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HAPAG: Your destination for comforting Filipino food during your Manila Ocean Park adventure

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

Fresh seafood and paluto at Dampa sa Libis

If you’ve got some serious craving for fresh seafood but the beach is quite some distance away, your best bet is to go to your nearby dampa.

Originally, the word “Dampa” is a Filipino term for “hut,” reminiscent of the small houses that line the seaside where fishermen live and make their living.

Today, it is associated with a wet market attached to a restaurant. In this kind of eatery, diners can select the fresh seafood they want to eat and then choose from a menu of ways on how they want these to be cooked for an additional charge, hence term paluto.

As a Pasiguena, landlocked and situated far away from the seaside, I’m lucky that there’s a Dampa sa Libis located nearby.

As is typical with other dampa-style eateries, this one is geared towards catering to large groups in a very informal setting.

The place is suitable for boisterous gatherings of people who love to dine together over their favorite seafood dishes, with little to no concern about the restaurant’s decor or aesthetic. (So if you’re feeling particularly tita-ish, this might not be the place for you.)

However, if you’re game for fresh seafood, cooked upon order and served fresh from the kitchen, this just might be your foodie haven.

During a recent get-together with my in-laws, the extended fam feasted on:

Sinigang na Salmon sa Miso.

Fresh salmon prepared in a variant of the famous dish sinigang which also includes miso (soybean paste) among its ingredients.

Prawn Tempura.

Large prawns battered and deep-fried until golden-brown and served with a sweet soy-based dipping sauce.

Inihaw na Pusit.

A beachside favorite, this dish is made from a large squid stuffed with tomatoes and onions, then grilled for that smokey taste.

Sweet and Spicy Crab.

Fresh crabs cooked in tomato sauce, chilis and other spices with a bit of brown sugar for that irresistible interplay of spice and sweetness with every bite of succulent crab meat.

BBQ Liempo.

For those who have a more carnivorous bent (or those with kids who have not yet discovered a love for seafood), barbecued pork belly is always a delicious possibility.

Leche Flan.

The best way to cap a great meal is to linger over dessert, right? This Pinoy take on the creme caramel will do quite nicely as a post-meal sweet.

When dining at a dampa, it’s best to let your adventurous side out and to savor the good food along with the good company you’re having.

Dampa sa Libis is located at 107 E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Bgy Libis, Quezon City, open for dine-in and takeout on weekdays from 11am to 9pm and on weekends from 10am to 9pm.

For more information, follow Dampa sa Libis on Facebook or call +63 2 86373303 or +63 917 7071553.

Piestang Pinoy from 121 Restaurant

Ooh, we’re right smack in the middle of the holiday season, and I bet you’re missing the experience of going back to the province, getting together with the relatives for the annual family reunion and gorging yourself on regional dishes while joining the merrymaking of the town fiesta, right?

Well, that’s currently not possible, and, somehow, substituting a real clan get-together with a virtual party over Zoom just doesn’t feel the same.

After all, is it a real party if you all can’t partake of the same tasty delicacies?

Well, how about letting the guys at 121 Restaurant whip up a fiesta for you and your folks?

With its Pyestang Pinoy platters, you can relive your festivities virtually with well-loved Pinoy dishes with servings sizeable enough for a big family meal (Pambahay, good for 10 people), an office party (Pambatalyon, good for 20 people) or for a whole clan (Pambarangay, good for 50 people).

Take the Ati-Atihan (Php292 per person), for example. This hearty meal brings the energy of the famous Aklan festival with its inclusions of:

Grilled Liempo.

Lumpiang Shanghai.

Pancit Bihon with Canton.

Biko.

Other Pyestang Pinoy variants include:

The Kadayawan (Php274 per person): Pork Siomai, Bangus Tempura, Pancit Bihon with Canton and Sapin-sapin.
The Higantes (Php335 per person): Lumpiang Shanghai, Pancit Palabok, Marinated Fried Chicken and Biko.
The Sinulog (Php370 per person). Grilled Liempo, Grilled Porkchop, Lumpiang Shanghai and Pork Siomai

Each Pyestang Pinoy Set is served with rice. Free 2-liter Coke provided for orders good for 20 people and more.

If you feel like gifting someone with a scrumptious taste of home, you can send them a Paborito Box (Php459), single servings of Pinoy faves conveniently packaged in one box. Choose from three variants such as:

Luzon: Lumpiang Shanghai, Nachos, Porkchop, one slice of Biko and one piece of Polvoron
Visayas: Pork Siomai, Cheesesticks, Pork BBQ Sticks, two pieces of Polvoron
Mindanao: Lumpiang Shanghai, Empanada, Buffalo Wings, Monggo Soup, one pack of Peanuts and one piece Polvoron

So if you’re hosting your fam’s virtual reunion, you can all be one in merrymaking and feasting on favorite Filipino dishes with 121 Restaurant’s Pyestang Pinoy.

To order your Pyestang Pinoy sets or Paborito Box, call +63 2 7577 7557 or +63 917 3296997, email sales@121resto.com or order online.

Payments via cash on delivery, bank transfer or G-Cash QR code are accepted. 121 Restaurant delivers in Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pasay, San Juan, Taguig, Paranaque, and Quezon City.

Disclosure: Product sample was provided to facilitate a feature story.