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Sinigang

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soups•filipino•contains meat, contains fish, dairy-free
90 minutes•6 servings•

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds pork spare ribs – cut into 2–3-inch pieces
  • 10 cups water
  • 10 ounces onion – quartered (~2 medium onions)
  • 12 ounces tomato – quartered (~3 medium tomatos)
  • 12 ounces taro (gabi) – peeled and cut into 1.5-inch chunks
  • 12 ounces daikon radish – peeled and sliced into 0.5-inch half-moons
  • 10 ounces eggplant – cut into 1.5-inch pieces (~0.5 medium eggplants)
  • 1/2 cup tamarind concentrate
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 6 ounces yardlong beans (sitaw) – cut into 2-inch lengths
  • 2 pieces long green chili peppers – slit lengthwise
  • 4 ounces water spinach (kangkong) – leaves and tender stems, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Sinigang

Instructions

1. Combine the pork spare ribs, water, onion, and tomatoes in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat, 8–10 minutes, skimming off any foam.

2. Reduce to a gentle simmer, partially cover, and cook until the pork is tender but not falling apart, 45–60 minutes, skimming as needed.

3. Add the taro (gabi) and simmer until beginning to soften and lightly thicken the broth, 10–12 minutes.

4. Add the daikon radish and eggplant and simmer until just tender, 8–10 minutes.

5. Stir in the tamarind concentrate and fish sauce, then add the yardlong beans and long green chili peppers. Simmer until the beans are crisp-tender and the broth tastes bright-sour, 4–6 minutes.

6. Stir in the water spinach and cook until just wilted, 1–2 minutes.

7. Off the heat, season with kosher salt to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Sinigang is a Filipino sour soup built on a light, savory broth sharpened by tamarind. It’s hearty and refreshing at once: tender meat, lush vegetables, and a tang that wakes up the palate. Common vegetables include taro for body, daikon and eggplant for gentle sweetness, long beans for snap, and water spinach for a fresh, green finish.

Traditionally, the dish’s signature sourness comes from local fruits like sampalok (tamarind), kamias (bilimbi), green mango, or even guava in some regional styles. Families tailor the base with pork, shrimp, milkfish, or beef, but the defining balance of sour, salty, and savory remains constant. Sinigang is a week-to-week staple across the Philippines, often served with rice and a simple dipping sauce of fish sauce and chilies, embodying the homey comfort of everyday Filipino cooking.