From the iconic Chili Crab to Roast Duck, savor traditional and contemporary flavors masterfully executed for a unique taste of Singaporean Chinese flavors...
TungLok Signatures brings its award-winning Singaporean, Cantonese and Chinese cuisine to Manila with the opening of its very first flagship branch at City of Dreams Manila. The name, which literally translates to "being happy together" is the cornerstone of the iconic Singaporean restaurant since it opened way back in 1984 as the venue of choice for generations of countless celebrations. That same festive vibe and famous cuisine is now here...
The elegant and spacious interiors of TungLok Signatures in City of Dreams Manila becomes a grand stage for its sumptuous cuisine of authentic Cantonese, Shanghainese and Sichuan dishes infused with a modern and contemporary spin by its master chefs. TungLok Signatures has been collecting prestigious awards since 2008 as the Best Chinese Restaurant in Singapore from AsiaOne People's Choice, Epicurean Star Awards, Restaurant Association of Singapore, Star Chef Competition, World Championship of Chinese Cuisine, The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao Best Asian Restaurant Awards for an impressive resumé to delight local diners.
Eric Teng, the face of RestoPh and the successful restaurateur behind Mango Tree (for more on Mango Tree, see my posts, Btand Refresh: Global Thai Restaurant Mango Tree Re-Opens with a Bold New Look and new Dishes from 2019 and Thai Cuisine At Its Best: A Tasty Preview of Mango Tree's New Dishes from four years ago) and Genki Sushi (more on my posts on Fast Track to Fresh Flavors at Genki Sushi from 2015 and Traditional Sushi Served with Modern Technology at Genki Sushi from seven years back) brings the iconic flavors of TungLok Signatures to Manila adding to a growing portfolio of unique dining concepts.
First impressions matter, and TungLok Signatures gets right into it the minute you step inside. The classic design touches at TungLok Signatures with its pristine white palette contrast with the warm and muted earth tones of dark wood and leather upholstered seats...
...illuminated by ornate lighting adding to the elegant feel of Eric Teng's newest dining concept from Singapore.
A whimsical touch of high-tech brightens up your dining experience with Belle, your automated server. And if it's your birthday, Belle will even belt out a birthday song just for you.
TungLok Signatures also offers exclusive private dining rooms for more intimate gatherings with friends and family for 8 to 30 guests.
That evening, TungLok Signatures served their specialty dishes for a preview of their lavish culinary offerings...
...starting with the famous Crispy Fish Skin with Salted Egg (P 420). Not many people know that TungLok Signatures first introduced the now popular treat in their restaurant long before the ubiquitous packaged snacks. Fresh from the kitchen, each piece is lightly crisp and not hard delivering a flavorful richness from the salted egg differentiating it from the commercial variety.
Soothing flavors drape the palate with the hearty Pumpkin Seafood Soup (P 420), with its thick broth loaded with the day's freshest catch rounded out by the comforting sweetness of pumpkin. Each sip delivers a flavorful depth with the succulent medley of seafood complemented by the sweet pumpkin.
The Deep-Fried Prawns with Wasabi-Mayo Sauce (P 1,380) features large succulent prawns coated in a silky smooth sauce. Each bite is announced by a fresh snap followed by a burst of briny sweetness capped by the special wasabi-mayo sauce. The play on textural contrasts and rich flavors combine for delectable bites finished by the subtle sharpness of the wasabi.
The Steamed Lotus Chicken (P 1,200) offers a unique weave of fresh flavors from the tender chicken to the red dates and black fungus wrapped and steamed in lotus leaves. The aromatic fragrance of the dish tempts the palate...
...with that first bite bringing concentrated flavors from the different ingredients in a delicately balanced finish. The mild sweetness of the chicken and dates conspire for a light yet savory and juicy play on rich flavors.
Then, one of TungLok Signatures' all-time classics was served...
...the Crispy Roast Duck (P 2,500 Half/P 4,800 Whole). Perfectly juicy capped by a lightly crisp layer, the Crispy Roast Duck by TungLok Signatures is exactly as advertised. One bite layers the palate with a savory and unctuous richness with its deep flavors and one more bite is soon on the way. TungLok Signatures has perfected the delicate art of roast duck with its signature juicy and crisp specialty offering. It's flavors like this that made TungLok Signatures a Singapore dining destination since 1984. And it's now here in Manila...
One more crisp and juicy bite of the signature Crispy Roast Duck and your mind goes off thinking fried rice. TungLok Signatures has that covered with the Beef Fried Rice (P 700)...
...and the Duck Fat Fried Rice (P 800). Both variants offer rich and unique flavors pairing well with many of TungLok Signatures' specialty dishes. Extra rice? Go ahead...
The Fish Prepared in Two Ways (Market Price) showcases deep-fried and steamed fish in one lavish dish. The melt in your mouth texture of the steamed fish punches through with its natural sweetness while the deep-fried fish brings its contrasting textures followed by a briny sweet finish. An elegantly plated dish with equally rich yet delicate notes, the Fish Prepared in Two Ways is one more dish to add on your must-try list at TungLok Signatures.
TungLok Signatures then served a tasty duo from their all-time bestsellers starting with the TungLok Signature Chili Crab (Market Price)...
...with a whole crab simmered in a sweet and mildly spicy chili sauce. The flavors of the dish just pops with a vibrant freshness kicked up by the thick sauce. The sweet hints from the succulent crab comes through with the sauce delivering the final touches.
How to mop up all that sauce? Steamed white rice works, or you can do it with TungLok Signatures'Mantou and enjoy every bite.
The Crab in Salted Egg Yolk and Curry Leaves (Market Price) rounds up the duo of specialty crab dishes at TungLok Signatures. The pairing of sweet crab and salted egg yolk has to be one of the all-time best combos straight out of Singapore, and you can enjoy it here at TungLok Signatures. The freshest crabs deliver all the flavors, and its solid execution by the team of skilled chefs at TungLok Signatures just seals the deal.
From their appetizers and soup to Steamed Lotus Chicken, Deep-Fried Prawns, Crispy Roast Duck and specialty crab dishes, TungLok Signatures faithfully recreates the flavors of the Singaporean icon with each dish. For local diners, authentic Singaporean and Chinese flavors are no longer a flight away. it's right here at City of Dreams Manila. Other option and cooking variations with crabs at TungLok Signatures include the Black Pepper and Fresh Peppercorns (Market Price) and White Pepper, Leeks and Fresh Peppercorns (Market Price).
Our evening's special preview at TungLok Signatures ends with the Taro Puree with Ice Cream (P 250)...
...and Bak-Nee (P 300) or snow fungus with red dates, langan and lotus seeds for a taste of Singapore at TungLok Signatures, now open at City of Dreams Manila. A culinary tradition that began in Singapore thirty-eight years ago aims to make new and memorable experiences here in Manila, at TungLok Signatures...
Tung Lok Signatures is located at the Upper Ground Floor of City of Dreams Manila, Parañaque City or call +63 917 702 4024 for reservations and inquiries. You can also visit their FB and IG at TungLokSignaturesPH for updates
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