Jumpstarting My Singapore Food Crawl: Makansutra Gluttons Bay

It's been a while since my last blog post, having been busy adjusting to a new way of life and a vastly different culture here in Singapore.  Unlike our Filipino habits, majority of Singaporeans live a fast-paced, career-driven, achievement-hungry lifestyle.  Yet despite this seemingly hectic pace, one thing I noticed in my first two weeks here is that they will slow down, queue up, and wait patiently for really good food.  Be it a hawker stall or a high-end restaurant, long lines are the best clue for something good.

If you come to Singapore lacking any knowledge of the good foodie spots or their best-selling local delicacies, you will surely find yourself giddy searching for what to eat.  Often, for first-time tourists (and even for second timers who just miss the food, like me), one quick jump start for an authentic culinary experience is Makansutra Gluttons Bay.

This is one sutra that is unadulterated.

The brainchild of KF Seetoh, the street food photojournalist guru (I love this guy and his shows on AFC!), Makansutra seeks to replicate a real hawker experience - open-air, smokey, crowded, yet home to tasty treats.  Although the real gems of Singapore cuisine are tucked away in the vast array of hawkers and food courts all over the island, Makansutra is a pretty good place to sample the local food and grab an overview of what the fuss is all about - without getting lost in the heart of the city.

Composed of several stalls which offer their own unique dish, one should manage to try out the best from each.  Having been here for the second time, we wanted to sample a different dish.  In the mood for grilled skewers, our first stop was Alhambra Padang Satay.

Satay Set, SGD 7.00

Apparently famous for their grilled skewers, their stall is a hit among both local and foreign beer guzzlers.  Now I'm really missing the kanto barbecue stalls of the Philippines!  But the satay had a curious charm on its own.  The set consisted of 5 sticks of tender chicken meat and another 5 sticks of soft beef mutton, with a side dish of fresh sliced onions and a peculiar looking yam of some sort.

Basted in a secret marinade, the chicken satay was juicy and flavorful.  It was like our own inasal but zestier.  The beef was my wonderful surprise.  The meat was soft and smokey, grilled to perfection.  Both varieties paired perfectly with their peanut sauce dip.  My only complaint was the seemingly small serving size of the skewered meat per stick.  But hey, nothing comes cheap in Singapore (that is, if you always convert to peso!)

Crispy Baby Squid, SGD 5.00 (?)

One of the first few things we craved for upon setting our feet again in this country was this dish, the Crispy Baby Squid.  This time, I tried out another stall for a different version. (Sorry, I forgot the name of the stall, but it's the one nearest to the bay side).  

Sponge Bob's boss.

These babies were deep fried to a crunch, and then tossed in a sweet spicy red sauce, garnished with chopped onions, red chili, and green pepper.  The entire mix is laid on a bed of what appears to be desiccated rice noodles.  The squid was indeed crispy - not a single piece tasted old nor chewy.  The sauce was executed well, a right mix of sweetness and an ample amount of spicy kick.  The serving size was good enough for two people, although again the price may seem steep for others.

Thai Crab Fried Rice, SGD 7.00 (?)

There's no better way to enjoy both dishes than with a heaping serving of rice.  This stall, Thai Yummy Food, serves a variety of fried rice creations.  We picked the crab fried rice to complement our two dishes.  As expected, the rice was a bit too oily, yet was exploding with flavor - just the right amount of saltiness and zest.

Generously mixed with chopped crabmeat and all sorts of veggies, it was definitely heavy and filling.  Good enough for four persons (or two really hungry people), yet again the price appeared to be inappropriately high.  Nevertheless, it went well with both the grilled skewers and the deep fried squid.  

With this view, I won't complain about the price anymore.

Makansutra Gluttons Bay has gathered some of the best hawker stalls in Singapore into one place, relieving us of the hassle of journeying from place to place, searching for the stall that serves its own unique best-seller.  Even homesick Filipinos can grab a quick bite of good old pinoy food, with Gerry's Grill having their own nook (just don't convert the price to peso though, or you'll feel sorry).  

