dining options at manila ocean park – Jellybeans in the City

If you’re on your way to enjoy the exciting attractions at Manila Ocean Park with your friends and family in tow, food should be the least of your worries.

After all, Manila Ocean Park is home to quite a number of gourmet eateries, the latest of which is its Filipino restaurant, HAPAG.

The restaurant’s name is derived from Tagalog word which translates to “table” in English. In Filipino culture, the table holds a special significance as it is often the focal point of gatherings and celebrations, where families and friends come together to share meals and create cherished memories.

Just like its name suggests, HAPAG at Manila Ocean Park aims to be a place where people can gather around the table and indulge in the comfort of Filipino cuisine, creating a sense of warmth, togetherness, and hospitality. Its name not only pays homage to Filipino traditions but also reflects the restaurant’s commitment to providing a welcoming and memorable dining experience for its guests.

Ready for your foray into Filipino comfort food? Be sure to include these down-home delicious dishes when you dine at HAPAG:

Soups

Sinigang na Hipon (Php700). This classic Filipino dish features succulent shrimp cooked in a tangy tamarind broth, with vegetables like kangkong (water spinach) and radish adding a refreshing crunch. The sourness of the soup paired with the sweetness of the shrimp creates a comforting and satisfying bowl of goodness.

Sinigang na Baboy (Php650). For pork lovers, Sinigang na Baboy is a must-try. Tender pork chunks are simmered in a sour tamarind soup, along with vegetables like kangkong and eggplant. The savory and tangy flavors meld together, making it a perfect dish to warm your soul.

Vegetables

Pinakbet (Php250). This popular vegetable dish from the northern regions of the Philippines features a medley of fresh vegetables like eggplant, okra, and bitter gourd, cooked in a shrimp paste sauce. The combination of flavors and textures in Pinakbet creates a comforting and healthy dish that is perfect for vegetarians, those looking for a lighter option or as a side dish to complement other viands.

Mains

Beef Caldereta (Php550). A rich and hearty stew, Beef Caldereta is a Filipino comfort food that is perfect for meat lovers. Tender beef chunks are simmered in a slightly spicy tomato-based sauce with vegetables, potatoes, and carrots, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying dish that is best enjoyed with steamed rice.

Whole Fried Chicken (Php800). Crispy, juicy, and flavorful, Filipino-style Fried Chicken is a comfort food staple. HAPAG’s version is sure to satisfy your fried chicken cravings, with its golden-brown crust and succulent meat. Perfectly seasoned and fried to perfection, it’s a timeless classic that will surely hit the spot.

Crispy Pata (Php1,200). This version of the classic Pinoy dish is a true delight for meat lovers, featuring perfectly deep-fried pork knuckles that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It is served with a dipping sauce made with vinegar and soy sauce, which adds a tangy and savory contrast to the rich flavors of the pork.

Charcoal-grilled

Grilled Boneless Bangus (Php350). Known as the national fish of the Philippines, Bangus or milkfish is a beloved ingredient in Filipino cuisine. HAPAG’s Grilled Boneless Bangus is marinated then grilled, resulting in a moist and flavorful fish dish that is both comforting and delicious.

Grilled Liempo (Php500). A delicious way to enjoy pork belly is through HAPAG’s Grilled Liempo. Marinated in a special blend of spices and grilled to smoky juiciness, the result is a flavorful pork dish that is sure to please your taste buds. It’s a comforting and satisfying choice for meat lovers.

Chicken Inasal (Php260). This flavorful grilled chicken dish from the Visayas region of the Philippines is known for its distinct marinade made with calamansi, lemongrass, and vinegar. HAPAG’s Chicken Inasal is tender and juicy, with a tangy and savory flavor that is perfect for satisfying your chicken cravings.

Sizzling Plates

Sizzling Liempo Steak (Php500). HAPAG’s Sizzling Liempo Steak is grilled then served sizzling hot on a cast-iron plate, with a savory gravy that complements the pork. The sizzling presentation and the mouthwatering aroma make it a truly comforting and indulgent dish.

Sizzling Pork Sisig (Php450). A popular appetizer or pulutan in Filipino cuisine, Sizzling Pork Sisig is a sizzling plate of chopped pork face and ears, seasoned with spices and served with a tangy sauce. HAPAG’s version is crispy and flavorful, with a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors that will surely make your taste buds dance.

