Reasons to eat at Razon's

CEBU, Philippines - Filipinos love to eat. However, since the country is an archipelago, the differences in our tastes and culture are very evident in the way we cook our food.

Although each region in the country has its own “taste,” it has been a trend for each region to share their cuisine with other places. This is basically why Lechon Cebu and La Paz Batchoy are found in different areas in the country.

Pampanga-based Razon’s is among the latest regional cuisine to invade Cebu. Located at Windows of Cebu at the North Reclamation Area, Razon’s opened last March 26.

Emilie Garcia Razon, who is married to a fourth generation Razon, decided to bring the famous Razon recipes to Cebu after a friend told her to try their products in the Cebu market. “Wala talaga kaming kakilala dito. Dala ko lang ang Razon na pangalan,” shared Emilie.

And Emilie has all the reason to be brave to come to Cebu with only the belief that the Razon name can help her.

The Razons are known for quality food in Pampanga since the 70s. One of the bestsellers in the Razon’s menu is their halo-halo which, unlike the halo-halos we know, is only made of three ingredients – macapuno, saging saba and leche flan.

“The Razon halo-halo is very simple. Ang tatlong ingredients kasi ay yung nakikita lang sa likod ng bahay. Kung ano yung halo-halo nila noon ay ganon pa rin ang sineserve namin ngayon,” she said, while showing us their way of mixing the Razon halo-halo, and that is to start from the bottom of the glass while slowly turning the glass around.

But don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the ingredients since these are all prepared in Pampanga! “Yung macapuno, isang araw yan niluluto. Yung saging, six hours at yung leche flan namin, walang asukal, gatas lang at dayap,” said Emilie. Dayap is a small citrus fruit that gives the Razon leche flan its distinctive taste.

Razon’s is not all halo-halo. The restaurant chain is also famous for its pancit palabok, with its secret sauce; dinuguan, sisig, burger steak (they make their own patties), adobong balut, itlog maalat, biko na may kalabasa and a host of other delicacies and foods from Pampanga.

“Ang sikreto sa lutong Razon ay hindi sa dami ng ingredients. Konti lang ang ingredients kaya di namin tinitipid. Ang importante ay ang sarap,” emphasized Emilie.

You are assured that you are eating authentic Kapampangan cuisine when you dine at Razon’s because the key ingredients are really from Pampanga and the ones cooking the delicious fares are also from Pampanga. “I have three cooks from Pampanga para authentic talaga ang lasa,” said Emilie.

In almost two months of operation, Razon’s has already captured the taste buds of Cebuanos judging from the mix of people who visit the restaurant. Emilie said that the response is so overwhelming that they are now looking into opening a bigger branch in October.

Emilie, who from time to time talks to customers at the restaurant, said she feels fulfilled when she sees diners enjoying Kapampangan food even if these taste different from what Cebuanos are used to. “Masaya ako nga tinanggap kami ng mga Cebuano. Meron nga dito na nagtatake-out na lang kasi puno kami. And there are a lot of people who say that they come here because of recommendations from friends or they heard people talking about us in coffeeshops,” she said.

So if you’re in for a snack, a full meal or you just want a refreshing halo-halo, head on down to Razon’s. ?