Puerto Princesa Food Trip

This post is long overdue and has been stuck in my Drafts since January 2008.

I had 3 days and 2 nights here in Puerto Princesa. Since this was a working trip, there was no I way was going to see the clandestine beaches of Palawan. So I’ll settle for the next best thing to explore on travels: FOOD!

I didn’t exactly get to leave the country so the menu in the hotel was no different from Manila. We were given very little suggestions on Palawan culinary experiences. But we were given two names to consider: Kinabuch and Ka Lui’s. Ok, so what have we got to lose?

I was not too keen about trying Kinabuch because the phone call invitation interrupted my spa massage. …Oh well, it won’t hurt. The public transport (wide tricyles of blue and white), of course, knew where it was so getting there was no problem. I met the other members of my troupe there. It was your typical outdoor grill. Pool table, bar, the crowd was mostly men, with a sprinkling of foreigners with their Pinay dates who were clearly part of local populaton.  :-D  There was an interesting display of SUVs in the open parking lot. I was not expecting anything different from grilled seafood, until an offering of kinilaw na wormwood was set on the table.

I always knew wormwood as a plant used for wiccan rituals, not a real worm itself. It was dark and dim and I could barely scrutinize the dish before me. I can only imagine it as long and skinny. What the heck?! Dang Koe’s shot proves that I am not making this up.    I’m usually not afraid to try new things. Not like it was life-threatening and all. 

 

Dang had spoken of Ka Lui several times . I had no mood to debate or create any contradictions. I was dog-tired from all the Autism advocacy activities from the previous week.  I remember joking to the members of my troupe that I didn’t want work and see them for a few months….Well, you know most jokes are half truths… ……I was ready to call it a night but once we had set foot in Ka Lui’s garden, this had decidedly become the highlight of my trip.

 

The garden landscaping was simple but very well maintained. The restaurant is a very spacious bahay-kubo style pavilion. Made of bamboo and wood, the restaurant is flanked by lots of colorful artwork of island living and nature, as well as and mini-waterfalls, creating a very airy and breezy place. The furniture and fixtures echo the bucolic, laid-back theme. Capiz lamps tower over tables made of wood trunks. Pots of hairy, bright red achuete fruits lend color to the otherwise all-brown interiors.

 

Before entering, all guests are required to leave their footwear at the door. The bamboo flooring was cool to the feet. Visitors can choose between sitting down on regular tables and chairs, or on pillows scattered on the floor around each table. Ethnic in decor but very Bohemian in ambiance that made us feel that we were home.

Its menu is the most original in all of Palawan. The best in taste as well! We chose a set menu for 2 but it was enough to feed all 4 of us. We were so wrapped up in our Ka Lui experience that I have never had such a dining experience that has left me so numbed with satisfaction. I didn’t know what I was thinking anymore before dessert even landed on the table.

The Ka Lui experience was a total package. Pleasing to every sense imaginable: visual, kinesthetic, tactile, gastronomical , olfactory, etc.  Even economical as the prices were incredibly reasonable. …Put it all together, it would have been the ultimate narcotic. Ka Lui is definitely one of the best places in Palawan. And it contributes greatly to why Puerto Princesa is officially one of my favorite places in the world.