Rice

Bagoong Fried Rice (Php310). Bagoong, or fermented shrimp paste, is a staple condiment in Filipino cuisine. When used to flavor fried rice, it results to a savory staple that’s sure to complement your favorite Pinoy dishes.

Beverage

Sago’t Gulaman (Php120). Sago’t Gulaman is a popular Filipino beverage made with tapioca pearls (sago) and agar-agar jelly (gulaman) soaked in a sweet syrup made from brown sugar, water, and vanilla. HAPAG’s Sago’t Gulaman is a refreshing and nostalgic drink that is perfect for quenching your thirst and cooling down during a hot day. The combination of the chewy tapioca pearls, slippery agar-agar jelly, and sweet syrup creates a unique and satisfying texture that is both fun to eat and drink.

So, after a day of thrilling adventures and exciting discoveries at Manila Ocean Park, take a moment to unwind and treat yourself to the comfort of Filipino food at HAPAG. Indulge in the rich flavors, warm hospitality, and cozy ambiance that this newest restaurant has to offer, and create lasting memories of comfort and culinary delight with your family and friends.

HAPAG is located at Ground Floor, Manila Ocean Park Complex, behind the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta along Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila, open daily from 10am to 7pm. Book your Manila Ocean Park tickets via Klook or visit its website.

To stay updated on Manila Ocean Park’s attractions and dining establishments, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant during my recent tour in Manila Ocean Park. Food items here were served at no cost to the attendees.

Check out my previous posts about Manila Ocean Park:

6 reasons to bring the fam to Manila Ocean Park

Profile: Manila Ocean Park’s Francis Low

Summer fun with the barkada at Manila Ocean Park

Gourmet Food Trippin’ at Manila Ocean Park

How to make the most of your visit to Manila Ocean Park

Are you already out and about?

With the lifting of many quarantine restrictions, we now have more opportunities to escape the four walls of our home into the great outdoors.

For many of the metro’s denizens, Manila Ocean Park remains one of the most desired destinations for a fun family or barkada outing. After all, as the country’s first world-class marine theme park and premiere educational entertainment destination, Manila Ocean Park houses exciting and educational attractions that will surely appeal to everyone in the group.

That said, there is definitely a need to organize your visit to Manila Ocean Park to ensure that you get to enjoy all it has to offer.

Here are some tips to help you do so:

Tip #1: Check online for great deals and discounts.

Until February 28, 2023, tickets at MOP’s ticketing counter are priced at just ₱750/person (from the original price of ₱3,300/person), giving the visitors access to the park’s seven exciting attractions:

Oceanarium: home to 14,000 marine creatures across 277 species indigenous to the Philippines and Southeast Asia with a 220-deg curved walkway tunnel with an amazing view of sea creatures swimming overhead
Jellies Dancing Sea Fairies: a breath-taking showcase of jellyfish in their element against a fascinating display of multi-media effects and soothing music
Trails to Antarctica: provides a peek at the merry antics of Humboldt Penguins and a tour of the cheery Christmas Village
All Star Bird Show: MOP’s resident macaws, cucckatoos and raptors display their intelligence and skills through stunts and tricks
Sea Lion Show: MOP’s South American Sea Lions showcase their skills through funny antics and entertaining skits
World of Creepy Crawlies: a peek into the world of scary and icky snakes, frogs, lizards, worms and insects
Super Toy Collection: the largest collection of Superman toys and memorabilia

However, thanks to its Early Deal Online promo, you can get more savings with tickets priced at ₱680/person just by purchasing them online at manilaoceanpark.com/tickets. Thanks to Hotel H2o’s Love Month Exclusive Deals, you can also get two free tickets when you book your stay at the hotel this February.

By the way, kids below two feet in height are free of charge.

Now that’s a lot of savings!

At the Oceanarium

Tip #2: Get updated on the park’s safety guidelines and protocols

While many COVID safety regulations may have been relaxed by now, it doesn’t mean we should let up on our safety practices.

Currently, the safety protocols implemented in Manila Ocean Park are for Alert Level 1. This allows the park to operate at full capacity, provided that guests 18 years old or older are vaccinated (and should present vaccination card and valid ID prior to entry) and while guests below 18 years old may be unvaccinated, they should be accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or guardian.

While inside the park’s premises, guests are advised to practice minimum public health safety standards such as proper wearing of facemasks, maintaining physical distance of at least 1 meter from each other, and regularly washing and/or sanitizing of hands.

