Tung Lok Seafood: The Authentic Flavors of Singapore Finally Comes to Greenhills

The evolving culinary landscape of the Greenhills commercial complex is transformed by the entry of internationally recognized and renowned restaurants placing it back on the list of Manila's top dining destinations. One of these is Tung Lok Seafood, a true Singaporean dining institution from the Lion City since 1984. Known for its wide array of Singaporean Chinese cuisine anchored on the freshest and finest seafood, Tung Lok Seafood arrived in the metro's local dining scene two years ago from the same group behind Mango Tree, Genki Sushi, Sen-ryo, Kureji, Rossini and Wong Place. Now with three branches including S Maison, Gateway Mall and its newest location in GH Mall, Tung Lok Seafood brings an authentic taste of Singapore to Greenhills adding to the neighborhood's renewed resurgence with its growing and vibrant tapestry of flavorful options. Ready for a sumptuous Singaporean seafood feast? Then, sit back and read on...

The sleek new GH Mall may be the metro's hottest new dining destination and Tung Lok Seafood is one of the reasons why the culinary scene in Greenhills is creating quite a buzz. Tung Lok Seafood has earned an impressive roster of awards as the best Chinese restaurant in Singapore from prestigious organizations such as the Restaurant Association of Singapore, Epicurean Star Awards, The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao Best Asian Restaurant Awards and that's a remarkable resume any way you look at it. And it's now in the new GH Mall...

And about time too. The Greenhills and nearby New Manila/Quezon City neighborhoods represents a solid core of avid diners with Chinese food at the very top of the list (for more on Tung Lok Seafood, see my earlier post Experience a Unique and Authentic Blend of Traditional and Contemporary Singaporean Chinese Cuisine at TungLok Signatures, Now Open at City of Dreams Manila from two years ago). 

At the entrance, the elegant space at Tung Lok Seafood with its warm wood tones becomes your portal to the famed culinary traditions of the Lion City. Tung Lok Seafood can comfortably seat 113 diners in its spacious main dining area...

...for the perfect setting and stage for a sumptuous Singaporean feast with family and friends. Celebrating a special occasion or milestone? Tung Lok Seafood has that covered too... 

 ...with one of four semi-private rooms that can accommodate 8-10 diners...  

...and four private rooms for 10 diners for more intimate gatherings. Now that you're comfortably seated, it's time to plot out the winning game plan for a Tung Lok Seafood feast. 

And it doesn't get fresher than this. Start with a soothing thirst-quenching beverage to open up your palate like the Fresh Coconut Juice (P 250) from the selection of fruit juices, shakes and teas... 

...as the first appetizer course arrives at the table. Long before the commercially packaged variety became a popular and even viral sensation, Tung Lok Seafood already served its now legendary Crispy Fish Skin with Salted Egg (P 490). It's creative innovations like this that keeps Tung Lok Seafood top-of-mind in a crowded and extremely competitive marketplace. The delicate crispness of the fish skin coated in salted egg brings a delectable play on textural contrasts and a flavorful richness that can only come from the original. Freshly cooked, each lightly crisp piece brings a flavorful burst with each bite. This is definitely a must-have on the menu of Tung Lok Seafood. 

Next up, the intricately plated and award-winning Deep-Fried Prawns with Wasabi Mayo  (P 900) teases first the eyes before the palate. The crisp and delicate basket holds the succulent prawns for an impressive presentation. 

The freshness and quality of the seafood becomes evident right from that first bite with its audible snap draping the palate with a briny sweetness smoothened by the creamy finish of the wasabi mayo with that distinct sharpness for balanced and complementary flavors. The wasabi sneaks in a subtle punch without overwhelming the delicate flavors of the prawns. Masterfully executed, think of the Deep-Fried Prawns with Wasabi Mayo as the elegant first act in an exquisite Singaporean seafood feast at Tung Lok Seafood. 

