The Singaporean concept, Kaokee, has opened its third branch in Metro Manila, bringing its lineup of hawker-style dishes to Ortigas Center. Located along ADB Avenue, the new space builds on what the brand has been doing since it first appeared in Makati in 2024, serving a focused menu anchored on Hainanese chicken, claypot rice, and laksa.

Kaokee’s approach is shaped by Singapore’s hawker culture, where dishes are built on repetition, consistency, and attention to detail. The menu stays tight, but familiar, with flavors that are direct and easy to come back to.

The Podium branch follows earlier openings at Belamy House in Makati and The Corner House in San Juan, marking a steady expansion for a concept that started without much intention of becoming one.

“I didn’t start Kaokee with a business plan in mind,” said founder Reagan Tan. “During the pandemic, I was just cooking Hainanese chicken at home because I loved it. I shared it with my neighbors, word spread, and before I knew it, the dish had taken on a life of its own. That unexpected journey led to our first branch, which we opened quietly, with no fanfare, just the food.”

That early momentum eventually led the team to Singapore, where they spent time learning directly from hawkers, observing how dishes are prepared and refined over years. The experience informed how Kaokee approached its own menu, which went through several iterations before settling into its current form.

The Hainanese chicken, the dish that started it all, remains central, adjusted over time through repeated testing. The same process shaped the rest of the menu, with each version bringing small changes rather than a complete overhaul.

There are also a few things that came about more by chance. The egg tarts, now part of the offering, were first introduced through a temporary kiosk while the Podium branch was still under construction.

“The kiosk was never meant to be the star, but people kept lining up and coming back,” Reagan said. “The egg tarts took on a life of their own. Because of that, this new branch now has a dedicated takeout counter, something we never originally planned.”

The name itself traces back to hawker stalls, where numbers often carry more weight than branding. Kaokee translates to “Stall Nine,” a reference to both that system and the number of times the menu was refined before it reached its current version.

“Stall Nine is not a name we chose to stand out,” Reagan added. “It is a name we chose to stand among the hawkers who inspired us. We did not inherit a legacy. We earned ours.”