Sinigang
A beloved Filipino sour soup that's deeply comforting and endlessly customizable. Tender pork ribs simmer in a tamarind-based broth with fresh vegetables until everything is melt-in-your-mouth soft. The signature sourness from tamarind is balanced by savory fish sauce and the natural sweetness of tomatoes and onions — a dish that feels like home no matter where you are.
6 servings · Prep 15 min · Cook 60 min · Total 75 min
Southeast Asian · Soup · Dinner
Ingredients
Open in recipe scaler →- 2 lb pork spare ribs cut into 2-inch pieces
8 cup water- 1 package tamarind soup base mix such as Knorr Sinigang sa Sampalok mix
2 medium tomatoes quartered
1 medium yellow onion quartered
2 tbsp fish sauce plus more
1 lb daikon radish peeled and sliced into half-moons
2 medium long green chili peppers left whole- 1 bunch water spinach kangkong; stems trimmed, or substitute baby spinach
baby spinach
2 medium eggplant sliced into 1-inch rounds
0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Equipment
Stovetop
Mixing Bowl
Pot
Fork
Knife
Ladle
Cutting Board
Dipping Fork
Instructions
- Place the @[Pork Spare Ribs] in a #[Pot] and cover with ~[8 cups] of @[Water]. Bring to a boil ^[over high heat], skimming off any gray foam and impurities that rise to the surface.
- Add the quartered @[Yellow Onion] and @[Tomatoes] to the pot. Reduce heat ^[to medium], cover, and simmer ~[for 30–35 minutes] until the @[Pork Spare Ribs] is nearly tender when pierced with a fork.
- Stir in the @[Tamarind Soup Base Mix] and @[Fish Sauce]. Add the @[Daikon Radish] and @[Eggplant] (if using). Continue simmering uncovered ~[for 10 minutes] until the radish is just tender. Taste the broth and adjust sourness with more @[Tamarind Soup Base Mix] or saltiness with more @[Fish Sauce].
- Add the whole @[Green Chili Peppers] and cook ~[for 2 minutes]. Add the @[Water Spinach] last and stir gently — it only needs ~[1–2 minutes] to wilt. Do not overcook the greens.
- Season with freshly ground @[Black Pepper]. Ladle into deep bowls and serve immediately with steamed white rice on the side. Extra @[Fish Sauce] on the table lets everyone adjust to their taste.
