17 Must-Try Fish Ulam Ideas (Quick, Affordable and Delicious)

We Filipino People often cook an Ulam dish to pair with steamed rice on a daily basis. To cook an Ulam Dish at home, we use either Fish or Meat plus vegetables. Fish Ulam is easy to cook, good for health, available in budget and also delicious enough to satisfy your taste buds.

Fish is a healthy seafood to add to your diet. To make an Ulam dish at home, you should learn about some fish Ulam ideas that offer yummy taste and better health together.

Why Fish Ulam is Good for Health

The Fish Ulam is good for health because it contains various nutrients, here I provide the complete nutritional information I know about the Fish Ulam Dish as under:

Fish Ulam Ideas for Healthy Meals in Philippines

Here I am going to share all popular Fish Ulam Ideas with ingredients info and also explain how it tastes when you eat the Fish Ulam with steam white rice in the dinner.

Easy Fish Ulam Ideas

#1. Ginataang Tilapia

Ginataang Tilapia is a simple Fish Ulam Dish to cook at home anytime. The word “Ginataang” means cooked with coconut milk and that’s the reason why this easy Fish Ulam dish feels creamy when you eat it.

To cook Ginataang Tilapa Ulam, the main ingredient is Tilapia Fish and the special ingredient is Coconut Milk. In addition, you need Eggplant, Spinach and Chilli Leaves to make the Ulam more filling. You also need to use garlic, onion and ginger for adding flavours.

While cooking Ginataang Tilapia Ulam, the fish absorbs the flavours and the coconut milk makes it more delicious with some spicy chilli. The vegetables make it more nutritious, if you try it once then it will become your favourite fish Ulam dish for lifetime.

#2. Inihaw na Bangus

Inihaw na Bangus is a Filipino Grilled Fish Ulam Dish loved by many people. The Inihaw na Bangus is popular for its smoky flavour and easy cooking steps. The main ingredient is Bangus Fish, it is also known as Milkfish, so don’t get confused with the name.

Before you grill the Bangus, you need to wash and clean it properly. You can keep it whole and cut to open flat, stuff it with some spices to get enhanced taste after grilling. You also need to marinate the Bangus Fish with garlic, vinegar, salt and pepper.

To cook Inihaw na Bangus Ulam Dish, the Bangus (Milkfish) is grilled over hot charcoal. You should grill it till the fish skin becomes crispy and a little charred (blackened). When you eat Inihaw na Bangus Ulam, it gives you a tangy and creamy taste.

#3. Paksiw na Isda

Paksiw na Isda is a sour and savory fish Ulam dish in the Philippines. The word “Paksiw” means to cook the food in spices and vinegar. The word “Isda” means fish. So, cooking a fish in vinegar and spices is called Paksiw na Isda.

For this fish Ulam dish, Bangus is a popular fish used by Filipino People. However, it is not mandatory, you can use other common fish like Tilapia, Galunggong and others.

To make the Paksiw na Isda Ulam Dish more tempting, you can add Eggplant vegetable and some chilli as well. The mixture of garlic, ginger and onion can help you remove the fishy smell and create an aroma to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.

#4. Sinigang na Isda

Sinigang na Isda is a Filipino Fish Ulam Soup Dish made with Bangus or Tilapia as its main ingredient. The words “Sinigang” means sour soup and “Isda” means fish. The tamarind mix is added to cooking process to make this fish Ulam sour and flavourful.

It is an easy to cook Fish Ulam Dish, you can cook the fish in a water filled pot for a while. Then add tomato slices, wait for a few minutes. Thereafter add tamarind mix and other vegetables like eggplant, radish and kangkong.

The garlic, onion and fish sauce can be added for better taste in the Fish Ulam. The the tamarind and broth get mixed with each other, they make the Sinigang na Isda (Fish Ulam Soup) sour, savory and refreshing for everyone.

Healthy Fish Ulam Ideas

#5. Pinangat na Isda

Pinangat na Isda is a healthy fish Ulam recipe to cook and enjoy eating with steamed rice. You can get Bangus or Tilapia Fish for cooking Pinangat na Isda (Fish Ulam Dish) at home.

