What to eat in Palawan, Philippines

Palawan is considered a melting pot of different cultures and this is apparent in its cuisine. Its biggest attraction is the wide offerings of sumptuous seafood. Palawan also houses small hole-in-the-wall restaurants that tourists flock to, such as Ka Lui’s and Kinabuch’s Bar and Grill.

Halo Halo

Literally translated, it means “Mix-Mix” in Filipino. Halo Halo is a popular refreshing drink which consists of a mixture of sweetened preserved fruits, evaporated milk and crushed ice. The topping is either ice cream or leche flan. The best place to try Halo Halo in Puerto Princesa is Noki Nocs Savory House on Rizal Avenue.

Crocodile Sisig

Another exotic dish you can try in Palawan is crocodile sisig, a variation of the sizzling dish that typically uses pork. Crocodile meat is said to taste like beef but leaner. Kinabuch also serves this popular dish, as do most local restaurants.

Lato Seaweed

Lato seaweed, also known as or sea grapes or green caviar is a very popular dish in Palawan due to its soft and succulent texture.  It is best served with either salt or vinegar and is a perfect match to any dish especially fried ones. Lato seaweed is very common to the Philippines and nearby countries, however, the best quality comes from the municipality of Cuyo in Palawan.

Tamilok

You cannot talk about Palawan cuisine without mentioning the tamilok. The tamilok, a wood worm harvested from rotting mangroves. The slimy greyish worms (which are actually molluscs) do not look appetizing at first, but it is been said to taste like oysters. Most restaurants serve tamilok, though the more popular location is Kinabuchs in Puerto Princesa.

Chao Long Noodles

Chao Long noodles have been introduced to Palawan by the Vietnamese immigrants. Puerto Princesa’s Chao long is flat, thin rice noodles in a sweet-savory broth with meat (beef or pork), served with the requisite plate containing sprigs of mint and basil, raw bean sprouts and calamansi. You can try Chao Long noodles and other Vietnamese dishes at the Rene’s Saigon Restaurant on Rizal Avenue.

Bandi

Palawan is a major exporter of cashew nuts, so this list would not be complete without a cashew dessert. A crowd favorite is the bandi, which are cashew nuts encrusted in pakaskas or hardened brown sugar. Consider bringing this home as pasalubong.

Chicken Inasal

Chicken Inasal is a delicious grilled chicken dish. The chicken is marinated in a unique blend of spices and herbs, then grilled until done. Several restaurants in Palawan island serve this special grilled chicken dish and they are all very good.

See more: Palawan, the incredible paradise for a perfect getaway

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Explore under-the-radar neighborhoods in Tokyo

One of the best things about living in Tokyo is the fact that no matter how long you’re here, you’ll always find something new and exciting to explore. The city is a labyrinth of hidden gems and underrated hangouts. When the bustling streets of Shinjuku and Shibuya get to be a little too much, it’s worth exploring these diverse and unique under-the-radar neighborhoods.

Things change swiftly in Tokyo. You might visit a down-and-out part of town, only to return a year later to discover that it’s become a super-chic hangout dotted with craft coffee shops and trendy fashion boutiques. Here is a guide to Tokyo’s most underrated neighborhoods that may not be at the top of your bucket list, but definitely should be.

Jiyugaoka

Like some kind of mysterious local secret, the suburb of Jiyugaoka is popular with many Tokyoites but is often overlooked in the guidebooks. The area oozes European appeal, in part due to the many cute cafés, cake shops and quaint boutiques, but mainly because of La Vita, the neighborhood’s little Venice, located a few minutes from the station. The area comes complete with a small canal, gondola and venetian bridge. Just a 10-minute train ride from Shibuya, it’s easy to get to and a great place to spend the afternoon.

