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Filipino

Sinigang na Baboy (Filipino Sour Tamarind Pork Soup)

Sinigang na baboy is a Filipino pork and vegetable soup with a clean tamarind sourness and a light, savory broth.

Published and reviewed by Kitchgrow on 2 September 2026Updated

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Sinigang na Baboy (Filipino Sour Tamarind Pork Soup)

1 hr 10 mintotal

Prep 15 min · Cook 55 min

Serves
2
Difficulty
Medium
Spice
Mild
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Ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings.

You'll need: Stovetop.

No separate inactive time is required; most of the time is gentle simmering so the pork becomes tender before the quick-cooking vegetables go in.

Method

  1. Add pork belly and water to a pot, bring to a boil, then skim off any foam from the surface.

  2. Add onion and tomato, lower the heat, and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes until the pork starts to become tender.

    35–40 min

  3. Stir in tamarind paste and fish sauce, then add radish and cook for 5 minutes.

    5 min

  4. Add yardlong beans and eggplant, then simmer for 6 to 8 minutes until the vegetables are just tender.

    6–8 min

  5. Add water spinach and ground black pepper, cook for 1 minute, then taste and adjust with a little more fish sauce if needed.

    1 min

How to tell it's done

The pork should be tender, the broth light and sour, and the vegetables cooked but not mushy.

Getting it right

Tip

Keep the broth clearly sour but still savory; add tamarind gradually if your paste is very concentrated.

What to serve it with

Serve hot with steamed rice, keeping plenty of broth in each bowl.

Common mistakes

The vegetables turn mushy before the pork is tender.
Simmer the pork first, then add radish, beans, eggplant, and water spinach in stages near the end.

Substitutions

  • Water Spinach → Spinach — Use spinach only if water spinach is unavailable; add it at the very end.
  • Yardlong Beans → Green Beans — Green beans can be used in the same quantity.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate sinigang for up to 3 days. Reheat gently and add fresh water spinach after warming; freezing is best for the pork and broth without the vegetables.