Cebu’s Sutukil
SuTuKil is an abbreviated 3-word combination of how seafood is prepared in eateries within Cebu – which is Su for Sugba (grilled), Tu for Tula (stew), and Kil for Kilaw or Kilawin (raw fish in marinated vinegar and spices). The word is popular and distinctly Cebuano that the eateries themselves are called sutukil.
They say you should not miss dining at a sutukil when you get a chance to go to Cebu. Fortunately for us we happened to visit the Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City and there are a couple of sutukils around the area so I thought that this is a wonderful opportunity to introduce this gastronomic experience to my husband. It is hubby’s first time to dine at a sutukil. He loves seafood. The irony is he has a sensitive stomach and since our flight back home was few hours away, I was careful in choosing his lunch.
Grilled Rabbitfish or Spinefoot (Sinugbang Samaral)
Grilled Spider Shell (Sinugbang Saang)
Clam and Shrimp Soup (Tinolang Tulya at Hipon)
Though we live in an area where fresh seafood are abundant and relatively cheap, but us having to pick the seafood of our choice from a wide variety of selection; having them cook to our preferences with local flavor and technique; and then enjoy our meal in the scenic Mactan Bay thriving with mangrove and wildlife is a delightful experience. My hubby particularly enjoyed the grilled Saang (spider shell) dipped in “pinakurat” vinegar with spices.
So if you happen to be in Cebu, try having the Sutukil experience.
46 Responses to “Cebu’s Sutukil”
Leave a Reply
wow, this is the first time i heard about this dish but it sure looks yummy! thanks for sharing this.
[Reply]
oohhh this concept is fun! Hubby tried it in Puerto Galera a few years back and I am still very envious of the experience!!
Thank you for the Cebu travel / restaurant tip =)
Kero recently posted..St. Dalfour French Fruit Preserve
[Reply]
i’ve visited this place last year but we did not eat because we have free buffet lunch in shangri-la. =)maybe next time if we visit cebu again.
[Reply]
aww. we love pinakurat w/ crabs.. i haven’t tried eating clams actually. Maybe I’ll just go with the shrimps =)
[Reply]
Yumyum!
We also have sutukil here in Davao! Sulit!
Algene recently posted..Taklobo Restaurant – Jack’s Ridge
[Reply]
OMG! I’m so lovin’ the second dish! :9999. Looks really yummy
[Reply]
WOW! Kilawin @@ I miss eating those kinds of food.
miss-april recently posted..Random Talk: On being Sick
[Reply]
sounds like shoot – to-kill hehehe. the clam soup looks so yummy!!!
Wena recently posted..Magnitude 6.8 – Off the East Coast of Honshu, Japan
[Reply]
Wow, everything looks yummy!
I love seafoods so I’ll definitely not miss eating at a sutukil when I visit Cebu! 
Sumi recently posted..Studio Kitchen: Creative Cuisine in Alabang
[Reply]
Try ulit natin yan pag mag-foursome tayo hihi!
Mitchteryosa recently posted..Cherry Mobile Q2i QWERTY Phone Winner
[Reply]
Gayle Reply:
March 20th, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Oh sureness Lola!! meron din daw nyan sa Davao, kung mag-foursome tayo dun tayo sa Pearl Farm, hihihi!
Gayle recently posted..Cebu’s Sutukil
[Reply]
Mitchteryosa Reply:
March 20th, 2012 at 3:16 PM
Ay type na type ko yan! Sige sige!
Mitchteryosa recently posted..Cherry Mobile Q2i QWERTY Phone Winner
[Reply]
Ang sorop sorop nomon niyan! nomnomnom! Nakakagutom! Hope to be back to Cebu soon!
Louise Antonette|Mommy Practicality recently posted..It’s A WAHMderful Life! – A Workshop Invite for WAHMs
[Reply]
wow, fish inihaw and seafood sinigang!
love, love it!!!
[Reply]
Oooh I love pinakurat! It makes eating those dishes (except the soup of course) more exciting
Aileen recently posted..Taking the Two Hundred Squats Challenge
[Reply]
I have been to the place… but… had a not so good experience..hahahah
grace recently posted..Politics and Socia Media
[Reply]
First to hear about it and it looks yummy. Thank you for sharing!
Mommy Maye recently posted..Hidden Treasure Soy Candle Giveaway
[Reply]
I would love to experience sutukil! This is a healthy alternative than all the fried dishes we commonly prepare at home. Thanks also for sharing the its etymology!
[Reply]
Oh definitely on my to-eat list if I ever make it to Cebu! The spider shell looks so interesting!
San recently posted..Guess who wants some pad thai?
[Reply]
I love in Lapu Lapu City, Though SUTUKIL is quite far from our place but we still frequently go there because we just love the food.
