Skip to content
Sisig from Philippines

Sisig

Sizzling chopped pork with onion, chilli and calamansi. ยท Philippines

๐Ÿ“ Pampanga โ˜… 4.5
Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Reviewed by the WhatWhereVacay editorial team

Sizzling chopped pork with onion, chilli and calamansi.

About Sisig

Chopped pork face and ears are boiled, grilled and crisped, then served screaming hot on a sizzling plate with onion, chilli and a hit of calamansi, often crowned with a raw egg stirred in tableside. It is the king of Filipino beer food.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ History & Culture

Sisig's roots lie in Pampanga, the culinary heart of the Philippines, where the term "sisig" is thought to derive from a Kapampangan word meaning to snack on something sour. The original dish was a simple salad of chopped pork heart, liver, and other offal dressed with calamansi and onions, but the modern sizzling versionโ€”featuring grilled pork face and ears on a hot plateโ€”is often credited to Angeles City in the 1970s, though its exact evolution is debated. Today, regional variations include chicken, seafood, and even vegetarian versions, but the classic pork head preparation remains the standard.

As a beloved pulutan, or beer snack, sisig embodies the Filipino resourcefulness of using every part of the animal. Its sizzling presentation, topped with a raw egg and served with calamansi, has made it a national icon, transcending its provincial origins to appear in restaurants and food stalls across the country. It is a staple of Kapampangan identity and a point of pride for Filipino cuisine worldwide.

Recipes from travellers

No one has shared their own Sisig recipe yet. Yours would be the first.

Share how you make Sisig

You'll need to be signed in with Google or Facebook so your name can appear on it. Recipes go through an automatic food-safety check before they publish.

Sign in to share your recipe

Ingredients
Steps

Sisig โ€” frequently asked questions

What is Sisig?

Chopped pork face and ears are boiled, grilled and crisped, then served screaming hot on a sizzling plate with onion, chilli and a hit of calamansi, often crowned with a raw egg stirred in tableside. It is the king of Filipino beer food.

What is Sisig made of?

Sisig is made with pork, onion, chilli, calamansi and egg.

Where does Sisig come from?

Sisig comes from Philippines, and is especially associated with Pampanga. Sisig's roots lie in Pampanga, the culinary heart of the Philippines, where the term "sisig" is thought to derive from a Kapampangan word meaning to snack on something sour.

Where can I eat Sisig?

A Pampanga beer house, still sizzling as it hits the table.

โ†’ More traditional dishes from Philippines

Taste Sisig in Manila

Independent picks. We earn a small commission if you book through these โ€” at no extra cost to you. How this works.

โœ… Before you go to Philippines

Round out your trip โ€” most travellers book these alongside their trip.

More dishes like Sisig

Rosquillo -- traditional dish from Philippines
Desserts & Sweets โ˜… 4.0

Rosquillo

Rosquillo is a traditional cookie from the Philippines.

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Philippines
Bibingka -- traditional dish from Philippines
Breads & Pastries โ˜… 4.3

Bibingka

Coconut rice cake baked in banana leaf at Christmas.

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Philippines · ๐Ÿ“ Nationwide
Sinigang -- traditional dish from Philippines
Soups & Stews โ˜… 4.5

Sinigang

Sour tamarind broth crowded with pork and vegetables.

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Philippines · ๐Ÿ“ Nationwide
Pancit -- traditional dish from Philippines
Noodles & Pasta โ˜… 4.3

Pancit

Stir-fried noodles symbolising long life at every party.

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Philippines · ๐Ÿ“ Nationwide
Lechon -- traditional dish from Philippines
Meat & Grills โ˜… 4.7

Lechon

Whole spit-roasted pig with shatteringly crisp skin.

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Philippines · ๐Ÿ“ Cebu
Sorbetes -- traditional dish from Philippines
Desserts & Sweets โ˜… 4.3

Sorbetes

Rooted in the Philippines, Sorbetes is an ice cream enjoyed for generations.

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Philippines
Sambal Kangkong -- traditional dish from Malaysia
Meat & Grills โ˜… 4.5

Sambal Kangkong

Sambal Kangkong is a beloved stir-fry, traditional to Malaysia.

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ Malaysia
Antikristo -- traditional dish from Greece
Meat & Grills โ˜… 4.4

Antikristo

Cretan cross-roasted whole lamb cooked over an open wood fire, traditionally served at Easter and summer feasts with horta, lemon potatoes and village salad.

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greece · ๐Ÿ“ Greece (Crete โ€” Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Lasithi)
Three Cup Chicken -- traditional dish from Taiwan
Meat & Grills โ˜… 4.5

Three Cup Chicken

Chicken braised in soy, rice wine and sesame oil with basil.

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ Taiwan · ๐Ÿ“ Nationwide
Yassa -- traditional dish from Senegal
Meat & Grills โ˜… 4.3

Yassa

Yassa is a traditional poultry dish from Senegal.

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ณ Senegal
Enchiladas -- traditional dish from Mexico
Meat & Grills โ˜… 4.4

Enchiladas

Rolled tortillas bathed in chilli sauce and melted cheese.

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ Mexico · ๐Ÿ“ Nationwide
Kimchi Jjigae -- traditional dish from South Korea
Soups & Stews โ˜… 4.5

Kimchi Jjigae

Bubbling stew of aged kimchi, pork and tofu.

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea · ๐Ÿ“ Nationwide
Drinks & Beverages โ˜… 4.3

Xifengjiu

Rooted in China, Xifengjiu is a spirit enjoyed for generations.

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China
Hoppers -- traditional dish from Sri Lanka
Breads & Pastries โ˜… 4.4

Hoppers

Sri Lanka's crisp, bowl-shaped fermented rice-and-coconut pancakes, often served with an egg and fiery sambol.

๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Sri Lanka · ๐Ÿ“ Nationwide
Laddu -- traditional dish from India
Desserts & Sweets โ˜… 4.4

Laddu

Round sweets of flour, ghee and sugar for festivals.

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India · ๐Ÿ“ Nationwide
Kamaboko -- traditional dish from Japan
Seafood โ˜… 4.5

Kamaboko

Kamaboko is the classic Japanese steamed fish cake made from seasoned surimi, painted pink, and served at New Year, in bento, and in noodle broth.

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต Japan · ๐Ÿ“ Shizuoka, Yaizu, and Hakodate production centres + nationwide Japanese depachika and ekiben stalls

Travel guides for Philippines

All travel guides →

Planning a trip where Sisig is on the menu? These guides cover Philippines and beyond.

Reviews

Rate this dish:
No review needed - one click, publishes instantly.

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience with Sisig.

Write a review

Sign in to verify you're a real person, then share your thoughts on Sisig.

Comments

Sign in with Facebook or Google below to comment. Comments are auto-checked and post instantly.

No comments yet. Be the first to say something about Sisig.