If the rainy season has you reaching for a jacket or a blanket, don’t forget to grab a steaming bowl of soup too!
These Filipino soups are warm, filling, and packed with comforting flavors that taste a whole lot better when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Here are five recipes worth making the next time the skies turn gray.
1. Utan Bisaya
Don’t let its simplicity fool you—Utan Bisaya is a Cebuano favorite for a reason. Made with seasonal vegetables like squash, eggplant, okra, leafy greens, and sometimes corn or sweet potato, this light soup lets the natural sweetness of the vegetables shine with a bare broth seasoned only with garlic, onion, ginger, and a touch of fish sauce or dried fish.
It’s healthy, budget-friendly, and proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make a truly satisfying meal.
2. Adlai Chicken Soup
Think of Adlai Chicken Soup as arroz caldo‘s younger, healthier cousin. But instead of rice, this recipe uses adlai (Job’s tears) for extra chew and nutrition without sacrificing any familiarity or comfort.
Made with chunks of tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a fragrant broth made with garlic, onion, and ginger, it’s simple, nourishing, and perfect for when the weather calls for something cozy.
3. Tinolang Manok
Few dishes are as recognizable as Tinolang Manok. With chicken, a flavorful ginger-filled broth, sayote or green papaya, and fresh malunggay, it’s a clean and comforting favorite that never goes out of style.
It’s also surprisingly simple to make, needing only a handful of everyday ingredients to create a meal that’s warm, nourishing, and satisfying.
4. Nilagang Baka
Don’t underestimate the hearty trio of beef, vegetables, and a satisfyingly warm broth. Nilagang Baka keeps things simple, letting tender beef, potatoes, cabbage, bok choy, and sweet saba bananas take center stage.
With every spoonful, you get a rich yet clean-tasting beef broth that’s comforting without feeling too heavy—making it easy to see why everyone keeps asking for seconds.
5. Sinigang na Hipon
If you’re torn between adobo and sinigang, the rainy season already has its pick in Sinigang na Hipon. With fresh tamarinds, tomatoes, radish, okra, kangkong, and string beans, the shrimp shines alongside sinigang’s world-famous sour broth for a dish that’s bright, tangy, and refreshing.
Serve it alongside a heaping serving of steamed rice, and you’re set for a rainy day or two.
Soup is the Souperstar of the Rainy Season
Whether you’re craving the fresh veggies of Utan Bisaya, the wholesome goodness of Adlai Chicken Soup, the classic comfort of Tinolang Manok, the heartiness of Nilagang Baka, or the tangy kick of Sinigang na Hipon, these five recipes are made for rainy days.
So the next time the weather gets gloomy, skip the instant noodles and let one of these Filipino favorites simmer instead. Trust us, your bowl (and most likely your stomach) will thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Utan Bisaya is a traditional vegetable soup from Cebu City and widely enjoyed across the Visayas region. It is a light, clear-broth dish made with a mix of seasonal vegetables such as squash, eggplant, okra, leafy greens, and sometimes corn or sweet potato.
This Adlai Chicken Soup is a warm, clean-tasting, and deeply comforting dish that feels like a cross between chicken tinola and a light grain porridge—but with a more modern, nutritious twist. Instead of rice, it uses adlai (Job’s tears), a chewy ancient grain that’s slowly becoming popular in healthier Filipino cooking.
Tinolang Manok is one of the most comforting and well-loved soups in Filipino cuisine. Made with tender chicken simmered in a light yet flavorful ginger broth, this classic dish is a staple in many Filipino households.
Nilagang Baka is a classic comfort food in the Philippines known for its light yet deeply satisfying broth. Tender beef is slowly simmered with vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, bok choy, and saba bananas, creating a hearty one-pot meal that’s perfect for rainy days or family dinners.
Sinigang na Hipon is a classic Filipino sour soup made with fresh shrimp, vegetables, and tamarind. Known for its refreshing tangy broth, this comforting dish perfectly balances savory, sour, and slightly spicy flavors.
