We got 48 hours and the goal was to stuff ourselves silly to full capacity as humanly possible. We were in Puerto Princesa Palawan armed with inflexible belief that we got legit reason to throw away bout of puritanical health kick with reckless abandon in exchange of two-day feeding frenzy.
For certain, two-day worth of eating stunt hardly suffices to cover everything that Puerto Princesa has to offer. Still, we ate and we ate - until we couldn’t anymore.
In our minds that time, “We will never be as young as we are now.” The same old adage I held on to way back when I got my very first tattoo after I graduated from college. Still relevant.
We seized upon the chance – we searched and met good grubs that befriended our bellies.
Cutting straight to the point – there ain’t no city tour nor island hopping exploit here. Such adventures merit their own posts in due course. Moreover, our venture was far from pursuit of the exotic hence no usually expected but darn elusive Tamilok sighting as well.
But there are good food – lots of it.
I can only write about the stuff I have tried and made me happy so pardon if you find this post a bit lacking. I have left out those which I wasn't able to try due to various reasons like food allergy or just plain lack of enthusiasm. I can however assure you based on collective agreement between me and my companions that majority of what we ate at Puerto Princesa were downright delicious. Meanwhile, these are the food and restaurants I can certainly vouch for.
Breakfast Buffet at Skylight Hotel Palawan
Skylight Hotel Palawan
Address: 210-A Rizal Avenue
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan 5300
Phone Nos.: (048) 434-4872 / (048) 434-7176
Website: www.skylighthotelpalawan.com
Email: rsrvskylighthotel@yahoo.com
We stayed at Skylight Hotel Palawan located along Rizal Ave. primarily because it is very near to most of the establishments and attractions we planned on visiting. It is also only 10 minutes away from Puerto Princesa International Airport so, that's a big plus. The rooms are decent and clean, the service is very warm and thoughtful, there's free wifi and shuttle service. For Php2,000++ a night, I say it's a good deal.
The icing on top of the cake - the complimentary breakfast buffet.
I wasn't really expecting a grandiose breakfast considering the room rate at Skylight was already a steal in itself. But lo and behold, we were greeted with a decent buffet spread with mostly Filipino dishes but not devoid of the equally well-loved American breakfast fares.
There were various selections but what stood out and left a good impression on me was the Fish Tocino made with Parrot Fish. It was the bomb, I tell you. The flavor was spot on which gives me an illusion that I was eating the usual pork tocino which I love, and the texture was neither too hard nor too crumbly. I have even mistaken it for chicken, but no. No fishy taste, just pure goodness that I love in my tocino. The Danggit was equally noteworthy.
Badjao Seafront Restaurant
Address: Abueg Sr. Rd., Brgy. Bagong Sikat,
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
E-mail: badjaoseafront@yahoo.com
Telefax: (048) 433 9912
Operating Hours: Open daily 10AM to 10PM
Prior to the trip, we were already given heads up by those who have been there before us that Badjao Seafront Restaurant is located off the beaten path. It serves seafood just like majority of the restaurants in Palawan, but you will go here for the experience most especially for the view.
It is highly advisable to go here with a rented van like we did. If otherwise you choose to ride a tricycle, ask them to wait for you or go back for you at a certain time because the way I see it, there isn't a snowball chance in hell that you can hail a transpo in this secluded place.
The view of the sea as well as the surrounding mangrove will make the travel time of going there worth it.
There are lots of fresh seafood dishes on their extensive menu it was just unfortunate that most of what I would like to have was not available that day. Which made me question our decision to go there during the opening hours. Among the things that we ordered I settled for the grilled tanigue, sinigang na hipon, and some pork chop. A set that made me a happy camper.
Someone is missing the sinful fried food and I deemed the fish and chips meal was a good option to have. While seafood is remains to be the star at Badjao, they also treat other dishes well just like the grilled pork belly and the average-looking-but-shockingly-good pancit canton which I also got to enjoy.
In Puerto Princesa, they have this thing about giving away free dessert fruit platter. It's a sweet gesture, I say.
Baker's Hill Palawan
Address: Mitra Road, Barangay Sta. Monica,
Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island 5300,
Phone Number: +63 48 433 4314
One of the famous tourist attractions in Palawan is Baker's Hill as it offers sight of beautiful garden, aviary, character statues among other cute things anyone could enjoy. There are plenty of things to see while touring the entire property but we are a group with a mission. So we found ourselves sitting in one of the gazebos feasting on the good grubs we bought from Baker's Hill bakeshop.
There's a restaurant but it was jam packed with people. There's also a pizza stand but even that harbored long lines of hungry tourists. There's a food stall that sells street snacks so we were able to grab some sandwiches, quail eggs, and drinks. Nothing much to write home about, after all it was just simple snacks. Couple of bites and I was back feasting on Baker's Hill hopia.
