From cashew shakes to taco pizza: A one-of-a-kind food trip in Bataan

“Biyahe ni Drew” is a weekly travel show hosted by Drew Arellano. For more travel tips and itineraries from the show, like the Biyahe ni Drew Facebook page or follow the Biyahe ni Drew Twitter Account. Subscribe to the GMA Public Affairs Youtube channel for weekly video clips from the shows.

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Many Metro Manila residents might know Bataan from trips to Mt. Samat, but the historical province is also home to delicious food! Drew Arellano and GMA News TV’s “Biyahe ni Drew” recently visited Bataan — here are some favorites from a weekend away.

[For the full itinerary used by Drew and the crew, check out: History and adventure: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary to Bataan]


Loleng’s Hu Tieu-an
Morong, Bataan
Not many young people know that the Philippine Refugee Processing Center, also known as the Vietnamese Village, housed tens of thousands of refugees from the 1970’s to mid-1990’s.

This is where Aling Loleng, a Filipina employee of the center, learned to cook Vietnamese dishes. Her carinderia serves noodle dish hu tieu (P50) and traditional sandwich banh mi (P35) at affordable prices. Read more about Aling Loleng’s Hu Tieu-an here.


Vista Verde Resort
Morong, Bataan
Vista Verde is a local resort and spa. Apart from their cool (or should we say hot?) volcanic sand spa, they also have a restaurant with Filipino and Chinese comfort food. Order the lemon chicken and chop suey, which are sprinkled with Bataan’s cashews.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, try the cashew shake. The cooler makes use of the cashew’s soft, pulpy fruit instead of the nut. The pungent fruit tastes like a mix of durian, langka and guyabano — it’s not for everyone, but those who like it, love it!

Wetland and Nature Park
Balanga, Bataan
On our first night in Bataan, the whole crew of “Biyahe ni Drew” had dinner at Balanga City’s Wetland and Nature Park. They let diners rent out large bamboo rafts to enjoy a “floating” meal. The seafood is cooked simply — steamed crabs, boiled prawns, whole stingray in tomato sauce, a plate of green mangoes and bagoong — but eating these while watching the sunset is a can’t-miss experience. (Our tip: Come here at 4:30 PM to make sure you’re on a raft and in position by sundown.)

Saverde Coffee Shop
Abucay, Bataan
This humble cafe serves up delicious fusion cuisine and all-day breakfast. We’re fans of their taco pizza (P120), topped with savory salsa, ground beef and freshly sliced lettuce. For dessert, it doesn’t get any better than their buttermilk toast. The thick slice of bread, reminiscent of Japan’s dessert cafes, is slathered with a thick layer of buttermilk and toasted until the bread drinks in the rich, creamy flavor and forms a soft crust.

Continuing the Japanese fusion is the beef tapa rice (P75), a Pinoy twist on Japan’s omurice. The omelette bursts at the slightest touch to reveal garlic fried rice packed inside.

Geno’s Ice Cream
Orani, Bataan
A short drive away from Saverde Coffee Shop is Geno’s, a small but beloved ice cream shop. Their bestseller is the gabi ice cream (P20). Don’t turn your nose up at a dessert made from a root crop, because there’s a reason why Geno’s is a town favorite. “Lasa siyang macapuno!” said a surprised Drew. The ice cream is insanely creamy, and if you bring a cooler with some ice packs, you can even take home a gallon (P640).

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Illustration by Isabelle Laureta

Planning a trip to Bataan? Click here for the full itinerary used by Drew and the crew.

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–PF, GMA News