Recreating an authentic hawker experience with its open-air ambiance, humid atmosphere, and noisy sales-talking vendors, you can be sure the food is genuine and fresh - as you have to wait for each dish to be cooked, just like the real hawker courts.  Perhaps because of its prime location in Marina Bay, the prices are steeper compared to overcrowded food courts in the city.  But then again, with a captivating view of the Singapore skyline, who's thinking about the price?

Jones

Makansutra Gluttons Bay

8 Raffles Avenue #01-15

Singapore

http://www.makansutra.com

Tokyo Drift: Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant

Dining at a Japanese restaurant has become almost customary for us whenever there is a special occasion.  Nothing beats the crisp flavors of the tempura and the savory-sweet mix of teriyaki.  But then, Japanese joints are dime-a-dozen, so selecting the right place is an adventure in itself.   A precarious one at that too, especially for a special date night.

Can't go wrong with tempura.

Scouring the web for delicious yet affordable Japanese cuisine, with a good ambiance of course, I stumbled upon a few blog posts about this relatively new establishment in the foodie center of Kapitolyo in Pasig.  The brainchild of the owner of Cafe Juanita, Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant was an intriguing suspect.  Curiosity led us to try out this joint to see for ourselves.

On a Friday night the Kapitolyo area turns into a food street.  Going down West Capitol Drive and the United Nations of cuisine welcomes you - Asian, American, Mexican.  It's a virtual journey across the globe.  But Japanese was the craving for the night, and as early as 6PM Haru's parking lot was packed!  I guess the only drawbacks in Kapitolyo is finding a good spot to park so as not to get too tired (or too hungry) from walking from your car to your foodie destination.

Outside, the restaurant is imposing with its glimmering red signage and a Japanese gateway column welcoming you.  The interiors are well lit and somewhat off-theme with chandelier fixtures.  A few lanterns should have set the mood better.

This small bridge crossing is easily a favorite photo spot.

Despite the off-theme tables, the wooden panels and sliding doors are in tune.

The cat is way cuter.

Nevertheless, the restaurant's other parts seem to transport you instantly to Tokyo.  Sections are divided by wooden panels reminiscent of quaint Japanese houses.  Colorful traditional kimonos adorn the corners of the shop, along with cute little Japanese dolls.  There's even a small wooden bridge crossing a man-made indoor river to replicate the iconic image of bridges in rural Japan.  Haru manages to bend the seams of time and space and warp you into this mini representation of Japan.  I've yet to visit Little Tokyo in Makati, which boasts the same authenticity, but Haru is a class on its own.

The food, though, still had to prove itself worthy.  With a backdrop as charming as this, the chefs behind Haru had the daunting task of keeping in step with the genuine Japanese experience.  We skimmed over the menu and pretty much ordered our favorites - except for one little detail.  We were craving for Asparagus Bacon wraps, and lo and behold, our eyes nearly popped out when we saw the exorbitant price!  Almost 400 bucks for an appetizer?  Is their bacon made of gold?  We never found out since it was highway robbery ordering it anyway, so we sadly skipped it.

Tori Teba Nanbanzuke, P188 (+5% service charge)

We picked another appetizer instead, the Tori Teba Nanbanzuke.  These were deep fried chicken wings doused in a sweet-sour vinegar sauce.  Despite wallowing in the vinegar, the skin remained crisp and crunchy, while the meat within was tender and cooked thoroughly.  Surprisingly, I enjoyed the vinegar taste which paired well with the wings, much like the way mayo dips matches well with buffalo wings.  Sliced pickled onions and carrots were added into the mix too offer a contrast in texture and color.  The dish was highly addicting, in fact it could stand alone as a viand with rice.  Seriously.  Chicken wings value meal!

Dynamite Roll, P269 (+5% service charge)

The Dynamite Roll is a favorite among Japanese sushi bars, but so far I have tasted only a few who got it right (Omakase is one).  This version was large and plump and stuffed to the brim with fresh raw tuna and pink salmon spiked with hot spices and all sorts of shrubbery.  You know how one can predict if a roll is executed perfectly?  The roll should not crumble.  

Ah, but Haru's Dynamite Roll succumbed to the lightest of tension using my chopsticks, rendering it difficult to grasp and dunk in our specially requested spicy mayo dip.  The rice was fragile and the roll either broke apart or slipped into the wrong parts of the table.  Thankfully though, the raw seafood tasted fresh and plump, and had the ample amount of kicks.  If not for its inadequate construction, this would have been atop my list.

