6.210
3 (Mon) August 2015
Liempo
4.0
from Baliwag [takeaway]
in my apartment
-Malate, Manila-
with the wife & kids, and the wife’s cousin’s family


Summer Vacation, Day 3 (see previously 6.209 Mantis Shrimp with Salt & Pepper).
2 full weeks with the wife and kids, the longest that we’ve been together since I relocated to Manila. 1 week in the Philippines, followed by 1 week in Korea. They arrived Saturday afternoon. We fly back this coming Saturday. (Her cousin’s family, who happens to be in town, will be staying with us until tomorrow.)

Confirming my first impression of this dish, when I’d barely managed to get a couple bites (see previously 6.206 Liempo)…
Perfection. Textural trifecta of exquisitely juicy and tender meat, silky fat, and crispy skin with every bite. Seasoned in a delicate soy-based marinade, enhanced by traces of smoke flavor from the coals. Amenable to the Korean palate — indeed, it paired nicely with kimchi on this occasion. Quite possibly the best pork BBQ that I’ve ever experienced.
Generally, I’ve come to appreciate that Filipinos can roast pork belly and chicken like no other (see for example 6.012 Liempo; 5.224 Seafood Fried Rice; 5.018 Filipino Platter).