travel guide

Palawan's Must-Eat Delicacies

Filipino food is more than just the famous balut (duck embryo). Thanks to the country’s rich culture, fresh seafood, and tropical fruits, there’s a whole world of flavors to enjoy.
World-famous chef Anthony Bourdain once called sisig a “divine mosaic of pig parts” and said lechon was the best roasted pig he had ever tasted.
Recently, the Philippines was ranked among the top 10 countries with the best food in the world — and Palawan is a great place to taste it all. Whether you’re eating from a local street stall or a cozy restaurant, there’s something delicious waiting for you.Filipino cuisine is a mix of many cultures — including Austronesian, Spanish, Chinese, Malay, and American — making every bite full of history and flavor.
Here are some of Palawan’s must-eat dishes you shouldn’t miss:

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Chicken Inasal

Chicken Inasal is a grilled chicken dish marinated in a blend of spices and herbs, then cooked over hot coals. It is usually served with garlic rice, atchara (pickled papaya), and a dipping sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, and calamansi.

👉 For an authentic taste, visitors can head to Ka Inato Restaurant on Km 4 North National Highway in Puerto Princesa City, where the Chicken Inasal is grilled over hot coals and served with garlic rice, atchara, and a soy-vinegar-calamansi dipping sauce

Tamilok Mangrove Worm

Tamilok is an exotic Palawan delicacy, a mollusk harvested from mangrove trees. It has a long, soft body with a taste similar to oyster, and it is often served as ceviche, marinated in vinegar, onions, and chili.

👉 Tamilok is available at many restaurants in Puerto Princesa, but Kinabuchs Grill and Bar on Rizal Avenue is the most popular spot, where visitors can try it served as ceviche.

Halo-Halo

Halo-Halo, meaning “Mix-Mix” in Filipino, is a refreshing dessert found across the Philippines. It is made from sweetened preserved fruits, jellies, beans, evaporated milk, and crushed ice, and is usually topped with ice cream or leche flan.

👉 For the best Halo-Halo in Puerto Princesa, visitors can head to Noki Nocs Savory House on Rizal Avenue. It is also available at popular chains like Chowking and Inasal restaurants.

Crocodile Sisig

Crocodile Sisig is a Palawan twist on the classic sizzling pork dish. Crocodile meat has a mild flavor and a firm texture, similar to chicken, and it is high in protein and low in fat.

👉 Several restaurants in Puerto Princesa serve Crocodile Sisig, and Kinabuchs Grill and Bar on Rizal Avenue is a great place to try this local delicacy.

Fresh Seafood

Palawan’s seafood is fresh, accessible, and affordable. Popular catches include tuna, shrimp, blue marlin, crab, lobster, seabass, and squid, cooked in a variety of local styles. Menus change daily based on the catch.

👉 Badjao Seafood Restaurant and KaLui in Puerto Princesa are among the best places to enjoy fresh seafood, with menus that change daily based on the day’s catch.

Lato Seaweed

Lato, also known as sea grapes or green caviar, is a sought-after Palawan delicacy with a tender, juicy texture. It is typically served with salt, vinegar, or both, and pairs well with fried or grilled dishes. The best variety comes from Cuyo.

👉 Lato is served at many local restaurants across Palawan, where visitors can enjoy it as a fresh side to fried or grilled dishes.

Lechon

Lechon is a whole roasted pig with crispy, golden-brown skin and juicy meat. It is traditionally served with a sweet and spicy liver-based sauce. Other Filipino roasts include Lechon Manok (roast chicken) and Liempo (grilled pork belly).

👉 Lechon is widely available at the street food stalls along Rizal Avenue and Manalo in Puerto Princesa, where visitors can enjoy it at affordable prices.

Hopia Pastry

Hopia is a Filipino pastry filled with sweet bean paste, introduced by Fujianese immigrants. It comes in two varieties, one with flaky puff pastry and one with soft cookie-like dough, and is a popular, affordable pasalubong (gift).

👉 Baker’s Hill in Puerto Princesa is well known for its homemade bread and baked goods, where visitors can try freshly made Hopia in different flavors.

Cashew

Coron is known for traditional cashew delicacies beyond roasted nuts. Bandi and Brittle are sweet treats made with cashews coated in honey or caramelized brown sugar, and they are popular both as souvenirs and as quick snacks.

👉 For high-quality cashews and cashew-based products, visitors can browse the specialty shops in Coron Town, where the freshest selections are found.

Chao Long Noodle Soup

Chao Long was brought to Palawan by Vietnamese immigrants and became a local specialty. The Puerto Princesa version features thin, flat rice noodles in a sweet-savory broth with slices of beef or pork, often paired with crispy French bread.

👉 For an authentic taste, visitors can head to Rene’s Saigon Restaurant on Rizal Avenue in Puerto Princesa, where they can enjoy Chao Long along with other delicious Vietnamese dishes.

Danggit Lamayo

Danggit Lamayo is a Coron favorite made from sun-dried rabbitfish marinated in vinegar, garlic, and pepper, then lightly fried. It is a classic breakfast dish, usually served with steamed rice and a fried egg.

👉 In Coron, Danggit Lamayo is commonly served for breakfast at hotels and guesthouses, usually with steamed rice and a fried egg.