Nilaga is a comfort food for many filipinos. Not surprising, considering that nilaga is made of a hearty broth with potatoes and a variety of vegetables. But have you ever wondered about the history of this famous filipino dish? Let’s do a deep dive on the history of Nilaga.
It is believed that nilaga was created during the Spanish colonial era, when beef was introduced to the Philippines by the Spanish. To make sure that the beef was cooked properly, they would boil it in water until it was tender.
Pretty interesting, right? Keep reading to find out more.
What is the origin of Nilaga?
Nilaga is a traditional Filipino soup made with beef, potatoes, and vegetables. The name of the dish comes from the word “nilaga”, which means “to boil”. It is believed that Nilaga was created during the Spanish colonial era, when beef was introduced to the Philippines. Filipinos had traditionally only eaten pork and chicken, so they were not familiar with how to cook beef. To make sure that the beef was cooked properly, they would boil it in water until it was tender. Over time, Nilaga became a popular dish among Filipinos of all classes. Today, it is often served as a main course sometimes as often as three times a week! It’s also served at special occasions such as weddings and holiday dinners. While the ingredients and cooking method have remained largely unchanged, nilaga has become a symbol of Filipino culture and identity.
Who invented Bulalo?
No one really knows who invented Bulalo, but it is thought to have originated in the Batangas region of the Philippines. The dish consists of beef shanks or marrow bones that are simmered in a soup made from water and various seasonings. Over time, the bones release their marrow into the soup, giving the dish its characteristic rich flavor. Bulalo is often served with vegetables and rice, and it is a popular choice for both family meals and special occasions. While its exact origins may be unknown, there is no doubt that Bulalo is a delicious and hearty dish that is loved by many.
What’s the difference between bulalo and nilaga? Click here to read the post.
Variations of Nilaga
There are many different variations of nilaga. Nilaga can be cooked with pork, or beef. The vegetables used also varies from region to region, and much more so for Filipinos living outside the Philippines that do not have the means to acquire the original ingredients that the dish calls for. This is why you may see some people cooking nilaga with cabbage, while others may cook it with bok choy.
Nilaga is a type of Filipino soup that typically features beef and vegetables cooked in a broth. However, there are many variations of nilaga, depending on the region or family tradition. For example, some recipes may call for chicken instead of beef, while others may include additional ingredients such as potatoes, corn, or noodles. No matter what ingredients are used, nilaga is typically enjoyed with a side of steamed rice. While nilaga is typically considered a comfort food, it can also be enjoyed as a light meal or appetizer. Whether you’re looking for a hearty soup to warm you up on a cold day or a simple dish to add to your next feast, nilaga is sure to please.
One popular way of cooking nilaga is by using pork as the meat instead of beef. This gives a slightly different flavor compared to beef, but it is equall delicious. Pork nilaga also has saba or plantain included in the soup, which adds a nice sweet touch to this hearty meal
Another popular way of cooking nilaga (and my absolute favourite way) is using beef bone marrow to create the broth. The bone marrow adds a certain creaminess to the soup. Corn is usually also added to beef nilaga, which again, adds a hint of sweetness to the soup. My absolute favorite part of eating beef nilaga is grabbing the corn and eating it alongside my meal!
Where is Nilaga most popular today?
Nilaga is most popular in the Luzon region of the Philippines today, and in particular, Batangas. All over the world, Nilaga is well known among filipino communities, and even second and third generation filipinos abroad consider this dish as comfort food, especially when feeling under the weather.
Nilaga is a dish that originated in the Philippines, and it remains a popular choice among Filipino cuisine lovers today. The dish is typically made with beef, potatoes, and carrots, and it is often served with a side of rice. While nilaga is not as well known to foreigners outside of the Philippines, it has gained some popularity in recent years as more people have become interested in trying new foods from different cultures. Nilaga is typically considered to be a comfort food, and it is often eaten when families gather together for special occasions.
By the way, I wrote an article on how long you have to boil beef shank to make beef nilaga here.
Is Bulalo the same as Nilaga?
Now that we know everything about the origin of nilaga, the next question you may be wondeirng is if bulalo is the same as nilaga, and the answer is, well, kind of.
Let me explain.
Bulalo is the bone marrow of the beef. So technically, you can cook bulalo in any different ways: You can fry it, boil it, grill it. I mean honestly, you are only limited by your imagination. I have had bulalo or bone marrow many different ways, and yes, I’ve had it pan fried and baked. Each way of cooking bulalo is amazing and deserves recognition, but my favourite way of cooking it is still by boiling it, or nilaga.
Which brings me to our next topic: nilaga. Nilaga means to boil. This means that in the technical sense, you can technically laga or boil anything your heart desires. Of course, if we are talking about nilaga, the most popular main types of meat to use are beef and pork, but you can use other vegetables or meat and it will technically still be nilaga.
So there you have it. Nilaga can be bulalo, and bulalo can be nilaga, but it’s not the exact same thing. Hope that clarified this answer for you!
Curious for more Filipino food history? Check out these posts about the history and origin on these famous filipino dishes: