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Tag: budget travel

  • Palawan Travel Guide for 2024

    Palawan Travel Guide for 2024

    Palawan Island is located in the Philippines, and is a thin strip of land furthest west. It’s a popular place for travellers as there are many stops across the large island. There are beautiful beaches, once in a lifetime activities and amazing food!

    The Island is one of 7,641 Islands that make up the country of Philippines; with many dotted just off the shores. It’s a convenient location for travellers as you are only a 1/2 hour flight away when arriving in the capital of Manila, making it easily accessible! Also, if you have travelled other parts of the Philippines you can get a ferry from Cebu to Coron, but this will take a long time to travel – roughly 35 hours which will stop at other locations including the capital Manila, before heading to Coron (north Palawan). You can also fly from Cebu to Palawan which is roughly 2,000 Philippine Peso which is a lot quicker and not much more expensive!!

    The island is definitely worth the travel and wait time as we have not seen such paradisal beaches and islands anywhere else in the world!! The options are to fly to Puerto Princesa which is in the central part of the Island, or to the north Island of Coron which is the Busuanga Airport.

    *There are affiliate links in this post – they do not come at any extra cost to you, but just means we can earn commission to help us pursue this further 🙂

    Beautiful blue waters and beach hut in Coron, Palawan, in the Philippines
    Coron, Philippines

    Puerto Princesa

    The first location in our Palawan guide is Puerto Princess! The popular flight (and easiest) is to Puerto Princesa, as it is the larger airport and has more flights. However, Coron is a popular spot and one you don’t want to miss out on. We would recommend to head to Puerto Princesa and get local transport (likely a TukTuk) into the city of Puerto Princesa, which is roughly a 30 minute ride. There isn’t much to do here but is a lovely quiet place perfect to get over any jet lag from your travels! 12Go offer a bus and ferry option to transfer from Coron port to Puerto Princesa Airport here.

    We would recommend 1 nights in Puerto Princesa if you are fast travelling and 2 nights if you are slow travelling. As mentioned above, there isn’t much to do in the area but there is 2 activities we would recommend to do that you shouldn’t miss!

    The first of these are the underground river! The underground river is a natural UNESCO heritage site which a great way to learn more about the rich history of the Philippines and it’s beauty. This experience is a short walk into the Philippines forest where you come up to large rock formations and stunning blue water which leads into the mouth of a dark cave.

    You are given a guide who will paddle you through the caves and point out any interesting parts of the cave with his flashlight. Before entering the cave you are provided with a headset which has an automatic recording which will talk to you and inform you on the history of the cave and how it became so popular. Find guided tour tickets here.

    In the cave you will learn about Stalagmites and Stalactites, and be notified of the amount of bats in the cave. This will be pointed out by the guide through shining the torch for visibility. All round, the experience is calming, and is a lovely way to learn about the local caves. There is even potential to see wild monkeys on the way into and out of the caves! Be sure to avoid contact with them as they are wild monkeys, and are not pets!

    This is a great way to spend half a day in Puerto Princesa, and is one of the most popular spots in the area!

    Also close to Puerto Princesa is Port Barton.

    Port Barton

    This is another popular spot in Palawan, just north of Puerto Princesa, which is a literal paradise! The area of Port Barton has a large Horseshoe beach with many islands just off the coast.. perfect for a boat trip! The town has become more popular of recent years as more travellers are becoming aware of it’s natural beauty!

    It would be recommended to stay here for 2/3 nights and from here head further north. However, this is a great location to kick back, relax on the stunning beaches and spend time going for swims, snorkelling to look for marine animals, and exploring the area.

    It’s located near a mangrove and has some amazing walks to beaches which are so quiet that it seems private! The area is so stunning and always recommended by travellers who have been there. Also here is local waterfalls which you can venture to and spend some time taking in the natural beauty!

    There’s even an island called Paradise Island!!! You can book an island hopping tour that visits this island here.

    After enjoying Port Barton in all it’s beauty, you can then head up north towards El Nido by taking the most popular transport of a taxi/shuttle dependant on preference. The shuttle would be cheaper as it is taking multiple groups of people but will be slower and will usually take 4 or so hours. You can find a shuttle bus transport from 12Go for only £9 here. When we made the journey up to the north of Palawan to El Nido our shuttle blew a tyre and we were stuck on the side of a road for 1 hour with only a few local huts housing families and stray dogs. It was a welcoming experience as these people lived such a simple life and was so amazing to see it! Hopefully this doesn’t happen to you haha!

