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I ate a famed Filipino dish made with pig brain and spine for just 25 cents, and it was the perfect savory snack

Marielle DescalsotaAug 22, 2023, 06:51 IST

Tuslob buwa is a dish native to Pasil, a neighborhood in Cebu, Philippines.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Tuslob buwa is a dish made of offcuts like pig brain and spinal cord.
Cecilia Rondino has been cooking and selling tuslob buwa in Pasil, Philippines, for over 60 years.

Pasil, a neighborhood in the Philippines, is home to some unusual dishes.

A street in Cebu's Pasil neighborhood.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I met Cecilia Rondino, who has been cooking and selling tuslob buwa for over 60 years.

Cecilia Rondino is one of the first sellers of the Pasil dish tuslob buwa.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Rondino's signature dish only costs 15 Philippine pesos, or 25 cents.

Rondino's daughter, Maria, cooking tuslob buwa.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Rondino buys "hanging rice" from a local seller right across the street.

Rice is steamed in a pot of boiling water.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Rondino has spent decades perfecting her recipe.

The pig spine paste that's cooked in a pan.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The dish was cooked for a minute on high heat — and the aroma was heavenly.

The dish is cooked with ingredients like oil and soy sauce.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I discovered that sharing the dish with friends in a communal style was best.

The dish was umami, salty, and resembled a pork pate.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

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