Love Asian street food? This foodie news is for you! Singapore's Makansutra, founded by KF Seetoh, will soon be closer to home. No need to fly off to taste authentic comfort food fare as Makansutra Market is opening next month September in Manila! Makansutra’s first milestone for this year was The World Street Food Jamboree, which was part of World Street Food Congress 2016 held at Bonifacio Global City last April. The foodie crowd was strong, as the food fair attracted over 73,000 people in the span of five days!
So what's in store for the first-ever Makansutra Market in the country? Here's what to expect next month, when it opens to the public in September:
(Photo courtesy of Makansutra)
1. 12 Hawker Stations of Exceptional 'Regional Heritage Food'
The 12 stalls feature several first-timers in Manila’s dining scene, like Teochew Kway Chap and Braised Duck (rice noodle with pig offal and braised duck) and Singapore Bak Kut Teh (pork rib broth) cooked with sugar cane. Four stalls from WSFC 2016 will return (for good!), like Singapore’s Alhambra Padang Satay (halal) as well as their rare satay bee hoon; Hong Kong Street Old Chun Kee (Cantonese-style stir-fry and Ha Cheong Kai or Bagoong Chicken), Jin Ji Kway Chap and Braised Duck, and from the historical city of Malacca in Malaysia, Nonya Mee Siam and Laksa by Donald & Lily. For the past few weeks, stall owners have been training their Philippine crew to run these stalls. Also included in the lineup is Singapore’s Geylang Claypot Rice, at Lorong 33, Geylang Road– it was made even more popular on Anthony Bourdain‘s food and travel TV series “The Layover”. This clay pot rice stall, as recommended by KF Seetoh, has been personally selected by Bourdain to be installed in his upcoming Bourdain Market in New York!
(Photo courtesy of Makansutra)
2. Affordable eats for your P100, P200, and P300 meal budget
Prices of dishes range from P100 to market rates for seasonal seafood. Many one-meal dishes are affordably priced around P200 each.
(Photo courtesy of Makansutra)
3. Asian Delicacies, Snacks, and Beverages
For the thirsty, there will be home-brewed drinks like lemon barley, while sweet and quick bites include Kaya (coconut egg custard) and Peanut Butter Toast, and traditional desserts like Pulot Hitam (black glutinous rice in palm sugar). Singapore's iconic Roti John (spicy egg baguette with chicken curry) is also included in the lineup!
(Photo courtesy of Makansutra)
4. A Fun Vibrant Market tucked inside a Mall
Makansutra Market takes 14,000 square feet in Megamall, at the area of National Bookstore's former location. The fully air-conditioned market space can seat up to 500 people, with 35-seater alcoves ideal for private dining events. It will be open daily from 10am to 10pm.
(Photo courtesy of Makansutra)
5. Trained Filipino Cooks and Chefs
For the past few weeks, the stall owners have been training local chefs to run these stalls. It will employ about 80 Filipino cooks and chefs and they will assist top hawker chefs and cooks in serving street food and heritage food. Makansutra will also be hiring the disadvantaged in various positions — an initial small team from halfway houses and charity homes in Manila has been hired.
6. Opening in September 2016
We haven't been given the exact date yet, but Makansutra has its public opening set for next month. Prior to opening to the public, there will be private tasting sessions for the media early September.
Stay tuned in September once we get more information about Makansutra's official opening! Makansutra is located at Unit 209 AB, 2nd floor, Building A, of SM Megamall. Follow Makansutra on social media with these hashtags: #makansutraphil #makansutra; and follow Makanstura on Facebook (/makansutra) and Instagram (@makansutrasingapore).