    El Nido

    When looking to visit El Nido there are 2 main hostels that travellers book! One is Frendz Hostel and another is Outpost Hostel. We opted for the latter which turned out to be one of the best hostels we stayed in across the whole 3 months in Asia! The hostel has everything you can ask for! Lovely staff, amazing facilities, good price, boat trips, the beach on the doorstep and more!

    When we say the beach on the doorstep, we mean that once we were dropped off near the hostel on the side of the road, we had to wander down steps onto the beach as pointed out by a sign. We wandered the beach for 2 minutes and boom there’s the hostel. Literally 3 steps up from the beach. It is so close that when you wake up in the morning and head down for breakfast, you will notice the tide has come in and if you are to go on the beach you will have to walk through the sea!

    You have the choice from a shared dorm of 12/8/4 or a private room. It is known to be a lively hostel, a place for people to meet fellow travellers and enjoy the evenings! Each day the hostel have boat tours running (there are 2 to do which are alternated), which we would recommend 100%. It’s an island hopping tour that really stood out and you will see places that literally look out of this world. The tours (as of September 2022) cost around £15 per person and would be from 9am till 5/6pm, which is inclusive of lunch (fresh fish and fruits like pineapple and watermelon), party games between islands (including alcohol), and snorkel gear and recommendations on where to find marine animals. It’s so worth the money and you get to know all the fellow travellers on the trip as well which is amazing!

    On the tour we met up with some local islanders that lived on one of the many islands dotted around the Philippines. Even though they didn’t speak English or we didn’t speak their language, we decided to play a game of Volleyball with the locals with mixed teams. We got to understand the simplicity of their life and how grateful they were for what little they had. It was such a surreal experience and on the island we were able to enjoy the sunset before heading back to the hostel for the end of the trip.

    As expected, we did both the boat tours which take separate routes around the islands visiting different areas! Once you get back you are welcomed at the bar with a free drink and the socialising has begun!

    The hostel offers great food, but it is a lot more expensive to eat at the hostel compared to local places just a 5/10 minute away. We are taking sometimes 3 times more expensive!

    If you do enjoy the party scene, you can venture into El Nido later in the evening and find a popular club called Amigos which has an amazing view once you walk through it! At the back you fall straight on the beach only 10/20 feet away from the sea and we can’t lie we had a few dips in there because why not! Many would take off their clothes and go in the sea in their underwear to then come out the sea, dry off and put their clothes back on to head back into the club! The vibes are electric and the people are super friendly! Even next door to the club there is an amazing burger spot which is a great place to stumble in once you have completed the night and looking for a late snack!

    From Outpost Hostel to the centre of town should only cost 100 Pesos (£1.50) each way and you can ride multiple people in one TukTuk!

    In the day there is still loads more to do! We ended up renting a driver and a group of us headed to some famous beaches (Nacpan & Duli Beach). These are roughly 45 – 60 minutes north of El Nido but well worth the journey! The beaches were empty, we were the only ones there! We stopped and had lunch on the beach before going into the sea and enjoying the beautiful weather! After a while, and moving between beaches, we came across loads of local Philippines kids running and playing on the sand which was awesome to see! As a group we played some volleyball and tired ourselves out to collapse on the sun loungers and enjoy the sunset. There’s no better way to enjoy this than ordering a local dessert of Halo Halo, which was so refreshing and beautiful! Definitely worth a try!!

    Also in El Nido there is a local waterfall called Nagkalit-Kalit ,which is a beautiful activity to experience, take photos, see the nature and swim under! El Nido is a place full of nature and one that should be on everyone’s bucket list!

    Moving on from El Nido would be to take a Ferry from the mainland of Palawan to the island of Busuanga which is the next location of Coron! The Ferry is pretty expensive at £40-£50+ and takes roughly 5 hours dependant on the weather and the choppy waters. Please note that the Ferry only runs 2 times a week (was Tuesday and Thursday we believe in 2022) so be sure to check this before looking to book as you might be stranded in El Nido for a few extra days if you don’t plan ahead. It’s not really the worst place to be left stranded!! You can book the ferry here.

