🍽️ Kinabuchs Grill & Bar: A Local Food Adventure in Puerto Princesa

"Tamilok, Crocodile Sisig, and why this local hangout stays popular" 

On our last night in Puerto Princesa, we were craving something local—and a little daring. We initially planned to dine at the scenic Badjao Seafront Restaurant, but after hearing reports about mosquitoes in the area, we pivoted and ended up at Kinabuchs Grill & Bar, one of the most famous local restaurants in Puerto Princesa.

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🛺 Getting to Kinabuchs Grill

📍 Address: 348 Rizal Avenue, Bancao-Bancao, Puerto Princesa City
🚖 How to Get There:

• Take a tricycle from anywhere in the city
• Fare: ₱8 per person (shared) or ₱50 per trip (private)

🕓 Opening Hours:
4:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
📞 Contact: +63(48)434-5195

👣 If you’re staying near Rizal Avenue, it’s also walkable!

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🍴 The Challenge: Crocodile Sisig & Deep-Fried Tamilok

Puerto Princesa is known for its unique local delicacies, and we felt like it wouldn’t be right to leave without at least trying their famous dishes.

🐊 Crocodile Sisig

This sizzling plate of chopped crocodile meat is a popular exotic dish in Palawan. It’s served like your usual sisig—crispy bits, onion, chili, and egg on top. After seeing crocodiles at the Crocodile Farm earlier in our trip, though, I found it hard to enjoy.

😬 “How do you eat something they're trying to preserve? It just didn’t sit right with me.”

Still, for adventurous eaters, it’s an experience to tick off your foodie bucket list.

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🐚 Deep-Fried Tamilok

This was my first and probably last time trying Tamilok, even in its more approachable deep-fried form. While many describe Tamilok as "woodworms", they’re technically mollusks—more like a squid than a worm.

🤢 “Let’s stop calling them worms. Words matter when it comes to food!”

I gave it a bite, but I couldn’t get past the texture. Still, I respect those who genuinely enjoy it—it’s a proud part of Palawan’s food culture.

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🍻 The Kinabuchs Experience

Aside from its exotic menu, Kinabuchs is a chill spot where locals and tourists come for drinks, grilled favorites, and group hangouts. It’s spacious, open-air, and almost always packed by dinnertime, so expect a bit of a wait.

🔥 Tip: Go early to avoid the dinner crowd, or visit on a weeknight when it’s less busy.

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📝 Local Dining Tips for Kinabuchs

🔹 Ask your server which dishes are bestsellers if you’re not into exotic food

🔹 Bring mosquito repellent if you're sensitive to bites—seating is semi-outdoor

🔹 Don't miss their grilled seafood and crispy pata—great for sharing!
🔹 Try Calamansi Juice or local Palawan beer with your meal for a full Pinoy flavor!

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🧭 I didn’t love the exotic dishes, but I’m still glad I tried them. Kinabuchs gave us a window into local cuisine—and a story to tell. For me, it was more about experiencing something new, even if it wasn’t quite to my taste.

🌟 “Travel isn’t always about comfort. Sometimes it’s about curiosity—and knowing what you don’t like is just as important.”

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📣 Have you tried Tamilok or Crocodile Sisig in Palawan?
💬 Drop a comment below—did you love it, hate it, or were you too scared to try?

📲 Share this with your food-loving friends heading to Puerto Princesa—especially those brave enough for a bite of the wild side!