Popular Fish Recipes in the Philippines

Here are some beloved Filipino fish dishes that showcase the rich and diverse flavors of Filipino cuisine:

1. Sinigang na Bangus (Milkfish in Sour Soup)

Description: A tangy and savory soup made with milkfish and various vegetables, with tamarind as the primary souring agent.

Ingredients:

  • Bangus (milkfish), cleaned and sliced
  • Tamarind paste or fresh tamarind
  • Tomatoes
  • Onion
  • Radish (labanos)
  • Eggplant
  • String beans (sitaw)
  • Water spinach (kangkong)
  • Green chili peppers (optional)
  • Fish sauce (patis)
  • Water
Cooking Method:

Step 1: Pour water into a pot.
Step 2: Add onions and tomatoes, cover, and bring to a boil.
Step3 : Add milkfish, eggplants, beans, radishes, and green chili peppers.
Step 4: Boil for 5 minutes. Stir in watercress and tamarind paste. Cover, reduce heat, and season with salt. Boil for 5 minutes until fish is cooked through.

2. Paksiw na Bangus

Description: Fish stewed in vinegar with garlic, ginger, and vegetables like eggplant and bitter melon (ampalaya).

Ingredients:

  • Fish (tilapia, galunggong, or bangus)
  • Vinegar
  • Garlic, crushed
  • Ginger, sliced
  • Eggplant, sliced
  • Bitter melon (ampalaya), sliced (optional)
  • Onion
  • Salt and pepper
  • Water
Cooking Method:

Step 1: Heat a pan and cooking pot then pour-in vinegar and water.
Step 2: Add salt and whole peppercorn then stir. Bring to a boil.
Step 3: Arrange the fish in the pan along with the ginger, garlic, onion, bitter gourd, and finger chili. Cover and simmer in low to medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes.
Step 4: Turn off the heat and transfer to a serving plate.
Serve hot with steamed rice. Share and enjoy!
Note: You may substitute salt with 3/4 to 1 tablespoon fish sauce.

 

3. Ginataang Tilapia

Description: Tilapia cooked in a rich and creamy coconut milk sauce with vegetables and spices.

Ingredients:

  • Tilapia, cleaned and sliced
  • Coconut milk
  • Ginger, sliced
  • Garlic, minced
  • Onion, chopped
  • Eggplant, sliced
  • Spinach or pechay (bok choy)
  • Fish sauce (patis)
  • Salt and pepper
Cooking Method:

Step 1: Sprinkle tilapia with 1 teaspoon salt and set aside.
Step 2: Peel onion and slice thinly. In the same way, peel ginger and slice thinly. Peel garlic and mince.
Step 3: Wash tomato and slice into chunks.
Step 4: Heat cooking pot on medium and add oil. Saute ginger for one minute until fragrant.
Step 5: Add onions and garlic until onions are limp and garlic has browned a little.
Step 6: Pour in coconut milk.
Step 7: Add tomatoes, Thai chilis, and water. Season with ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper and stir.
Step 8: Arrange tilapia slices into the pot.
Step 9: Bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes until sauce has reduced. Then remove from heat and serve.

Bangus sa Tausi

Description: Bangus sa Tausi with tomatoes and black beans recipe perfectly uses leftover fried fish! This Filipino fish stew is easy to make, filling, and delicious with steamed rice.

Ingredients:

  • Bangus, cleaned and sliced diagonally into pieces

Tocho Sauce:

  • Tofu fried
  • Tahure fermented bean curd, mashed
  • Tausi salted black beans
  • Tomatoes, diced
  • Ginger, julienne
  • Onion, chopped
  • Garlic, crushed
  • White vinegar
  • Water
  • Cooking oil
  • Sugar, optional
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Cooking Method:

Step 1: Rub salt all over the fish. Let it stay for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Heat oil in a pan. Fry both sides of the fish until the color turns light to medium brown. Remove fish from the pan and place on a clean plate. Set aside.
Step 3: Make the tocho sauce by heating 3 Tablespoons of cooking oil in a clean pan. Sauté garlic, onion, ginger, and tomato.
Step 4: Once the onion softens, add vinegar, tahure and tausi. Cook for 30 seconds.
Step 5: Pour water into the pan. Let boil. Cook in a low heat setting for 3 minutes.
Step 6: Add fried fish and fried tofu in the pan. Cover and continue cooking for 8 to 10 minutes. Note: add water as needed.
Step 7: Season with salt, ground black pepper, and sugar. Serve with warm rice. Share and enjoy!

These recipes highlight the versatility and richness of Filipino fish dishes, offering a range of flavors from sour and savory to sweet and spicy. Enjoy exploring these traditional recipes!