The Fried Mee Sua with Seafood (P 900) is a comforting dish loaded with flavor. Firm yet soft noodles infused with vibrant notes from the various components of the dish warms the palate like a comforting hug with each tasty bite followed by the distinct flavors of seafood. Noods always hits all the right notes, and this tasty number from Tung Lok Seafood is spot on. 

Other noodle dishes at Tung Lok Seafood include the Crispy Fried Egg Noodles with Seafood (P 900), Beef Ho Fan (P 600) and Fried Rice Vermicelli Noodles with Seafood (P 900).

A savory dish with deep, bold notes takes your dining experience at Tung Lok Seafood up a notch with the hearty Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Beancurd (P 700) with fork-tender and near melt-in-your-mouth goodness of brisket in a rich and thick sauce. The strips of soft yet firm tofu adds even more layers of nutty flavors and textures to complete the dish. Slow-cooked for hours, the dish develops a flavorful base best paired with rice...

...like the Black Garlic Fried Rice (P 300 Small/P 500 Medium). Soft, moist and dense, the Black Garlic Fried Rice pairs well with many of the savory dishes at Tung Lok Seafood like the Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Beancurd. The nutty hints of garlic adds a flavorful depth to the rice, and it really is good on its own. Try it with the Crispy Fish Skin with Salted Egg and be surprised with how the flavors come together. 

Other rice options at Tung Lok Seafood includes the Crab in Glutinous Rice (P 3,400), Abalone Fried Rice (P 900), Fried Rice with X.O. Sauce and Minced Fish (P 500/P 800), Beef Fried Rice (P 350/P 600), Duck Fat Fried Rice (P 350/P 600) and the classic Yang Chow Fried Rice (P 350/P 600). And yes, Tung Lok Seafood also offers an array of beef, pork and chicken dishes too and even duck and lamb so carnivores won't feel left out. 

The prized seafood dishes are then served starting with the Collagen Fish Soup (Market Price + P 500), an impressive dish with a whole fish simmering in a piping hot broth. The whole grouper may be the undisputed star but the collagen rich broth completes the hearty dish. 

A sip of the creamy, thick, rich and milky broth warms the palate with its buttery finish setting the tone for the delicate notes of the fish. The fresh herbs and vegetables adds to the subtle layers of sweetness perfectly complementing the richness of the broth. The silky smooth finish and consistency of the broth and the soft butter-like texture of the fish combine for an indulgent dish nourishing both the body and soul. 

And it just keeps getting better as the Tung Lok's Signature Chili Crab (Market Price) paired with soft mantou buns makes its grand entrance. This is the dish that defined Tung Lok Seafood since it was established back in 1984 and continues to be the standard for Singaporean style crab dishes. The rich gravy-like sauce with its bright orange hues becomes a visual cue for its indulgent flavors. 

The sweetness of the succulent crab comes through with each bite followed by the elegant smoothness of the sauce that's perfect with a bowl of rice or simply mopped up with soft mantou buns. The delicate layering of flavors just builds up coming together with each satisfying bite. It's no wonder this dish is up there with the other enduring Singaporean classics. And you'll find it at Tung Lok Seafood where it all began. 

Need a little help with the crabs? No problem. The staff at Tung Lok Seafood will gladly assist you. From the starters to the main courses, the dishes at Tung Lok Seafood in GH Mall faithfully recreates the authentic Singaporean flavors we love in an elegant yet casual setting. 

Don't pass up on dessert, Tung Lok Seafood offers the perfect sweet ending to your lavish Singaporean feast with its Taro Puree with Ice Cream (P 350)...

...and the Chilled Mango with Sago and Pomelo (P 250), both guaranteed to please your palate. 

The dynamic restaurant group behind Mango Tree, Genki Sushi, Sen-ryo, Kureji, Rossini and Wong Place brings one of Singapore's finest to Greenhills with Tung Lok Seafood. As the revitalized neighborhood undergoes a dramatic transformation with its countless new and tempting dining options, Tung Lok Seafood should be on your list for an authentic Singaporean seafood experience.