Paksiw na Bangus

Paksiw na Bangus has always been one of my go-to ulam choices whenever I feel like I’ve been eating too much meat or oily food lately. You know that feeling after a week of crispy fried dishes, rich sauces, and everything sinfully delicious? That’s when I crave paksiw — light, tangy, and comforting in every spoonful.

I’ve always believed Paksiw na Bangus is one of the healthiest dishes ever. Growing up, we cooked it the simple, traditional way — just bangus, vinegar, water, a few slices of ginger, some garlic, salt, and maybe a couple of eggplants or ampalaya for that added texture. No oil. No frills. Just that honest-to-goodness asim-sarap that warms your tummy and makes you feel instantly healthier.

But recently, I discovered something that completely changed the way I cook my paksiw.
It happened one quiet afternoon when I was restocking the fridge and saw a pack of bangus staring back at me — almost begging to be cooked. I thought, “Hmm, maybe I’ll tweak the recipe a bit today.”

Watch the Paksiw na Bangus Recipe Video Here

So instead of the usual “just dump everything in the pot” method, I decided to heat a little oil and sauté the garlic and ginger first. Waaah! The moment the aroma hit me, I knew something magical was about to happen. The kitchen smelled like home — warm, cozy, and just the right kind of tangy-garlicy goodness that makes your stomach growl.

When I poured in the vinegar and water and let it simmer, I noticed the broth turned richer, fuller in flavor — still that familiar paksiw taste, but somehow more comforting, more ulam-ulam kung baga. The bangus soaked up all that garlicky goodness, and even the ampalaya had a nice depth of flavor.

I took one bite and honestly, I said to myself, “Bakit ngayon ko lang to tri-ny?!” 😅
That tiny bit of oil made such a difference — it brought everything together while still keeping the dish light and healthy.

Now, this is officially my favorite way to cook Paksiw na Bangus. It’s still simple, budget-friendly, and healthy… but now with that extra layer of flavor that makes you want another serving of rice. Or two.

Because that’s what Filipino comfort food does best — it reminds us that even the simplest meals, with just a few tweaks, can taste extra special. 💛