Tinolang Tahong (Filipino Mussels Soup)
Tinolang Tahong is a light and flavorful Filipino mussel soup made with ginger, garlic, onion, tomato, and moringa leaves. The natural sweetness of the mussels blends perfectly with the warm, comforting broth, creating a simple yet delicious dish that's easy to prepare and perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 kilo fresh mussels (cleaned, beards removed)
- 1 thumb-sized piece ginger (sliced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium onion (sliced)
- 1 large tomato (sliced)
- 1 cup moringa leaves (or spinach as an alternative)
- 1 green long chili (optional)
- 2 cups water
- 1–2 tablespoons fish sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Instructions
- Heat the cooking oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the ginger, garlic, and onion until fragrant. Add the tomato and cook until softened.
- Pour in 3 cups of water. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors from the aromatics.
- Add the mussels to the pot. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes or until the shells open. Stir gently to distribute the flavors. Discard any mussels that remain closed.
- Add fish sauce to the broth, starting with 1 tablespoon, and adjust to taste. If you want a mild kick, toss in the green long chili.
- Add the moringa leaves and let them cook for 1–2 minutes until they wilt. Turn off the heat immediately to keep the greens fresh.
- Serve the soup hot in bowls. Pair it with steamed rice and a simple dipping sauce of fish sauce with calamansi or lemon for added flavor.
Notes
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Choose Fresh Mussels
- Always check that the mussels are fresh with tightly closed shells. Discard any mussels with cracked shells or those that don’t close when tapped.
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Use Less Water
- Mussels release flavorful juices as they cook, so adding less water ensures the broth is rich and concentrated. Start with 3 cups and adjust if needed.
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Don’t Overcook the Mussels
- Mussels cook quickly. Once the shells open, they’re done. Overcooking can make them tough and chewy.
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Season Gradually
- Add fish sauce little by little and taste the broth as you go. It’s easier to adjust the saltiness this way.
Nutrition
Serving: 1080.75gCalories: 94.5kcalCarbohydrates: 7.6gProtein: 6.625gFat: 4.7gSaturated Fat: 0.775gSodium: 421.75mgIron: 40mg
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