Tucked along Amoy Street, Hayop is where Filipino flavors are given both respect and attitude. Opened in mid-2024, this overseas outpost of the popular Filipino chain Manam has solidified itself as probably the best Filipino restaurant in Singapore. A couple of months before my visit, they were listed in the Michelin guide.
For those familiar with Manam in the Philippines, do take note – this is not nostalgia cooking, nor is it Filipino food diluted for comfort. It’s bold, confident and unapologetically rich, yet executed with a level of refinement that feels deliberate rather than showy. It’s deliberate in the sense that one could make out an attempt by the team to cater to the local palate, with twists that one does not find in Manam or in traditional interpretations of the dish in the Philippines. As such, the food here brings something new to both the Singapore dining public and to Filipinos residing here.
I have been to Manam a couple of times since they opened, as I’ve longed to find a decent Filipino restaurant Singapore for years but to no avail. Other than the fast-food joints I find in Lucky Plaza, I can’t seem to find those serving restaurant-standard food like those in the Philippines. Finally, there’s one.
As it’s been more than a year since they opened, the restaurant has introduced some new dishes to complement their bestsellers. I got to try some of the new dishes during my recent visit.
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