Fresh Seafood Lunch

[JJReyes]

We are exiting the Philippines in about 10 days.  My wife and I decided to go for another Dampa lunch where you pick fresh seafood sold from market stalls.  Then a next-door restaurant will cook the meal.  While similar experiences are available in the United States, the prices are "nosebleed" as they say in the Philippines.  Today's total was $90 or $30 per person for three.  By comparison, a McDonalds meal in Los Angeles is now around $20 each.  Plus, there are enough leftovers for a second meal.

 

[Tommy T.]

Wow!!! Looks so wonderful! And maybe a bit healthier than McDonalds??? Some days you've just gotta splurge for a really fresh and healthy and tasty meal! Bon appetite, JJ!

Edited March 31 by Tommy T.

[JJReyes]

14 minutes ago, Tommy T. said:

Wow!!! Looks so wonderful! And maybe a bit healthier than McDonalds??? Some days you've just gotta splurge for a really fresh and healthy and tasty meal! Bon appetite, JJ!

Thanks Tommy.  It's been a wonderful 3 months stay, and we wanted to exit after a memorable meal.

[Tommy T.]

1 minute ago, JJReyes said:

Thanks Tommy.  It's been a wonderful 3 months stay, and we wanted to exit after a memorable meal.

Remember to take a Tums or Zantac soon!!!

[Mike J]

The wife, driver, and myself did the same many years ago.  The eating area of the restaurant was over the water and sat on pilons.  On this trip I had discovered that their there was a certain 'enjoyment factor' in using your hands to eat.  So I am using my rice to pick up pieces of my broiled fish.  Our driver looks at me and says "who taught you eat like a Filipino?"   Local children would wade in the water and ask for leftover food.  My wife wrapped the leftovers and handed them to a boy.  The boy shared the food with another boy but refused to share it with a girl who begin to cry.  I waved her over and put a few coins in her hand.  The boy quickly came swam over and ask for his coins.  I told him; "no coins because you did not share your food.".  

BTW - I no longer use hands to eat but you should try it if you have not.  The tactile experience, at least for me, seemed to add to the enjoyment of eating.   I stopped because it is a bit messy and I also think most Filipinos expect me to use utensils.  

[Tommy T.]

2 hours ago, Mike J said:

I no longer use hands to eat but you should try it if you have not.  The tactile experience, at least for me, seemed to add to the enjoyment of eating.   I stopped because it is a bit messy and I also think most Filipinos expect me to use utensils.  

I have used my hands to eat way before coming to the Philippines. Way back in about '75(?) myself, a neighbour - who I had befriended - and a couple of his pals would conduct what we referred to as a "pig-out." We would bbq some T-bone steaks, bake some huge potatoes, create a large salad, drink a lot of beer and Jack Daniel's. Then we would gleefully pick up the steaks with our hands and commence feasting. We all had beards so it really was quite messy. But those steaks tasted so good! And knives and forks couldn't get close to the bone.

To this day, I have no problem eating using fingers... Bbq ribs, nicely cooked fish and most meats are easiest to eat using fingers. However, I use fork for any rice, veggies, most other foods. L still uses fingers to pick up rice and some foods to go with it... So what? Oh... and soup is tough to eat with fingers only...so we tip up our bowls and sip...

But to me, it seems to be sacrilege to eat pizza or burgers with knife and fork (or here, spoon and fork)... Maybe the superburgers they show on TV require utensils... but apparently not always...

[JJReyes]

52 minutes ago, Tommy T. said:

However, I use fork for any rice, veggies, most other foods.

To become Filipino, you need to use a spoon.

[Tommy T.]

Just now, JJReyes said:

To become Filipino, you need to use a spoon.

Why is that, JJ? Nobody ever explained that to me... I have a hell of a time cutting meat with a spoon...

[JJReyes]

1 minute ago, Tommy T. said:

Why is that, JJ? Nobody ever explained that to me... I have a hell of a time cutting meat with a spoon...

Food in China, Japan, Philippines, etc. is served pre-cut into morsel size serving.  You use chopsticks or fingers and sometimes a spoon to scoop.  I suspect the reason is forks are a Western civilization invention based on the trident.  Forks are convenient to spear meat and chicken.  You use a fork to hold the meat or chicken while cutting with a knife.  This is supposed to be done in the kitchen, not the table.  They are considered a more recent introduction that goes with Western style food presentation. 

[hk blues]

3 hours ago, JJReyes said:

Food in China, Japan, Philippines, etc. is served pre-cut into morsel size serving.  You use chopsticks or fingers and sometimes a spoon to scoop.  I suspect the reason is forks are a Western civilization invention based on the trident.  Forks are convenient to spear meat and chicken.  You use a fork to hold the meat or chicken while cutting with a knife.  This is supposed to be done in the kitchen, not the table.  They are considered a more recent introduction that goes with Western style food presentation. 

Not really -

"Forks have existed for over 4,000 years, with the earliest bone examples dating back to the Chinese Bronze Age (c. 2400–1900 BC). While ancient, these were likely for cooking or serving. The personal table fork emerged later, becoming common in the 4th-century Byzantine Empire before gaining popularity in Europe much later".