Bicol Express

What is Bicol Express?

Bicol express, known natively in Bikol as sinilihan, is a popular Filipino dish which was popularized in the district of Malate, Manila but made in traditional Bicolano style. The dish was termed by Laguna resident, Cely Kalaw, during a cooking competition in the 1970s in Malate, Manila. The name of the dish was inspired by the Bicol Express railway train (Philippine National Railways) that operated from Tutuban, Manila to Legazpi, Albay (regional center of the Bicol region).

Ingredients you need for Bicol Express

2 lbs. pork belly sliced into strips
2 cups coconut milk
2 cups coconut cream
1/2 cup shrimp paste bagoong alamang
4 cloves garlic crushed
6 pieces Thai chili pepper chopped
1 thumb ginger minced
1 piece onion chopped
1 pieces Serrano pepper sliced
1 cup water optional

Steps for making Bicol Express

Step 1: Combine ginger, garlic, onion, Thai chili pepper, pork, and coconut milk in a pan. Mix well. Cover the pan and turn the heat to on. Let the mixture boil.

Step 2: Remove the cover. Stir. Add half of the bagoong and pour around 1 cup of coconut cream and a cup of water. Stir and adjust the heat to low. Cook until the sauce reduces to a quarter (around 50 minutes).

Step 3: Add the remaining coconut cream and bagoong alamang (as needed). Also add the Serrano peppers. Continue cooking in low heat until the sauce thickens (around

Step 4: Transfer to a serving plate and serve with warm rice.

Watch: How to cook Bicol Express

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