United Airlines offered a “local” Filipino dish on my flight from San Francisco to Manila called Beef Kare-Kare. How was it?
Beef Kare-Kare On United Airlines – An Attempt At A Popular Filipino Dish On New Manila Route
Since the pandemic, United Polaris business class menus have been largely standardized on flights departing the USA. But that is changing now with specialized menus based upon the destination. United recently launched nonstop service from San Francisco to Manila, which I flew on its second day of operation in business class. On the menu I noticed a unique menu option:
Beef Kare-Kare
with jasmine rice, cilantro, fried eggplant, bok choy, and green beans
For years, the beef option has been “short ribs” when departing from the USA (with the occasional month of flat iron steaks). I had to try it…
In my flight review, I remarked that it the dish was good. To my unrefined palate, it tasted like Indian food…but I thought it was a fine dish.
One reader responded,
You were correct on your impression of the beef kare-kare, that it seemed like Indian food. It was described on the menu as Filipino curry, but the authentic kare-kare does not have curry. Kare-kare is a peanut butter-based dish. I was not satisfied with the flavor of the dish, but the vegetables were well-cooked.
Indeed, kare-kare sauce is traditionally made with peanuts, achuete (annatto), and toasted rice. Beef or more traditionally oxtail is stewed, creating a popular Filipino dish. I really could not taste the peanut sauce, though it might have been there but dulled due to the high altitude.
I’d try it again…the beef was tender and the sauce was rather mild. But I’m pretty sure this was nothing like the sort of Kare Kare coming from Lola’s kitchen…
> Read More: United Airlines 777-300ER Business Class San Francisco – Manila Review
My Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago.
It may look like cat vomit but I bet it tastes pretty good.
Probably they made it without the peanut butter because of potential allergies?
I was going to ask that too. How many non-Philipinos would know that kare-kare is made with peanuts? Did it say this on the menu?
But if that’s the case why not just make a dish that doesn’t include peanuts to begin with?
Just discovered there is an non allergen peanut flavoring. Never had an experience with his but I’m always wary of such products. Maybe they tried that?
Good point. So, basically curry beef with rice. Nothing wrong with that at all. Frankly, it looks delicious.
Doesn’t look bad, but looks more like beef with a tikka masala/butter masala sauce than anything else. Come to think of it, that probably would taste pretty good…
That does sound pretty good to me as well.
Butter chicken is one of the long-haul economy meals in the rotation. (Had it on SFO-MUC before, and my friend had it on SFO-TPE recently.) Was pretty good for an airline meal!
They had it SFO-PPT this summer, and my son gobbled it up. That’s saying something, because he usually won’t eat anything!
It’s typically served with a very very very pungent fermented shrimp paste called bagoong.
I am a Philippine born American. My Filipino fiancee and son live in the PH. I will be In Manila all of April 2024 to see them. If you are in the area and want to experience traditional Filipino dishes, let us know, we’ll take you around for an authentic experience.
But the origin of kare-kare is Indian! Devised by Indian soldiers stationed in Philippines many years ago who were unable to procure traditional spices.
Google it and check the history of this dish… I know as I researched it and I live in Philippines.
Very interesting.
Im a filipino and kare-kare is one of my least fave filipino food. The taste is unappealing to me ..quite boring taste compare to some filipino foods.imho.
Where is the cilantro????