Baker's Hill is famous for their delicious baked goods most especially their hopia which is available in different variants. I am not a big fan of hopia in general aside from the diced hopia I usually buy from Greenhills, but the ones they are selling at Baker's Hill were good.
I favor the hopiang munggo over the hopiang ube and pork hopia. But it is not to say that those were not good because we pretty much hoarded everything to giveaway as pasalubong back in Manila.
Isla Casoy de Palawan
Address: Unit D, One Jacana Plaza,
Jacana Road cor Gabinete Road,
Brgy. Bancao-Bancao
Puerto Princesa
Phone Number: 434-1351
Email add: islacasoy.depalawan@gmail.com
I am from Antipolo so if you give me anything infused with cashew I am pretty much sold. So after buying pasalubong from LRC Market Mall Pasalubong Center, I cannot simply pass up checking out Isla Casoy de Palawan. It is basically a coffee shop that sells cashew infused coffee drinks and other cashew products. It was also a good place to visit if you are looking to buy edible pasalubong that speaks a lot about Palawan.
The menu basically features the usual coffee shop goodies but their specialty as I mentioned is cashew-infused coffee drinks. I tried their cashew latte which nutty flavor sort of reminds me of macchiato only a tad milder. The cashew frappe I enjoy the most because the cashew flavor is much bolder compared to the hot coffee variety.
It was unfortunate that the cashew sansrival was not available. It's a good thing that the clubhouse sandwich I opted for was impressive in its flavor and hefty serving.
Itoy's Coffee Haus
Centro de Benito Y Aliva Commercial Complex
Rizal Ave. Brgy. Maningning
Puerto Princesa City
We found ourselves at Itoy's Coffee Shop one morning while waiting for Balinsasayaw Restaurant located just right in front of it to open. Little did we know, Itoy's Coffee Haus is one of the famous coffee shops in Puerto Princesa.
We just
had our breakfast at the hotel and was gearing our self up for early
lunch at the next restaurant. The initial plan of having just tea was
put to oblivion because if you are in what was coined as the Starbucks
of Palawan, might as well try their coffee frappe.
The coffee concoctions I am guessing were named after the owners. It's a good thing that the menu carries a description of each otherwise it will be bothersome to ask the baristas what kind of coffee you're going to deal with if you order let's say Kapeng Halo con Cara (It's caramel frappe by the way.)
I got to try three of their best sellers, Kapeng Halo ni Itoy (Black Forrest), Kapeng Halo ni Eving (Cookies and Cream), and Kapeng Halo ni Girlie (Choco Kahlua). The taste was good especially the black forest but way different from Starbucks. I guess they can do really well even without comparing itself to the green siren.
Balinsasayaw Restaurant
Address: Rizal Avenue
Puerto Princesa City
Palawan
Phone:+63 48 434 5804
I have been to Balinsasayaw Restaurant in Tagaytay and I remember having enjoyed their food and the experience dining inside a cute nipa hut. We decided to try Balinsasayaw Restaurant in Puerto Princesa because we were informed that it is where one can find legit bird's nest soup.
For only Php495.00 you'll be feasting on a big bowl of bird's nest soup, also known as Balinsasayaw. Yes, it's the restaurant's namesake. And this one as they say is legit because it has the real deal - edible birds nest made by solidified saliva. It is said to be of high nutritional value and its availability is most of the time a rarity.
Aside from the gelatinous and comforting bird's nest soup we also feasted on other Balinsasayaw dishes recommended by the food attendant assigned on our little nipa hut. We had the garlic shrimp and the fish lumpia which were both highly addictive.
Balinsasayaw is also known for their grilled food and I could understand why since the tenderness and the smoky flavor of their grilled chicken and pork belly I find of excellent quality.
Noki Nocs Savory House
Address: Rizal Ave. corner Fernandez Ave.
Puerto Princesa City
Palawan
Phone No.: (048) 723 2500
We also made a quick visit to Noki Nocs Savory House a local fast food place that offers different Filipino dishes and then some. But we went there not for food but for their famous halo-halo. We skipped dessert at Balinsasayaw and went to Noki Nocs instead. Good call since the halo-halo was actually really good and the sylvanas was also noteworthy.
Bona's Chaolong Haus
Manalo St.
Puerto Princesa City
Palawan
Phone No.: +63 48 434 8420
They say that your visit at Puerto Princessa wouldn't be complete without trying out the famous Chaolong. A dish similar to that of Vietnamese Pho best paired with French bread. There are several stores in Puerto Princesa that sells Chaolong but one of the famous one is Bona's Chaolong located along Manalo street.
Few clicks on google and you will be presented with several accounts
as to how chaolong came to be - it's history and why it became one of
the famous delicacy in Puerto Princesa. So, I wouldn't bore you with
that and just leave the story telling to those who are more
knowledgeable about it.
