Seaside Dampa, the best place for fresh seafood in Manila.

With the Philippines being made up of over 7,000 islands and being situated smack bang in the middle of the coral triangle, it’s no surprise that seafood is an important part of the day to day life of the Filipino. With fresh seafood of high importance to Filipinos, both visitors and locals find themselves in search of the freshest seafood dining options.

Seaside Dampa is the most dynamic fish tank to table dining experience I have ever experienced. The only way you could have seafood any fresher is to go out a catch it yourself.

Dampa translates to “hut” or “shack” in Tagalog. The market consists of an abundance of fresh seafood from neighboring islands, and a row of restaurants that will cook your chosen seafood to your liking. Follow me as I explore what this fresh seafood market has to offer.

Assorted seafood for sale at the market.

Fresh prawns for sale at the market.

Shopping for fresh seafood at the market

Walking into the market, you are greeted by friendly faces and a cacophony of “Hi ma’am” inviting you to come and have a look at their stalls and the fresh catch of the day. This market is a fun place with excitement around every corner.

The vendors make the shopping experience one to remember.

They will encourage you to hold their largest live lobster, chase you with their massive fish, or laugh hysterically as a clam squirts water into your face. It’s all done with a friendly smile on their face.

Walking through the market is fascinating. With such an array of seafood, many of which I am not familiar with, I rely on the stall holders to share their wisdom to tell me exactly what island the catch is from and how to best prepare and cook the seafood.

You can't get any fresher than this live lobster.

But beware… you will need to bring along your best haggling skills as to negotiate discounts from the original price.

To some people the idea of haggling can be daunting. But if you have fun with haggling, always use a smile and remember that the best price is one that both you (the buyer) and they (the seller) are happy with. GRRRLTRAVELER Christine Kaaloa gives some great tips on how to haggle like a pro.

The prices at Seaside Dampa are higher than many other local wet-markets around the metro area, but the quality is better. The seafood is sold very fresh and in most cases still alive, and in much larger sizes than you would find in other markets (the larger the seafood, the higher the price).

Filipino Grouper fish known locally as Lapu-Lapu.

What makes this market stand out from others is the combined dining experience.

Adjacent to the market are a series of restaurants. It is at these where you will have your prized seafood selections cooked to order, in the method you select. The aromas from these restaurants will have your mouth watering in seconds.

I recommend taking your chosen seafood to Hong Kong Master Cook as they offer traditional Szechuan dishes as well as a host of other Asian flavours. If you are a fan of spicy food, have the restaurant cook the fish in the form of Chong Qing Fish, fried and smothered in chilies and Szechuan peppercorns.

Delicious Chong Qing Fish. Fried Lapu-lapu, smothered in chilies and Szechuan peppercorns.

Sustainable shopping at the market

On a more serious note, when shopping at the market, I try and use my purchasing power to shop more sustainably, buying foods that will have a lower impact on the environment.

I love the quote by Anna Lappe “Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want” and when at the markets I keep these words in mind.

A good recourse when determining what to avoid buying at the markets is the Seafood Red List by Greenpeace. The other things to keep an eye out for is size. Fish that are too small won’t have had a chance to mate and created the next generation. It’s all about ensuring the next generation of seafood will be there.

Another important reef fish that you will often see in the markets in the Philippines that you might want to avoid is the Parrot Fish. The Parrot Fish has recently been in the news as the fish that can save coral reefs. The parrot fish chews through coral and from that creates the white sand that the Philippines beaches are so famous. Watch this video for a great little introduction into that process. It is sold within the market, so keep your eyes open.

Need to know

What to take

• Smaller notes if you are not in a group, as not all vendors will have large amounts of change on hand.

• A Tupperware container for leftovers, as you will be charged for a take home container if supplied.

• A hand-held fan. The markets are outside and can get very hot especially during the summer months (April - June).

• An experimental attitude.

What to wear

• It will be warm and the market is outside. Manila can be hot and sticky so bring appropriate clothing. If you are there in the wet season (June - October) be prepared for rain.

• Comfortable shoes as there will be walking involved.

How to get there

• For those with a car, there is parking nearby charged at 20 PHP per hour.

• Taxis and Grab can drop you off at the entrance.

Contact Seaside Market on Macapagal Boulevard Lot 5A, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay Facebook: SeasidePhilippines Operating Hours: Mon-Sun, 5AM-3AM Expect to Spend: For a group of 4, depending on what seafood you buy 400-1200 PHP per person with drinks.

Reservations: Not required

All photos used by Tiffany Witt unless otherwise stated. ©Tiffany Witt