult to select dishes that hit close enough to home while still managing to be unique. Ranging from savory to sweet, the typical Filipino palate has a tendency to seek a familiar balance between both. Luckily, Lechown hits all the marks.
Taste
Kicking things off with the Cebuano Pochero paired with Ngohiong can never go wrong. Aside from being the combo most distinctly inspired by Cebu, it also creates harmony in its zesty herbs and oils with salty, well-seasoned meat. The chicken is doused in broth with lemongrass, making it juicier than expected; however, this may be overwhelming for some due to its rich flavor. As for the Ngohiong, its crunchy, only slightly saline wrapper and ground pork mixed with five-spice powder was simply palatable, missing a depth of flavor. It lacked the piquant punch expected of a side supposedly seasoned well. Despite the use of five-spice powder, which is a blend of cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Szechwan peppercorns, it still tasted like regular lumpia.
Meanwhile, their Lechon Kawali paired with a side of Chicken Skin result in a strong, but slightly brackish quality. Giving off a sweet yet relatively tangy taste, the sarsa sauce evens out the tender, savory pork properly. On the other hand, the side of Chicken Skin had potential to be delectable, especially since it already had a quality crunch, but fell short due to excessive saltiness.
Among Lechown’s offerings, the Mango Float stands out for its refreshingly saccharine flavor that goes well with any of the main dishes and sides on the menu. Every aspect of it was scrumptious–the light but heavenly graham, nectarous fresh mangoes, and refreshingly sweet cream all come together in a chilled slice of bliss. Its portion is large enough to be filling even as a snack, and serves as the perfect dessert to eat on a hot afternoon.
Concept
Taking inspiration from Cebu, Lechown is a homage to the hometown of students who come from the Visayan region. Even the name of the stall itself is reminiscent of how those from Cebu would pronounce the word “lechon.” Bringing the taste of home on a plate, Lechown’s cuisine emphasizes balance among savory, salty, and at times even sweet with each dish.
Value for Money
All dishes offered are both delectable and affordable—the price difference between regular meals and combos poses only minimal doubt upon tight budgets. For the serving size of meat and rice given, Php 100 for solo meals manages to squeeze itself within the average student’s allowance. As for the combo meals, Php 130 is reasonable for its generous portions of a main dish, side, and rice—enough to leave customers full with one plate. In the end, prices are justified by the amazing quality of ingredients as well as distinctive flavors brought to the table.
Final Verdict
Lechown fulfills its role of bringing Cebu to the campus. With dishes authentically Cebuano, they give more than enough reason for people to be drawn to its familiarity of home. While the sides still need some improvement, their main dishes are already appetizing. Offering a simple, refined, and well-curated menu with a unison of flavors and culture, Lechown distinctly establishes itself in the JSEC crowd.
Rating: 4/5
