Many see Carbon Public Market as dirty or unsafe, but it is actually a haven for people shopping for cheap finds. From flowers to fruits and vegetables, Carbon has a lot to offer anyone. When it comes to food, the options are varied for the hungry Cebuano.

I often eat in Carbon, especially when budget is tight. It is just across the University of San Jose-Recoletos where I study. Here are some of the yummiest and yet affordable food and places to eat in and around the Carbon Market:

Puto Sikwate

carbon-puto-sikwate

Puto Sikwate is a popular energy combo for people in Carbon. For ten pesos per plate of puto (sticky rice) and five pesos per cup of hot native chocolate, one can have a delicious pairing of some of the tastiest things Cebu has to offer. Adding milk to sikwate is optional while customers top muscovado sugar on their puto to make it taste better.

Gemma’s Puto Maya is owned by Gemma Banilad and is located inside the Carbon Market. Their store, along with a few others, stay open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for market-goers who want to drop by and eat.

2. Banana cue

These delicious banana-on-sticks never grow old as go-to food for the hungry Bisdak. Deep-fried in cooking oil and brown sugar and wedged in a barbecue stick, this treat is a favorite of students and workers. The sweet treat can be yours at just P12 a stick.

carbon-banana-cue-vendor

Rebecca Malabat has been selling bananacue beside University of San Jose-Recoletos Main Campus for 33 years. She said that her banana cues have helped her family in their daily expenses.

3. Thelma’s Eatery

Carbon Food Diary

Another place to look for when going inside the Carbon Market is Thelma’s Eatery. They serve nilat-ang baka, escabeche and other lunchtime recipes at P35. For less than P50, you can have a full lunch.

carbon-thelma-food

4. San Jose Bakeshop

Carbon San Jose Bakeshop

Located strategically in front of USJ-R Main Campus, San Jose Bakeshop bakes fresh bread almost every hour. Market-goers and students often come here to buy bread. San Jose Bakeshop is open 24/7 to cater to the needs of urbanites even in the wee hours of the morning.

Carbon San Jose Bread

5. Biduk’s Kitchen

Carbon Biduk's

Biduk’s Kitchen is a popular restaurant located just near the Carbon area and noth within it. This newly-opened restaurant has attracted customers, mostly students. Despite the long way off to the resto, the place never fails to serve sumptuous chicken recipes. Three chicken sticks with one cup of rice is available for only P59, in barbecue and sour cream flavor. Other chicken indulgences are available as well.

Carbon Market is not just a place for cheap shopping; it is foodland as well. The next time you go hungry from shopping for cheap finds, don’t wait to go home. Eat in Carbon.

(Text by USJ-R intern Franz Correa, photos by USJ-R intern Nel Mozol)

Franz Correa is a senior Mass Communication student of University of San Jose-Recoletos. He loves to read, write, listen to music and most of all daydream.

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