Authentic Filipino Comfort Food: Monggo with Pork and Shrimp
Filipino cuisine offers one of its most beloved comfort dishes - Monggo with Pork and Shrimp. This traditional recipe combines nutritious mung beans with savory pork and succulent shrimp, creating a hearty meal that families across the Philippines have enjoyed for generations. Published on November 7, 2025, this recipe provides a complete guide to mastering this classic dish.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Monggo
The recipe organizes ingredients into three distinct sets to streamline the cooking process. Set A forms the foundation with 350 grams of pork kasim or belly and 1½ cups of mung beans that should be soaked in water for at least one hour. You'll need 5 to 6 cups of water to achieve the perfect consistency.
Set B contains the flavor-building components: 4 tablespoons of cooking oil, 1 whole garlic clove finely minced, 2 onions chopped, 4 tomatoes sliced, and 1 cup of shrimp that has been peeled and deveined.
Set C provides the finishing touches with 1 bundle of leafy greens such as spinach, malunggay, or alugbati leaves. The dish is seasoned with fish sauce and cracked black pepper according to taste preferences.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
First, prepare the base by combining the mung beans, pork, and water in a large cooking pot. Bring the mixture to a boil before reducing to a simmer. Cook until the pork becomes tender and the mung beans soften completely, which typically takes 45 minutes to one hour. During this process, remember to skim off any impurities that rise to the surface.
While the beans are cooking, sauté the aromatics separately. Heat the cooking oil in another pan and sauté the garlic, onions, and tomatoes until they become soft and fragrant. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and are thoroughly cooked through.
Combine all components by adding the sautéed garlic and flavoring mixture into the pot with the mung beans. Allow everything to boil together for an additional 15 minutes to let the flavors meld beautifully. Season with fish sauce and black pepper according to your taste preferences. Finally, stir in the green leafy vegetables and cook until they become tender.
Serving Your Perfect Monggo
Your Filipino Monggo with Pork and Shrimp is now ready to serve. This dish tastes particularly delicious when served warm, making it an ideal comfort food for family dinners or special occasions. The combination of tender pork, flavorful shrimp, and nutritious mung beans creates a balanced meal that represents the heart of Filipino home cooking at its finest.