Glad you liked it too
Lalah recently posted..Sophie Style: Buwan ng Wika
[Reply]
The clam and shrimp soup looks really delicious. I love soupy meals. hehehe
(visit from BCB)
[Reply]
The saang is not new to me since we transferred here in Panglao Bohol
There was a month that every week, we have saang on our table courtesy of my husband who do “nginhas” 
Mylene recently posted..UPDATE: Disappointed With MetroDeal | 10-inch Blink Tablet PC with 3G GSM Sim Card Slot for Mobile Phone Capabilities
[Reply]
Wow, this is the first time I’ve heard of sutukil! Looks very delicious! Will definitely try this when I have the chance to go back to Cebu.
Iris recently posted..Hey You!
[Reply]
HAven’t heard the dishes which you have showcased but certainly would try them the next time we go to Cebu.
Dominique@Dominique’s Desk recently posted..Free Blogger OP- Secret Garden Playhouse Giveaway
[Reply]
I LOVE SEAFOODS!
I’d love to try everything minus the pinakurat. Haha. I’m not a big fan. My dad loves pinakurat, but it’s strong smell drives me nuts. Haha.
[Reply]
Thank you for the trivia. Yummy food!!! Sarap!!! visiting from CE Sept4.
Jhari recently posted..Lanterns
[Reply]
I had the Sutukil experience on my very first visit to Cebu a long long time ago. When the boyfriend and I went there for vacation last year we skipped it though. There are so many places to visit and food to try in Cebu now, it’s worth another visit.
Vera recently posted..Adios, August!
[Reply]
sutukil, hmm I’ve been hearing about this dish featured on tv. seems yummy! dah! now I’m craving tsss..
jenifer balatico recently posted..ROMWE Back To School Surprise Everyday
[Reply]
am not a big fan of seafoods because i’m allergic. but i will definitely recommend this to family and friends. thanks for sharing!
postcardtrail recently posted..Red Meat Diary
[Reply]
ngaun ko lang nalaman na may sutukil palang dish sa cebu, when we were there ang naalala kong kinainan namin ung ato-ato bbq
nagseserve din cla ng clam soup pero not sure aq if my sutukil din dun 
Gerilen recently posted..V&M Naturals + Venus and Mars Smooch Lip Butter Balm Review
[Reply]
You were lucky! I’ve been to Cebu twice but I still didn’t get to try Sutukil. My relatives who went there said it was such a nice experience…
You might wanna join my birthday/blog anniversary giveaway: beforeiturn25.blogspot.com/2012/09/drinks-are-on-me.html
Bee recently posted..Drinks are on me!
[Reply]
Gayle Reply:
September 8th, 2012 at 6:44 PM
Many thanks! I’ll try my luck in your birthday giveaway, hihihi!
[Reply]
I tried Sutukil restaurant few years ago during our educational tour, if given a chance I’d like to visit the place again…
Rosemarie- Pinay Singlemom recently posted..On Life Trials
[Reply]
there’s a sutukil buffet here in davao… you gave me an idea to visit them this weekend
[Reply]
They sure do look yummy! I’m curious about the spider shell. I’ve never tried one and have never even heard of it until now. Does it taste like kuhol or like crabs?
Olga recently posted..Good Night, Sleep Tight with Memory Foam Pillows
[Reply]
Gayle Reply:
September 8th, 2012 at 6:42 PM
Can’t explain the taste but its more like the kuhol side rather than the crab, hehe!
[Reply]
Love sugba! We have similar dishes in Bacolod.
Jellybelly recently posted..St. Luke’s Global City
[Reply]
Me too, I felt curious about the spider shell. looks new to me. The other two dishes look yummy. I’m a lover of clams in all varieties.
Krizza recently posted..Are You Considering A House Renovation?
[Reply]
Sutukil is like Tapsilog. 3 different kind of foods in one serving. Nice!
Ron recently posted..17 Unique And Horrifying Items And Accessories Suitable For Your Halloween Decoration Needs
[Reply]
Oh my gush, foodies… I really miss them all… nothing compares with pinoy foods… Wala dito sa Norway..:-(
[Reply]
I find it fascinating how different provinces have different cultures and terms on things. It’s like a mini country within a country. I really should travel more and discover these things for myself instead of just reading about them. I want to try the seashell dish! It looks weird but it looks cool! XD
Lady Spring recently posted..Life recently… #24
[Reply]
seafoods! yum yum..
aby recently posted..InstaWeekend: Wonderland
[Reply]
I love the sauce.
Yum Yum!
Khim recently posted..I’m fine
[Reply]
ang sarap! yum yum yum!
January recently posted..Pink & Blue Music Angel
[Reply]
I learned a new foodie word today, yay! Looks delicious!
[Reply]
Sarap! These are healthy was of preparing food, sarap pa.
kat recently posted..Of Earthquakes and Transport
[Reply]