Yakimeshi, P80 and Gohan, P49 (+5% service charge)

In preparation for our feast, we ordered each a cup of Japanese fried rice (Yakimeshi) and plain rice (Gohan).  The fried rice was quite good, not too oily yet retaining its flavor.  The only drawback was the seemingly small serving size for that price.

US Beef Yakiniku, P276 (+5% service charge)

For the main offerings, we ordered one beef dish, the US Beef Yakiniku.  I loved the half-moon dish it rested upon, breaking the mundane symmetry typical of Japanese joints.  The beef strips were sliced just right, neither too thin nor too thick.  

The meat was soft and tender and not sinewy, with a cloying amount of fat in most of the pieces.  The yakiniku sauce was savory with mild sweetness, the flavor seeping into the meat lusciously.  The cabbage offered a break from the greasy goodness of the beef.  With the quality of the dish, I almost regretted not ordering my favorite gyudon, expecting the same perfection as the yakiniku.

Shake (Salmon) Teriyaki, P389 (+5% service charge)

I firmly believe that the Salmon Teriyaki makes or breaks a Japanese restaurant (along with the Ebi Tempura).  So I simply had to try it out to gauge Haru's competencies.  The fillet was long but thinner than what I've had, but it still had enough meat to it.  The teriyaki glaze was light yet flavorful, temptingly sweet and salty.  The salmon was grilled perfectly, leaving a few char marks towards the fatty end.  The meat itself was briny and firm, not too crumbly and flaky.  Although I'm used to heftier servings of such a dish, their version stood out simply because it was executed superbly.

Ebi Tempura, P278 (+5% service charge)

Of course, the star of the night was no other than the prawn tempura.  For less than 300 bucks, you get five pieces of prawns deep fried in a light batter.  The prawns were rather small, as these obviously were not the larger tiger prawns.  

In spite of its diminutive size, the prawns were fresh and sweet, with succulence gushing out with each bite.  Fortunately, the batter was also light and crisp and not too oily.  The dish was commensurate for the price tag, and should be a favorite for those craving for a quick tempura fix yet are tired of those buffet joints that churn out oily tempura like an assembly line.  At Haru, you can peacefully and deliberately enjoy each piece of deep-fried prawn in an equally serene environment.

Kiwi Shake, P79 (+5% service charge)

To douse off the intense flavors of all the courses, the Kiwi Shake seemed a refreshing sojourn.  But, the shake was too dilute to fully enjoy the cool flavor of the kiwi fruit. 

Haru achieves the perfect vibe for one unforgettable experience.  It was indeed a night to remember with a little anecdotal event.  A VIP was arriving just as we settled down to our reserved table.  Apparently he was a really important person that throngs of bodyguards and security personnel surveyed the place in advance, and then politely requested us to transfer to another table.  It was no less than the President of our republic who came that night!  So if he likes dining at Haru, then there must be no pork here (political satire intended).

Still, somehow the quality and taste of the food lagged behind the authenticity of the place.  The makimono is suspect, while the tempura just barely average.  Good things going for Haru though is the quality of their grilled dishes, namely the salmon and beef.  The prices are reasonable but the ambiance is exceptional.  So for a lovely date night and an idyllic experience, drift towards Tokyo in the middle of Kapitolyo, with Haru serving as your portal.

Jones

Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant

9 West Capitol Drive (beside Cafe Juanita)

Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Pho (For) Good Health: Pho Hoa

Despite the widespread popularity of ramen shops, I have never really jumped into the bandwagon.  I'm not really fond of noodles in general, whether it be the soupy or the dry variety.  The only noodle dish that works for me is the Jolly Spaghetti.  No kidding.  Even the ubiquitous cup noodles are my last resort only when I'm strapped for cash.

Nevertheless, my idea of a warm bowl of hearty noodle soup is not ramen, not even chicken mami (but the lomi may pass my standards if done correctly).  When I hear "noodle soup", the first thing that conjures in my mind is a good bowl of pho. 

