A comforting Filipino pork monggo recipe made with tender pork, mung beans, and fresh spinach. Easy, budget-friendly, and perfect with rice.
❤️ A Cozy Filipino Kitchen Story
There’s something truly comforting about a warm bowl of pork monggo simmering on the stove. Growing up, this dish was a staple in many Filipino homes especially on rainy afternoons or simple family dinners when you just needed something hearty and nourishing.
The smell of garlic, onions, and mung beans slowly cooking fills the kitchen with a feeling of home. It’s the kind of dish that doesn’t need to be fancy to be deeply satisfying. Paired with steamed rice and maybe some fried fish on the side, it becomes a complete, soul-warming meal.
This version uses tender pork and fresh spinach for a balance of richness and freshness, simple, affordable, and absolutely delicious.
⏱️ Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 4–6 servings
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 cup mung beans (monggo), rinsed
- 5 cups water
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 lb pork belly or pork shoulder, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (patis)
- 1 bunch fresh spinach (or malunggay leaves)
- Salt and pepper to taste
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Mung Beans: The heart of the dish — soft, creamy, and protein-rich
- Pork Belly: Adds richness, but pork shoulder works for a leaner option
- Spinach: Adds freshness and color (malunggay is more traditional)
- Fish Sauce: Gives authentic Filipino flavor
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Cooking Process
Step 1: Cook the Mung Beans
In a pot, combine mung beans and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30–35 minutes until soft.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
In another pan, heat oil. Sauté garlic, onion, and tomatoes until soft and fragrant.
Step 3: Cook the Pork
Add pork and cook until lightly browned and slightly crispy.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Pour cooked mung beans into the pan with pork. Mix well.
Step 5: Season and Simmer
Add fish sauce, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 10–15 minutes.
Step 6: Add Spinach
Stir in spinach and cook for 2–3 minutes until wilted.
Step 7: Serve
Serve hot with steamed white rice.
🧊 Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freeze for up to 1 month
- Reheat with a little water to loosen the stew
🔄 Substitutions
- Pork → shrimp or tinapa (smoked fish)
- Spinach → malunggay or kale
- Fish sauce → soy sauce (if needed)
🥗 Nutrition Notes
- High in protein (mung beans + pork)
- Rich in fiber
- Budget-friendly and filling
- Great for meal prep
❓ FAQ
Q: Why is my monggo too thick?
Add water or broth while reheating.
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! Skip pork and add mushrooms or tofu.
Q: Can I cook this faster?
Use a pressure cooker to soften beans quicker.
💡 Tips for Best Results
✔ Toast mung beans slightly before boiling for deeper flavor
✔ Don’t overcook spinach
✔ Let it sit — flavor improves the next day
🌟 Variations
- Monggo with Chicharon (crispy topping)
- Monggo with Coconut Milk (creamy version)
- Spicy Monggo (add chili flakes)
🖨️ Printable Recipe Card
Filipino Pork Monggo
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 1 hour
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mung beans
- 1/2 lb pork
- spinach
- garlic, onion, tomatoes
- fish sauce
Instructions:
- Cook mung beans
- Sauté aromatics
- Brown pork
- Combine
- Season and simmer
- Add spinach
- Serve
