Sinigang is always a favorite dish for many Filipinos. Even when eating out, you would often crave for the taste of sinigang. Here are the best places where you can find the best-tasting versions around Metro Manila.
Romulo Cafe
Romulo Cafe is a chain of restaurants in Quezon City, Alabang, and Makati. It exclusively serves Filipino dishes, so you are guaranteed to find sinigang here. The restaurant even has three different variations you can try out.
One of these is sinigang na salmon in miso. The large chunks of salmon belly are simmered in a sampaloc broth to give that distinct sour taste. For extra flavor, fermented soybean paste and mustard greens are added. You can also check out the restaurant’s liempo and sugpo sinigang.
The Aristocrat Restaurant
This is another classic when it comes to Filipino dining. It offers five different sinigang varieties, namely:
- Pork sinigang
- Beef sinigang
- Bangus belly sinigang
- Shrimp sinigang
- Fish sinigang in miso
While the restaurant’s sinigang varieties are fairly traditional, these are still hearty meals. The soup has a nice balance of sour and spicy, and each variant has a distinct flavor based on the main ingredient. Aristocrat has 18 branches around Metro Manila so you will easily find one in your location..
Max’s Restaurant
Max’s might be known more for its fried chicken but it also serves some of the best sinigang in town. Besides the more usual variants, the restaurant also has salmon head and belly sinigang, which is a must to try seafood lovers.
The orders are typically good for 2-3 persons and are available for a low price. This makes it a great choice for dining in with friends. You can order it as either an accompaniment to fried chicken or on its own with a good helping of rice.
Chef Rabbi
If you travel around the Tomas Morato area, Chef Rabbi is a must-visit eating spot. Located at the corner of Scout Reyes and Scout Castor, this dining spot is popular for its selection Filipino dishes. One of its popular items is sinigang na panga ng tuna (tuna jawbone).
The great thing about the restaurant’s sinigang is that the tuna jawbone is cooked until soft and crunchy. It also uses pieces that have a good amount of fat, giving you a lot to chew on. The soup itself is of the right sourness.
Wooden Spoon
For those who love seafood-based sinigang, Wooden Spoon is one spot you would want to check out. Its aptly-named sinigang laman dagat features not just one kind of seafood but several. You get salmon, shrimp, and even squid.
Another thing you will surely like with Wooden Spoon’s sinigang is the generous helping of kangkong. The restaurant is located at the Power Plant Mall in Makati, which is accessible for many people.
Corazon
Corazon is another great place to get the taste of sinigang and seafood from. The restaurant is located at the Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong. One of its most popular dishes is shrimp sinigang in green mangoes.
The shrimps are simmered in a sampaloc broth before the green mangoes are added to the mix. This results in an extra-sour soup that will cause your taste buds to tingle. The restaurant also serves a generous helping of rice for each order.
Sentro 1771
If you want a different sinigang experience, you should visit Sentro 1771 in Greenbelt. Its sinigang features a surprising ingredient in the form of corned beef. Aside from that, the restaurant also includes boneless shank and short ribs in the soup.
The meat is cooked in a thick sampaloc broth and the resulting mix of sour and salty taste is a delightful treat. What’s more, you can have the broth done based on your personal preferences, giving you additional options.
Manam
This is yet another unique spin to the traditional sinigang recipe. The soup itself is a fairly standard sampaloc broth with short ribs and vegetables. What makes it stand out are the additional slices of watermelon. This adds a certain sweetness to the soup that balances the sour taste. You can check out Manam at Greenbelt, Makati.
Mamou
While Mamou is more known for its steaks, this restaurant in Bonifacio Global City also has its take of the beloved sinigang. Instead of regular pork, it uses Japanese black pig meat (kurobuta). The pork has a lot of fatty pieces, which compliments the thick broth well. It also has a large amount of tomatoes, creating a distinct red color.
Abe
Ube, or purple yam, is one ingredient you least expect to find in sinigang. But Abe in Serendra, Taguig pulled it off well. The ube replaces the gabi (taro) used in regular recipes. It gives the sinigang a more thickened soup and a vibrant purple color. The restaurant ensures that its recipe is well-balanced, cooking the pork belly to just the right doneness. The resulting dish is not too sour or salty.
Enjoy the best sinigang in town
The restaurants listed above offer some of the best sinigang that will satisfy your craving. But they are just the tip of the iceberg. Explore the metro and you will surely find more great places to add to the list while getting your fill of that familiar sinigang taste.