Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (2024)

BY :Bebs | Published: | Updated: | 13 Comments

RECIPE PRINT

4.94 from 15 votes

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Delicious braised pork belly with savory-sweet soy-vinegar sauce with a distinguishing taste of tausi cooked until tender. Pork Humba is another Filipino dish to try!

Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (1)

  • What is Pork Humba?
  • What is in Humba?
  • Printable Recipe
  • Pork Humba

What is Pork Humba?

Humba is a Filipino braised pork dish that is very popular in the Visayan and southern regions. Said to be a derivative of the Chinese Hong-ba (also Hong-Shao-Rou or Red Braised Pork Belly). It is believed that it was introduced by Chinese immigrants and was adaptedby our Visaya folks. They replaced some of the ingredients like Shaoxing wine and five-spices with what is more easily found locally. Ginger is also omitted and instead, tausi is used.

Like any others, there are different manners of cooking this dish. Some people would marinate the meat first before searing. Others would skip the searing part entirely.

Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (2)

Adobo Vs. Humba

Humba or sometimes homba is usually likened to the Adobo. They are both cooked with soy sauce and vinegar. Humba, however, has a mildly sweet take from the addition of brown or muscovado sugar and/or pineapple.

Another difference is the way they are cooked. Unlike Adobo, that you just put together and simmer until sauce thickens, Humba is cooked using the braising technique. The pork belly which usually has a good amount of fats is first seared to render the fats. It will then be simmered in liquids and spices.

Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (3)

What is in Humba?

Meat- It is normally made with pork and the most common cut used is the belly or liempo. Pork leg, hocks, and sometimes shoulder are also used. Hard-boiled eggs are also sometimes added.

Braising liquid- Soy sauce, vinegar, and water are used for braising the meat. Pineapple juice is also sometimes added while some use soda (Sprite or 7-up).

Spices- Like Adobo, it also has bay leaves, peppercorn, garlic, and onions. Another thing that sets them apart is the added tausi (fermented black beans), which is a must ingredient. Banana blossoms are also added optionally so as pineapple bits.

Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (4)

Printable Recipe

Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (5)

Print Review

Pork Humba

4.94 from 15 votes

A Filipino braised pork belly dish with sweet-savory soy-vinegar sauce. Made more flavorful by adding black fermented beans (tausi) and banana blossoms.

Course :Main Course

Servings =4

Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 tablspoons oil
  • 1.5 pounds pork belly - cut into 1x2-inch sizes -see NOTE 1
  • 4 cloves garlic -minced
  • 1 medium red onion - chopped
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup vinegar
  • 2 cups water - add more if needed
  • 1 tablespoon peppercorn
  • 2 pieces bay leaves
  • ¼ cup dried banana blossoms (optional)
  • ¼ cup fermented black beans (tausi) - see NOTE 2
  • ½ cup pineapple tidbits - liquids included (optional)
  • 3 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sear pork belly until lightly browned and fats are rendered. Set fried pork aside. Remove excess oil from the pot and leave just about 2 tablespoons.

  • In the same pot, saute garlic until golden and aromatic. Add back the pork belly and stir.

  • Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 40-50 minutes or until pork is tender. Add more water if needed until meat is fork-tender.

  • Remove the cover and continue to simmer until liquid is reduced to a thick sauce.

  • Transfer to a serving dish and serve with plain rice.

Notes

  • NOTE 1 : If pork belly has a lot of fat, separate the fatty part from the leaner part. Sear the fatty part first to render the fats. Sear the leaner meat for shorter time so it will not dry up and become chewy.
  • NOTE 2: If using dried fermented black beans, soak it a bit and rinse before adding as it may be too salty. If using the canned ones with liquid, drain the liquid.

Nutrition

Calories: 1013kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 23gFat: 93gSaturated Fat: 33gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 1469mgPotassium: 561mgFiber: 4gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 75IUVitamin C: 6.5mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 10.4mg

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    What do you think?

  1. Georgia says

    Hi there, what kind of vinegar is required for this recipe??

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      We normally use cane vinegar but you could use any.

      Reply

  2. Ivy says

    Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (18)
    Made this today and absolutely the best humba recipe I've tried. A plus, thank you for sharing.

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Awww...thank you for the awesome review, Ivy!

      Reply

  3. Pepito Siaton says

    Very good Bisaya ang lasa. Ok ko ko

    Reply

  4. KuyaKen says

    Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (19)
    Excellent recipe! I used pineapple juice since I didn't have have the canned fruit. Next time I will swap one cup of water for another cup of pineapple juice. When I doubled the recipe I used one full can of fermented black beans which was about 1/2 a cup. Salamat po!

    Reply

  5. Amadeo says

    Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (20)
    Yummy recipe. Hope taste delicious too without banana
    blossoms and tausi (fermented black beans). Not available here.

    Reply

  6. Nik says

    Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (21)
    Sarap! Parang Adobo pero with a twist! Thanks for the Recipe! 🙂

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Glad you like it, Nik.

      Reply

  7. May says

    Wanna try all your recipes as possible. Thank you

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Go! go! go! Hope you like them all 😊.

