We arrived! After a disjointed journey, we arrived at Puerto Princesa International Airport, Palawan on the 16th December. The relief was palpable, and the warm evening air comforting. If we had got our original flight we would have arrived early in the day, which would have allowed us time to explore the bay walk and town proper – and visited the dedicated vegan and vegetarian cafes, but we did manage to find some bits and pieces nearby and visited the incredible Subterranean Underground River.
Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa
Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa, Km 3 Puerto Princesa North Rd, Bgy. San Manuel, Puerto Princesa City, 5300 Palawan
We stayed in Hue Hotels and Resorts, which was 10 minutes drive from the airport. The staff were welcoming, and really helpful. The hotel was spotless, bright and the room was extremely comfortable. The rooftop pool was a great addition too.
Breakfast
There was an excellent selection of vegan options for breakfast at the hotel. We hadn’t checked beforehand so that was a great surprise. On our first morning there was a thai noodle salad, rice, corn salad and baked beans, the second morning they had garlic rice, pasta, boiled cabbage and traditional Filipino rice porridge – lugaw – which was my favourite.
Portos Express Kitchen
Portos Express Kitchen, Barangay San Pedro, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
We arrived late evening in Puerto Princesa and nothing much seemed to be open. Oliver was hopeful of finding a 7/11 with options, so we wandered down the street and stumbled across Portos, a family run café that offered tofu chow mein. We ordered a couple of portions and side portions of rice to take back to our hotel. The portions were big – we definitely didn’t need the extra portions of rice – and vegetables tasted incredibly fresh, less sauce, more veg, perfection!
Gusto Grill & Resto
Gusto Grill & Resto, 5VWR+RWH, Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
On our second and only full day in Puerto Princesa, we went on an organised tour to visit the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. After our tour in the underground river, we went for a buffet lunch, which was included in the tour, and we were delighted with the options. There was tofu satay curry, vegetable lumpia (Filipino spring rolls), okra, steamed water spinach, banana camote, sauteed mixed vegetables and boiled rice. It was all flavoursome and fresh.
100% Café Moto
100% Cafe Moto, North National Highway, Puerto Princesa, 5300 Palawan
For the second evening we went local, as poor Oliver was struck down with travel sickness after the bus journey on the excursion. We found a nearby place, thanks to Happy Cow. I had Tofu teppanyaki and he had fries. The teppanyaki was unusual, tasty but definitely had a non-traditional taste to it. The fries were delectable. The cafe is tucked behind the petrol station, across from Robinsons Mall.
Robinsons Supermarket in the Robinsons Palawan Mall
We found some vegan snacks and vegan cheese in the supermarket in Robinsons Mall. Skyflakes crackers, piaya – ube flavour and original, and a lots of options of plant milk too. I do need to point out though, that these were all packed in plastic and SkyFlakes, and the Piaya also contain palm oil.
You can follow The Greedy Herbivore on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with my latest blog posts, reviews and ramblings, or follow through WordPress to receive notifications of new posts direct to your inbox.
The Greedy Herbivore 