SINGAPORE, Aug 27 — Their unique synthesis of big flavours and small price tags make hawker foods an Asian staple. But the appeal of indigenous dishes are clearly not limited to their country of origin. Which is why it might come as no surprise that Singapore street food hero KF Seetoh is opening a food court with Singaporean and Malaysian hawker hot picks at the SM Megamall, located in the business district of Ortigas in Metro Manila in the Philippines. Dubbed Makansutra Hawkers, the 12 stalls, serving mostly Singapore hawker fare, is slated to open for business on September 8, proffering 60 items including halal dishes.
The 14,000 sqft of prime space which seats up to 500 diners, will also boasts two alcoves that are ideal for private dining events.
It is not about “the exportation” of, or the need to export, Singapore street foods, Seetoh told Today, but more about seizing “the opportunity to expand and share world heritage and traditional street food. “By the way, the so called ‘Singapore street food’ that we have at Makansutra Hawkers, have roots in countries like Indonesia, China, India,” he stressed.
Other reasons for bringing iconic street foods to the Philippines include an appreciation for the country’s budding status as a future food hub as its foodie destination reputation grows. “Philippines is a great market; the populace is very well-travelled and they love world heritage food, too,” Seetoh affirmed. “It was something very obvious during the recent World Street Food Congress (WSFC) held in Manila in April,” he said, alluding to the crowd of more than 73,000 that had gathered over the five days.
This is also evident in the popularity of Singapore hawker foods among Filipinos working in Singapore. “Let’s put it this way: 60 per cent of Makansutra Gluttons Bay’s customers are Filipino — those who work there and travellers,” said JJ Yulo, Seetoh’s Filipino partner for the Makansutra Hawkers venture who works in the media industry. “It’s been a long time coming — Filipinos are primed and so ready for this kind of food.”
At Makansutra Hawkers, several first-timers to Manila’s dining scene include Teochew kway chap (rice noodle with pig offal) and braised duck by Smith Street’s famed Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck, Alhambra Padang Satay and Muslim Food’s satay bee hoon, and cze char dishes such as prawn paste chicken by Hong Kong Street Old Chun Kee. Also making its international debut (before its opening at the Bourdain Market in New York in 2019) is Geylang Lorong 33’s Claypot Rice. Diners here can choose to pair an order of its charcoal-fired claypot rice dish with a number of popular dishes, from a side of deep-fried duck to a selection of double-boiled soups. There is one Malaysian representative, Malacca’s Donald & Lily, doling out its feted Nyonya laksa and mee siam.
So how will it be logistically possible to serve authentic versions of these famed dishes? “Firstly, almost all the ingredients needed are available in the Philippines,” Seetoh declared. “Also, the Singapore hawkers setting up shop at Makansutra Hawkers in Manila, and I, know only one way to cook what we know and love. So we are passing it on and dishing it out as authentically as we know how.” About 80 Filipino cooks and chefs are being trained to assist in the operation of the stalls.
He added that the selection of dishes to include are based on “what the Filipino palette can handle and is familiar with — keeping in mind their love for pork and chicken”. Prices will range from P100 (S$3) to market rates for seasonal seafood. Many one-meal dishes such as mee goreng and fried paper-wrapped chicken with noodles are affordably priced between P200 and P260 each. The Singapore chicken rice set meal (with vegetables in oyster sauce) is priced at P190 per person and P350 for two. — TODAY
*Makansutra Hawkers is located at SM Megamall Unit 209 AB, 2nd floor, Building A, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. It will be open from 10am to 10pm daily.
