NGOHIONG, a unique dish made up of simple things but with a lot of stories to tell. I tasted ngohiong for the very first time 2 decades ago. My family came to visit Cebu in 1989 for Christmas. My Uncle hosted us and at that time, their house was a stone-throw away from Sideline Restaurant. And thats where my ngohiong story started.

Ngohiong is basically a vegetable spring roll. A combination of singkamas (jicama), onions and garlic and a whole lot of spices, wrapped in a wonton wrapper, deep fried to crunchiness and dipped in a unique blend of vinegar & soy sauce and that secret chilli sauce. It was something very unique. As kids we were used to dipping spring rolls (lumpia) in catsup or sweet & sour sauce, some even in vinegar but never in soy sauce! This was a different story.

As I got to college, I attended the University of San Carlos in Talamban. Took up Engineering and made my way through 5 years after. With those years, not a single week did me and my friends missed to have ngohiong for lunch or snacks at this small joint in front of St. Cecilias Dormitory, just right beside USC post office. Way back then, ngohiong costs Php2.50 a piece. 3 pieces of ngohiong and 5 puso (hanging rice) went very well with our budget. Definitely, a students meal!

After school, drinking sessions with friends were a plenty. Whos been to that place named Kiddies along San Jose de la Montana Street in Mabolo in the mid-90s? They served ngohiong perfect with a tagay of cold Red Horse and Colt 45 beer. How about that ngohiongan in front of the old Sacred Heart School (for boys)? Or that place near USC Main along Junquera Ext just right at the back of Phil. Christian Gospel School (PCGS)?

You can find ngohiong everywhere even in pungko-pungko or bicycle basket carts. But for me, the best ngohiong is in the heart of Guadalupe in this place called DOMENGs. Definitely a must try! To get there, drive thru V. Rama Avenue towards Guadalupe Church and turn left to Fairlane Village in front of Guadalupe Elementary School. Just take another right to the oval and you will see this house whose garage is filled with tables & chairs for diners.

So many ngohiong places, so many ngohiong experiences! Now, its your turn to share your NGOHIONG story.