Lechon manok facts for kids
Lechon manok served with puso rice
|
|
| Alternative names | Filipino roast chicken |
|---|---|
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Region or state | Visayas |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Chicken, lemongrass, garlic, bay leaf, onion, black pepper, muscovado, soy sauce, fish sauce |
| Variations | Chicken inasal |
| Similar dishes | Inihaw |
Lechon manok is a super popular Filipino dish. It's a whole chicken that's been roasted on a spit, turning slowly over heat. Imagine a delicious, golden-brown chicken that's crispy on the outside and juicy inside!
This tasty chicken is first soaked in a special mix of flavors. These often include garlic, bay leaves, onions, black pepper, soy sauce, and a salty fish sauce called patis. Sometimes, a little brown sugar or muscovado is added to make it slightly sweet. Before roasting, the chicken is usually stuffed with fresh tanglad, which is also known as lemongrass. This gives it a wonderful, fresh smell and taste.
After being seasoned and stuffed, the chicken is cooked over hot charcoal. This slow roasting makes the skin crispy and gives the meat a smoky flavor.
When it's ready, Lechon manok is often served with white rice or a special rice wrapped in palm leaves called puso. People usually dip pieces of the chicken in a sauce made from soy sauce, calamansi (a small Philippine lime), and spicy labuyo chili peppers. Sometimes, a side dish of pickled papaya called atchara is also served. You can find Lechon manok almost everywhere in the Philippines, especially at roadside restaurants. It's a favorite meal for many Filipinos!
Contents
What Makes Lechon Manok Special?
Lechon manok is loved for its unique taste and how it's cooked. It's not just any roasted chicken. The way it's prepared gives it a special Filipino flavor.
The Flavorful Marinade
The secret to Lechon manok's amazing taste is its marinade. This is a liquid mixture that the chicken soaks in before cooking.
- Garlic and Onion: These give a strong, savory base flavor.
- Bay Leaf: Adds a slightly herbal and peppery note.
- Black Pepper: Provides a mild spice.
- Soy Sauce and Fish Sauce (Patis): These are key for the salty, umami taste. Umami is a savory flavor, like in mushrooms or cheese.
- Lemongrass (Tanglad): This is stuffed inside the chicken. It gives a fresh, citrusy, and slightly ginger-like aroma and taste.
- Muscovado or Brown Sugar: Sometimes added to balance the salty flavors with a touch of sweetness.
This mix of ingredients makes the chicken super flavorful from the inside out.
How It's Cooked
Lechon manok is cooked using a method called spit-roasting.
- The whole chicken is placed on a long rod, called a spit.
- This spit slowly turns over hot charcoal.
- As it turns, the chicken cooks evenly on all sides.
- The fat drips off, making the skin extra crispy and golden.
- The charcoal gives the chicken a delicious smoky flavor that you can't get from an oven.
This cooking method is what makes Lechon manok so juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Serving Lechon Manok
Lechon manok is usually the main dish at a meal. It's often shared among family and friends.
Dipping Sauces
One of the best parts of eating Lechon manok is the dipping sauce.
- Toyomansi: This is a mix of soy sauce and calamansi juice. Calamansi is a small, sour citrus fruit common in the Philippines. It tastes like a mix between a lemon and a lime.
- Silimansi: This is similar to toyomansi but with added labuyo chili peppers. These peppers are quite spicy, so they add a kick!
- The tangy and spicy sauces cut through the richness of the chicken, making each bite even more delicious.
Side Dishes
- Rice: White rice is the most common side. Sometimes, people eat it with puso, which is rice cooked and wrapped in woven palm leaves. It looks like a little rice packet!
- Atchara: This is a side dish of pickled green papaya. It's sweet, sour, and crunchy, which is a great contrast to the savory chicken.
Why Lechon Manok is Popular
Lechon manok is more than just a meal in the Philippines; it's a part of everyday life and celebrations.
- Easy to Find: You can find Lechon manok almost everywhere. There are many small shops and roadside stalls that specialize in cooking and selling it. It's a convenient and quick meal option for many families.
- Affordable: Compared to other special occasion dishes, Lechon manok is quite affordable, making it a popular choice for both everyday meals and small gatherings.
- Delicious and Satisfying: Its rich flavor, crispy skin, and juicy meat make it a very satisfying meal. It's a comfort food for many Filipinos.
- Celebrations: While it's an everyday food, Lechon manok is also a favorite for parties, birthdays, and family get-togethers. It's a dish that brings people together.
Lechon manok is a true taste of the Philippines, loved by many for its simple yet incredible flavor.
