Bicol Express 🌶️🥥🐷

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Bicol Express is a famous Filipino dish from the Bicol region known for its rich, creamy, and spicy flavor. It features tender pork simmered in coconut milk, shrimp paste (bagoong), garlic, onions, and plenty of chilies. The creamy coconut sauce balances the heat, making it the perfect partner for steamed rice.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45–60 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900 g) pork belly, cut into bite-size cubes
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
• 2–3 tbsp shrimp paste (bagoong alamang)
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1 cup coconut cream (optional, for richer sauce)
• 1 cup water or pork broth
• 6–10 Thai chilies, sliced (adjust to taste)
• 2 green chilies (siling haba), sliced
• 1 cup sliced long beans (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pork

1. Heat oil in a heavy pan.
2. Add pork belly and cook until lightly browned.
3. Remove excess oil if needed.

2. Sauté aromatics

1. Add onion, garlic, and ginger.
2. Cook until fragrant and softened.
3. Add shrimp paste and sauté for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.

3. Simmer the pork

1. Add water or broth.
2. Cover and simmer for 30–40 minutes until pork becomes tender.
3. Stir occasionally.

4. Add coconut milk and chilies

1. Pour in coconut milk and coconut cream.
2. Add chilies and optional vegetables.
3. Simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.

5. Season and serve

• Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve hot with steamed white rice.

Optional Variations

🍗 Chicken Bicol Express: Use chicken thighs instead of pork.
🦐 Seafood Version: Add shrimp, squid, or fish.
🥬 Vegetarian: Use tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables.
🥓 Extra Rich: Use pork belly with a little crispy fried pork topping.

Tips for Authentic Flavor

• Use bagoong alamang for the signature salty, savory taste.
• Let the coconut sauce reduce slowly for a richer texture.
• Add chilies gradually to control the heat.
• Pork belly gives the most traditional richness, but leaner cuts also work.

Bicol Express is a true Filipino comfort food—creamy, spicy, savory, and deeply satisfying, especially when paired with a generous serving of warm rice. 🇵🇭🌶️🥥