Hotta Ulam | Lechon Binagoongan

If you’re from a non-English speaking country pronouncing “Binagoongan” is a already a tongue twister by itself. Actually, this is a Filipino dish made of sautéed pork that’s flavoured with shrimp paste (“Bagoong”). It is rare to have it paired with your steamed rice as most would have the spicier Bicol Express. It’s considered one of the dishes you’ll find in a Carinderia (Food Stall), and 7 Eleven adds this as part of diverse choices under the Hotta Ulam range. It’s barely notices and possible underappreciated for those health conscious due to the pork. It’s another Rico’s Lechon collaboration by the famed convenient store as an exclusive.

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.

Hotta Ulam | Lechon Sisig

“Ulam” is a Filipino word loosely translated in English as Viands or side dish. It’s the best pair up when having rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s mostly a home cooking that makes it even better. But as an instant frozen dish has been around with different brands making their version of what is a Filipino ‘home cooking’ as an instant without the need to prepare and cook it from the ground up. There have been brands that have produced their version of an instant viand or “Ulam” to take home and just cook rice to pair with it. Way back a full decade ago there was the brand called Ulalammm that was rebranded to Ulalamammm Plus, and then local pastry and restaurant Goldilocks have their take that for some that’s unknown.