Palaweño flavors
Lato (Seaweed Salad)
Fresh sea grapes — tiny jewel-green seaweed clusters that pop like caviar with a clean, briny snap. Harvested from Palawan's clear shallows and tossed raw with tomato, onion, and coconut vinegar, sometimes with bagoong on the side.
About this dish
Lato — also called arosep or, in English, sea grapes — is a species of green seaweed (Caulerpa lentillifera) that grows in Palawan's clean, shallow coastal waters and has been gathered and eaten across the maritime Philippines for generations. Each frond is a string of tiny translucent green spheres that burst between the teeth with a gentle pop and a fresh, briny, faintly mineral flavour, like edible bubble wrap from the sea. It is almost always eaten raw to preserve that signature texture, rinsed and dressed simply with chopped tomato, onion, and a splash of coconut or cane vinegar, often with a side of bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) or grilled fish. Rich in minerals and prized as a 'sea vegetable', lato is a refreshing, near-universal companion at any Palawan seafood meal and a vivid reminder of how directly the island eats from its surrounding reefs.
Allergen information
Preparation methods may vary by restaurant. Always confirm with staff if you have severe allergies.
Where to try
Seafood restaurants and public markets across Palawan; Kalui Restaurant (Puerto Princesa)