TungLok Seafood to bring a lot of joy to Pinoy diners

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

FROM the man who gave the dining public restaurants like Mango Tree, Genki Sushi Philippines, Kureji and Sen-Ryo comes another new concept, this time a popular restaurant brand from Singapore.

Eric Teng, CEO of Mother Spice Food Corporation, has brought in his favorite restaurant brand from Singapore, TungLok Seafood. It is located just by the bay at S Maison at Conrad Manila and it formally opened its doors last February 11, 2023.

Just last year, Teng’s group brought in the Singaporean classic restaurant Tung Lok Singapore located at the City of Dreams.

“Whenever I go to Singapore, I make sure that I visit Tung Lok Seafood. I really enjoy the crabs there and I decided that it would be nice to share this with our fellow Filipinos,” Teng said. “We chose what items to serve based on the availability of the ingredients here in the Philippines.”

Focused on offering the best of Singapore-Chinese style seafood, TungLok Seafood continues to innovate and prepare dishes synonymous with the quality and standards of the Tung Lok brand.

The phrase “Tung Lok” comes from a Cantonese saying which means “happy together.” Tung Lok Group started as a family-owned business in Singapore during the 1980s. Today, Tung Lok has expanded to over 30 stores across Singapore, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Philippines.

Celebrate special occasions and intimate gatherings with friends and family in any of Tung Lok Seafood’s four private rooms, each with a capacity of ten to 20 guests. Perennial favorites include TungLok’s Signature Chili Crab with a side of mantou, Wasabi Mayo Prawns, Lobster Sashimi, Australian Beef Tenderloin, and many more delectable dishes.

A media launch was conducted last March 9, 2023 and guests got to sample a number of their delectable dishes. On hand to greet the media guests were Teng; Andrew Tjioe, President and CEO of Tung Lok Group of Restaurants in Singapore and Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore in the Philippines Gerard Ho Wei Hong.

The feast started with Mala Fish Skin, crispy fried fish skin with a spicy mix of Sichuan peppercorn and chili. The fish skin was indeed very crunchy and it was not as spicy as expected. Refreshing Cherry Tomatoes were then served to wash out the after taste brought about by the fish skin. If you are a fan of kiamoy, a very popular Chinese treat, you will certainly enjoy the Cherry Tomatoes.

For the seafood fare, guests were treated to Sauteed Prawns with Black Truffle Sauce, Deep-fried Garoupa with Green Mango, Sour and Spicy Sauce and, of course, the Signature Chili Crabs which was served with a side of fried mantou.

The fried mantou, when dipped into the sauce of the Signature Chili Crabs, was heavenly!

Seven Spiced Grilled Lamb Shank and Slow-cooked Beef Brisket with Beancurd were the next dishes to be served. Both were very tender and flavorful. This was followed by the very Spicy Curry Laksa Noodles. To give a semblance of a balanced diet, guests were treated to Two Way Kale and Sauteed Elephant Shell with String beans.

Even if the dishes made us feel very full and satisfied, there will always be room for dessert. A favorite was the Taro Paste with Coconut Sauce (Silky hot taro topped with coconut sauce) and Rice Roll with

Lotus Paste (Sweetened rice rolls filled with lotus paste).

TungLok Seafood is open from Mondays to Sundays from 10 am to 10 pm. For more information, visit their Facebook or Instagram Accounts or call 09171210082.

THE Thai diner concept Khao Khai “Thai Chicken House,” which introduced the authentic and unbeknown flavors of Northern Thai cuisine in the Philippines, recently unveiled its new branch located at 2/f Crossroads, Bonifacio Global City.

First opened in Poblacion, Makati in 2019, Khao Khai has expanded into a portfolio of seven branches all through the course of the pandemic.

Owned and operated by Making Fine Group, the same F&B group behind Tiger Sugar, Gram Cafe & Pancakes, and Chunky Boss, its growth is being driven by the warm reception of the local dining crowd to some of the least known flavors of Thailand from Chiang Mai and Isan – one that goes beyond the usual Pad Thai or Green Chicken Curry.

In fact, diners coming to Khao Khai will not find the usual Thai staples on the menu. Instead of Pad Thai, Bagoong Rice, or Tom Yum, they will find Phat Mama, or ramen noodles stir dry; Seafood Khao Soi, a classic and aromatic Northern Thai soup with coconut curry broth, fried egg noodles, shrimps, and squid; Red Beef Curry, which are beef sirloin strips cooked in garlic and red paste with a hint of lime and aromatic Thai lemon grass; and Yaowaraj Fried Rice, or Thaistyle chicken fried rice.

At the heart of Khao Khai’s menu is its selection of fried and grilled chicken. Their signature Gai Tod fried chicken is battered and done carefully, ensuring the right moisture in the poultry to achieve the perfect outside crisp and a surprisingly flavorful and juicy meat. Meanwhile, Khao Khai also features a Thai grilled chicken dish called Gai Yang, a popular street food in Isan, marinated for nearly half a day before grilling.

Yet the unsung heroes in Khao Khai may not just be the food, but the sauces, many of which the restaurant does from scratch. Sauces are fundamental to Thai cuisine, and a number of dishes served – most importantly the grilled and fried chicken – are paired with two important ones: the Nam Jim Jaew (fish sauce with herbs and spices, prepared at least 8 hours before service) and Nam Jim Kai (homemade sweet chili sauce).

A roll of sides and salad will further parade across the table as diners enjoy many of Khao Khai’s delicacies, including Som Tam and egg salad sauce – allowing guests to appreciate the unique flavors in these parts of Thailand.

From Som Tam Platter (hand-cut papaya salad) in the vegetable selection to Mango Sticky Rice as an ending to a great meal, Khao Khai brings not just flavors but also the Thai street experience in every restaurant, evident with design that dons all branches and the aromatic and flavorful smell that makes for a signature dining.

Khao Khai is located in six other branches in Poblacion, Makati; Del Monte Avenue, Quezon City; Mall of Asia; Santolan Town Plaza; SM Manila; and SM Fairvie