Sabaw Sa Tabi: Why Turo-Turo Soup Always Hits Different

When it’s raining, most people look for something hot. Something simple like sabaw. And for a lot of us who don’t have enough time to prepare and simmer food, that means turo-turo soup or sabaw. Lugaw, goto, mami, sopas, the comfort food that we have grown to rely on.

No preparation, just point-point and it’s instant gratification. The manang already knows what you need. You get a bowl of rice porridge or noodle soup that’s been simmering since early morning. Topped with chicharon, egg, maybe a bit of fried garlic. It’s affordable, filling, and always warm.

Syempre, me story time tayo. I’ll never forget this one time in high school. I had run away from home in the middle of typhoon season. I was out in the street, soaking wet, cold, and alone. A manang from a nearby turo-turo saw me and didn’t say much. She just sat me down and gave me a bowl of goto. I didn’t even get to refuse, she just handed it to me like she already knew I needed it. That was one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my life.

Sometimes it’s really that simple. A bowl of soup, a plastic chair, and someone paying attention.

Turo-turo soup is our survival food,, especially on days when the world feels too much.

Also, here’s a fun bit of trivia: Ever wonder why we say “sabaw ako” when we’re spacing out or not paying attention? It comes from the feeling of being too watery, too loose or too spread out, like soup. When you’re mentally all over the place, we call that sabaw. Makes sense, right? Your brain’s just floating. Lol. Okay, I made that up. Keep safe, everyone!