WHAT AND WHERE TO EAT IN BATANES: Pension Ivatan Hometel and Restaurant's Ivatan Platter

Ivatan Platter

Pension Ivatan is a lodging/hostel and restaurant in Basco Batanes that offers sumptuous Ivatan cuisines. Located just across Basco Airport, the restaurant is quite spacious and presents a typical dining place in the provinces. There are about 7 tables inside and 2 outside. They also have a small and cozy gazeebo-type dining area outside which could fit about 6 to 8 persons. So if you're looking for where to eat in Basco Batanes to sample of sumptuous Ivatan cuisines and dishes, check out Pension Ivatan Hometel and Restaurant.

READ ALSO:

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• What to Buy in Batanes - Souvenirs and Pasalubong

Pension Ivatan Hometel and Restaurant

Pension Ivatan Restaurant is famous for its specialty dish called Ivatan Platter. Served in breadfruit leaves, it is an array of different Ivatan cuisines such as Payi or Lobsters, Uvud balls, Grilled Tuna, Luñis, Vunes, Fern Salad, Grilled dibang or flying fish, Inihaw na Tadyang ng Baka and Turmeric (yellow ginger) rice. The platter which costs 1,550 pesos is quite a big serving, I think it's good for about 6-8 persons.

Lobsters

Payi or Lobsters - lobsters are abundant in Batanes. It's fresh and steamed just right. According to our guide, you could bring home lobsters as pasalubong but there is a specified size which can be brought out of Batanes.

Uvud Balls

Uvud balls - made from banana trunk mixed with meat and flying fish.

Tuna

Grilled Tuna - perfectly grilled and seasoned tuna. Tender and flavorful.

Luñis

Luñis or Lunez - is the Ivatan version of adobo. Made from pork liempo, it's crispy and dry compared to the adobo I know. It's quite good.

Vunes

Vunes - is made from dried taro (gabi) stalks.

Fern Salad

Fern Salad - made from wild fern plants, it's freshly harvested and made into a tasty salad.

Flying Fish

Grilled dibang or flying fish - also one of the abundant fishes in Batanes, the dibang is grilled just right.

Inihaw na Tadyang ng Baka

Inihaw na Tadyang ng Baka - one of my favorites, it is very tender and tasty.

Turmeric Rice

Supas or turmeric rice - made with fresh yellow ginger or sometimes with turmeric powder, it is always a delight to have it in every meal in Batanes. Turmeric powder can be bought in Batanes, if you wish to try this at home.

The staff are very nice and accommodating. Service is good and efficient. I have no complains with their service. This isn't a fast food and their food is prepared only upon order. It is best to call in advance to order food before going to the restaurant. You may contact them at +63 908-865-9675 (Smart) or +63 905-585-9288 (Globe).

Pension Ivatan Restaurant

The restaurant also has a souvenir shop where you can buy some keepsakes and pasalubong such as ref magnets, key chains, turmeric powder, and other handicrafts and native products. And oh, free WIFI internet access is also available! Perfect for your instagram posts! Hahaha!

Ivatan Platter

If you want an introduction to Ivatan food and to try authentic Ivatan dishes, then Pension Ivatan Restaurant is the best place to eat in Batanes!

Pension Ivatan Hometel and Restaurant

Address: Kayvalugan, Basco, Batanes Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 908-865-9675 (Smart)
+63 905-585-9288 (Globe)
Facebook: Pension Ivatan Hometel and Restaurant
Email Address: pensionivatan@yahoo.com.ph
Website: www.pensionivatanbatanes.com

This is part of my 5-day trip to Batanes that happened on May 6-10, 2013. Batanes is the 79th province on my list.

TRAVEL TIP

• Planning a trip to Batanes? Read this practical Travel Guide on: "How to Plan a Trip to Batanes on a Budget"

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