Crabs in Coconut Milk
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Food Trip: What to Eat in Romblon

Local Dishes You Should Try in Romblon!

Romblon does not only boast its marble products, Cathedral, white beaches, and other instagrammable spots. They also have their own signature delicacies that you’ll want to ask for another set of.

The islands of Romblon has rich, fertile soil and fishing ground which gives them a variety of ingredients. Some of these can be eaten even raw or ala carte. Combining their homegrown raw ingredients into one delicacy gives you a different culinary experience.

So, here, I’ve listed six food products that I believe you should look for when you visit Romblon:

Sarsa
Sarsa

1. Sarsa

One of the local delicacies usually peddled on the streets of Romblon is the Sarsa. It is traditionally made of large freshwater shrimp, red chili peppers, and coconut. In some areas of Romblon, they use prawns or kuray (land crabs) instead of ulang (freshwater shrimps).

These ingredients are mixed with garlic, ginger, and whole peppercorn. By using a Lusong and Lomok (wooden mortar and pestle) they pound these mixed ingredients. These will then be filled in inside a rolled coconut or banana leaf. They will appear like an enclosed cylindrical tube. They are cooked by boiling them in coconut milk, which also adds flavor to the dish. After 30 minutes of boiling, the Sarsa can be served.

The appearance of the Sarsa may not say much, but when you take a bite, the exciting part starts. You’ll get a delightful symphony of sweet and spicy flavors with the chewy texture of the coconut. You can eat it as is, or you can partner it with rice. Sarsa is available in the wet market and restaurants. Just be cautious since it gets spoiled easily since it contains coconut.

Balichow sa Gamus - Eat in Romblon
Balichow sa Gamus – Eat in Romblon

2. Balichow na Gamus

Romblon has its own version of “bagoong.” For those who are not familiar with Bagoong, it is a traditional condiment in the Philippines. Basically, it is salted and fermented fish or alamang (krill). In Romblon, the fermented krill is sauteed with coconut milk. The coconut milk adds a creamy flavor and a nice aroma to the “bagoong.”

Balitsaw is sold in jars for P100 to P140. They may be sold in 3 variants: Hot and Spicy, Sweet and Regular. Whatever you prefer, it can add great flavor to your dishes or fruits like green mangoes and langka (jackfruit).

Ginataang Langka
Ginataang Langka

3. Ginataang Langka

As I’ve already mentioned, the Filipino word ‘langka’ refers to jackfruit. For this dish, unripe jackfruit is used. ‘Ginataan,’ on the other hand, refers to any dish cooked with coconut milk. Coconut is among the top producers in the province of Romblon, so coconut milk is often used in Romblon as one of the main ingredients in dishes like Ginataang Langka.

Aside from the unripe jackfruit and coconut milk, Ginataang Langka also has daing (salted and dried fish) and red chili peppers. The dish has a subtle bitter taste coming from Lumbay leaves, a rare leaf that may only be found in Indonesia and the Philippines. Its contrasting flavors and the meat texture of the langka, plus the coconut milk aroma, are glorious, especially when served with warm rice.

Peanut Butter from Romblon
Peanut Butter from Romblon

4. Tinnie’s Peanut Butter

The province of Romblon is known for producing peanuts and, thus, peanut butter. If you’re thinking of buying pasalubong (take-home) from Romblon, a jar of peanut butter should be on your list.

I’d recommend “Tinnie’s Peanut Butter,” manufactured by Tinnie’s Food Products. Tinnie’s Food Products is a benchmark in the manufacturing and distributing Peanut Butter in Romblon. For around P65, you can already buy 230g of their Peanut Butter.

Combi - Ginger and Turmeric
Combi – Ginger and Turmeric

5. Combi – Ginger and Turmeric

If you like a pasalubong from Romblon with various health benefits, I suggest you buy the locally made Ginger and Turmeric Tea. This tea can benefit your skin, stomach, sugar level, immune system, blood pressure, heart, and brain. It may also help you control your weight.

You can buy Ginger and Turmeric Tea powder from Romblon for more or less P115. I’d recommend Rovilla’s Combi (Ginger and Turmeric), made by Rovilla’s Food Manufacturing. This manufacturing company also sells Instant Ginger Tea and Turmeric Powder in separate jars.

Crabs in Coconut Milk
Crabs in Coconut Milk
Spicy Tiger Prawns
Spicy Tiger Prawns

6. Fresh Seafood

Most of the fresh seafood served in Boracay, one of the best beaches in the Philippines, is from Romblon. Romblon is situated on a migratory path of different marine species, making it an ideal fishing ground. Don’t worry; local government and private sectors, in collaboration with international organizations, are working on projects that will ensure the monitoring and management of this fishing ground.

In Romblon, you can easily find many gourmet restaurants that offer fresh seafood. Many gourmet restaurants are owned by foreigners. So, they provide international dishes on their menu. It would be nicer to find a local diner serving local delicacies in Romblon. Experiencing the local dishes of the place you’re visiting will help you learn more about its produce, history, and people.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the famous delicacy in Romblon?

Romblon, a picturesque island province in the Philippines, offers a variety of traditional dishes and delicacies that reflect its rich cultural heritage. Among the famous local delicacies is “Sarsa,” a dish traditionally made of large freshwater shrimp and red chili peppers, which is a common street food in the area.

Another notable dish is “Sarsa na uyang,” which combines large freshwater shrimp with fiery red chili peppers and sweet coconut, a specialty specific to Romblon Island. These dishes, along with others like the sour soup “sinigang” and the local favorite “ginataang langka” are must-try foods for visitors looking to experience the authentic taste of Romblon’s culinary offerings.

Searching for the best hotels and affordable flights? Check out our complete list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.

Want more updates about new tourist attractions in Romblon? Please follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, and TwitterInstagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.

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Written by Karla Ramos

A former preschool teacher/figure skater turned Travel Blogger, Social Media Manager and a travel enthusiast. I was bitten by the travel bug early on and I enjoy action-packed and adrenaline filled experiences. Often, people call me an energizer bunny because of my never-ending energy. While traveling, I love experiencing local culture, trying out local cuisine and meeting new people but most of all, I am a sucker for adventure, so if there’s something new to try, I’m definitely up for it.

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