Tamilok
Raw mangrove shipworm cured in vinegar
Think of it as: Like a raw oyster stretched into a noodle
A clam that eats wood. Looks like a worm.
What does it taste like?
Sharp vinegar over a briny, oyster-like flavor.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureSlippery and soft
What is it?
Shipworms, long slimy clams that bore into rotting mangrove wood, eaten raw in Palawan. Cured in vinegar and slurped down in one go.
How locals eat it
Served as kinilaw with drinks in Palawan, and a classic dare for tourists.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇵🇭Philippines
CapitalManila
Populationabout 118 millionUN estimate for 2026
IndustriesMoney sent home by workers abroad, Business process outsourcing (BPO), like call centers, Bananas and coconuts, Electronic components
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HelloMagandang umaga (good morning)
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And JapanMany of the bananas sold in Japan come from the Philippines
Fun factA country made up of over 7,000 islands
The flag🇵🇭 Blue is peace, red is courage, the white triangle is equality, and the sun's eight rays are the first eight provinces to rise up against Spain.
From Tokyoabout 2,990 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Manila
Getting thereabout 4.5 hours from Tokyo (direct)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe dry season from December to May is best. Also tryAdoboSinigangLechon More from here🥚 Balut🍧 Halo-halo🍲 Dinuguan
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe dry season from December to May is best. Also tryAdoboSinigangLechon More from here🥚 Balut🍧 Halo-halo🍲 Dinuguan
🇵🇭 Sounds & life in Philippines
KumustaHello（Magandang umaga (good morning)）
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Right now…
Anthem"Chosen Land" (Lupang Hinirang)
MusicOPM (Original Pilipino Music) Filipino pop full of heartfelt singing
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Kai Sotto (basketball; Philippine national team player over 220 cm tall who has also played in Japan's B.League) World HeritageRice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras and more National animalCarabao (water buffalo) National flowerSampaguita (Arabian jasmine) FestivalSinulog Festival (January, Cebu)
MusicOPM (Original Pilipino Music) Filipino pop full of heartfelt singing
SportBasketball
Kai Sotto (basketball; Philippine national team player over 220 cm tall who has also played in Japan's B.League) World HeritageRice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras and more National animalCarabao (water buffalo) National flowerSampaguita (Arabian jasmine) FestivalSinulog Festival (January, Cebu)
Ingredients
- 200 g shipworms (tamilok)
- 4 tbsp coconut vinegar
- 1/4 onion, minced
- 1 chili
- 2 calamansi
- Pinch of salt
How to make it (one way)
- Split rotting mangrove wood and pull out the shipworms.
- Remove the hard head part.
- Rinse in clean water.
- Marinate in vinegar, onion, chili, calamansi and salt (kinilaw).
- Slurp them down right away.
⚠️ Eaten raw. Only safe from clean waters; otherwise food poisoning is a real risk.