Be sure to check the latest IATF-EID guidelines prior to your visit.

At the Jellies Exhibit

Tip #3: Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

With so many things to see and do at Manila Ocean Park, you can expect to do a lot of walking so be sure to wear clothes and shoes that are cool and comfortable. Airy shirts and shorts or pants, as well as comfy closed shoes are the order of the day given that these free you up to do a wide variety of activities with ease.

You might also want to bring an extra shirt that you can change into later in the day.

At the Sea Lion Show

Tip#4: Protect yourself from the sun.

Two of Manila Ocean Park’s attractions – the All-Star Bird Show and the Sea Lion Show – are held outdoors.

Protect yourself from the sun by wearing caps or hats, and be sure to apply sunscreen before stepping out.

Note: Open umbrellas during these shows are discouraged as these may be distracting to the animals.

At the All-Star Bird Show

Tip#5: Bring your own water bottle or tumbler.

With all that walking, you can expect to get really thirsty so be sure to rehydrate often.

Personally, I found it best to bring my own water bottle or tumbler in my bag and just refill it with from the water that I bought from the restaurants and establishments in the park. This way, I have something I can readily drink from as I wander through the exhibits.

At Trails to Antarctica

Tip #6: Plan your day.

With the increasing number of visitors to the park, you would need to have a strategy for your visit to maximize your time there. You might want to schedule your visit on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowd.

If you’ve got kids with you who might get tired or irritable during the course of the day, it would be best to plan breaks in between attractions wherein the kiddos can sit down or have a snack and get energized for the next exhibit.

Preserving your memories of your MOP visit is always worthwhile so be sure to get great pictures among the highlights of each attraction. Search through the Manila Ocean Parks social media accounts for Instagrammable spots to get the best shots; just be sure to mind the other people there when you’re snapping your photos!

You can also ask the MOP crew about special encounters that make for cool memories and exciting photos such as the Penguin Feeding, Bird and Sea Lion Encounters, and others. These may entail some fees but the memories (and the conversations arising from the pictures that showcase your experiences) are surely worth it!

At the World of Creepy Crawlies

Tip #7: Mind the safety reminders, especially when interacting with animals.

Manila Ocean Park prides itself on its interactive attractions, exhibits wherein visitors can do far more than just admire the displays from a distance. These usually involves interactions with the park’s animals.

While these creatures are well-trained, it would still be best to carefully listen to and follow any instructions from animal trainers, particularly those that involve your safety and those of the animals’. These include reminders such as:

Avoid tapping the glass walls of the fish tanks and reptile enclosures. Particularly for fish, sound pressure is four times higher under water so incessant tapping can lead to higher stress levels for the poor creatures.
Do not feed the animals. Except for the penguin-feeding, receiving food and treats is part of the animals’ training and is calibrated into their diet plans. Feeding them outside of their routines messes up their training and may even endanger their health.

At the Super Toy Collection

Tip #8: Point out interesting and educational tidbits to the kiddos.

While MOP is for the whole family, it is especially a wondrous experience for the kiddos who have been largely limited to learning from home for the past couple of years.

Supplement their learning by guiding them through the exhibits, reading the descriptions with them or talking with them about their reactions to the park’s attractions.

At the Christmas Village

Tip #9: Check out the dining options within the park.

Your tour around the park will definitely work up an appetite but, don’t you worry because MOP has a lot of dining options available at the park.

One of its newest dining destinations is Hapag, which features an extensive menu of all-time favorite Pinoy dishes such as: Sinigang na Hipon, Sinigang na Baboy, Chicken Inasal, Sizzling Liempo Steak, Pinakbet, Beef Caldereta, Sizzling Prok Sisig, Crispy Pata and Bagoong Rice.

Other gourmet food outlets inside the Manila Ocean Park compound include:

Makan Makan Asian Food Village for Chinese staple food and Singaporean hawker fare.
Garden Cafe for coffee, snacks and desserts
Retro Grill Diner for American staples such as steaks, burgers, tacos and more
White Moon Bar for bar chow and cocktails

At MOP’s newest restaurant, Hapag

Your visit to Manila Ocean Park is sure to be a fun and memorable one. With these tips, I hope you can make the most out of the time you spend there.

Have fun and stay safe!

Manila Ocean Park is located behind the Quirino Grandstand, Luneta, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. You may book your tickets via Klook.

For more news and updates on Manila Ocean Park’s attractions and offers, visit its website or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.