by Rosseadelle Ganayo
We’ve been having that type of weather that we all love and hate recently: dark, gloomy, and cold. You would think it was either 6am or 6pm the entire day. It raises the age-old questions “Anong ‘S’ ang masarap sa malamig na panahon?” Well, don’t even bother with any other answer, because the answer has been and always will be Sinigang.
Sure, we all enjoy a certain satisfaction of feasting on a couple of hot eggs with our lugaw, but nothing hits the spot quite right like a steaming bowl of sour sinigang. It’s just one of those dishes that has a solid classical preparation yet is so flexible in taking on modern adaptations. Here are a few options around the metro to get your sinigang fix without setting a foot outside your cozy home.
Sinigang na Corned Beef – Sentro 1771
Considered to be among the classics and a Sentro staple. Meaty chunks of homemade corned beef simmered in savory tamarind broth until tender and paired with the fresh crunch of the vegetables. There’s no wonder why this dish made the restaurant extremely popular among its already loyal customers. The dish is so well-loved that they even released the recipe so you can make it at home! You can check their Instagram page here.
Sinigang na Beef Short Rib & Watermelon – Manam
Spearheading the sinigang elevation movement, with their surprising twist, Manam introduced us to their unique creation – The Watermelon Sinigang. Cubes of juicy watermelon add a refreshing hit of sweetness to contrast the signature tartness in the soup. The Beef short ribs add another depth of savory that rounds up all the flavors neatly for a comforting yet thrilling bite. You can check their Instagram page here.
Sinigang sa Ube – Abe
You can’t mistake this sinigang for anything else. Its bright hue matching the Pantone color of the year in 2018 is its distinguishing feature. Your usual sinigang is given a pop of color, sweetness, and thickness with the help of the beloved ube. Giving the soup a starchy thickness and a mild sweetness you just can’t describe, but appreciate when you’re gipped with cold. You can check their Instagram page here.
Sinigang na Baboy in Guava and Pineapple – Mesa
A different kind of asim-kilig will greet your tastebuds with this deceptively simple sinigang. The modern Filipino restuarant gives the dish a surprisingly tangy and sweet tropical kiss by simmering its pork in bayabas and pinya until tender. Comforting, creamy, and vibrant flavors come together nicely in each bowl of this sinigang. You can check their Instagram page here.
Sinigang na Lechon with Strawberry – Empacho
Luckily for those who haven’t tasted this infamous Baguio take on sinigang, it’s now available in the metro! This restaurant and bar is borrowing the infamous Baguio recipe of Strawberry Sinigang and making it available in the metro with their own twist. The indulgence of lechon is balanced by the tartness of strawberries in this modern take on the filipino comfort soup. You can check their Instagram page here.
Kurobuta Pork Sinigang – Mamou
Enjoy another level of richness with this sinigang. Known for their meats and steaks, Mamou lives up to their standard by using Kurobuta (Japanese Black Pig) in their sinigang. Intensely flavorful meat and fat from the prized pork gets stewed in sampaloc broth to create a rich and flavorful soup perfect for livening up a dull rainy day. You can check their Instagram page here.
Kimchinigang – Locavore
If you’re looking for a sinigang that’s a little more… out there, then Locavore is the right stop. Reinventing traditional Filipino Dishes are their specialty and this is one of their best dishes that keep their customers coming back. The added spice, umami, and tartness that pickled and fermented kimchi gives sinigang proves how well Korea and the Philippines go together. You can check their Instagram page here.
Lechon Sinigang – Cafe Juanita
This kapitolyo neighborhood favorite continues to reel in new customers along with their loyal regulars with their comforting menu. A new addition to their menu of comforting traditional dishes is the extremely rich and flavorful Lechon sinigang. Chunks of their lechon get simmered into fragrant sinigang broth until all the flavors meld together into a thick soup to coat your rice and tastebuds. You can check their Instagram page here.
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