Travel through Southeast Asia with your taste buds
If for some reason you are still unable to visit your go-to tourism destination at this point, when borders are reopening and health protocols are easing up, dining might prove to be the solution to sate our travel pangs. Nothing takes back globetrotters, backpackers, and gadabouts to their exploits better than food. The aroma, texture, and taste of something we’ve once eaten trigger deep memories, emotions, and internal states of body and mind, bringing us back to the setting of the fond experience.
Food is also a good entry or gateway for us to be able to immerse in other cultures. Such cultural immersion is essentially one of the main reasons we visit other locales in the first place, the farther away, the better. This makes dining a good alternative to travel. That said, here are dining destinations in Manila that would satisfy our wanderlust.
Singapore
City of Dreams Manila is on an expansion spree for its dining options. The integrated resort has recently introduced Singapore’s famous restaurant brand TungLok Signatures here in Manila. The newly opened outlet offers its Cantonese masterpieces to those passing by the Shops at the Boulevard, the property’s retail strip.
TungLok Signatures is part of Singapore’s leading restaurant chain, the TungLok Group, which was first established in 1984 and has since expanded with over 30 restaurants into Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, China, and Indonesia.
Responsible for bringing the brand to the country is Baby Spice Food Corp, led by Eric Teng, its CEO and president, , who has under his belt eight Mango Tree outlets in the country and other popular restaurants, among other ventures.
The aroma, texture, and taste of something we’ve once eaten trigger deep memories, emotions, and internal states of body and mind, bringing us back to the setting of the fond experience.
TungLok Signatures is distinguished for its trendsetting modern Cantonese cuisine enhanced by the innovative flair of skillful chefs while staying true to the soul and flavors of the well-loved fare.
With welcoming interiors of elegant white tones depicting scenic images contrasted with warm, wood accents, and touches of gold, the restaurant comfortably seats 206 guests, including those in four private rooms that can accommodate a party of 12 to 36 diners.
Among the crowd favorites on the extensive menu is TungLok’s Signature Chili Crab prepared in three variants—with salted egg yolk and curry leaves, with black pepper and fresh peppercorns, or with white pepper, leeks, and fresh peppercorns.
Other must-tries are the crispy roast duck, char siu, roast suckling pig, stir-fried lobster with ginger and spring onion, braised sea cucumber in a thick sauce, and abalone fried rice, to name a few.
TungLok Signatures is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sundays to Thursdays, and until 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Malaysia
To commemorate the 65th Independence Day of Malaysia, Conrad Manila currently hosts a Malaysian food festival at Brasserie on 3 from Aug. 22 to Sept. 16. The hotel flew in Malay banquet chef Karim Mustaffa from Hilton Kuala Lumpur, who pays homage to his roots in honor of Malaysia’s National Day on Aug. 31. Guests will be able to enjoy authentic Malaysian dishes for lunch or dinner buffet throughout the four-week culinary celebration.
A lucky diner may also win a three-day/two-night stay at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Go for the classic nasi lemak and curry laksa. Chef Karim will prepare some of the most festive Malaysian dishes served during special occasions as well.
Reserve a table now through bit.ly/BookAtBrasserieOn3.
Another noteworthy iteration of the Southeast Asian laksa, meanwhile, is served at the Silk Road, Newport Grand Wing. The signature laksa comes in a huge serving and consists of 13 unique ingredients, in particular, Shanghai noodles, roasted pork belly, crab sticks, lobster balls, black mussels, wonton balls, chicken filet, boiled egg, boiled shrimps, beancurd, pork fats, bean sprouts, and string beans, all in a luscious broth. Available the entire month.
The Philippines
One of the most promising names in progressive Filipino dining, Chef Don Baldosano welcomes back dinners to Linamnam this month after his hiatus to give way to the establishment’s renovation.
The private dining restaurant at 31 Greenvale 2, Parañaque City has reopened with this month’s menu that highlights the unsung dishes of the Philippines. The complete course includes Putong Bigas, Tinapay, Kilawing Puso, Calumpit Longganisa, Laswa sa Hugas Bigas, Caldo, Kulawo na Kinilaw, Pahiyas ng Quezon, Hot and Cold Potato Lumpia, Asado Pampangueño, Pater sa Quiapo, Gatas con Yelo, Buko Tart, and Pulot sa Buri.
Reserve a table via @linamnam_mnl on Instagram.