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Humba

Prep 15 min
Cook 1.5 hrs
Servings 6
Difficulty Easy
Recipe by Nanay Rosa |

Humba

Visayan Sweet Braised Pork Belly

Prep Time 15 min
Cook Time 1.5 hrs
Servings 6
Difficulty Easy
Humba

About This Recipe

Humba is the Visayan (particularly Cebuano) version of braised pork, often compared to Tagalog adobo but with its own distinct character. What sets humba apart is its sweeter profile, achieved through the use of brown sugar or palm sugar (panutsa), and the addition of fermented black beans (tausi) and dried banana blossoms.

This dish is a staple in Visayan households, especially during fiestas and special occasions. The combination of sweet, salty, and savory creates an incredibly rich and satisfying dish that improves even more the next day as the flavors continue to meld together.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs pork belly, cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup vinegar (cane or coconut)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar or palm sugar
  • 1/4 cup fermented black beans (tausi)
  • 1 cup dried banana blossoms
  • 1 head garlic, crushed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp whole peppercorns
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 tbsp cooking oil

Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare Ingredients

    Soak dried banana blossoms in warm water for 15 minutes, then drain. If using fresh banana blossoms, slice thinly and set aside.

  2. 2

    Brown the Pork

    Heat oil in a heavy pot or wok. Fry pork belly pieces until lightly browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and set aside.

  3. 3

    Build the Sauce

    In the same pot, sauté garlic until golden. Add soy sauce, vinegar, water, sugar, black beans, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Stir to combine.

  4. 4

    Braise the Pork

    Return pork to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1-1.5 hours until pork is very tender and sauce has thickened.

  5. 5

    Finish with Banana Blossoms

    Add banana blossoms in the last 15 minutes of cooking. The sauce should be thick and coat the pork. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Tips & Variations

Banana Blossoms

Dried banana blossoms add unique texture. If unavailable, use fresh ones or substitute with pineapple chunks.

Tausi is Key

Fermented black beans give humba its distinctive taste. Don't skip them - they're essential to the dish.

Add Peanuts

Some versions include roasted peanuts for extra texture and flavor. Add them in the last 10 minutes.