    Coron

    From here you can head up north to the Island of Coron which is part of Palawan. Coron is a small seaside town that has some great activities that you definitely don’t want to miss out on.

    Here we would recommend to stay at Outpost Hostel located in Coron. This is the same company as the one in El Nido, but is less party and more chilled out. It is located through the town, and up a steep street that overlooks much of the town- and provide great views of the sea and sunrise/sunset. The Hostel also has a small pool you can use and offers daily entertainment each evening which normally consists of drinking games and fun!

    The hostel is super friendly and is only a 15 minute walk from the main town, which has some good entertainment like a place to play pool and some great local food spots. In Coron, we would recommend going on boat tours as there are so many pretty islands close to the island. However, be aware that it is slightly more expensive than the tours in El Nido, and doesn’t offer the same entertaining perks as well. You will also be required to provide your own snorkel equipment or purchase/rent the equipment for the tour.

    The tour will include going to some beautiful islands and swimming in some amazing turquoise blue lakes which are breath taking. You seriously cannot get bored of the tours and the beauty of the country Philippines. One of these being Barracuda lake which houses actual Barracuda’s that live deep in the lake and are seldom seen. Unfortunately we didn’t see one but one of our friends did and if you are lucky you may see them too!

    In the town of Coron you can take a walk up into the hills and find a spot where you can look over the whole town and the waters afar! Mount Tapyas is a popular hike and one that will take you up hundreds of steps and roughly takes 60 – 90 minutes if you take your time. Up here you will see a large sign like the one in Hollywood and be able to witness a beautiful view with picturesque islands in the back. This would be a great place to venture up before sunrise or at sunset to see some beautiful views!

    Coron is a hotspot for many aspiring divers to get their PADI diving certificate or learn how to free dive. It has some cool locations including reefs, turtle spots and shipwrecks where you are able to do this and learn how to scuba dive and earn your PADI certificate!

    Also in Coron, there’s a natural hot spring called Maquinit which allows you to bathe in naturally heated pools of water to relax and sooth your soul. Coron is such a beautiful seaside town full of character and beauty. It’s certainly a place you can’t miss out on!

    Palawan

    The best time to visit Palawan would ideally be between November to May as this is technically their summer time. This means there is less risk of bad weather and encountering typhoons or cyclones which are more apparent between June and October. However, when we visited Palawan it was the start/middle of September and the weather was beautiful. Full of sun with a few cloudy days! There were a few days (mostly in Coron) where we were hit with heavy rain or wet weather but it adds to the experience and really didn’t dampen our spirits while there!

    Leaving the islands of Palawan would generally consist of grabbing a plane to either the capital Manila or onto the rest of the Philippines like Cebu from Francisco B. Reyes Airport. It’s located close to Coron would only be a short TukTuk ride to here!

    Are you visiting Southeast Asia anytime soon? Check out the most useful apps for Southeast Asia travel, alongside our other Southeast Asia blogs here.

    Visiting Palawan is such a beautiful journey

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  • Discover London for Less: A Thrifty Traveler’s Guide to Exploring the Capital on a Budget

    Discover London for Less: A Thrifty Traveler’s Guide to Exploring the Capital on a Budget

    London is one of the most visited cities in the world! People from all over the globe dream to see London’s bright lights and witness the busy life that the city exuberates. Over 20 million (pre-covid) visit London each year internationally, and it’s flooded with tourists daily!

    When visiting London it really is difficult to pinpoint the best things to do and places to see. We know people who have lived there for 5-10 years and still have so much they haven’t discovered yet. So, someone who is visiting on holiday, or for a long break often feel overwhelmed with activities, places to eat and sights to see.

    This is also coupled with the prices of London being exceptionally high and trying to make the most of your visit and not spend all your savings.

    Just for reference, we live an hours train from London and when we visit you can easily find yourself spending £150 on food for 2, £100 on a stay for 2 and £100 for two activities in 1 day! This is not sustainable and when we go London we make sure to find the best budget options so we can maximise our experience whilst not breaking the bank each time!

