Pesang Lapu-Lapu

Pesang Lapu-Lapu by Toyang Noresa

In Tagalog, pesa refers to a type of stew with ginger, while lapu-lapu is a type of grouper fish.

Pesa is usually associated with dalag (mudfish), but of course there are many variations. You can even make a pesa with chicken! That would be called pesang manok.

It’s been said that the word pesa is derived from a Chinese term for something that is plainly boiled. For the Filipino pesa these days, there must be luya (ginger)! And for the broth, use rice water, aka rice washings… that’s the water in which you’ve rinsed uncooked rice.

Recipes and more photos to be posted after the website upgrade. Please check back. 🙂