Food Trip 69 - Lapu-lapu

Ever wondered why a lapu-lapu dish costs that much in restaurants?

The lapu-lapu meat is known for its excellent texture and flavor. A lapu-lapu dish is one of the favorites especially in Chinese restaurants.

I had a privilege to join a local community somewhere in Palawan where the source of livelihood of the locals is fishing. It was some sort of vacation/immersion and it was one good experience.

The businessmen in that local community maintain fish cages. These fish cages house the live catch of the prized lapu-lapu fish by the fishermen. The lapu-lapu fishes are feed and remain in fish cages within the sea until they are nearly 3/4 or almost a kilo in weight. They said that those ones over a kilo are sold at a lower price. Once harvested, these fishes will be delivered to Manila or even exported to Hong Kong.

 I was told that a live lapu-lapu fish is very expensive in Manila. I was also oriented about the other species of lapu-lapu which they considered a "fake" or an "aswang." Thus, if one is unaware of it, he might be ordering the so-called "fake" lapu-lapu. And one more thing, if you are going to order a live lapu-lapu for your meal, have a keen observation of what you order and what is being serve on your table. You might be paying for a live lapu-lapu but the lapu-lapu on your plate might not be the one you ordered earlier. Hmmm. Fishy? Hehe.