The Most Popular Seafood Dish in the Philippines, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the seafood dish you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 20, 2024 07:32
In the bustling markets and serene coastal towns of the Philippines, seafood is not just food; it's a cultural celebration. Knowing which seafood dish rises above the rest offers both locals and tourists a chance to deepen their culinary journey across these vibrant islands. This list aims to put the spotlight on those beloved dishes, revealing what truly tickles the palate in this archipelago.
Every vote here serves more than just a count; it's an expression of culinary preference and cultural pride. As more people participate in selecting their favorite seafood dish, the accuracy of the ranking sharpens, providing a clearer picture of national tastes. This dynamic survey not only fuels friendly competition among regional cuisines but also guides newcomers toward the must-try delicacies.
What Is the Most Popular Seafood Dish in the Philippines?
-
149votesThis dish is a sour soup made with tamarind and shrimp as the main ingredient. It is a popular comfort food in the Philippines and is usually served with rice.Sinigang na Hipon is a traditional Filipino seafood dish known for its comforting and tangy flavor. It is a popular sour soup made with fresh shrimp, vegetables, and tamarind broth. The dish is typically served hot and pairs well with steamed rice.
- Main Ingredients: Shrimp, vegetables, tamarind broth
- Flavor Profile: Sour and savory
- Texture: Tender shrimp, soft vegetables, and soupy broth
- Spiciness: Mild
- Serving Temperature: Hot
-
231votes
Grilled or Fried Tilapia
Filipino culinary heritageTilapia is a common fish in the Philippines and is usually grilled or fried. It is a popular dish due to its affordability and availability.Grilled or Fried Tilapia is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines that features a whole tilapia fish, either grilled or deep-fried to perfection. The dish is known for its tender and flavorful fish meat, crispy skin, and aromatic marinade or seasoning.- Fish: Tilapia
- Cooking Method: Grilled or Fried
- Texture: Tender and Moist
- Flavor: Delicate and Savory
- Skin: Crispy
-
329votesSquid is cooked in soy sauce and vinegar with garlic, onion, and other spices in this dish. It is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines due to its unique flavor.Adobong Pusit, also known as Squid Adobo, is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines. It is a savory and tangy dish made with fresh squid cooked in a flavorful sauce. The squid is typically first sautéed in garlic and onions, then simmered in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, bay leaves, and other spices until tender. The resulting dish is tender squid with a deliciously rich and tangy sauce that pairs perfectly with steamed rice. Adobong Pusit is a beloved dish in Filipino cuisine and is enjoyed by seafood lovers across the country.
- Main Ingredient: Squid
- Flavor Profile: Savory and Tangy
- Cooking Method: Sauté and Simmer
- Key Ingredients: Squid, Garlic, Onions, Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Bay Leaves
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
-
420votes
Baked Tahong (Baked Mussels)
Filipino cuisineMussels are baked with garlic, cheese, and butter, making it a delicious and flavorful seafood dish.Baked Tahong, also known as Baked Mussels, is a delicious seafood dish that is popular in the Philippines. It features fresh mussels that are baked and topped with a flavorful mixture of garlic, butter, cheese, and parsley. The dish is known for its rich and savory flavors that perfectly complement the natural sweetness of the mussels. It is often enjoyed as an appetizer or as part of a seafood feast.- Origin: Philippines
- Main ingredient: Mussels
- Cooking method: Baked
- Flavor profile: Savory and cheesy
- Additional ingredients: Garlic, butter, cheese, parsley
-
510votesCrab is cooked in coconut milk with spices and vegetables, making it a creamy and flavorful dish.Ginataang Alimango is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines made with fresh crabs cooked in rich and creamy coconut milk. The dish is typically flavored with various aromatics like ginger, garlic, onion, and chili to add a kick of spiciness. The combination of tender crab meat and the flavorful coconut milk creates a deliciously creamy and aromatic dish that is loved by many Filipinos.
- Main Ingredient: Crabs
- Cooking Method: Stewed
- Flavor Profile: Rich, Creamy, and Spicy
- Serving Temperature: Hot
- Garnish: Chopped spring onions
-
68votesRaw fish is marinated in vinegar, lime juice, and spices, making it a refreshing seafood dish.
-
711votesFish is fried and then cooked in a sweet and sour sauce made with vinegar, sugar, and vegetables. It is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines due to its unique flavor.Escabeche is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines that features a sweet and sour flavor profile. It typically consists of a whole fish, usually tilapia or lapu-lapu, that is fried until crispy, then topped with a tangy sweet and sour sauce made from vinegar, sugar, and various vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and onions. The dish is known for its vibrant colors and contrasting flavors, combining the crispy texture of the fish with the zesty and slightly sweet sauce.