    *affiliate links are included in this post. It does not cost you anything extra, but means we can earn a small commission to help us continue this journey 🙂

    Best Times to Visit London

    As expected, the best times to visit would usually be nearing Christmas/New Year or during the summer months.

    On the lead up to Christmas, there will be decorations lining each street, festive activities including winter wonderland and markets that will definitely get you in the festive spirit! However, during these events prices are likely higher as it is an annual event that a lot of people go to.

    The summer is more so for the beautiful parks and walks you can do and also enjoy some of the activities like the London eye or visiting Buckingham Palace with lovely weather. During the summer, it’s common to rent bikes and go for cycle rides in local London parks or settle for a picnic and enjoy your surroundings which you definitely cannot enjoy all year round.

    Best Activities to do in London on a Budget

    All the mainstream activities in London do come at a premium price. Everyone comes to London to see the main sights like the London Eye and Tower of London Tours but are these the best things to do in London?

    Local Markets

    There’s 2 reasons why we would visit London markets! Firstly, the food is really high quality, fresh and more budget friendly compared to local restaurants in the areas. In London there are so many markets you may just stumble across some! It’s the perfect place to look for your lunch/dinner while not using all your savings! The markets below are the ones we would recommend but there are so many more!!

    • Borough Market
    • Spitalfields
    • Portobello Road Market
    • Covent Garden
    • Camden Market

    These markets are great to wander around and see some amazing and abstract things you may not otherwise see! You may not be hungry but you can marvel at all the stalls and potentially pick up something like local honey or jams that you can enjoy later in the day. Each market is full of character and have many different options of food for all to try. The main problem is usually deciding where to eat!

    Our favourite market of choice would be borough market. It has some great lunch options including a generous portion of mussels, Thai street food bakeries and more! With perfect and take homes like homemade jams, rich cheeses and some desserts like Ice Cream and dedicated dessert stalls like humble crumble! Even if you aren’t looking for food, its a great place to wander and experience a true local market in the heart of London.

    Hire a bike!

    Many people may not know this but London is HUGE! You simply cannot see everything as all the main sights are dotted across the Capital. Most use the Underground which is a cheap and convenient way of moving across the city but can be tough to navigate unless you are a local. Even we struggle sometimes.

    An alternative would be to hire a bike and ride across London. This will limit your time going to the underground and moving from point to point without experiencing the whole of London. Some of the best parts of the city is truly wandering and stumbling across some unique and cool places. Whether it’s quirky shops, street artists or performers, food stalls… anything really!

    There is nothing better than a gentle bike ride across the riverbank admiring the views and seeing the sights the city has to offer. There are many locations where e-bikes are available for renting. All you need to do is download the app and scan the bike and you on are on your way! When finishing with the bike, you will need to drop it off at a bike stop and they are really cheap to rent out!

    Walking tour

    Walking tours are dotted throughout the city and is a great way to learn more on the history or sights throughout London.

    If you aren’t familiar with the history, and are interested then it may be worth while to get a walking tour in your specific interest to learn more! An example would be the London Dungeons or a Jack the Ripper tour where you can learn more about what life was like in London centuries ago and how people lived. On these tours you would be taken to locations with significant importance and told facts about the topic at hand. Find our top pick of the Jack the Ripper tour here.

    They usually last for an hour or two and you are able to ask questions and learn more about the topic. Included in the tour may be breaks which will allow you to grab food and drink or nip to the toilet when required. It’s a really good way to learn more about the rich history of the city as not all historic locations will include further details like a tour.

    These would be aimed towards people who are maybe less familiar with the history and are visiting London as a holiday.

    China Town

    China Town is a beautiful part of the city. When you enter, you feel like you have teleported to busy Chinese streets with many food vendors and luscious smells. The streets are decorated with traditional Chinese markings and the food there is cheaper than most of London and has the authentic taste! The area will host events including the Chinese New Year there which would be great to witness.

    All the surrounding streets are small local food stops which have traditional Chinese foods which is a great place to stop for lunch or dinner. When visiting London is it usually a place we visit as we love the flavours and authentic taste and it’s just a beautiful area to walk through and soak up the atmosphere!

    Museums

    There are many museums across London, so many in fact that you can’t realistically see all of them.. even if you lived there! As it’s a city, there is museums for all kinds of things and no matter your interest, there will be one tailored to what you like! As you may not know, most museums in London are free to enter – this includes all public displays. However, each museum does provide private viewings, usually temporary and seasonal, which you would be required to pay for.

