Bangus is the national fish of Philippines, called milkfish in English. It is an adaptable, tough, and sturdy fish that can survive in confined spaces, so it is regularly bred on fish farms, which is the reason why it is widely available all over the Philippines.
The flavor of milkfish is distinctive and mild, best paired with complementary ingredients. Bangus is usually cooked in soups, fried, grilled, barbecued, stuffed or stewed in various spices, ginger and vinegar, but the varieties of bangus-based dishes are numerous.
There is bangus nilagpang with broiled milkfish, tomatoes and onions, rellenong bangus with fried and stuffed milkfish, cooked bangus in coconut milk, marinated bangus strips in pasta... and the list goes on.