7 Best Dried Fish in the Philippines 2024 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
Dried fish is one of the best and most versatile Filipino side dishes to pair with your ulam and even your rice. They are also popularly known as tuyo or daing, and are made after they are gutted, seasoned with salt, and sun-dried for about two to three days, depending on the size of the fish.
There are actually different kinds of dried fish in the market. If you want to find the best ones to try out for yourself and your family, you can check out our buying guide, fact-checked by nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, as well as our top 7 list of recommendations for dried fish available online.
Quick List - Top Dried Fish
Lekha's
Give In to Your Tuyo Cravings With This Gourmet Variant
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
How to Choose Dried Fish – Buying Guide
- Select from the different kinds of dried fish.
- Consider the packaging and shelf life.
- Different processes offer different flavors.
- Get the right amount of size and weight for you and your household.
For more information, read through our buying guide below.
Select From the Different Kinds of Dried Fish
Dried fish come in many kinds. Some of the most common ones include dilis (anchovies), bisugo (job), danggit (rabbitfish), tunsoy (herring), sapsap (ponyfish), and matangbaka (big-eye). There are different preparations used to dry a fish to bring out the best in their taste.
Big fish like the bisugo, danggit, and galunggong (mackerel) are often split into a butterfly fillet before drying, while small fish like dilis and sapsap are dried whole. Dried fish is usually cleaned, gutted, deboned, salted, and dried, but some are also marinated straight in vinegar, garlic, and spices to add another layer of flavor.
Consider the Packaging and Shelf Life
Another important factor to consider is the packaging used to store the dried fish. This will ensure the fish’s quality because it serves as a protective barrier against moisture, changes in color, insect bites, and other changes that may happen when the fish is exposed to different elements.
The packaging can also make a big impact on the shelf life of dried fish. You can look for vacuum packaging, which helps the fish stay edible and unspoiled between 6 to 12 months. Other stores pack their dried fish in plastic or glass bottles, which have the added advantage of preventing the fish from getting crushed during transport.
Different Processes Offer Different Flavors
We're most familiar with dried fish that have been sun-dried for preservation. If you'd like a variety in flavor, you can also try those that come in a jar marinating in olive oil or spicy oil, or dried fish that has been smoked for an earthy flavor.
Smoked fish, also called tinapa, uses a process where the fish are preserved by placing them in a brine solution, sun-dried for 30-45 minutes, and then cooked in a wood-smoked house. Fish like galunggong and bangus are the two most popular types of smoked fish in the country.
Get the Right Amount of Size and Weight for You and Your Household
Dried fish come in different kinds and in sizes ranging from small, medium, and large, and they also differ in weight. Get the right size and amount of dried fish according to the meal that you're planning to have and the number of people who will be eating.
10 Best Dried Fish to Buy Online
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ka Tunying's Tinapa Gourmet Spicy Flavor | | Spicy Tinapa Flakes as an All-Day Ulam | |
2 | Bantayan Direct Cebu Dried Fish Tocino | | A Healthy and Delicious Alternative to Pork Tocino | |
3 | Sheng Xiang Zhen Dried Fish with Peanut | | Perfect to Serve at Parties and Gatherings | |
4 | Lekha's Gourmet Tuyo Premium in Pure Olive Oil | | Give In to Your Tuyo Cravings With This Gourmet Variant | |
5 | Hong Kong House Smoked Spicy Fish | | Smoked and Spicy Fish You Won't Get Enough Of! | |
6 | Dried Fish Philippines Galunggong Tinapa | | Your Favorite Galunggong Cooked in a Wood-Smoked House | |
7 | Bantayan Direct Fish Tapa | | Low-Sodium Fish Tapa Everyone Will Surely Enjoy |
Spicy Tinapa Flakes as an All-Day Ulam
It's time to ditch your boring and usual sardines, and level up to a premium and gourmet experience that's great value for money! Ka Tunying's is a well-loved cafe that offers classic recipes with a delicious twist that's affordable, and their Tinapa Gourmet Spicy Flavor is no exception!
This gourmet tuyo comes in a glass jar that's filled to the brim with tinapa flakes marinating in delicious and spicy oil. It's seasoned with special herbs so that you're able to get the full smokey experience. You can eat this hot, or straight from the bottle, which makes it the ultimate all-day ulam.
A Healthy and Delicious Alternative to Pork Tocino
If you're getting bored with your regular salty dried fish, you can try this unique-tasting dried fish tocino straight from Cebu. What's great about this is that it's also a healthier alternative to your regular pork tocino, and is preserved using traditional, low-salinity, and all-natural fish tocino processing.
