(Disclaimer: Not safe for Dieters!)
Isn't it sweet when the love of your life visits your country of birth to get to know more about you and the world that shaped your views?
Isn't it sweet when the love of your life visits your country of birth to get to know more about you and the world that shaped your views?
The plan to visit Manila was already set a few years back, after our week-long New York trip, the traveler in us felt that we found a true travel buddy with each other, the next country should be out of the continent. I suggested to my ๐ป that he should visit the Philippines, and without hesitation at all, he excitedly agreed.

But the thing is I love Metro Manila, she's open to many cultures---food-wise, my home introduced me to different cuisines from Chinese, Spanish, American, Japanese, Arab, Korean, and many more. I believe this was what I inherited from her, being the daughter of Manila (and born on Manila Day too), and the love of exploring the cuisine of different countries.
The main characteristics of dampa / paluto places are the presence of wet markets that sell fresh (usually) seafood and vegetables, then different restaurants nearby where you can go and request to cook (paluto) your catch according to the restaurant's style or your preference for a fee.
Several places in the Philippines offer this kind of dining experience, one of the most well-known in Seaside Dampa in Macapagal Boulevard. Depending on who you ask, visiting this place has mixed negative but generally positive experiences, one must take their haggling skills to the next level with a touch of friendliness--a key to success in any dampa dining.
The result of our wet market shopping effort was unforgettable, we enjoyed our "paluto" from Royal Kitchen. Though my ๐ป is not a big fan of seafood, he enjoyed the whole experience!

Dampa- a term loosely used that describe a roughly built hut - signifies a humble home, not fancy but comfortable and welcoming.
Paluto - request to be cooked.
"Paluto"
One of the most memorable dining experiences in Metro Manila I've shared with my ๐ปis the "Paluto / Dampa style dining".The main characteristics of dampa / paluto places are the presence of wet markets that sell fresh (usually) seafood and vegetables, then different restaurants nearby where you can go and request to cook (paluto) your catch according to the restaurant's style or your preference for a fee.

The result of our wet market shopping effort was unforgettable, we enjoyed our "paluto" from Royal Kitchen. Though my ๐ป is not a big fan of seafood, he enjoyed the whole experience!

Dampa- a term loosely used that describe a roughly built hut - signifies a humble home, not fancy but comfortable and welcoming.
Paluto - request to be cooked.