Soup's On: Ombu Kusina's Sinabawan Specials

When it pours, a steaming bowl of soup always hits the spot. Rain or shine, the Sinabawan Special at Ombu Kusina is one cool deal...

Ombu Kusina offers its comforting Sinabawan Specials for the whole month of September, 2017, featuring local favorites such as Sinigang na Baboy, Binakol na Manok, and Sinigang na Salmon sa Miso paired with an appetizer, steamed rice, dessert and house brewed iced tea in one sumptuous meal...

A hefty meal with great value, choose either the Sinabawan Special for Four (P 1,199) which includes the soup of your choice, an appetizer (Tinapa Croquette), one entree (choose from Crispy Glazed Chicken or Sizzling Sisig), four bowls of steamed white rice, four servings of Buko Pandan for dessert and four glasses of house brewed iced tea or the Sinabawan Special for Two (P 699) with the soup of your choice and an appetizer, two bowls of rice, two servings of Buko Pandan and two glasses of iced tea. Now that sounds like a pretty good deal. That day, we go for the Sinabawan Special for Two and the house brewed iced tea was served (for more on Ombu Kusina, see my previous post, Ombu Kusina Turns 4: Chef's Picks, Inventive Filipino Spins, All-Time Favorites And More... ).

After a few sips of the house brewed iced tea, the appetizer was then served. Ombu Kusina's Tinapa Croquettes offered tasty bites with the distinct notes of smoked fish coming through complemented by the creamy mayo dip.

The light and crisp outer layer and soft creamy filling combine for textural contrasts capped by its delicate flavors.

If you'd like to add a salad to your Sinabawan Special, the Filipino Salad with Salted Egg (P 190) pairs well with the set meal. The refreshing salad has crisp garden-fresh lettuce with tomatoes, onions, and salted egg whites drizzled with a tart vinaigrette topped with crispy deep-fried anchovies delivering bright and vibrant notes.

Then it's time for the main course. Ombu Kusina's Sinigang na Baboy just seemed like the perfect choice that day as the skies turned grey for the expected downpour. Tender slices of pork belly with fresh vegetables in a light yet tart tamarind broth, just can't go wrong with that on a rainy day.

The sourness of the broth is just right, and slicing up the fresh chili adds that soothing layer of heat to complete the flavors and brighten up any rainy day. One more bowl? Absolutely.

For dessert, cap your comforting rainy day meal with Ombu Kusina's Buko Pandan with pandan jelly, tender coconut meat and creamy sweetened fresh milk topped with a cherry. Now that's one meal deal that's just too good to pass up. Even on a perfectly sunny day...