Pork Belly Sinigang (Recipe)

If there’s one dish that embodies the comforting and familiar taste of home for many Filipinos, it’s Sinigang. This tamarind-based sour soup is known for its vibrant flavors, tender meat, and nourishing vegetables, making it perfect for a family meal. Today, I’ll walk you through making Pork Sinigang from scratch using simple ingredients. The balance of sour, savory, and fresh vegetables makes this dish a staple in many Filipino households. Let’s dive into this classic Filipino favorite!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Pork belly, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped

• 1/2 Large yellow onion, diced

• 1 medium Daikon radish, peeled and sliced into bite-sized pieces

• 1 bunch Taiwan spinach, roughly chopped

• 2 packets Tamarind Soup Mix

• 2 quarts Water, or more

• 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Patis (fish sauce), for serving on the side (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables

1. Start by rinsing the Taiwan spinach thoroughly and roughly chopping it. Set it aside for later.

2. Chop the tomatoes and dice half a large yellow onion.

3. Peel and slice the daikon radish into bite-sized pieces.

Cook the Pork Belly

1. Slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces. This will allow the pork to cook evenly and absorb all the flavors.

2. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the pork belly. Sear the pork until browned on all sides.

3. Once browned, discard any excess oil from the pot to avoid making the soup too greasy.

Sauté the Tomatoes and Onions

1. In the same pot, add a bit of clean oil and sauté the tomatoes and onions until softened. This helps release their natural sweetness and enhances the flavor of the broth. Set aside once done.

Simmer the Pork

1. Return the browned pork belly to the pot. Add about 2 quarts of water and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the pork cook for around 30 minutes, or until tender.

2. While simmering, skim off any fat that rises to the top of the pot. This step is optional but helps reduce the fatty taste of the soup.

Add the Tamarind Soup Mix & Vegetables

1. After the pork has become tender, add the softened tomatoes and onions back into the pot. Then, stir in 2 packets of Knorr Tamarind Soup Mix. Adjust the number of packets depending on your preferred level of sourness.

2. Once the soup has come back to a boil, continue skimming any excess fat. Next, add the stems of the Taiwan spinach to the pot for extra texture, followed by the rest of the spinach leaves. Let it simmer until the spinach wilts and the flavors have melded together.

Serve and Enjoy

1. Ladle the pork sinigang into bowls and serve it with steamed rice. My friends and I have our unique way of plating the dish—with varying rice-to-soup ratios and different balances of meat and veggies—but we all enjoy a side of patis (fish sauce) for dipping.

The Best Comfort Food!

Pork Sinigang is one of those timeless dishes that reminds us of home. It’s simple to make, yet bursting with layers of flavor that come together in perfect harmony. The sour tang from the tamarind, the tenderness of the pork belly, and the fresh crunch of vegetables make it a hearty, delicious meal. I hope you give it a try and enjoy it as much as we do!