Sinabawang Tahong (Filipino Mussel Soup) Recipe

I am a chef on a luxury world cruise liner. I love to cook and write recipes that are inspired by foods from all over the world.

Mussels, known in Tagalog as tahong, are a very popular shellfish here in the Philippines. For this recipe, fresh mussels are cooked in a tasty broth. Enjoy this inexpensive but delicious sinabawang tahong at home.

Ingredients

• 1 kilo mussels, cleaned
• 1 1/2 inches ginger, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 small tomato, chopped
• 1 litre water
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Utensils

For prep:

• 1 large bowl
• 1 small bowl
• 1 medium plate
• 1 small plate
• measuring spoons
• chopping board
• knife

For cooking:

• pot
• cooking spoon
• soup ladle

Cook Time

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot.
2. Saute the ginger, onion, and tomato. Cook until soft.
3. Pour in the water and allow it to come to a boil.
4. Add the fish sauce and tahong (mussels). Cook mussels until shells are open.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve while still hot.

How to Check Fresh Tahong (Mussels)

• When fresh, tahong should be tightly closed.
• If the shell is slightly open, tahong must close quickly if tapped against a counter.
• Discard any tahong with broken shells.
• Dead tahong will float in water.
• Fresh ones should smell like the sea. They shouldn't have a fishy smell.

Tips and Techniques

• Use a paring knife or shell knife to clean the mussel shells.
• Remove the beard of the mussels using scissors.
• Brush the shell to remove any sand.
• In a bowl, pour in water to dilute the salt. Mix well. Add live tahong into this solution so that they will expel any sand.
• Add leafy vegetables like kangkong to make the sinabawang tahong more nutritious.
• Allow water to boil before adding the mussels.
• Once the mussel shells open, turn off the heat immediately in order to prevent overcooking. Overcooked mussels will release all of their juices, causing them to shrink.

More Mouthwatering Soups

• How to Make Miso Soup Without Dashi
  Do you love to eat Japanese food? This simple yet affordable recipe of a traditional Japanese soup will surely bring you to Japan.
• How to Cook Sinigang na Bangus: A Filipino-Inspired Dish
  Sinigang na bangus is a popular Filipino soup or stew. Enjoy this delicious and hearty recipe during cold weather.

© 2021 Travel Chef

Comments

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on May 14, 2021:

Hello SP Greaney,

Seafoods are abundant where I'm currently living.Good thing for me because I prefer eating chicken and seafood than pork or beef. I hope you'll still try our recipe!

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on May 14, 2021:

Hi Louise,

Same here, I really love mussels. I will share more mussel recipes next time. Thank you for dropping by!

Sp Greaney from Ireland on May 13, 2021:

The dish looks great. I don't eat much seafood as I'm not really good at preparing it.

Louise Powles from Norfolk, England on May 12, 2021:

This sounds lovely. I love mussels, so definitely going to try this. Thanks!