Pairing Adobo correctly — a note on fresh calamansi juice

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Adobo. I ordered it with fresh calamansi juice and the deeply umami elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. annatto seeds in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Filipino adobo was the Spanish colonisers' term for the indigenous vinegar and salt preservation technique. The a turo-turo cafeteria is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Adobo with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.