    These are normally worth while being around £10 – £20 and usually around a famous person or time in history. We have visited many of the museums in London and it is definitely a great way to spend some time to learn about topics you are interested in and a great way to keep costs down while in London.

    We would recommend these Museums as these are the ones we have visited and enjoyed the most:

    • Natural History Museum
    • Science Museum
    • National Portrait Gallery
    • Victoria & Albert Museum

    These museums offer a lot of variety of interests and a lot of cool viewings that could keep you busy for a few hours in London.

    For us personally, our favourite in the National History Museum and is something we would recommend for all travellers to London to experience!!

    Festivals throughout the year

    London is well-known for the festivals and events they have throughout the year. Some are so large that people visit from around the world to experience them like new years or the London marathon which is a great time to visit. The atmosphere is very different with a lot of visitors either cheering on runners and enjoying the weekend or celebrating the turn of a new year. It definitely adds a new aspect to visiting London that many people don’t experience.

    However, there are many festivals throughout the year that people are almost unaware of and stumble across. These can be music festivals or food festivals. For example, in June this year there is a Taste of London festival in Regent’s Park. This will include top restaurants showcasing their top dishes to onlooking and offer free samples to taste. This would be great to have a wander through and experience some top quality food. You could maybe even use this to find the best place to eat dinner later. It’s perfect as you can decide how much you want to spend or spend nothing at all, it’s totally up to you!!

    Across London, no matter the time of year you visit there will be events occurring you just have to be in the right place. Sometimes it can be a simple google search away or you may just stumble upon one! As it’s such a large, vibrant city, we would always recommend to look out for any events, even if it’s just something to experience and walk through as you never know what you might see!

    We really could talk about so much London and all that it’s offer but these would be our top picks when visiting London and keeping to a budget!

    Accommodation recommendations

    We have also provided our best recommendations on the different accommodation in London. Some budget friendly, medium priced and luxury hotels as well as a hostel option for your trip!

    Hostel Option

    This hostel is a great option for backpackers who want award winning accommodation for a fraction of the price. The reviews on this hostel are generally SO positive, with some stating this hostel is ‘perfect’. Located near Tower Bridge, you need to check this spot out! Find it here.

    Budget Option

    London can be an extremely expensive place to visit, especially for accommodation reasons- these rooms are a great budget friendly option! Working out at about £34 (based on two people sharing a room) each, these rooms have communal area kitchens, however these do have community bathrooms rather than private – this isn’t a problem for many, and we think this is a great option! Find it here.

    Mid-Range Option

    This modern hotel is only a 2 minute walk from Tate modern in the heart of London, and is a beautiful option for your trip to London! This hotel has its own app system, so you can control your room’s lighting and ambiance, amongst access to Disney, Netflix and more, this hotel boasts many impressive features ready for your stay! It will cost roughly £78 per person (based on a room for 2), and is such a great find! Find it here.

    Luxury Option

    Want the luxury life in London? This hotel serves world class treatment, with an onsite spa and health club (including a roman-style swimming pool), and is only a short 15 minute walk to Covent Garden and Leicester Square. Costing roughly £133 per person (based on 2 people sharing), this hotel is the best option for your celebrity style London adventure. Find it here.

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  • 7 Must-Try Foods in Southeast Asia: A Culinary Adventure for Every Foodie!

    7 Must-Try Foods in Southeast Asia: A Culinary Adventure for Every Foodie!

    South East Asia is a remarkable place that is at the top of most people’s bucket list! It’s known for its beaches, people, culture, activities and the topic today… food!

    There’s so much to do here and you can never run out of things to see! But for a lot of people, food is so important. Having good meals can really change your experience and view about a country.

    If you have ever been Italy for the pasta, Japan for the sushi, or Mexico for it’s tacos, then you will understand how important food is when visiting a country! Food from these places really improves your view on the country, but can also leave a sour taste in your mouth if you don’t enjoy it!

    We would always recommend trying the local cuisine wherever you go. It’s the best way to meet locals, learn new cultures and really understand the country more. Even if the food isn’t necessarily one you would normally eat, it’s always worth a try as trying new things is the best way to grow and learn new things about yourself.