It also comes in a vacuum-sealed bag that is BPA-Free, so it promises extended storage life where you'll get the most out of the flavor without unwanted preservatives. Its chewy texture goes well with any ulam, and even with just a sunny-side up. Easily switch up your Filipino meals with this delicious pack of dried fish tocino!
Perfect to Serve at Parties and Gatherings
Sheng Xiang Zhen is a famous brand in Taiwan known for its top-selling snacks in the market, and thankfully it's available in the Philippines as well! If you're looking for something to serve during your next hangout with friends or during movie night with family, their Dried Fish with Peanut is worth getting!
These pouches come in delicious tiny snack-sized servings filled with crispy peanuts, dried herbs, and tiny dried fish which are chewy and juicy. This snack also goes great with beer, making it a crowd favorite. Get ready to make this Taiwanese favorite you're go-to for gatherings and parties!
Give In to Your Tuyo Cravings With This Gourmet Variant
We see a lot of bottled tuyo in the market, but if you're looking for something with a little bit of 'oomph,' you might want to check out this Gourmet Tuyo soaked and marinated in pure olive oil, as well as different spices like bay leaf, paprika, and peppercorn. What's great is that it is minimal in fat and is sugar-free!
You'll love adding its tangy flavor to your rice and egg, oil-based pasta, salad, and bread. You can also have it as an appetizer or top it off as a garnish. It is flavorful, a bit spicy, and most importantly, not too salty. This mouth-watering gourmet dried fish from Lekha's is something every tuyo lover should have in their pantry!
Smoked and Spicy Fish You Won't Get Enough Of!
One glimpse at this product, and you'll know that it tastes as delicious as it looks! This Smoked Spicy Fish from Hong Kong House contains 210 grams worth of chopped pepper firewood fish, so you'll know it's better than your regular dilis or tuyo, and you're also getting a lot at such an affordable price!
The great thing about this is that it has a year's worth of shelf life, so you can savor its unique smokey flavor for longer! You can either serve this as an appetizer, a side dish, or even as your ulam. This bottle of spicy fish is definitely going to be your next big favorite!
Your Favorite Galunggong Cooked in a Wood-Smoked House
If you're craving for some good old tinapa, this treat from Dried Fish Philippines will be just what you need. It is made with galunggong or round scad fish that were sun-dried and cooked in a wood-smoked house. Each bite will give you a rich and smoky flavor which can be perfectly paired with an ensalada of tomatoes and red onions.
You'll appreciate how this dried fish is conveniently available in 3 sizes - 250 grams, 500 grams, and 1 kilogram. It is also vacuum-sealed and can be stored for about six months, so you can definitely stock up. Younjoy the smoky taste of this galunggong tinapa in the mornings and start your day right!
Low-Sodium Fish Tapa Everyone Will Surely Enjoy
If there's one breakfast dish that Filipinos love, it's tapa, and Bantayan Direct provides you with a dried fish alternative that you'll love! This Fish Tapa is made with anchovies and is cholesterol-free and low in sodium, so it's a healthier alternative to pork and beef tapa. It's also preserved using a traditional fish tapa procedure.
It comes in vacuum-sealed packaging, so it's very flavorful as well as travel-friendlyーyou can bring it along on camping trips and family out-of-towns! It also prevents microbial growth and seals in freshness, so it's like eating it on day one from harvest. Feel free to serve this with rice, egg, and maybe even dip it in coconut vinegar!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
How Long Does Dried Fish Last?
When properly handled and stored, dried fish can last between 6 to 12 months. Make sure to also check the packaging for any information on the expiration date.
Is Dried Fish Healthy?
Yes, you can find a lot of essential nutrients, high-quality proteins, as well as healthy fats in dried fish. However, make it a habit to check the nutrition facts of the product, and to eat dried fish in moderation as some may contain high sodium content.
Is Dried Fish High in Uric Acid?
A lot of seafood is high in uric acid, and if you don't want that in your diet, it's best to avoid fish such as scallops, mackerel, anchovies, herring, and sardines.
Looking for More Breakfast Ideas?
Filipinos love pairing dried fish with sinigang or even champorado for breakfast. If you're looking for more breakfast ideas, check out the articles below. You'll find great choices that will make your first meal of the day something to look forward to!
Author: Cristel Joy Aron
Editor and Re-Editor: R. Umlas, Andi Sanchez
How We Chose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
Top 5 Dried Fish
No. 1: Ka Tunying's｜Tinapa Gourmet Spicy Flavor
No. 2: Bantayan Direct｜Cebu Dried Fish Tocino
No. 3: Sheng Xiang Zhen ｜Dried Fish with Peanut
No. 4: Lekha's ｜Gourmet Tuyo Premium in Pure Olive Oil
No. 5: Hong Kong House｜Smoked Spicy Fish
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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