Bulalo Recipe: Traditional Filipino Comfort in a Bowl

Bulalo is a classic Filipino beef soup made from shank and bone marrow, slow-cooked until tender and flavorful.

This comforting dish is rich in beefy broth, infused with vegetables like corn, cabbage, and potatoes, making it both hearty and nourishing. Popular in Tagaytay and Batangas, Bulalo is best enjoyed steaming hot, especially on cool days.

Equipment Needed

Large soup pot or deep stockpot

Knife and chopping board

Ladle

Skimmer (optional, for removing scum)

Ingredients

1.5 kg beef shank with bone marrow

1 large onion, quartered

2 tablespoons fish sauce (or salt to taste)

1 teaspoon whole peppercorns

2–3 ears corn, cut into 3 pieces each

2 potatoes, quartered

1 bunch pechay or cabbage, halved

1 bunch green onions (optional, for garnish)

10 cups water

Directions

Preparation time: 15 minutes, Cooking: 2 hours, Total time: Approximately 2 hour and 15 minutes

Prepare the broth: In a large pot, place beef shank and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Skim off scum and impurities that float to the surface.

Simmer the beef: Add onion, fish sauce, and peppercorns. Lower heat and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and marrow is soft.

Add vegetables: Add corn and potatoes. Cook for 15–20 minutes or until tender. Add pechay or cabbage during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Final touches: Adjust seasoning with salt or fish sauce to taste.

How to Serve

Serve Bulalo hot in deep bowls, making sure each serving has some broth, vegetables, and a piece of beef. Pair it with steamed white rice and dipping sauce made of fish sauce, calamansi, and chili.

Variations:

You can add saba bananas for a sweeter taste.
Substitute pechay with bok choy or napa cabbage.
Some versions add carrots, string beans, or even baby corn for extra heartiness.
If you prefer a richer broth, simmer longer at low heat.

Final Word

Bulalo is the perfect comfort food, warm, flavorful, and filling.

Its rich broth and tender beef make it a family favorite, especially when shared on a rainy day or in a cool mountain setting.

Try this recipe, and you’ll understand why it’s one of the Philippines’ most beloved soups.