    Trying a new food could lead to it being your favourite dish you have EVER tried! So what’s the harm?

    You need to make sure you are eating at the right spots and also the local foods to get the best experience.

    Turning up to a country and flicking through the menu is one way of trying new foods but sometimes its good to do your research and see what’s recommended so you can make the most out of your trip abroad!

    So South East Asia… What are the best foods to try? Is it spicy? Where do I eat?

    There’s a lot of questions people ask and it’s pretty difficult to figure this out when you have never been before.

    As you may already guess, each country would provide different dishes, tastes and ingredients so knowing the most recommended dishes and what ingredients they are typically cooked with will give you a good indication whether you are likely to order them when out there!

    Below, we have compiled the BEST FOODS we tried when visiting South East Asia! It is important to note that we we only travelled to 5 countries (Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam & Singapore) so any country we didn’t visit may not be included due to us not trying the food.

    The first dish is one of Jack’s FAVOURITE dish and should be first as it’s the perfect way to start your day!

    Top foods to try in Southeast Asia

    Thai Omelette!

      The Thai omelette can be eaten throughout the day but is usually consumed as a breakfast meal and the omelette typically consists of vegetables, chicken or pork. Jack’s choice would mostly be a vegetable Thai Omelette which comes standard with sticky rice and a side salad.

      A Thai Omelette is totally different to what a usual omelette is in Europe. It is fried in oil and includes ingredients such as fish sauce and spring onions.

      It’s served with crispy edges and a soft centre which goes perfectly with the rice and is filling so you won’t be left hungry.

      This meal was my choice of breakfast throughout our 3 weeks in Thailand with some days it being ordered for lunch also. It’s quite a safe order as people are used to ordering Omelette’s at home but has a lovely twist which really enhances flavour for you!

      It is also one of the cheapest dishes on any menu as it’s simple. This makes it a great budget option if you are looking to lower your costs but you can still get some amazing flavour! The lowest cost we say a Thai Omelette for was 50 Baht (roughly £1.40) and we know it’s cheaper at markets!!

      We would rate this dish a 10/10 and one we cannot wait to try when going back to Thailand!

      It would only cost around £1 ($1.25) which is a total bargain!

      Halo Halo

        This is a dish that we hadn’t heard of when visiting the Philippines, but after speaking with some locals, found it to be a traditional dessert that we had to try!

        Even after eating it, it’s still hard to understand all the flavours or ingredients as it is full of colour and different foods!

        A traditional Halo Halo is shaved ice with condensed and coconut milk with an ice-cream array of toppings. These usually include fruits (like jackfruit, banana and maybe mango!), beans, jelly and even sometimes crushed rice.

        There is so much going on with this dish that it’s hard to know what it’s going to taste like… You just have to try it! Be mindful that with so many ingredients, the dessert will be full of different textures, both crunchy and soft, but also chewy. It’s such a weird mixture of textures and flavours, but is beautifully rich and refreshing with a lovely scoop of ice-cream on top!

        When we enjoyed our first Halo Halo, it was after a long day at the beach and we were looking for something sweet to enjoy while relaxing and watching the waves.

        It’s a very traditional dish, and one that we would recommend trying; but if we were to have it again, we would likely share this as it’s very filling and probably is best split between 2 people. If you have a major sweet tooth and still feeling hungry then you can definitely have one to yourself!

        The Halo Halo is a decently priced dessert around £1 – £2 ($1.25 – $2.50)

        Vietnamese Vegetable Spring Rolls

          Now these were our absolute FAVOURITE! Again, this is not a dish I thought was overly popular in Vietnam nor is a must try for travellers. It’s funny as we stumbled upon the food when embarking on the Ha Giang loop.

          Upon starting the Ha Giang loop we set off into the mountains and had our days planned by our guides. After a long and tiring day of riding on the back of a motorbike we came to our place of stay for the night and were welcomed with a buffet for all. This buffet was extraordinary as there was unlimited food! Here, deep in the mountains of Ha Giang, in some small town we tasted the immense vegetable spring rolls!

          They were super crispy and full of soft veggie’s when you crunched into them! But the flavour was something else. I spend most of my time posting these veggie spring rolls down one by one until I was completely full. We had to get extra plates as they were being finished so frequently.

