Authentic Filipino Tapsilog—Beef Tapa, Garlic Rice & Eggs!
Derek Chen (adapted by JojoM)
Classic Filipino breakfast featuring tender beef tapa, garlicky fried rice, and crispy fried eggs. Savory, sweet, and comforting—perfect any time of day!
🇵🇭 Authentic Filipino Tapsilog—A Classic Silog Combo
If there’s one Filipino breakfast that sums up home, it’s Tapsilog — short for Tapa (cured beef), Sinangag (garlic fried rice), and Itlog (fried egg). 🥩🍚🍳 This trio is savory, slightly sweet, and irresistibly comforting — perfect any time of day, not just breakfast!
🧄 The Essence of Tapsilog
At the heart of Tapsilog lies the beef tapa, marinated in soy sauce, calamansi juice, and garlic — giving it that signature salty-sweet balance. Once seared, it caramelizes beautifully, creating those golden, flavorful edges Filipinos love.
The garlic rice (sinangag) is simple yet essential: cold rice stir-fried with butter, oil, and loads of golden garlic. It soaks up the tapa’s savory drippings and pairs beautifully with the runny yolk from the fried egg.
Finally, top everything with a perfectly crispy-edged sunny-side-up egg, and you’ve got the Filipino breakfast trifecta.
🍋 Tips for the Perfect Tapa
- Use tender cuts like sirloin or tenderloin and slice thinly for quick marination and even cooking.
- Marinate overnight — it deepens the flavor and enhances the tapa’s characteristic sweetness and tang.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan — sear in batches to achieve that caramelized exterior.
- Substitute lime juice if calamansi isn’t available — it keeps the same zesty balance.
🍽️ How to Serve
Serve your Tapsilog with sliced tomatoes or atchara (pickled green papaya) on the side for brightness and contrast. For an extra Filipino touch, drizzle with spicy vinegar (sukang maanghang) — the tang cuts through the richness perfectly.
💪 A Hearty, Balanced Meal
Each plate delivers around 35g of protein, making it not just delicious but satisfying enough to fuel your day. Whether you enjoy it as a morning comfort meal, a power lunch, or a nostalgic dinner, this Tapsilog recipe is pure Filipino warmth on a plate.
🥢 Bring the Carinderia Home
In Filipino eateries (carinderias), Tapsilog is a staple — affordable, flavorful, and filling. Recreate that experience in your kitchen and enjoy the aroma of garlicky rice and sizzling beef that instantly transports you back to the Philippines. 🇵🇭✨
Serve hot, share generously, and savor every bite — because breakfast in the Philippines isn’t just a meal, it’s tradition. ❤️
Authentic Filipino Tapsilog—Beef Tapa, Garlic Rice & Eggs!
Derek Chen (adapted by JojoM)Classic Filipino breakfast featuring tender beef tapa, garlicky fried rice, and crispy fried eggs. Savory, sweet, and comforting—perfect any time of day!
Tools Used
Frying Pan
Wok
Cutting Board
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Ingredients
Beef Tapa
Garlic Fried Rice
Fried Eggs
Instructions
Prepare the Beef Tapa
- 1
Combine beef, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, calamansi juice, MSG, and black pepper in a bowl.
- 2
Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
- 3
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and cook the beef in batches.
- 4
Sear each side until moisture evaporates and meat caramelizes.
Make the Garlic Fried Rice
- 1
In a wok, melt butter with oil over medium-low heat.
- 2
Add minced garlic and cook until golden brown.
- 3
Add day-old rice, season with salt and MSG, and stir-fry for a few minutes.
- 4
Set aside and keep warm.
Fry the Eggs
- 1
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- 2
Fry eggs until whites are set and edges are crisp, about 4–5 minutes.
Serve
- 1
Plate the beef tapa, garlic fried rice, and fried eggs together.
- 2
Garnish with fresh tomato slices or pickled vegetables if desired.
Comments & Reviews
C. Johnson
6/19/2023
Wait, this is Tapa? My local Filipino spot makes it with garlic rice and sunny-side eggs—so good!
kaktus.kueche
6/20/2023
I went to the Philippines before COVID and fell in love with silog breakfasts. Garlic rice for breakfast was a revelation!
deyyy
6/19/2023
How many calories is this? I’m on a diet but I can’t resist!
Tammy's Book Club
10/7/2024
This is such a good recipe! I use lime instead of calamansi—it works great ❤️
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Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 plate (with rice and egg)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
