If there is one thing I miss in my jaunt in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi it is the breakfast served in their local cafes.
In Jolo and Bongao towns, I was kinda surprised to see a service tray replete with goodies and local delicacies most I have seen for the first time. It was a feast to my eyes and I got curious to taste all of them. I wonder why its not available in Luzon or Visayas? Or I just missed them?
So I’m sharing what you can expect when you got to the Sulu archipelago:
Daral. Looks like fresh lumpia wrapper but actually a soft bread filled with some sweetened coconuts.
Juwalan. Fried banana covered with thin flour. We call it “maruya” back home.
Putli Mandi. Violet starchy bread covered with white flour. Its like bread.
Junai Iban Itlog. Rice with coconut milk and ginger covered with banana leaves then steamed best eaten with hard boiled egg.
Apam. Their local pancake.
Panganan. I call it the brown hotdog, its made of flour and banana deep fried. one of my faves.
Kahawa. The local Sulu brewed coffee, which I really like because of the aroma. It’s not too strong too and no acidic taste after drinking. I believe its Arabica which is the best coffee bean IMO.
(Thanks to Ate Frances Lozano for identifying theses goodies for me.)
You might be surprised but you don’t need to finish everything served in the tray. You only eat what you like and pay for that. The trays are then refilled for the next customer.
Ohh btw, I suggest you order kahawa mixed with condensed milk.
After feasting on everything, I only paid Php46 all-in. Food in Bongao and Jolo? JOURNEYINGJAMES-APPROVED! So cheapo eh!
___ ___ ___
I was in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi during Days 75-77 of my 100 Days Journey around the Philippines.
#ISANGDAAN is a personal journey and challenge to backpack around the Philippines the cheapest way possible for 100 days. The book “ISANGDAAN” will be out soon!
If you want to follow my steps, I have an interactive map- ISANGDAAN Journey map.

ang saya nyan ah. Nakakagutom 🙂 Parang libre..
haha! libre pa gusto mo, mura lang naman nique
WHOA! SAaaaaARAaaaAP! At parang cozy po nung lugar…hehe
yes albin and you get to meet locals. they just go there to tak about life, politics and everything.
really nice place to immerse in their culture and way of thinking.
Save some ok, looks good.
kala ko hotdog o sausage yung mahaba na “panganan” heheh
excited ako itry ang Sulu Coffee. meron na sa Manila nyan sold by Human Heart. 🙂 Nakita ko sa site na to na pwede umorder. Ittry ko nga. Hihi! http://humanheartnature.com/buy/index.php/content/cafe-de-sug-sulu-coffee-brewing-peace-in-the-south