Sinigang mix is a powdered souring base, usually tamarind-flavoured, that turns a simple pork or fish broth into the classic Filipino sour soup. The real fruit and vegetables used to sour sinigang from scratch (tamarind, guava, or unripe mango) take time to prepare, so most home cooks reach for a packet mix instead.
Where to buy sinigang mix in the UK
Sinigang mix is a specialist item, best found through a Filipino grocer or online rather than a mainstream UK supermarket.
Which aisle is sinigang mix in?
Mainstream UK supermarkets do not generally stock sinigang mix, so it is not found in a standard aisle. Filipino grocers keep it near other packet seasoning mixes.
Asian supermarkets
A Filipino grocer is the most reliable source, and usually stocks more than one brand and flavour variant, such as tamarind or guava.
Buying it online
Online is a good option if there is no Filipino grocer nearby, and packets keep well unopened.
Knorr vs Mama Sita's
These are the two brands most likely to be stocked side by side, both give a reliable tamarind-based sinigang, worth trying both if a shop carries them to find a preferred flavour, since they differ slightly in saltiness and tang.
What is sinigang mix?
How to use it
- Stirred into a simmering pork, prawn or fish broth, along with vegetables like water spinach and radish.
- Used as the souring base for sinigang na baboy.
- Adjusted to taste, since brands vary in how sour and salty the mix is.
Adjusting the sourness to taste
Add sinigang mix gradually rather than all at once, tasting as you go, since brands vary considerably in strength and saltiness, it is easier to add more than to fix a broth that has become too sour or too salty.
Fresh alternatives to the mix
Fresh tamarind pulp, unripe mango or guava can all be used to sour a sinigang broth from scratch instead of a packet mix, giving a fresher, more rounded sourness, though the mix remains the more convenient everyday option.
How to store sinigang mix
Reseal sachets tightly and keep in a cool, dry cupboard, an opened packet keeps for several months, though flavour can fade gradually, so use it within a reasonable time rather than letting it sit for years.
Keep unopened sachets in the cupboard. Once opened, reseal tightly and use within a few months.
Frequently asked questions
Is sinigang mix the same as tamarind paste?
No, sinigang mix usually includes salt and other seasoning alongside the souring agent, while tamarind paste is just the fruit.
What is sinigang supposed to taste like?
Predominantly sour, with a savoury pork or seafood broth underneath, and a light heat from added chillies if you like.
Can I make sinigang without the packet mix?
Yes, using fresh tamarind or tamarind paste as the souring agent, though the mix is a quicker, more consistent shortcut.
What flavours does sinigang mix come in?
Tamarind is the most common, though guava, miso and other souring bases are also sold.
