Forget fancy restaurants and white tablecloths. My most unforgettable Filipino food experience happened on my very first day in Manila in the Philippines, knee-deep in the chaotic, exhilarating world of a Manila’s Dampa Seaside Market.
For the uninitiated, “dampa” translates roughly to “shack” or “hut”. This is where the real magic happens – a seafood feast unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Imagine a wet market brimming with the bounty of the Filipino seas: glistening fish of all shapes and sizes, vibrant crabs and lobsters snapping their claws, shellfish so fresh that they are seemingly still spitting out seawater, and exotic sea creatures you never knew existed. This may not be for the faint of heart – the sights, smells, and sounds are an assault on the senses in the best possible way.
Here’s the beauty of the dampa: it’s completely customizable. You pick your fresh catch from the market vendors (who, let’s be honest, can be a bit…enthusiastic), then take your market spoils to an adjacent restaurant where they’ll cook it to your liking. Think sizzling garlic prawns, rich red snapper, or perfectly boiled mud crabs – the possibilities are endless.
My dampa adventure was a baptism by fire (or maybe seawater?). I dove headfirst into unfamiliar territory, trying kohol (apple snails) for the first time, their chewy texture and lemongrass-coconut milk broth reminding me of conch that I had in the Caribbean just with a unique Filipino twist. I popped sea grapes (a local seaweed) into my mouth, experiencing the surprising burst of briny sea water flavor. The squid adobo was masterful, the deep black ink sauce a testament to its incredible freshness. Even simple dishes like cheesy garlic baked mussels (“tahong” in Tagalog) and deep-fried Maya-maya(red snapper) shone. The maya-maya, in all its freshness, paired perfectly with a DIY dipping sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, calamansi, and chili.
This wasn’t just a meal, it was an experience. It was a chance to connect with new friends and family, sharing plates and laughter amidst the din of the restaurant. The atmosphere was so novel and down to earth to me, a true celebration of Filipino food and community.
Restaurant Info
Dampa Seaside Market
Diosdado Macapagal Avenue
Barangay 76 Pasay City, 1300
Metro Manila, Philippines
Opening Hours
| Mon | 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM(Next Day) |
| Sat | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Sun | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
So, have you been to a dampa? What hidden gems did you discover? Let me know your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below!