Ingredient appreciation — what makes Adobo special

What sets Adobo apart is the handling of cane vinegar. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the rich and porky result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

Filipino adobo was the Spanish colonisers' term for the indigenous vinegar and salt preservation technique. The a Manila restaurant abroad atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had lambanog coconut spirit as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Adobo is the place to start.