Set aside some of the garlic for the sinangag and, if desired, for the sawsawan; use the rest for the marinade.
1 head garlic
Combine the beef with the vinegar, the marinade garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the brown sugar if desired. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator overnight (or longer).
500 g beef, 4 tablespoons vinegar, salt, black pepper, brown sugar
Cooking
In a nonstick skillet, fry the eggs sunny-side up in a little oil, keeping the yolks intact. Set aside.
6 eggs, neutral cooking oil
Drain the beef well and let it drip for a few minutes to reduce excess liquid in the pan.
In the same skillet over medium heat, add a little more oil if needed. Cook the beef in a single layer (don’t overcrowd), turning as needed, for 3 to 5 minutes, until it releases its juices and the liquid is nearly absorbed.
Once the skillet is almost dry, add a splash of oil if needed and keep cooking until the beef is deeply browned and caramelized (lower the heat if you added brown sugar). Repeat with the remaining beef and keep the tapa warm.
Sinangag (garlic fried rice)
In the same skillet, add a little oil and sauté the reserved garlic for the sinangag until golden.
Add the cold rice and break it up with a spatula. Stir-fry until hot throughout and the grains are nicely separated.
950 g cooked rice
Season the rice with salt and, if desired, Maggi Magic Sarap, then toss to combine evenly.
Maggi Magic Sarap
Serving
Plate the tapa with the sinangag and eggs. If you like, serve a sawsawan by mixing vinegar with a little garlic, salt, and chili pepper.
chili pepper
Notes
Make the rice the day before: cold, slightly dry rice stir-fries better and gives you beautifully separated grains.
For best flavor, make the marinade the day before (chilling time is not included in the total time).
Cook the beef in small batches to keep it from steaming and to encourage deep caramelization.