Filipino Chicken Inasal Steak Duo! - Video

This is the chicken inasal steak dish from Brown Sugar King Cafe.

Brown Sugar King Cafe address: 132 V. Luna Ext, Diliman, Quezon City (near corner of Makadios & Maginhawa sts).

Chicken inasal is a popular Filipino dish that originated in Bacolod City, located in the province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines. It's a type of grilled chicken that stands out because of its distinct marinade and cooking method, which gives it a savory, slightly tangy, and smoky flavor.

Key Features of Chicken Inasal:

Marinade: The chicken is marinated in a mixture that typically includes calamansi (Filipino lime), vinegar, garlic, ginger, and lemongrass. This blend gives it a bright, citrusy, and aromatic flavor.

Basting Sauce: While grilling, the chicken is often basted with annatto oil (atsuete) mixed with margarine or butter and sometimes more vinegar, which gives the meat a rich orange hue and extra flavor.

Grilling: It’s grilled over hot coals, imparting a smoky char that enhances its taste.

Common Serving Style:

Usually served with garlic rice (sometimes called "inasal rice") topped with more annatto oil.

Often accompanied by achara (pickled green papaya) and a dipping sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, calamansi, and siling labuyo (bird’s eye chili).

Fun Fact:

“Inasal” comes from the **Hiligaynon word meaning "chargrilled" or "roasted."

It’s so iconic that it inspired major restaurant chains like Mang Inasal, which popularized the dish nationwide with unlimited rice meals.