Batanes Food Guide: 10 Must-Try Ivatan Dishes & Where to Eat Them

Ivatan cuisine is a delicious fusion of Asian and Western influences, shaped by the islands’ isolation and abundant sea. Dishes are simple, fresh, and deeply rooted in tradition. Here are ten iconic foods and the best spots to try them:

1. Lukban (Cassava Cake)

Sweet, dense cake made from grated cassava, coconut, and sugar.

• Pension Ivatan
• Fundacion Pacita (Batanes Heritage Park)

2. Uvud Balls

Deep-fried taro balls coated in sesame seeds—crispy outside, chewy inside.

• Casa Napoli

3. Pancit Batanes (Batanes Noodles)

Rice noodles stir-fried with vegetables, meat, seafood, and annatto oil for a vibrant orange hue.

• Casa Napoli
• Fundacion Pacita

4. Relleno (Beef Rolls)

Savory meat rolls stuffed with vegetables and spices, wrapped in crepe, then deep-fried.

• Pension Ivatan
• Honesty Café (Batanes Budget Inn)

5. Fish in Coconut Milk

Fresh local fish simmered in rich, creamy coconut milk with ginger and chilies.

• Pension Ivatan
• Casa Napoli

6. Dinengdeng

Hearty vegetable soup with pork or fish, flavored with fermented fish sauce (bagoong).

• Café du Tukon

7. Pastel

Mini flaky pies filled with sweet yam, custard, or meat.

• Pastel House (Basco)
• Honesty Café

8. Flying Fish Adobo

A Batanes twist on the Filipino classic—tender flying fish braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves.

• Fundacion Pacita

9. Kinunot (Fern Salad)

Fresh fiddlehead ferns tossed with coconut, onions, and spices—a refreshing, earthy side.

• Honesty Café
• Ivatans Café

10. Buko Pandan

Classic Filipino dessert: young coconut and pandan jelly in sweet coconut cream.

• Café Ivatan

Tip: Many establishments are small family-run eateries—check opening hours and consider calling ahead during off-season.