Discovering Lechon Republic Singapore

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Discovering Lechon Republic Singapore

When you think of Filipino cuisine, dishes like balut or halo-halo might come to mind. However, the most famous dish that everyone knows is undoubtedly lechon—the crispy roasted pig that is a hallmark of the Philippines.

With just a three-hour flight from Singapore to the Philippines, satisfying your cravings for roasted pork might seem impossible. But fear not! Lechon Republic Singapore, a restaurant dedicated to serving lechon, is ready to fulfill your desires. Nestled in the Novena area, this eatery has been delighting customers since December 2018. The owner, AJ, is the third generation in her family to take on this culinary tradition, and her family back in the Philippines also offers lechon delivery services.

A Delicious Experience

Upon arriving at Lechon Republic, the dish I was most excited to try was the Chopped Lechon Meal (S$12.50). This delightful meal comes with steamed rice and a choice of drink. The quality of the lechon is exceptional, with thick, juicy pieces that are rich in flavor yet remarkably light!

I had always been curious about how lechon is made, and it was fascinating to learn that the chefs here shared their cooking process. The pork belly is marinated with various spices and herbs, then tightly bound to allow the flavors to penetrate during roasting. The pork is then roasted in a specially imported oven from the Philippines for about two and a half hours.

Since the restaurant prepares lechon fresh every day before serving, I was assured that my piece was just out of the oven. When I tasted it, the lechon was incredibly tender, melting in my mouth. Even with a bit of fat, it dissolved like butter and was anything but greasy. The skin was crispy and had an enticing reddish-brown color, reminiscent of a crunchy chip but much richer.

Enhancing Flavor with Dipping Sauces

To enhance the experience further, AJ suggested I try dipping the lechon in sauce. Among the two options, I preferred the light yellow sauce. It had a pleasantly tangy flavor that effectively cut through the richness of the lechon.

If you want to savor the pure essence of lechon, you can order the Chopped Lechon (S$47.50/kg, S$27/500g). I found myself unable to resist this exquisite lechon, so I ordered the Lechon Sinigang (S$15.50) to try as well. This was my first experience with sinigang, and I was eagerly looking forward to it.

Exploring Sinigang

Right from the start, I noticed the sinigang pot was brimming with fresh ingredients: from eggplant and long beans to radishes. Of course, it wouldn't be complete without generous chunks of lechon. While the lechon lost its crispiness in the soup, it retained its sweetness and moisture. In fact, it absorbed the sourness of the broth, creating a wonderful combination.

The soup was slightly thick and rich. We kept coming back for more of its refreshing sour and savory flavor. Interestingly, Lechon Republic prepares this soup upon request, ensuring that they serve only the freshest ingredients without keeping a large pot ready in the kitchen.

Other Delicious Dishes

My favorite dish turned out to be the Lechon Sisig Meal (S$15.50). The lechon is finely chopped and sautéed with spices and sauces, and is even topped with two eggs. This dish is served on a hot plate, immediately reminding me of orh jian, or oyster omelet.

Before digging in, be sure to break the yolk and mix everything together, and don't forget to squeeze a little lime over it to really elevate the flavor. The addition of the egg makes every bite rich and creamy, paired with the freshness of the lechon—this dish is truly irresistible. According to AJ, Lechon Sisig is also the most popular dish among Singaporeans!

Eggplant Salad on the Menu

To balance my meal, I ordered the Enseladang Talong (S$6.50), an eggplant salad. Topped with a vibrant red shrimp paste that looked quite intense, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the paste wasn't spicy at all but had a unique umami flavor that complemented the acidity of the tomatoes.

The eggplant was cooked just right, and combined with onions, tomatoes, and shrimp paste, it created a harmonious dish. Interestingly, my dining companion, who usually isn't fond of vegetables, nearly finished the entire salad!

Conclusion

Lechon Republic Singapore is a testament to the multicultural fabric of Singapore. The warm dishes and unique cooking methods here truly provide a distinct experience. If Filipino cuisine is this delicious in Singapore, I can only imagine how amazing it must be in its homeland!

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