🇵🇭 Philippines · Food

Ginisang Munggo

40 min
A relaxed effort
🔥 320 kcal
Nicely balanced
🍽 4 servings
Great for the family

By eatmundo · August 4, 2026

Ginisang Munggo🇵🇭 PH

A comforting and nutritious Filipino mung bean stew. Often enjoyed on Fridays, this hearty soup is packed with protein-rich beans, tender pork, and leafy greens, creating a wholesome meal.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  • 1

    Rinse 200g mung beans and boil them in 1 liter of water in a large pot for 30 minutes until soft and split.

  • 2

    In a separate pan, heat a small amount of oil and sauté 200g diced pork belly until browned, about 5-7 minutes.

  • 3

    Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pork, sautéing for another 2-3 minutes until soft.

  • 4

    Stir in the 2 tbsp fish sauce to the pork and aromatic mixture for seasoning.

  • 5

    Transfer the cooked pork mixture into the pot containing the softened mung beans.

  • 6

    Simmer everything together for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld into the broth.

  • 7

    Stir in the 100g fresh spinach leaves at the very end.

  • 8

    Remove from heat immediately once the spinach has wilted, about 1 minute, to keep the vibrant green color.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to soak the mung beans?+

Soaking for 2 hours reduces cooking time, but it is not strictly necessary if you don't mind boiling them a bit longer.

Can I use other greens?+

Yes, amaranth leaves (kulitis) or moringa (malunggay) are traditional and excellent substitutes for spinach.

Is this dish vegetarian?+

The base recipe includes pork and fish sauce; for a vegetarian version, substitute pork with tofu and use salt or soy sauce instead of fish sauce.

What is the desired texture of the beans?+

The beans should be tender and creamy enough to thicken the soup slightly, but not fully pureed.

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