One of Tutubi's favorite questions he asks his friends in several places is this: "what is your place's specialties, delicacies that's only here and not in Manila?" He popped this question successfully in several instances and sometime got no answers, some were delayed responses. In most places, the people Tutubi spoked with were not aware of the things, places and traditions that they take for granted but may be highly sought after by others.

And even though Bohol is not new to Tutubi, as he's been there for about 4 times already, he again asked the question to a local and here's her reply: "try Lukot," it looks like green pancit or green spaghetti (actually like green angel hair pasta to be correct). then he remembered it featured way back on GMA7's Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.

kilawin lukot from Mira Villa Seafood Restaurant, Tagbilaran

Lukot, has almost the same green color as the guso and lato, both seaweeds, but it's not seaweed, it is actually secretion of the sea hare (known in the Visayas as donsol) but not waste or poop, that form like green noodles that's why it's sometimes called marine spaghetti.

The hunt for lukot brought them, not the nearest beach in Bohol to gather lukot, but to Mira Villa Seafood Restaurant in Tagbilaran City to sample the "exotic" delicacy known as lukot (exotic for Luzon denizens like Tutubi).

lukot looks like green pancit

How does lukot actually taste like? texture? It's not slimy nor even have a distinct smell (maybe partly because the vinegar in the kinilaw drowned the smell) and smooth, soft texture but if you have a bad imagination it may feel like chewing/swallowing a worm. Tutubi can't actually describe it but it's good.

Better taste it yourself and find yourself say: kalami gyud!

Labels: Delicacies, Seafood

Due to Tutubi's insistence, he was able to persuade his officemates to eat out at the famed La Vista del Mar restaurant on the seafront of Zamboanga City due to information from their driver that they also offer Zamboanga's sought after curacha, a certain species of sea crab endemic in the waters around Zamboanga peninsula.

Going to the place from Garden Orchid Hotel was quite a long drive since it's quite far. Checkpoints were everywhere and security was tight due to the presence of American troops participating in the Balikatan (shoulder to shoulder) exercise, a military exercise between US and Philippine soldiers.

the vinta-lined tables of La Vista del Mar



Picture of La Vista del Mar's last remaining curacha as shown by the waiter on a basin. The curacha is a crustacean found only in the area around Zamboanga peninsula.
the underside of curacha with legs that look like crabs and lobsters

Curacha is the Chavacano word for the crustacean that looks like a crossbreed between a large sea crab and the big spiny lobster that's also meaty and delicious! Best to cook it minimally to preserve its unique exotic taste.

Tutubi was surprised that there were no other people except a group of foreigners, tourists that is, who came to explore the area in spite of the travel advisories. The tourists seem to enjoy their stay where most people dare not tread out of fear even if they haven't been there.

seafood rice with evil aligue (crab fat)

Comments/Review: La Vista del Mar's place is cozy with ambiance of Zamboanga truly captured with great vista of the sea. Menu prices are cheaper than that of Hai San Restaurant but can't give you actual prices since Tutubi didn't shoulder the bill.

Adjacent to La Vista del Mar is Maria Clara Art Gallery. Also proximate is the Yakan Weaving Village where you can buy handwoven products of Yakan people of Basilan.

How to get to La Vista del Mar:

Board a jeep in the city (pueblo) with signboard Rio Hondo (a Muslim village of houses on stilts built over water). The place is near Yakan Weaving Village.

Note: cucaracha is the spanish word for cockroach

Related Zamboanga City Posts:
Fort Pilar
Camp Atilano, Pasonanca Park
Hardin Maria Clara Lobregat, Pasonanca Park

Labels: Restaurants, Seafood, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Peninsula