Kiyosumi Shirakawa

Tokyo is going through a bit of a coffee revolution at the moment, and there’s no place where this is clearer than in Kiyosumi Shirakawa, the city’s most caffeinated area. Once a working-class neighbourhood, the area is now a trendy go-to for weekenders looking to spend the day sampling some of the city’s best brews. Big coffee players like the US-born Blue Bottle Coffee and New Zealand’s Allpress Espresso both have large flagship-style stores here.

Yanaka

If you’re after a little old-world charm, make your way to Yanaka, arguably Tokyo’s most traditional area. The streets are filled with family restaurants, food vendors, local artisans and a unique shitamachi (old world) atmosphere; the area’s main shopping street, Yanaka Ginza, looks as if it’s been frozen in time. The neighborhood is also nicknamed Tokyo’s Cat Town after its population of friendly stray cats. A huge contrast to the clean futuristic streets of Shibuya and Shinjuku, this ramshackle neighborhood is a great escape from the manic energy of the center of the city. Yanaka Ginza is just under a 10-minute walk from Ueno Park.

Read more: Ebisu area, the recommended spots for laid-back travelers

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Explore the mysterious temples in India

India is a land of diverse culture and mystic charm and many travelers visit India every year to experience India's rich cultural heritage. There are several religious or holy places in India which have mysteries or unexplained stories connected to them. Below is list of mysterious tepmles you can visit in India.

Kamakhya Devi Temple, Assam

Perched atop the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam resides the Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple, one of the most famous temples in India. It is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas in the Indian subcontinent. The temple does not have a sculpture to worship, however, what it does have is the yoni or vagina of Devi Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva, covered with a red silk sari.

Every year during monsoon, the goddess menstruates, and the temple is closed down for three days. It is also when the Tantric fertility festival or Ambubachi Mela is celebrated here, till the fourth day when the temple reopens. It is also said that the underground spring that flows in the sanctum of the temple turns red on these three days. Devotees are offered a piece of the red cloth used to cover the stone yoni during the days of menstruation as ‘prasad’.

Venkateswara Temple

South India, is an exquisite part of India. Which attracts tourists for their grandeur and natural beauty. The way coastal and natural hill stations are famous in South India. Tirupati Balaji’s temple is the most popular. Venkateswara Bhagwan is also called by many names such as Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivas.

Tirupati Balaji’s temple is in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. This temple is considered being India’s richest temple because here it is donated millions of rupees a day, and there is a tradition of donating your hair here. Apart from this, there are things in Balaji which are unique. This temple is in a list of top 5 mysterious temples in India.

Lepakshi Temple

Located in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, the Lepakshi temple is famous for its ‘Hanging Pillar’, literally. Of the 70 structured and carved pillars inside the temple, one does not touch the ground. Devotees regularly pass thin objects like clothes or papers from under the pillar to test the theory and be amazed. They even believe doing so would bring them prosperity. That is for another day to discuss but how the weight of the pillar could be supported without it touching the ground remains the real mystery.

Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple

It is a Hindu temple located in Thiruvananthapuram, India. The temple has what seem to be seven secret vaults. On the supreme court’s request, the committee overseeing the temple has opened 6 of those vaults unveiling ornaments of gold estimated to be worth over 22 billion dollars. Now the 7th vault has steel doors with no latches or bolts. It has carvings depicting 2 cobras. It is believed that the door is opened only by a secret chant and any other means would bring catastrophes. It is considered both a mystery and highly dangerous.

Brahma Temple

Brahma Temple is also in the list of mysterious temples in India, situated at the shore of Puskar Lake in Puskar, Rajasthan. This temple got its name on the name of Pushkar Lake. A long time ago, Lord Brama started a big Yagna at this place. Only couples can perform that yagna so, Brahma has to perform this Yagna with this wife. But at the time of Yagna Bramha wife did not arrive on time. So, Brahma did that with another woman named Gayatri Devi. As the Yagna begin Saraswati wife of Brahma arrived. Seeing another woman in her place, she became angry and she cursed her husband Brahma saying no unmarried men are allowed in this temple from now.

See more: The must-try desserts in India

Source Internet