- Main Ingredient: Fish (Tilapia or Lapu-lapu)
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and sour
- Preparation: Frying and sautéing
- Sauce Ingredients: Vinegar, sugar, bell peppers, carrots, onions
- Texture: Crispy fish with a saucy topping
-
86votesThis dish is a combination of grilled pork and fish, mixed with onions, tomatoes, and spices. It is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines due to its unique flavor.Sinuglaw, also known as Grilled Pork and Fish Salad, is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines that combines the flavors of grilled pork belly and fresh fish ceviche. It is a unique fusion of two traditional dishes: Sinugba, which is grilled pork, and Kinilaw, a Filipino ceviche-style dish. The combination of smoky and savory grilled pork with tangy and refreshing fish ceviche creates a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.
- Main ingredients: Grilled pork belly, fresh fish (such as tuna or tanigue), vinegar, calamansi juice, onions, tomatoes, chili peppers
- Preparation: The pork belly is marinated in a mixture of vinegar, calamansi juice, garlic, and soy sauce, then grilled to perfection. The fish is combined with vinegar, calamansi juice, onions, tomatoes, and chili peppers to create the ceviche. The grilled pork is then sliced and mixed with the fish ceviche.
- Flavor profile: Savory, smoky, tangy, refreshing
- Serving style: Traditionally served cold as an appetizer or pulutan (beer match)
- Region of origin: Philippines
-
912votesMilkfish is cooked with onions, garlic, and spices, and served on a sizzling plate. It is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines due to its unique flavor.Sizzling Sisig na Bangus is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines made from milkfish (bangus) that is traditionally grilled, chopped, and sizzled. It is typically served on a hot plate with onions, chili peppers, and calamansi (Philippine lime) to add a tangy and spicy flavor. The dish is known for its crispy texture and rich, savory taste.
- Main Ingredient: Milkfish (Bangus)
- Cooking Method: Grilled and Chopped
- Serving Style: Sizzling on a Hot Plate
- Flavor Profile: Savory, Tangy, and Spicy
- Ingredients: Onions, Chili Peppers, Calamansi
-
102votesCatfish is fried and usually served with a dipping sauce made with vinegar and spices. It is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines due to its affordability and availability.Pritong Kanduli is a popular seafood dish in the Philippines, specifically involving fried catfish. It is a flavorful and crispy dish that is beloved by many Filipinos. The dish is typically made by coating the catfish in a mixture of flour and various spices, before deep-frying it to a golden brown. The crispy exterior contrasts with the moist and tender flesh of the catfish, creating a satisfying texture. Pritong Kanduli is often served with a dip or sauce on the side, such as vinegar with chili and garlic, and is commonly enjoyed with steamed rice and vegetables.
- Main Ingredient: Catfish
- Cooking Method: Deep-fried
- Flavor Profile: Savory
- Texture: Crispy exterior, moist and tender interior
- Serving: Hot
Missing your favorite seafood dish?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular seafood dish
-
Taste and flavorThe dish should have a delicious taste, making use of the unique Filipino flavors and local ingredients that are loved by the majority of Filipinos and appreciated by tourists.
-
Popularity and frequency of consumptionThe dish should be widely known and regularly consumed by Filipinos in both urban and rural areas. It should be a common part of local cuisine and commonly seen at Filipino events and gatherings.
-
Cultural and historical significanceThe dish should have a connection to Filipino culture and history, showcasing traditional cooking methods, ingredients, and how seafood has been integrated into the Filipino diet.
-
Versatility and varietyThe dish should be versatile enough to be enjoyed by people with different preferences, and should showcase the variety of seafood available in the Philippines.
-
Nutritional valueThe dish should not only be delicious, but also provide health benefits, considering the nutritional content of the seafood ingredients used.
-
Ease of preparation and cookingThe dish should be relatively easy to prepare and cook, considering the availability of ingredients and cooking equipment in both home and commercial kitchens.
-
AffordabilityThe dish should be accessible and affordable to the general population, considering the prices of ingredients and overall cost of preparation.
-
Availability of ingredientsThe dish should make use of locally available ingredients, considering the rich biodiversity of the Philippines, and the abundance of different seafood species.
-
Presentation and appearanceThe dish should have an appealing presentation, as this is highly valued in Filipino cuisine and contributes to the overall dining experience.
-
Popularity among tourists and international recognitionThe dish should be well-known among tourists visiting the Philippines and recognized internationally as a signature Filipino seafood dish.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular seafood dish in the Philippines. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or seafood is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 3116 views
- 179 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each seafood once every 24 hours. The rank of each seafood is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular seafood dish in the philippines
The Philippines, being an archipelago, is a country that is rich in seafood resources. The local cuisine features a wide variety of seafood dishes, each with its own unique blend of flavors and cooking techniques. From grilled and fried dishes to stews and soups, seafood plays a significant role in the Filipino diet. With such a vast selection, it can be challenging to determine which seafood dish is the most popular in the country. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most beloved Filipino seafood dishes and try to uncover which one reigns supreme.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
