Let’s Cook: Tapa (The Philippines)
Tapa is a Filipino dish made from cured meat like venison, mutton, and beef. Tapa is part of the dish tapsilog which is made of tapa (the meat), Sinangag(fried rice), and itlog (eggs). Tapa is a dried meat that can be cured or uncured, grilled or fried. The dish is easy to make and doesn’t have a lot of prep work involved, making it a dish anyone can prepare from the absolute beginner to the seasoned pro!
Ingredients
- Lean Beef (round or flank steak works best)
- ½ Cup of Lemon Juice
- ¼ Cup of Soy Sauce
- 2 ½ Tablespoons of Sugar
- ¼ Tablespoon Black Pepper (fresh ground pepper is best)
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
- Olive Oil
Prep
The Afternoon Before
Defrost the meat and massage a tablespoon of olive oil into it to provide some moisture. Place the meat in a Ziploc bag and let it rest in the fridge. Many tapa recipes do not call for this, so you can skip this step. However, if you prefer meat that isn’t dry, I recommend this step.
The Night Before
- Blend lemon juice, soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl until it forms a paste-like consistency.
- Coat the meat in the marinade. Make sure to rub the meat well so it is coated and the rub is well-integrated into the grain.
- Place in Ziploc bag and let it sit overnight.
Cooking
- Remove meat from the fridge and cut the meat into thin strips along the bias. The strips will help it fry faster.
- Place meat on paper towels to wick away excess liquid. Too much liquid will cause the meat to broil instead of fry. However, the prep work the day before will help meat stay juicy and tender.
- Pour olive or Canola oil into a pan and heat using medium heat. Using too high a flame will burn your oil or cause it to catch fire.
- When oil is heated, place the meat into the pan to begin frying.
- Once meat is browned (it may look reddish thanks to the soy sauce), remove from oil.
- Place on a cooling rack with a paper towel or pan underneath to drain excess cooking oil.
- Serve with rice and eggs.
–Joelle Halon
User Review
( votes)Related Articles
G-Dragon 2025 World Tour: The “Superman” Has Returned to the United States
G-Dragon performs onstage at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Navada Courtesy of GALAXY CORPORATION Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of KCrush. On... Read More
KPOP CLUB NIGHT UPCOMING DATES
Ready to lose your voice again? Thought so! Grab your tickets and block off the dates, we’re coming back to bring you together again! KPOP CLUB NIGHT UPCOMING DATES SEPT—-> DEC 2025 Sept 5 – Los Angeles (18+) – DJ... Read More
Sipping Through Seoul (Again!): 2025 Seoul Wine & Spirits Expo
The Seoul International Wines & Spirits Expo (SIWSE) returned to COEX Exhibition Center June 26-28, 2025 and Kcrush was able to gather amongst professionals and enthusiasts and enjoy an easier-to-navigate experience once again. The annual event... Read More
Beyond K-Pop – Korea’s Growing Partnership with Africa
Beyond K-Pop and KDramas, Korea is shaping global development by building strong ties with Africa. Over the years, Korea has worked alongside several African countries to offer a lending hand is various sectors including health. Below are some of... Read More
5 Kdramas to Watch this August 2025
Looking for the perfect k-dramas to binge on this August? Whether you are craving heart-fluttering moments, rime-travel, riveting fantasy, or a unique twist of royalty, these 5 k-dramas will keep you hooked. 1. My Lovely Journey Launching in... Read More
2025 Plus-Size Korean Fashion Trends
The rise of plus-size fashion in Korea isn’t just a fashion moment—it’s a cultural shift. While there’s still progress to be made in representation, 2025 shows potential for significant visibility to curvier bodies in a society long... Read More
The Rose ‘Once Upon a WRLD’ Tour Toronto, 2025 Performance by Carolyn Hinds
The lights go down. The auditorium hushes with a palpable low hum of anticipation. As the sound of “숨 Breath”—the opening instrumental track on WRLD, the latest album from South Korean indie rock band The Rose begins to play— plays through... Read More
‘Doctor X’ – Japan’s Longest-Running Medical Drama
‘Doctor X’ – Japan’s Longest-Running Medical Drama In the world of Japanese dramas, few series have carved a legacy as bold and enduring as ‘Doctor‑X’. Since its debut in 2012, this medical drama has captivated viewers with its... Read More
K-Pop Demon Hunters: Netflix’s Animated K-Fantasy Storming Global Charts
Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters, released June 20, 2025, is topping streaming charts and music playlists worldwide. Mashing K-pop spectacle with supernatural fantasy, this animated phenomenon claims the #1 spot in over 40 countries and has fans... Read More
Leave a Reply