Alugbati in English and Utan Bisaya Recipe, Davao Style
A light, healthy Bisaya vegetable soup with alugbati, squash, okra and malunggay, served with fried or dried fish the Davao way.
In this article
Alugbati in English is Malabar spinach (also called Ceylon or vine spinach), a glossy-leafed climbing vegetable that turns silky when cooked. It is a star ingredient in Utan Bisaya, a simple, clear vegetable soup cooked in homes all over Davao and the Visayas, and usually eaten with fried fish or bulad (dried fish) on the side.
Utan simply means "vegetables" or "vegetable dish" in Bisaya. This version is the everyday kind: no meat, no coconut milk, just fresh market vegetables simmered with ginger, onion and tomato.
Alugbati in English and Other Vegetable Names
Before you head to the market, here is a quick translation table. Davao vendors will understand both the Bisaya and Tagalog names.
| Bisaya | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
| Alugbati | Alugbati | Malabar spinach |
| Kamunggay | Malunggay | Moringa leaves |
| Kalabasa | Kalabasa | Squash / pumpkin |
| Talong | Talong | Eggplant |
| Okra | Okra | Okra (lady's finger) |
| Batong | Sitaw | String beans / yardlong beans |
| Luy-a | Luya | Ginger |
| Tanglad | Tanglad | Lemongrass |
| Bulad | Tuyo / Daing | Dried fish |
So the "English ng malunggay" is moringa, and bulad in English is dried fish. Bulad is usually salted and sun-dried, then fried until crisp.
Why Utan Bisaya Is So Popular
Utan Bisaya is cheap, fast and healthy, which explains why it appears on so many Bisaya tables. It uses whatever vegetables are fresh and in season, and Davao's markets, such as Bankerohan, are full of local greens year-round. The soup is mild on its own, so the salty, crunchy fish is the perfect partner.
It is also one of the gentlest Filipino dishes for anyone who wants more vegetables in their diet. Think of it as the Bisaya cousin of Ilocano dinengdeng or Tagalog bulanglang.
Ingredients
- 6 cups water (or rice wash, the water from the second rinse of rice)
- 1 thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 medium tomatoes, quartered
- 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised and knotted (optional)
- 2 cups squash (kalabasa), peeled and cubed
- 1 bundle string beans (batong/sitaw), cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 long eggplant (talong), sliced diagonally
- 6-8 okra, trimmed and halved
- 1 bundle alugbati (Malabar spinach), leaves and tender stems
- 1 cup malunggay (kamunggay) leaves, stripped from stems
- 1-2 tablespoons fish sauce (patis), or salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- Fried fish or 6-8 pieces bulad (dried fish), to serve
- Cooking oil, for frying the fish
Instructions
- Pour the water into a pot and add the ginger, onion, tomatoes and lemongrass. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 5 minutes to build flavour.
- Add the squash, since it takes the longest to cook. Simmer for 6-8 minutes until it is just starting to soften.
- Add the string beans and eggplant. Simmer for 4-5 minutes.
- Add the okra and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Do not overcook or the okra will become slimy.
- Season with fish sauce or salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust.
- Add the alugbati leaves and stems. Cook for 1-2 minutes until just wilted.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the malunggay leaves. The heat of the soup will cook them in about a minute.
- While the vegetables cook, heat a little oil in a pan and fry the fish or bulad until crisp. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve the utan hot in bowls with steamed rice and the fried fish or bulad on the side.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Alugbati
The leaves and young stems are both edible. Alugbati releases a gentle mucilage that slightly thickens the broth, which is part of the charm. If you cannot find it, use regular spinach or kangkong (water spinach), added in the last minute.
Fish choices
The classic pairing is fried fish. Galunggong, tamban (sardines), danggit or any small fish works. For a crispy, salty contrast, fry some bulad. Read our guide to danggit, samaral and other rabbitfish, or use the fish name translator to decode market labels.
Some families flake grilled fish directly into the soup. Leftover sinugbang bangus (grilled milkfish) is a great choice.
Other vegetables
You can add alukon (blossoms from the alukon tree), sweet potato tops (talbos sa kamote), corn kernels, or sliced patola (sponge gourd). Bitter melon leaves are another Bisaya favourite.
Variations of This Bisaya Recipe
| Variation | What changes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Utan Bisaya | Vegetables only, fish served on the side | Everyday lunch, light meal |
| Utan with fish | Flaked fried or grilled fish added to the pot | More savoury soup |
| Utan with shrimp | A handful of small shrimp added with the okra | Weekend version |
| Laswa (Ilonggo cousin) | Similar vegetables, often with shrimp, lighter broth | Fans of Western Visayas food |
Serving Utan Bisaya
Serve it straight from the pot with hot rice. A small dish of sawsawan (dip) on the side is common: fish sauce or soy sauce with crushed chili and calamansi. Utan is light, so it pairs well with something salty or rich, such as fried fish, lechon kawali or grilled pork.
For more comforting bowls, see our list of the best Filipino soups for rainy days, and explore other local dishes in our Davao food guide.
Storage
Utan is best eaten the day it is cooked, because the leafy greens darken and soften. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container and reheat gently; add a few fresh leaves when reheating to brighten it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is alugbati in English?
Alugbati is Malabar spinach (Basella alba), also known as Ceylon spinach or vine spinach. Its thick, glossy leaves are cooked in soups and stir-fries across the Philippines.
What is bulad in English?
Bulad is the Bisaya word for dried fish. It is usually salted and sun-dried, then fried until crispy and eaten with rice or vegetable dishes like Utan Bisaya.
What is malunggay in English?
Malunggay (kamunggay in Bisaya) is moringa. Its small leaves are added at the end of soups like utan and tinola.
Can I make Utan Bisaya without fish sauce?
Yes. Season with salt instead, or use a little vegetable bouillon. The soup is naturally mild, so taste as you go.
Is Utan Bisaya vegetarian?
The soup itself can be fully vegetarian if you use salt instead of fish sauce. It is traditionally served with fish, but you can enjoy it with rice and tofu instead.
