Bicol Express

Bicol Express is a spicy and savory pork dish that’s stewed in coconut milk to give it a rich and creamy sauce. The primary ingredient for the dish includes alamang, a salty fermented shrimp paste that lends the dish tons of umami flavor and a slight pinkish-hue.

The authentic version of this dish actually tends to have more chilies, which served to showcase their bold spiciness. The pork, as a result, was not the star of the dish, but were simply an add-ons. Overtime, however, the dish evolved to become a popular pairing with rice, and so the ratios of the proteins were increased.