Vietnamese food is known for its simplicity and reliance on herbs and shrubs, with little emphasis on meat.  Thus, it makes for a healthy yet filling alternative.  Pho Hoa was one of the pioneer franchises in Vietnamese noodle soups, gaining a steady and loyal following through the years (mostly elderly!).  I had my first pho experience in the US, and it was a unique flavor for my palate.  I enjoyed munching through crisp mongo sprouts while sipping the fragrant broth, the goodness seeping into my whole body.

Man's greatest invention: Sriracha!

So, on my Dad's pre-birthday celebration, after all his medical exam tests were good, we sought a healthy lunch for the day.  The Pho Hoa branch in ATC has been around even before the new wings were added.  Despite its small, almost claustrophobic area, it never loses its share of hungry followers.  We found our way to our seats, consisting merely of humble wooden chairs and an unimaginative table set.  Wasting no time, we promptly ordered after browsing the menu speedily.

Goi Cuon, P129

No Vietnamese course would be started correctly without the spring roll.  The fresh variety, the Goi Cuon, consisted of fresh vermicelli noodles, carrots and thin slices of shrimp and lean pork wrapped in a thin delicate rice paper.  The veggies were crisp and fresh, and perfectly paired with the peanut sauce dip.  This appetizer was a meal in itself.

Goi Ca, P195

Wanting to stuff our stomachs with more greens, we ordered another salad appetizer.  The Goi Ca was a chicken salad consisting of pulled chicken meat and a hodge-podge of shrubs.  There was cabbage, lettuce, carrots, and I could even make out slices of turnips. 

This heaping pile of leaves was topped generously with roasted peanuts which surprisingly matched the crunchiness of the greens with its own crisp and savory flavor.  I preferred dousing my salad with the accompanying vinaigrette to further up the ante.  It's a sad day for meat lovers.

Com Thit Nuong Cha Gio, P260

On second thought, I wouldn't survive the day without meat!  So I ordered a rice platter for myself.  With a long name sounding like an incantation, this rice platter was a hefty meal.  Consisting of a large serving of special fried rice (almost 1 and a half cups, I'd say), the grilled pork and a sliced single serve of fried spring roll was the perfect marriage of the two different methods of cooking.

No such thing as healthy pork?

The spring roll was crisp and plump with filling, akin to its fresh counterpart.  I wished I had more servings of this with my rice platter, but I had to make room for the pork.  The pork was lightly glazed in a sweet and tangy marinade, and then charred perfectly to give that smokey taste and texture.  It had the right fat-to-meat ratio, staying in tune to the overall healthy vibe of Pho Hoa.  Best enjoyed with the light vinegar dip, although I did douse some of the pieces with the salad vinaigrette!  It tasted good actually.

Pho Do Vien, P350 (large)

For the parents, they shared a large bowl of a hearty concoction of seafood noodle soup, the Pho Do Vien.  This hefty bowl of herby, almost medicinal, fragrant broth combined thin rice noodles with the briny flavor of the sea.  Chunky mounds of fish balls and sweet succulent shrimps simmered in the soup as if in their own habitat.  All sorts of greens (of course adding the mongo sprouts) gave life and flavor to the overflowing broth.

Under the sea...

The flavor of the broth was perfect and typical of pho, not too salty, but exuding the leafy taste of healthy foliage.  Dashing a few drops of sriracha amps up the spice level and gets the blood pumping.  The only complaint was that the soup went cold too fast (blame the aircon perhaps?).  But not to worry, the wait staff was quick to refill your bowl with the hearty broth with a fresh warm serving.  Yes, I did say refill.  Make friends with the waiter and he'll even give you another bowl of soup to go.  That's what he did for us!

Staying healthy has never been this delicious and appetizing.  Who said eating shrubs was a drudgery?  With the flavors and benefits of veggies captured masterfully by Pho Hoa, it's a small wonder that the elderly often prefer a bowl of pho than any MSG-laden ramen or mami.  And, as I always quip whenever I eat Vietnamese cuisine, I have never seen any obese Vietnamese national, whether on TV, movies, or even personally.  So this must be their secret to keeping fit: a bowl of warm pho, a few fresh spring rolls, and lean grilled meat.  So pass me the sriracha as I finish another serving of pho.  Pho The Win.

Jones

Pho Hoa 

Alabang Town Center

Alabang-Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City  

https://www.facebook.com/phohoainc