FOOD & CUISINE
Hawker Food House
101Lessons on Street-food
Story by Maria Tajanlangit Photography by Rubio Bocala
My family has different food preferences and it is almost like a tug and war deciding where to eat . My dad loves Chinese , I hate it ; my mom goes for Thai . My brothers like spicy food , which gives my sister a migraine . So it can ’ t be helped that when we dine out , at least one person isn ’ t happy about the choices .
So Hawkers comes as a nice surprise . Technically , because of the name , it ’ s easily associated as a Singaporean Restaurant , but after a chat with Chef / Owner Rex Chua , Hawkers is not limited to just one type of cuisine . In his menu there is some Thai , Malaysian , Indonesian , Indian , and Chinese influenced dishes , with a note that says you can request them to make it extra spicy .
A simple place , with a hands-on owner , Hawkers being true to its name is affordable . Rex says he made it so because he doesn ’ t believe in charging his customers ridiculously high prices when they can enjoy the same quality at a more reasonable rate . And if you live in Makati or is visiting , you can ’ t find prices like these with the serving that they give .
What I enjoyed best was their set meal Nasi Goreng , an Indonesian dish served with delicious yellow seafood mixed rice topped
( Above ) Laksa Soup and Nasi Goreng , ( Right ) with egg , and two pieces of fried chicken . It sounds simple , I know , but the blend of flavors just makes it homey and delicious . And it was mildly spicy so I could stomach it . I also love the Char Kway Teow , which is stir-fried noodles , tasty , a bit sweet and spicy . Cereal Prawns were uber spicy for my taste , but the flavors come out . The Haianese Chicken with choices of their own ginger and chili sauce condiments , which Rex makes himself , was tastier and had a bigger serving than another posh Singaporean Restaurant we went to just the other day , but at literally half the price . The Singaporean Laksa Soup is seafood mixed with white noodles , with spicy coconut milk curry , is a crowd favorite in Hawkers .
They also make your coffee and tea in the “ Hawkers ” way by juggling it between two tin cups until it foams .
Price ranges are from a mere 50php to 360php ( going rate of their prawn dishes , which at the very least are good for two hungry people ). It ’ s a great find in the bustling Makati Business District . Located near Makati Medical Center , Hawkers is a mustvisit . Search online and you ’ ll find such great reviews for this simple restaurant .
After a hearty meal in 101 Hawker , I arrive home bringing good news to my family . Soon enough they had some dishes delivered and no one complained .
WHAT ARE HAWKERS ?
In some Asian countries like Singapore , Hong Kong , and Malaysia , hawkers are street vendors . But due to rapid urbanization in the 50s and 60s , Hawker centers sprung up in urban areas , they are open-air complexes housing many stalls that sell a variety of inexpensive food .
ABOUT THE CHEF
Rex Chua is only 29 . He trained at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Singapore where he honed his culinary talent . But it all began when he decided to quite his job in China Bank to become a chef . He has been taking short courses in Café Ysabel and then CCA , until he visited a school expo and discovered AT-SUNRICE . He inquired and found the prices too steep for him , but the president must have noticed his passion and asked him if he really wanted this . And because of his answer , he was given an opportunity to be a scholar in AT-SUNRICE in Singapore and train in the Hyatt . He came home to work for Dusit Thani as a sous chef and opened the restaurant Basics . He taught in St . Benilde for two years and also worked for a company that sells kitchen supplies to learn kitchen equipment and design concepts . After having enough experience and knowledge , he decided to open 101Hawkers at Campos Rueda Bldg , in 101 Urban Avenue , beside Makati Medical Center .
20 7107 ISLAND TRAVEL