Binakol facts for kids
| Alternative names |
|
|---|---|
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Region or state | Aklan, Western Visayas |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | chicken, coconut water |
Binakol, also sometimes spelled binakoe, is a yummy Filipino chicken soup. It's made by cooking chicken in fresh coconut water. This gives the soup a unique, slightly sweet taste.
The dish also includes other ingredients like grated coconut, green papaya (or chayote), and leafy greens. You'll also find common cooking ingredients like garlic, onion, ginger, and lemongrass. To season it, people often use patis (which is a type of fish sauce). Sometimes, a few chilis are added to make it a bit spicy!
Contents
What is Binakol?
Binakol is a traditional chicken soup from the Philippines. It's special because it uses coconut water instead of regular water. This makes the soup taste light and refreshing. It's usually served hot as a main meal.
Main Ingredients
The main ingredients for Binakol are:
- Chicken pieces
- Fresh coconut water
- Grated coconut
- Green papaya or chayote (a type of squash)
- Leafy greens (like malunggay leaves or spinach)
- Garlic
- Onion
- Ginger
- Lemongrass
- Patis (fish sauce) for flavor
How it's Made
Traditionally, Binakol was cooked in a very interesting way. People would cook it inside hollow bamboo tubes. Sometimes, they would even cook it directly in halved coconut shells! This old way of cooking added to its unique flavor. Today, most people cook it in regular pots on a stove.
Where Does Binakol Come From?
Binakol comes from the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is especially popular in the province of Aklan. This area is known for its delicious coconut-based dishes. The use of fresh coconut water shows how important coconuts are in Filipino cooking.
Binakol vs. Other Soups
Binakol is quite similar to two other popular Filipino chicken soups: tinola and ginataang manok.
- Tinola: This soup uses regular water to cook the chicken.
- Ginataang Manok: This soup uses coconut milk, which is thicker and creamier than coconut water.
The main difference is the liquid used for cooking. Binakol stands out because of its clear, sweet, and refreshing broth made from coconut water. While Binakol is usually made with chicken, you can also find versions with other meats or seafood.