In order to prepare Pinangat na Isda, you need to clean and cut the fish into pieces. Then boil the mixture of garlic, onion and sliced tomatoes in water in a pot. Add the fish and cook it slowly for a few minutes.

You can add vinegar to make it sour and yummy. Adding vegetables is a personal choice, I suggest to add eggplant or leafy greens for nutritional purposes.

#6. Sinigang na Salmon

Sinigang na Salmon is a fish Ulam dish similar to Sinigang na Isda but the main ingredient is different. The Sinigang na Isda is cooked with Tilapia or Bangus, while the Sinigang na Salmon is cooked with the Salmon Fish.

The Salmon Fish contains soft and fatty meat which makes this Fish Ulam Dish richer and yummier than a common fish recipe. It is a soupy fish Ulam dish offering sour taste of tamarind mix and a bit spicy flavour of chilli to balance overall taste of the dish.

You can add kangkong, eggplant and radish to make the Ulam colourful and healthier. Its cooking process uses a little oil, therefore the Sinigang na Salmon is a healthy fish Ulam dish to cook and eat in dinner for people of all age groups.

#7. Steamed Lapu-Lapu

Steamed Lapu-Lapu is a healthy fish Ulam dish with its natural taste and flavour. The Lapu-Lapu is the premium fish used in cooking this yummy Ulam dish, this fish is also known as Grouper.

As the name suggests, the cooking process requires steaming the Lapu-Lapu Fish which is healthier than the grilled or fried fish dishes. To enhance its flavour, you can add garlic, ginger and soy sauce. You can also add some calamansi juice for a bit sour taste.

Cooking Steamed Lapu-Lapu is super easy, just clean the fish and cut it to pieces. Then cook the Lapu-Lapu fish with salt and add ginger, garlic and soy sauce on its top. Cook the fish in a steamer or pot filled with some water for 15 minutes and it’s ready.

#8. Ensaladang Talakitok

Ensaladang Talakitok is a Fish Salad Dish that is easy to cook for anyone. To prepare this fish Ulam at home, you must have the Talakitok Fish (other name is Trevally). This Fish Salad Dish is not served hot, it is served slightly chilled to get its best taste experience.

To make the Ensaladang Talakitok Fish Ulam more filling and colourful, you can add cucumber and tomatoes with onions. You need to clean the Talakitok, then cook it by grilling or boiling. Once cooked, let the fish get cold, then remove bones and separate the meat pieces.

Thereafter mix the Talakitok Meat pieces with vegetables (tomatoes, onions, etc) and other ingredients like salt, pepper, garlic and vinegar. You can add chilli to spice up the dish and serve it chilled with hot steamed rice.

If you want to mix your weekly menu, you can alternate these fish dishes with our delicious
Chicken Ulam Ideas, or try something hearty from our Pork Ulam Ideas, or go lighter with our Vegetable Ulam Ideas.

Budget-Friendly Fish Ulam Ideas

#9. Daing na Bangus

Daing na Bangus is an affordable fish Ulam dish loved by Filipino People. The Bangus (Milkfish) is the name of a fish, while Daing means something split open. The whole dish name meaning is Split Open Bangus Dish in which the fish is fried till it turns crispy outside.

Before you start cooking Bangus, you need to marinate it with garlic, salt, vinegar and pepper. Then fry the fish in hot oil and keep frying till it becomes golden brown. The fish skin should be crispy and the fish meat (inside) should be juicy.

You can serve Daing na Bangus Ulam with steamed rice but it tastes better with garlic fried rice.

#10. Ginisang Sardinas

Ginisang Sardinas is a popular fish Ulam dish prepared with Canned Sardines with tomato sauce. The word “Ginisa” means sauteed, so you need to saute the Sardines Fish to cook and use it as an Ulam Dish with steamed rice.

Before sauteing Sardines, you should saute garlic, onion and ginger in a pan with some cooking oil. Then add tomato sauce and Canned Sardines. You can add cabbage and spinach or eggplant if you want. Cook it slowly for a few minutes, add salt at the end and serve hot when it’s ready.

#11. Paksiw na Galunggong

Paksiw na Galunggong is a simple and easy to cook Fish Ulam Dish in Philippines. The word “Paksiw” means cooking with vinegar and the Galunggong is the fish name. Both the fish and vinegar are essential ingredients needed for cooking this Filipino fish recipe at home.

