Traveling isn’t just about experiencing unforgettable adventures and discovering breathtaking sights. It’s also about learning how to broaden your palate, which is a great way of getting to know a travel destination.
Planning a summer getaway to Palawan? Eat your way through the world-class destination when you stay at TAG Resort in Coron. Check out these must-try dishes:
Kare-kare with cashews: Kare Coron
Did you know that Palawan is the largest producer of cashews in the Philippines? It’s no wonder that it’s one of the best pasalubongs to take home and a common ingredient incorporated in local dishes.
Kare-kare is a popular Filipino dish made with peanuts or peanut butter, which are used to make the sauce creamier and richer. The chefs at TAG Resort Coron’s Buntag Restaurant showcase the abundance of cashews in the province by substituting the usual peanuts with cashews—a creative take on the beloved Pinoy dish.
Tamilok
If there’s one unique dish that you need to try in Coron, it’s tamilok or woodworm. They live in mangrove trees and feed on them, hence their name, and they can grow up to 1.5 meters. Tamilok is not for the faint of heart, especially if you’re not used to trying raw and slimy food.
The woodworm is typically served with vinegar and other spices. Locals say it resembles the texture of raw oysters and leaves a woody aftertaste. Other tamilok preparations include serving them fried.
Pulpo de Coron
No island getaway is complete without a seafood feast. Coron has lots of fresh seafood, which you’ll get to sample at local restaurants or a lunch feast during an island-hopping tour. Pulpo or octopus is a seafood ingredient that you won’t typically see in Pinoy dishes. Buntag Restaurant highlights this ingredient with Pulpo de Coron, a stir-fried octopus dish.
Ensaladang Lato
Speaking of a seafood feast, a refreshing Ensaladang Lato or Seaweed Salad is the perfect side dish. Also known as sea grapes, this edible seaweed is often prepared with simple ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, and vinegar, which pair well with grilled meat or seafood.
Sikad-sikad Shellfish
The Tagbanua tribe is believed to be the first inhabitants of northern Palawan, and Coron has been hailed as their ancestral domain. In an episode of Biyahe ni Drew, host Drew Arellano visits a Tagbanua community in Lajala, Coron, and is introduced to their way of life, including fishing for a local shellfish known as sikad-sikad.
Its preparation is simple and easy. Locals usually make a simple soup with ginger, onions, and garlic. Its texture resembles squid, but it gives a steamed crab flavor, as shared by Drew. Other sikad-sikad preparations include incorporating coconut milk or gata.
Chao Long
Did you know there is a large Vietnamese community in Palawan? In the 70s, many Vietnamese nationals sought refuge in the province.
Chao Long is a dish that symbolizes this transition from Vietnam to the Philippines – it’s one of the many fusion dishes the community has given birth to. Chao Long has Vietnamese roots, but it has been modified to suit the Filipino palate. Also known as the Filipino pho, this dish features a sweeter broth and has a distinct orange to red color, as it is mixed with annatto seeds. It also has beef, rice noodles, and bean sprouts.
From well-beloved local dishes to unique ingredients– Coron, Palawan delicacies will unlock the inner foodie in you. Always know where to eat in Coron, discover a variety of flavors at TAG Resort’s two in-house restaurants: Buntag and Taza.
Explore the mouth-watering dishes you can try at TAG Resort Dining Page.