Kinabuchs Grill and Bar: Puerto Princesa Restaurants

Day 2: Dinner at Kinabuchs Grill and Bar

Kinabuchs Bar

We decided to have dinner at Kinabuchs Grill and Bar after our Underground River Tour. This is one of the most famous restaurants in Puerto Princesa, being one of the few restaurants serving crocodile meat and tamilok, a local delicacy. Its name was derived from 2 words: kina (at) and Butch (the name of the owner), literally meaning at Butch's place.

In this restaurant, people can choose to dine inside or al fresco. They have a big screen and a small screen showing sports channels, a bar and a billiard table. The only thing that's lacking here (in a typical resto bar setting) is a live band, though the music being played over the speakers more than made up for it. There's no need to make reservations here but it is best to do so, especially during weekends, as this place is usually packed at night.

Our orders

Being more on the adventurous side, we wanted to try the exotic delicacies Kinabuchs offered. We started off with Croc Sisig (Php340), thinking it can be paired perfectly with rice before trying out the tamilok. And we were right! Eating crocodile meat is like eating pork. We would not even notice the difference had we not known it is croc meat. It was really delicious!

Crocodile Sisig

Another dish we tried with rice was the Sizzling Squid (Php210), which was also quite tasty. Squid was cooked just right, stir fried with a bit of sauce and was really soft, not at all gummy or overcooked.

Sizzling Squid

We then tried Tamilok (Php135), also called woodworm or shipworm. Although it looks like a worm, this is actually a saltwater mollusk with a naked body living inside mangroves or rotting wood. It is usually served soaked in vinegar with a vinegar dip.

Kinilaw na Tamilok

Locals say it tastes like oyster, albeit a long one. I say it's a bit more gummy, slimy and with strong woody aftertaste. I think it's best paired with beer or liquor as pulutan.

Hubby psyching himself up

There he goes

And now it's my turn

Slowly slowly...

Best paired with San Mig

All in all, great food, great place to unwind, great experience. We'll definitely go back here and recommend this place as one of the top restaurants in Puerto Princesa.

Kinabuchs Grill and Bar

369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Telephone Number:  +63(48)4345194

How to get there
It is very accesssible and conveniently located at the city center, you cannot miss it.
-Ride a trike (Php8)
-Walk from your accommodation if it's just nearby