You can add a mixture of garlic, onion and ginger to remove fishy smell. You can also add some soy sauce to adjust the taste. The eggplant and bitter melon like vegetables make Paksiw na Galunggong Ulam more nutritious. If you want it spicy, add some chilli as well.

Paksiw na Galunggong is a perfect, budget-friendly fish Ulam dish that offers tangy flavour to meet your expectations.

Seasonal Fish Ulam Ideas

#12. Sinigang na Maya-Maya

Sinigang na Maya-Maya is a sour fish soup dish made with Maya-Maya i.e. Red Snapper Fish. The Maya-Maya Meat is firm and a little sweet in taste. When you cook this premium fish in a soup, its meat remains soft and juicy to satisfy your taste buds.

You must clean and cut the Maya-Maya into eatable size pieces. Boil water in a pot, add onion and tomato slices, then add the fish pieces and keep cooking it for a few minutes. Then add tamarind mix and vegetables (kangkong, eggplant, etc.).

At the end of cooking process, you need to add salt for taste and chilli for making it spicy.

#13. Inun-unan na Tanigue

Inun-unan na Tanigue is a traditional Filipino Fish Ulam Dish that you must try out. If you and your family like tangy and spicy flavoured soup then Inun-unan na Tanigue is going to be your favourite fish Ulam.

The Inun-unan na Tanigue is cooked with vinegar and spices i.e. garlic and ginger. You can add salt or fish sauce for adjusting the taste. Boil the fish without stirring and then cook slowly for a few minutes.

The Tanigue is a seasonal fish. Though it is available throughout the year but not always fresh. If you want fresh and best quality Tanigue Fish, you should buy it during December to February.

#14. Ginataang Tambakol

Ginataang Tambakol is a rich and creamy fish Ulam dish that offers an amazing taste. The main ingredient of Ginataang Tambakol Dish is the Tambakol (Fish) and you need to cook this fish in coconut milk that makes it creamier than any other fish dish in our list.

You need to create a base by sauteing garlic, onion and ginger in a little cooking oil. Then pour coconut milk in the pot/deep pan. Then add the fish pieces and make sure that the coconut milk is enough to cover the fish pieces.

After a few minutes, add vegetables like eggplant or spinach. You can also add chilli to spice up the Ginataang Tambakol Creamy Ulam Dish and enjoy it with steamed rice.

#15. Grilled Hasa-Hasa

Grilled Hasa-Hasa is a yummy fish Ulam dish known for its smoky flavour. The Hasa-Hasa Fish is also known as Short Mackerel which contains a flavourful meat. As the dish name suggests, you are required to grill the fish over hot charcoal.

You should not grill the raw fish directly, you should clean it first and remove the guts. Thereafter marinate the Hasa-Hasa Fish in a mixture of vinegar, garlic and pepper. You can also add some calamansi juice to get enhanced taste.

After marinating, grill the fish over hot charcoal for 5-6 minutes on each side. Get it off the charcoal when ready, serve hot with steamed riced and a dipping sauce made of garlic, chilli, soy sauce and vinegar.

How to Cook Fish Ulam Dish for Kids

You can cook various Fish Ulam Dishes for kids, just keep in mind that you should avoid adding chilli or similar ingredient that makes the Ulam spicy. Because kids may not eat the spicy Ulam like adults.

Cooking Fish Ulam for kids is simple. If your kids love creamy Ulam then you should cook Ginataang Tilapia and Ginataang Tambakol that are cooked in the creamy coconut milk.

You can cook a variety of Fish Ulam Soups that pair easily with steamed rice and fried rice. Most kids love soupy Ulam dishes as they can drink soup while eating the rice and the soup mixes well with the rice to offer the great taste.

Conclusion

The Filipino People love Fish Ulam Dishes, therefore they often use various fish types for cooking Ulam at home. To try out new fish dishes, you can choose one of the 15 Fish Ulam Ideas that I have shared and explained above.

The fish can be boiled, simmered, fried, grilled and cooked in other ways. If you grill the fish over hot charcoal, it will give the slurping smoky flavour in every bite you eat.

For more queries about Fish Ulam Philippine, check the FAQs and their answers. If you have any question, you can also ask questions in the comment section.

FAQs