      Reply

  8. John says

    Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (22)
    Love it having more tonight

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Thanks, for the stars John! Stay safe and well.

      Reply

Authentic Visayan Pork Humba Recipe - Foxy Folksy (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between pork adobo and humba? ›

Although the two dishes resembles in terms of appearance, Humba is sweet, sour, and salty all at once in taste while Adobo is sour and salty. Humba uses all the basic ingredients of Adobo with the addition of brown sugar, salted black beans (tausi), and banana blossoms.

What is the origin of Humba dish? ›

Historians believe its origins trace back to hong ba, or hong shao rou, meaning “red-cooked pork”: big slices of pork belly stewed in soy sauce, sugar, and spices. Chinese traders brought the dish to Visayas, which Filipino cooks then adapted to their own ingredients and tastes.

What part of the meat is used in the Humba? ›

The most basic humba recipe uses fatty cuts of pork, usually the pork belly (liempo). It is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. The pork is then sautéed with the garlic.

What is the English of humba? ›

Humba (homba), which literally translates to tender (hum) pork (ba), is a Visayan braised pork dish similar to the classic adobo. It's said to have originated from the Chinese hong-bah/hong-mah, a red braised pork belly dish brought to the Visayas islands by Hokkien traders.

What is the difference between Estofado and humba? ›

Traditionally the difference is that Humba uses. liempo and has fried banana and peanuts while. Estofado uses pata and has fried camote and bread on. the side.

Do Filipinos use adobo seasoning? ›

As in Puerto Rico, adobo is beloved in most Filipino households; it's the unofficial dish of the Philippines, even as it varies by region or household. Most modern-day Filipino adobo is prepared with vinegar and soy sauce. Some families keep it simple with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper.

What is the difference between pata tim and Pata humba? ›

Pata Tim traditionally uses pork leg (pata) simmered whole in a sweet and savory sauce, while Humba typically features pork belly or hock stewed in a similar sauce with added ingredients like pineapple juice and fermented black beans, resulting in a richer and more complex flavor profile.

What is adobo in English? ›

In English, adobo means “vinegar-braised.” Evenly-cut chunks of meat are first seared in hot fat or oil until they brown. Braising liquids, such as vinegar and soy sauce, are then added, and the mixture is left to simmer over low heat.

Are adobo and humba the same? ›

Humba uses the pork pata. Adobo uses chicken and pork. Even the pork parts of these three dishes are different. Where lechon paksiw can be made with any pork cut from the leftover lechon, humba is made from the pork pata.

What is the Philippines favorite meat? ›

Popular dishes include lechón (whole roasted pig), longganisa (Philippine sausage), tapa (cured beef), torta (omelette), adobo (vinegar and soy sauce-based stew ), kaldereta (meat stewed in tomato sauce and liver paste), mechado (larded beef in soy and tomato sauce), pochero (beef and bananas in tomato sauce), afritada ...

Where did the humba come from in the Philippines? ›

Origin of humba

This meal was made famous on the Visayan Islands in the central Philippines. Some accounts say that the dish originated from the Visayas. Others say that Fujian Chinese settlers were the masterminds behind this delicacy and that the dish originates from Chinese red braised pork belly.

What kind of meat do Filipinos eat? ›

Meat in itself is an important aspect of Filipino cuisine. A majority of meals are meat based, whether that be chicken, pork, beef, lamb, and sometimes even duck. Adobo is a simple dish to make and can be found around the country.

What is humba known for? ›

"Humba" is popular braised pork belly dish in the Philippines. The people, especially the ones in Visayas and Mindanao are very fond of it. Ask any Bisaya what his favorite dish is, and humba will most likely be the answer.

What are popular Filipino foods? ›

15 Traditional Filipino Foods and Drinks To Try on Your Next Trip
  • Cebu lechon. Roasted suckling pig is a staple of Filipino cuisine. ...
  • Kare-kare. Kare-kare is a rich oxtail stew, often served with rice. ...
  • Adobo. Adobo is both a traditional dish and a cooking method in the Philippines. ...
  • Sisig. ...
  • Balut. ...
  • Sinigang. ...
  • Pinakbet. ...
  • Halo-halo.

Is humba the same as adobo? ›

Humba uses the pork pata. Adobo uses chicken and pork. Even the pork parts of these three dishes are different. Where lechon paksiw can be made with any pork cut from the leftover lechon, humba is made from the pork pata.

What are the 2 versions of adobo? ›

Based on the main ingredients, the most common adobo types are adobong manók, in which chicken is used, and adobong baboy, in which pork is used.

Is Filipino adobo the same as Mexican adobo? ›

Filipino Adobo is an indigenous dish that received a Spanish name because it reminded the Spaniards of how they marinated and preserved meat with spices. They are not the same, but they are similar because each culture needed to preserve and flavor food so it wouldn't rot.

What's so special about Filipino adobo? ›

Filipino families also often have their own recipes for adobo, passed down from one generation to another. One of the unique features of adobo is its versatility. The dish can be made with different meats, such as beef or fish, and can be customized with various seasonings and ingredients.

References

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