Food · Palawan · Philippines
What to eat in Palawan
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Palawan, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Theglennpalacio, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Chao long, Kinilaw and Tamilok. Boat crews on El Nido, Coron and Port Barton tours grill fish, pork and squid and serve them with rice, fruit and salads on a beach between snorkelling stops. Carinderias display cooked dishes in pots; point at what you want and pay per portion.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Chao long
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 4
- Tipping
- Tipping is not obligatory but is appreciated.
- Food experiences
- 3
10 foods to try
Dish
1.Chao long
Puerto Princesa's signature noodle soup: rice noodles in a beef broth with herbs, bean sprouts and lime, adapted from the pho of Vietnamese refugees who settled in the city from the late 1970s. It is eaten at any hour with bread or a side of fresh lumpia.
Where: Chao long shops along Rizal Avenue and Manalo Street in Puerto Princesa.
Dish
2.Kinilaw
Raw fish — often tuna or Spanish mackerel — cured in vinegar or calamansi with onion, ginger and chilli. Palawan's fresh catch makes it one of the best things to order at seaside grills.
Where: Seafood grills in Puerto Princesa and El Nido, and on island-hopping lunches.
Street food
3.Tamilok
A shipworm that lives in mangrove wood, eaten raw in vinegar and chilli like kinilaw. Its taste is often compared to oysters, and it is the dish adventurous visitors try in Puerto Princesa.
Where: Native-food restaurants in Puerto Princesa and on Sabang's mangrove tours.
Dish
4.Crocodile sisig
Farm-raised crocodile meat chopped and sizzled on a hot plate with onion, chilli and calamansi, a Puerto Princesa take on the Filipino pork dish sisig.
Where: Native-food restaurants in Puerto Princesa that specialise in Palawan dishes.
Dish · Vegetarian
5.Lato
Sea grapes — tiny green seaweed bubbles that pop in the mouth — served as a salad with tomato, onion and vinegar. Fresh, salty and a classic side for grilled fish.
Where: Seafood restaurants and markets around Palawan.
Dish
6.Grilled seafood (Inihaw)
Squid, prawns, fish and scallops grilled over charcoal and served with rice and soy-calamansi-chilli dipping sauce. Island-hopping tours usually serve a version on the beach for lunch.
Where: Grills along the Puerto Princesa Baywalk, El Nido's Calle Hama and Coron Town.
Dish
7.Adobo
The Philippines' best-known dish: chicken or pork braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and bay leaf. Squid adobo in its own ink is common on the coast.
Where: Carinderias (local canteens) and Filipino restaurants across Palawan.
Dessert · Vegetarian
8.Halo-halo
Shaved ice layered with sweet beans, jellies, fruit, leche flan and ube (purple yam), topped with evaporated milk. 'Halo-halo' means mix-mix, which is what you do before eating.
Where: Cafés and snack shops in every town, especially in the hot afternoons.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Mango shake
Ripe Philippine mango blended with ice and sometimes milk — sweet, thick and the default drink on a hot day.
Where: Beach bars and cafés in El Nido, Port Barton and Coron.
Snack · Vegetarian
10.Palawan cashews
Palawan is one of the main cashew-growing areas of the Philippines, and roasted, salted or garlic-flavoured cashews are a common snack and souvenir.
Where: Pasalubong (souvenir food) shops in Puerto Princesa and the airport.
Food experiences
Island-hopping beach lunch
Boat crews on El Nido, Coron and Port Barton tours grill fish, pork and squid and serve them with rice, fruit and salads on a beach between snorkelling stops.
Puerto Princesa native-food dinner
Restaurants in Puerto Princesa specialising in Palawan dishes serve tamilok, crocodile sisig and kinilaw for visitors willing to try something new.
Chao long breakfast
Start the day in Puerto Princesa with a bowl of chao long and French bread, the city's unique Vietnamese-Filipino breakfast.
Quick bites and street food
- Tamilok — Native-food restaurants in Puerto Princesa and on Sabang's mangrove tours.
- Palawan cashews — Pasalubong (souvenir food) shops in Puerto Princesa and the airport.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 4 are usually vegetarian: Lato, Halo-halo, Mango shake and Palawan cashews. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Carinderias display cooked dishes in pots; point at what you want and pay per portion.
- Island-hopping lunches are usually included in the tour price; tell the operator about dietary needs when you book.
- Restaurants in El Nido and Coron can be slow at peak dinner time; order early if you have an early boat.
- Many small restaurants and tour operators are cash-only, and ATMs in El Nido and Port Barton can run out.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory but is appreciated. On island-hopping tours many visitors give the boat crew about ₱100–200 per person; in restaurants, round up or leave about 5–10% if no service charge is added.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Salamat | Thank you |
| Magandang umaga | Good morning |
| Magkano? | How much? |
| Masarap | Delicious |
| Ingat | Take care |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Palawan famous for?
Chao long, Kinilaw, Tamilok and Crocodile sisig. Puerto Princesa's signature noodle soup: rice noodles in a beef broth with herbs, bean sprouts and lime, adapted from the pho of Vietnamese refugees who settled in the city from the late 1970s.
+Is Palawan good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Lato, Halo-halo and Mango shake.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Palawan?
Tipping is not obligatory but is appreciated. On island-hopping tours many visitors give the boat crew about ₱100–200 per person; in restaurants, round up or leave about 5–10% if no service charge is added.