The only thing I can say
however is that if ever I will be coming back to Puerto Princesa right
this very moment, the very first meal I would love to be have will be
the Chaolong and French bread.
Two of their best sellers are the Pork Buto Buto with Noodles Special and the Beef Stew with Noodles. One of the things that makes chaolong really hearty is its broth which flavor speaks of several hours it takes over fire. The flavor was downright meaty with hint of several spices. The generous pork bone was not without some meat to it. The beef stew features generous melt-in-your-mouth chunks of beef with perfect ratio of fat to lean meat. The rice noodles that comes with it was exceptional.
A must companion of the chaolong is the French bread that comes in different varieties - plain, with cheese, with garlic, with tuna, with chicken, and with pork meat. Dip it into the hot chaolong soup and the dough will partially soak up the juice retaining the crisp interior of the bread. Perfect marriage, I must say.
City Baywalk Park
Address: Sandoval St, Puerto Princesa City,
Palawan
Palawan
Much like the Baywalk that we have here in Manila, Puerto Princesa's City Baywalk Park offers a beautiful scenery of the land and the sea perfect for those people who loves to stroll. We went here to enjoy fresh air and the view and ride some rented bicycles. But then the makeshift line of restaurants that sells fresh seafood paluto service didn't go unnoticed.
They say that the food scene at the City Baywalk comes alive during night time when all food vendors lined up and cook up a storm for the tourists. But even at day time, there are several restaurants or carinderia which are ready to cater to some hungry tourists and locals wanting to enjoying fresh seafood in broad daylight.
Since it is like mini market filled with different kinds of seafood, it cannot be helped that there are some area infested by flies. If you're the type who are easily bothered by flies, then be prepared to battle it out. But still, if you are up for some great tasting seafood dishes while enjoying sea breeze and view then this is highly recommended.
Kalui Restaurant
369 Rizal Avenue
Puerto Princesa City Palawan
Phone No.: (048) 433 2580
Mobile: +63 928 753 9621
Email: online@kaluirestaurant.com
Operating Hours: Daily except Sunday
Lunch 11-2pm; Dinner 6:00-10:30pm
Puerto Princesa City Palawan
Phone No.: (048) 433 2580
Mobile: +63 928 753 9621
Email: online@kaluirestaurant.com
Operating Hours: Daily except Sunday
Lunch 11-2pm; Dinner 6:00-10:30pm
One of the famous restaurant in Puerto Princesa Palawan, a reservation is a must at Kalui Restaurant. I have not meant anyone who have succeeded in dining at Kalui as a walk-in so I highly recommend to reserve prior to visiting the place. Worry not because just the interior of the restaurant will make the hassle well worth it.
I cannot count how many times have I mentioned that I am a sucker for restaurants with beautiful interior design, Kalui is one of them. The theme is native. Clean and well kept, diners are expected to go barefoot when dining at Kalui.
There are several items on the menu but it is highly recommended especially for first timers to try the Kalui's Special of the Day Set (Php475) because it has a little bit of everything well worth trying when dining at Kalui. The set comprised of fish steak, prawns, veggies of the day, fish roll in coco cream, red rice, and appetizers.
The photo below shows what the set comprised of. It's generous serving is perfect for a person with hefty appetite otherwise it can also be good for sharing. Aside from the set, I also got to try the sea catch tempura and one of Kalui's best sellers, the Tubbataha Salad.
Seafood Restaurant of Skylight Hotel Palawan
Skylight Hotel Palawan
210-A Rizal Avenue
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan 5300
I guess we enjoyed the breakfast buffet that much so we decided to try out the offerings at the seafood restaurant of Skylght Hotel. At day time it looks like it was one of those restaurants that people would only visit if there's a special occasion or gathering. But come night time, the place was packed with diners ready to feast on whatever fresh seafood and other dishes they can get their hands on.
Live seafood paluto is their concept but if you already got your fill
of seafood for the day, there are other meaty dishes to enjoy on the
menu.
Deep into the night we were hooked into TV series marathon so we took ordered from the restaurant and took advantage of the room service. I got to try the pork sinigang which sourness I find just perfect, shrimp tempura, crispy pata, chopsuey, and some noodle dish among the dishes we ordered.
Again there's a complimentary fruit platter for dessert - much appreciated as per usual. And oh, I find it fascinating that every time we order single serving of coffee, instead of a cup, the brewed coffee was served in a pot which makes it perfect for sharing. Generous, generous people.
As mentioned, it is impossible to try everything there is to try in Puerto Princesa with the limited time we got during this particular visit. But the two days of feasting and interacting with the locals I must say was enough for me to fall in love with this beautiful place.
Safe to say that this isn't the last time that I will be writing about Puerto Princesa Palawan. 'Till then!
