One of the best things about vacationing in a seaside city is the promise of fresh seafood. In Dumaguete, Lab-as Seafood Restaurant is one of those places that can surely satisfy your seafood and Filipino food cravings. This place, which has been around since the 1980’s, is located at 201 Flores Ave. Dumaguete City. The restaurant fronts a coastal road with a spectacular view of the sea.
The first thing I noticed when I entered was the Catch of the Day board. If you really want something fresh to eat, this list is a great place to start. There’s a lot to choose from, so it’s a good idea to narrow your options early on. Even I took some time choosing from the menu. It’s a good thing the servers were patient and accommodating, giving me time to decide on my orders after I had been seated.
Here’s what I finally decided on. For my appetizer, I ordered their brilliant Sinuglaw, which is a combination of two famous Filipino dishes, Sinugbang Baboy and Kinilaw. The platter served to me had the Sinugba layered over the Kinilaw. I really enjoyed this dish, as I am a huge fan of Filipino cuisine.
My entrée of choice was the Grilled Tuna Panga, which costs PHP76 per 100 grams. The fish was very fresh, and tasted heavenly. It looked and smelled amazing, too, once it was set down in front of me. It may be a bit pricey, but an order can feed 3 to 5 people, so for me it’s worth it.
I couldn’t resist choosing an item off the all-time Filipino favorites section of the Lab-as menu, the Pancit Bihon. You get a fairly large serving of nicely-flavored noodles for PHP175. I also decided to make the most out of my being in a seafood restaurant by choosing another fish dish, the Escabecheng Maya Maya. This fish goes for PHP68 per 100 grams. The steamed fish was melt-in-your-mouth, and the signature Filipino sweet and sour escabeche sauce was simply delectable.
Taking a break from red meat in favor of seafood is a great way to eat healthier. When fish and seafood are cooked perfectly in their sauces, adequately spiced and flavored, and certifiably fresh, healthy can feel like an extra good thing. That’s exactly how my meal at Lab-as Seafood made me feel. If you’d like to try them out yourself, you may get in touch with the restaurant at (035) 226-3677.
Want to read up on more delicious eats in Dumaguete? Then check out my post here.
Always remember, travel enriches life. It teaches us to enjoy moments, to say goodbye to stress and embrace joy instead. Experience has taught me this, and I’m happy that I get to share my journeys with you now, too. Anytime you need help and tips finding worry-free, budget-friendly places to see, I’m here to help!