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