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Tokwa’t baboy, also known as tokwa at baboy, is a well-known Filipino comfort meal that translates to very firm tofu (tokwa) with pig (baboy). With boiling pork chops and crispy tofu cubes, this classic Filipino food includes a dipping sauce made of vinegar, soy sauce, shallots, and chilli peppers. It is extremely versatile despite its powerful flavours. It is up to you whether you desire your sauce to be more sour or sweet.

Most people enjoy tokwat baboy with a beer or glass of wine on the side, although some prefer it with rice porridge such as arroz caldo, goto, or plain lugaw.

Tokwat baboy originated in the Cavite province, which may surprise you. To begin with, the original recipe has no tofu at all! This popular Filipino dish was originally called as kulao or kilawin na tainga ng baboy. Pork ears were the predominant pig component in this meal, as they are in the one we’re eating now. Tokwat baboy was previously known as kinilaw since it was supposed to be a kind of that meal.

Kilawin is a long-used cooking method in the Philippines. By soaking and marinating our chosen meats in vinegar, we were able to retain some of the acidic, sour flavour we love.Furthermore, we didn’t only use vinegar back then! Other sour ingredients that contribute to kinilaw’s popularity include calamansi, green mangoes, and even kamias.

Tokwa’t baboy has been around for millennia for a reason, and its history is as interesting as its taste! It’s hardly surprising that this food has endured for so long, especially given the numerous regional variants and modifications!