Hotta Ulam | Pork Laing

There have been variations of what is a “Laing” that is basically a Filipino dish originating from the Bicol Region. It consists mainly of shredded or whole taro leaves cooked in thick coconut milk spiced with labuyo chili that either it includes meat or seafood that also include lemongrass, garlic, shallots, ginger, and shrimp paste. It is one of the viands most locals would have in their lunch paired with rice. Local brands in the country has come up ways to present their version of a Laing with either seafood or meat in it. Some are offered in local eateries that have the feel of a home cooked comfort food. But when you’re either at work or have no time to prepare for a lunch meal you just have to bet on instant food that all it needs is heat.

This is where 7 Eleven has established a range of viands under there ‘Hotta Ulam’ without the need to include rice in comparison to their more popular rice meals. There have been four offerings and one of them is the Pork Laing that they have produced for those on the go and only have brought their rice at work.

It is ingenious well thought out idea that someone out there at work might have rice, but forgotten or have not cooked a viand included. It’s good timing also that there are some choices to get into that with offerings presented by 7 Eleven. Though they are limited it aims for the home cooked experience that these are available.

Pork Laing

Previously, the Hotta Ulam Lechon Sisig was a collaboration with a well-known restaurant from Cebu City. This one is entirely in-house 7 Eleven original that seems to be popular that it’s always unavailable in the particular store where this was acquired. Laing is basically a popular dish that another company have their version.

But 7 Eleven takes simplicity and affordably with good quality all rolled into one. Simple packaging for the rest of the Hotta Ulam products sealed in a vacuum packed plastic resting on a black microwave-able tray. It has a slip cover featuring the product photo, while nutrition details at the back.

Veggie-licious

It has pork in them but it is entirely dominated by the shredded taro leaves that makes it more of a veggie dish than the pork meat mixed in it. Though not as near in abundance to keep it under the budget it still delivers that flavourful Laing that most is very familiar of paired with that white steam rice.

For something intricately produced and prepared this is some of the best dishes 7 Eleven has offered in this range. It would be great if there’s an actual rice meal, but understandably they need to balance the diverse dishes they offer in the various range they have to give consumers choices is something that kept them in relevance.

Overall impressive on how they offer this below its price rang under the Hotta Ulam, and at the same time keep the quality up there despite that it is only offered as a viand not in a rice meal. It is one of the rare veggie flavoured offers 7 Eleven have, and they need to add more of these types of meals despite the crowded meat and seafood choices that they have in their products.

• Food Quality: 4 out of 5
• Affordability: A+
• Overall: Needs to expand this product with a Rice Meal.

Pork Laing | Retailed at: ₱ 55.00 Pesos [$ 1.45 AUD | $ 1.04 USD]**

** - Currency Converter via Google.com