Update Oct. 1, 2017
Makansutra Philippines has closed down on September 30, 2017. I wrote about how they might not stay open for long last Nov. 22, 2016.
Here’s their official post in Facebook.
Famous Singapore hawkers returns to the Philippines in Makansutra Megamall.
Surprised that Makansutra, one of the best places to eat at night when in Singapore by KF Seetoh has returned to Manila this year 2016 of September in SM Megamall.
The first location of Makansutra Philippines was in Manila Ocean Park. I was happy that authentic Singapore food has reached Manila. Unfortunately, it did not last long as they closed down and a new owner tried to copy the concept and changed the name to Makan Makan but the food was not as good.
Here’s what the reopening of Makansutra Philippines looks like:
Ambiance – Enjoy like a Singaporean
The interior is made to look like a common hawker center in Singapore – the ceiling with old roof panels, re-purposed chairs and tables.
In Singapore, Makansutra areas are mostly outdoors, similar to today’s popular concept of food parks. So far the two branches of Makansutra were opened indoors – in Manila Ocean Park and SM Megamall.
Learn Singlish while you eat grafitti
Around the area, you’ll find some Singlish words painted on the walls or chairs. Have you tried speaking them aloud?
- die die must try!
- Kiasu – fear of losing out
- Bo Jio – Didn’t invite me?
- Shiok – delicious/fantastic
- Lepak – chill/relax/rest
- Chope – taken/reserve
Makansutra eating guide
Here an overview of the best Singapore street food you can dine at Makansutra Megamall.
Makansutra Food we tried on our visits.
Duck Kway Tiao (180 PHP) from Jin Ji Kway Chap and Braised Duck
The broth is really fragrant, rich in taste and delicious, this surprising comment coming from someone who is not fond of soup – A must try!
The flat noodles are chewy with a hint of chili oil. Tastes very well with the rich and fragrant braised duck broth with herbs and spices.
Tip: You can request for a second serving of soup.
I would definitely have this dish again.
This dish is a perfect start if you are new to Singapore food.
Combo bento set (300 PHP) (takeaway)
Vegetable preserves, yam rice, braised pig innards, ears, belly, duck meat, soft boiled egg, tofu.
It was my first time to taste yam rice (sticky tasty rice) and it was excellent!
I liked the soft boiled egg the most. The yolk is tasty, soft and just the right creamy pudding like texture. A must try!
Our house cat also approves the taste and wants more.
Here’s where you will find JinJi Kway Chap and Braised Duck food stall.
Laksa (250 PHP) from Donald and Lily
The laksa dish looks good, however I feel that it was lacking in fragrance and other spices compared to one of the best laksa I had in Singapore. It tasted like ordinary spicy milk broth. Not sure if Melaka version is more plain or simplified version.
You can find Donald & Lily food stall inside Makansutra Megamall beside Curry Flurry food stall.
Chicken clay pot rice (280 PHP) from Geylang Claypot Rice
The picture on the menu looked promising. But sadly I don’t know how the clay pot rice should taste like. Our clay pot rice was dry and stiff. The sausage half burnt, vegetables shriveling up.
Overall the chicken claypot rice seemed dry and overcooked. The only positive thing I can say was that they used basmati rice. (Is it an overcooked dry rice or real basmati rice? I can’t tell)
I’m not sure if this was badly done or this is how it’s supposed to taste like. It was a disappointment for 280 PHP.
I would avoid this disappointing dish.
The server recommended that we stir the contents, just like how Pepper Lunch instructs you to mix all the ingredients together while it is still hot.
Here’s where you can find Geylang Claypot Rice inside Makansutra in Megamall.
Beef Satay set (250 PHP) from Alhambra Padang Satay Muslim Food
The spices used in the beef satay and broth is excellent, I can taste the cumin. The taste of the beef satay is exactly how I remember it in Singapore. This is a good dish to start trying if you are not sure which Singapore food to start with in Makansutra.
You can find the Alhambra Padang Satay Muslim Food stall as you enter from the entrance of Makansutra.
Sugarcane juice
2 cups for 150 PHP. I like that they added a lemon slice.
*Update they have reduced the price to 120 PHP. I am not sure of the quality nowadays.
More Singapore hawkers and Singapore food from the Makansutra menu
- Donald & Lily – This food stall is popular for their laksa dish from Malacca, Malaysia
- Curry flurry – Roti prata and biryani
- Gooba Hia – all beef broth dishes
- Adam’s Ribs – bak kut teh with sugar cane
- Ah Tee – Fried carrot cake, fried oyster cake
- Bao Ji Xiang – chicken rice
Drinks and desserts
In Singapore, I have tried the kaya toast, soft boiled eggs, ice kacang and milo dinosaur, glad to find them available in the beverage and snacks bar.
Food I’m looking forward to try on my next visit – mutton satay and chili crab.
I hope that Makansutra is here to stay this time around and the tenants be able to maintain the authentic quality. However I have a bad feeling that the choice of location really hurts them and might not stay open for long.
There wasn’t much of a crowd when I visited on a Saturday lunch time. I think it would have been better if they have a location outside the mall similar to Mister Kebab at Tomas Morato where they can stay open for longer hours instead of being confined within mall hours and expensive rental.
Better yet, with all of the Singapore hawkers available, they can open their own Makansutra food park in the Philippines.
It would have been a very good place to hang out with friends for drinks and good food especially on Fridays and weekends.
Hopefully they are getting a good office lunch crowd during the weekdays and able to make a profit.
Try the food while it’s still good, authentic and while you still can.
There’s also 2 function rooms available for bigger group gatherings, great for intimate celebrations with 15% surcharge.
Makansutra is located at 2F SM Megamall Building A (between Yellow Cab and Burger King)
Open daily from 10AM – 10PM*
*November – December (11AM – 11PM)
Netizens recommend
Yummy food at Makansutra SM Megamall! I missed the cereal prawns!!! 😋 pic.twitter.com/VJtNtd2sua
— Ms. Scamander (@mayeel0ve) December 3, 2016
Yay to Cereal Prawns!!! 😍😋👍🏻 #Makansutra #Saturdate #HappyTummy @ Makansutra, SM Megamall https://t.co/JNvHuh1Pqu
— Cai (@caipasco) November 5, 2016
Makansutra laksa. Egg noodles. Perfect for my semi sore throat. #Laksa @ SM Megamall https://t.co/1uV16UgRYx
— Bob Guerrero (@PassionateFanPH) October 29, 2016
Nothing beats Tian Tian chicken rice in Singapore, though. 😀 @ Makansutra, SM Megamall https://t.co/uP308PXP6b
— Lucy Claire H Lim (@lucyhadloc) September 30, 2016
Super sarap Oyster Omelette from Ah Tee stall at Makansutra, Megamall. Must try! @ Makansutra,… https://t.co/OnrjoDQVEF
— Ted Claudio (@TedClaudio) September 30, 2016
