Savoring Southeast Asia

Southeast Asian dishes are apt for the rainy days. The spices brighten the mood and the steaming soups are a comfort from the chill.

POMELO salad. The Southeast Asian region has one of the most exciting and flavorful cuisines, bursting with spices and herbs that come together melodiously on the tongue, often layer by layer or at once in a surprising fusion. The strong flavors may take some people aback but give them some time and the taste becomes irresistible.

For Angelo “Chubby” Timban, executive chef of F1 Hotel Manila, Thai cuisine is his favorite in the Southeast Asian gastronomy “because of the fresh herbs that go well in hot dishes.”

“Ang sarap (very delicious),” he simply says.

He prepares Thai food as well as Vietnamese, Singaporean, Philippine, Indonesian and Malaysian dishes for “The Taste of South-East Asia,” where a special buffet spread is prepared every weekend at the hotel’s F All-Day Dining.

The food promo aptly comes after their Luzviminda, an all-Filipino food festival in June in celebration of the anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence. It is also apt for the rainy days. The spices can brighten the mood as well as the weather, and the steaming soups are a comfort from the chill.

Timban and his team has chosen the most popular and well-loved among the Southeast Asian dishes.

He added, “Kinuha namin ‘yung melting pots talaga like Singapore, Vietnam , the Philippines, ‘yung naging part ng barter system. Doon lahat binased ‘yung ingredients namin.”

CRABMEAT fried rice. From July 1 to August 31, 2018, enjoy Thai salads such as phla kung (spicy shrimp salad), yam nuea yang (spicy beef salad), and yam sam-o (pomelo salad).

There is a noodle soup station dedicated to the Vietnamese pho and Malaysia’s seafood laksa, which are every enjoyable.

Char kway teow from Singapore is the highlight among the stir-fried noodles. Among the main dishes, the wok-fried pepper chicken and the braised pork belly prove to be very tasty. Also try the Singaporean chili prawns, steamed whole snapper with soy and ginger and Malaysian yellow curry chicken.

For the Philippines, the sisig itum is the Pampangan popular dish with blackened coconut meat.

SINGAPOREAN chili prawns. While tweaking the flavors to suit the Filipino palate, the culinary team remains true to the original as much as possible. They take liberties on the desserts, however, becoming inventive and combining the Western and the Asian.

“The Taste of South-East Asia” is available for lunch or dinner, Friday to Sunday, at the price of P1,699 per person.

While at F1 Hotel Manila, take a sip of their drink, Nilasing na Mangga, at P350 nett per glass, served at the Canary Lounge. Also try their take on Pinoy street food with a modern fusion twist. All the favorites in one platter, sisig chili poppers, adobo liver rumaki, and shrimp beignet, for P388 net matches with their two-plus-one beer promo or with the Nilasing na Mangga.

PANDAN cakes. Meanwhile, mango shortcake is featured at the F All-Day Dining Patisserie for P1,388 net.

F1 Hotel Manila also has “Rainy Day Serenity” room promotion. You may avail of an overnight stay in a Fort Suite inclusive of buffet breakfast and a pampering complimentary in-room massage for two persons at a special rate of P6,800 net per night. Enjoy the season with a friend or a love one with a relaxing treatment.

For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 908-7888 or visit website f1hotelmanila.com.