          That was the only time we had vegetable spring rolls but it’s the one thing I am most looking forward to when visiting back to Vietnam!!

          We liked it so much that we have attempted (a few times) to recreate the spring rolls at home but it’s never reached the level of the one’s in Vietnam. This is the one thing we would recommend to try above all in Vietnam!

          These were enjoyed as part of a buffet but would be a side costing between £1 – £3 ($1.50 – $4).

          Pork Sisig

            Pork Sisig was our favourite dish in the Philippines! It’s basically a pork belly dish served with vegetables on a hot plate with a side of rice. It’s served most places and each serving it a little different. Usually, the dish is served with a raw (yes a raw) egg on top which you will mix into the pork and it will sizzle on the hot plate.

            The egg is somewhat a strange addition, especially being raw but it really does go with the rest of the dish.

            It’s a dish packed with flavour and perfect for either lunch or dinner to fill you up. It’s got a salty taste from the pork with a sweetness from the vegetables and is a dish you will certainly look to order again!

            This meal would cost anywhere between £2-£5 dependant on if you are eating at a local/traditional restaurant or not.

            Panang Curry

              The Panang Curry is a rich, coconutty curry usually served with a with a choice of meat or fish and rice. Although it is a coconut based curry, it is not heavily coconutty as we both don’t like coconut but do love this curry!

              It does also usually includes peanut so anyone who is allergic, be sure to double check the ingredients before eating! The curry is usually rich in flavour and spices with a sweet taste.

              We usually eat this with chicken as it soaks up the flavour of the sauce and goes really well with the spices.

              As you may already know, there are a lot of different curries available in South East Asia that is worth trying.. most notably the Massaman Curry, Thai Red Curry and the Thai Green Curry. These all have a burst of flavour and well worth trying as people will have their preferences.

              For us, this was the better of the curries but would definitely change between them depending on our preferences each night!

              The Panang Curry is also known for working well with shrimp! The spices match perfectly with fresh shrimp leaving a beautiful taste.

              As it’s eaten as a dinner it is more expensive than the other dishes on this list but still would only cost between £2-£4 ($3-$5).

              Pad Thai

              Pad Thai is a MUST TRY in Thailand! It’s such a staple in Thailand and something you can’t miss when visiting the country. The dish is so simple in making but surprisingly so flavourful and rich in spices. It’s so cleverly cooked and presented as usually you are provided with a small mountain of peanuts and a separate mountain of chilli on the side of your plate which you can choose to add if you wish with a squeeze of lemon when served.

                The spices give good kick of heat and the peanuts help enhance the overall flavours of the dish and provide a slight nutty flavour which is very much welcomed. This is a dish that was ordered on many occasions due to the flavours and moreish nature of the dish.

                It is definitely one of the cheaper items on the menu but definitely don’t look over it if you think it won’t come with good flavour! You can find local restaurants selling Pad Thai for as cheap as £1 ($1.25) and it’s always served with a generous portion.

                Bahn Mi

                  This is quite popular dish and very different to the rest on this list. It’s pretty much a simple sandwich on first glance but Vietnam have added their own flavours and spices to enhance and change the flavours! Usually, it is served with thinly sliced pork or chicken as the main meat with a host of veggies and unusual ingredients.

                  The Bahn Mi includes a generous spread of Pate and includes coriander, green onion, chilli, carrot, cucumber, sometimes pickles and a strong drizzle of mayonnaise and Maggi sauce to finish.

                  A perfect lunchtime meal that you can grab on the go! In Thailand, you are able to get Bahn Mi for as cheap as £0.80 ($1) which is super cheap and affordable!

                  What are your thoughts?

                  There are many other dishes that we missed off this list which we wish we could include but these would be the main ones we would want to go back and try and could never get bored of! We would like to give a special mention to Pho as that is a beautiful dish that is versatile with flavours, meats and more!

                  When visiting South East Asia we would recommend you trying all these and would love to know your thoughts on our list of best foods to try in South East Asia!

                  If you have any further meals we missed do let us know and if you enjoyed this blog post, please consider liking and subscribing for further South East Asia content and world travel content. We have South East Asia top tips, best ways to travel, itineraries and more on our blog so be sure to check them out!!

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