Ahhh, Asian food, who isn't crazy about it? Apparently, most of humanity loves Asian food. On CNN's list of the World's 50 best foods, Asia sweeps the top 10 spots.
In Manila, the exotic flavors of Asia come to life at Makan Makan Asian Food Village. During a recent visit to the capital, we dropped in for dinner after spending a stimulating afternoon at historic Luneta Park nearby.
Located at the 2nd floor of the Manila Ocean Park/Hotel H2O, the restaurant features a convergence of Singaporean, Malay, Indonesian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Filipino cuisines in a unique eating place patterned after a vibrant hawker centre. Walk-ins are welcome, so you don't need to be an Ocean Park ticket holder or a Hotel H2O guest to dine here.
Think it's expensive here? Not really. At relatively affordable price points, each dish was expertly prepared, cooked exceptionally well, and served with a generous amount of fresh, zestful ingredients, sauces and spices.
Let's talk about our orders:
• Pork Sinigang (Php 210) - what better way to start off a meal than to savor a soothing bowl of this hot, spicy sour, tamarind-flavored pork broth? Great-tasting, excellent version!
• Satay Pork (Php 250, 10 pcs) - a popular Thai street food, these bright-yellow, fragrant little skewers of savoury, well-marinated meat goes perfectly well with rice. But what really makes the dish stand out is the chili-peanut sauce, an essential satay dip that elevates the taste of barbecue to a whole new level!
• Squid and Shrimp with Broccoli Flower (Php 290) - healthy, nutritious & super tasty, this seafood dish was the star of our dinner table. Bite-size chunks of fresh broccoli mingle with delicate, plump squid & shrimp and tossed in a tangy, spicy blend of soy sauce, chopped garlic, ginger, and chili. Exquisite!
• Chopsuey (Php 220) - the perfect marriage of vegetables and meat! Served in thick soy sauce gravy, strips of sauteed lean pork meat blend with a handful of cauliflowers, baby corns, mushrooms, carrots and cabbages then sprinkled with toasted garlic bits on top.
• Kangkong with Oyster Sauce (Php 175) - kudos to the chefs for transforming this lowly vegetable dish into a culinary masterpiece. To me, this is how kangkong (water spinach) should be cooked, simmered in oyster sauce to add an extra layer of flavor.
Equally delicious were our other orders such as the Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet (Php 225), Deep Fried Spareribs with Salt & Pepper (Php 355) and Pancit Bihon (Php 250).
Courteous, prompt and super attentive, the serving crew were true professionals from start to finish. Overall, our dining experience at Makan Makan was truly delightful, one of the remarkable highlights of our Manila trip. Whether you're a diehard fan of Asian food or simply a cautious eater, Makan Makan is highly recommended to visit.
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