Boon Tong Kee: Straight from Singapore to Manila!

When In Manila and looking for something new to try with your family and friends, why not head your way to Boon Tong Kee in the Mall of Asia and enjoy a Singaporean feast!

 

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Boon Tong Kee is a well-known restaurant chain in Singapore and popular for their signature boiled chicken and now they’re in Manila and ready to serve their delectable food to the Filipino tastebuds. 

 

Boon Tong Kee has its beginning as a small stall in Chinatown serving Cantonese chicken rice. Mr. Thian Boon Hua built the popularity of his chicken rice and emphasized on quality service, he then rallied his family to put up the first Boon Tong Kee restaurant in Balestier Road, Singapore in 1983.

 

On their second year of operations, they started to earn rave reviews and acquired quite a mass of loyal followers. Not long enough, they’ve put up branches in MacPherson Road, Whampoa West, River Valley Road, Cheong Chin Nam Road and East Coast Road.

By 1999, they diversified their operations and to include “zi char” (home-style cooked food) and eateries. Their branches have enthralled the Singaporeans and tourists alike with their good food and friendly staff. 

 

We were excited that a new “chicken rice” place has arrived in Manila, as I myself is a big fan of it. I’ve been to other places that serves chicken rice and they all have variations, so I’m looking forward to try Boon Tong Kee’s version — off we go to their branch in MOA!!

 

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Upon entering, Boon Tong Kee gave me an impression that it’s an ideal place for families and big groups. They have really nice interior too and the wooden finish gives the restaurant a very classy yet cozy feel. 

 

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Hello there chefs! We can see you guys! 

 

The owners of the Boon Tong Kee chain of restaurants in Singapore were the ones who actually worked on the set-up of their first overseas branch which is Manila. They were very hands-on from the start and up to the restaurant’s completion. They patterned everything from their branches in Singapore and made sure that the Manila branch is up to their standards.

 

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As for their menu, they patterned it after the River Valley Road branch in Singapore. 

 

Well, enough talking and let’s start eating!! 

 

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We decided to dine al fresco so that we can enjoy Manila Bay’s breeze as well. 

 

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First up is their Prawn Toast (Php195) which is one of the recommended dishes on their menu and it we didn’t wonder why upon our first bite. They were crisp and packed with prawn goodness! It became an instant favorite for all of us! 

 

 

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For our drinks, we had Barley (Php125) and Fresh Lemonade Juice (Php125).

 

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Crispy Beancurd (Php185) – Another one of their recommended dishes and what can I say, you just have to try it. I’m a fan of tofu especially when its cooked nicely and Boon Tong Kee’s Crispy Beancurd is just right to my liking!

 

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Bean Sprouts with Salted Fish (P195) 

 

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Poached Chinese Spinach with Assorted Eggs (Php295) – This one has a thumbs up on their menu meaning that it is a chef’s recommendation. The dish was new to our taste but surprisingly, all of us agreed that we liked it! The soup has a very subtle flavor and the variety of eggs and spinach gave the soup some texture and thickness.

 

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Boiled Seaweed Soup with Beancurd (Php175) – Just like the Poached Chinese Spinach with Assorted Eggs, this soup is another first for all of us.  And again, we all approved of its taste! The soup is a little more flavorful and the tofu is a nice addition to it.

 

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Fried French Bean and Scallops with Spicy XO Sauce (Php495) – This one is also a recommended dish. The crispy fried and mildly spiced french bean tossed with some scallops is a very good combination! The vegetable was fresh and the spicy XO sauce did not overpower the dish. This is a very good choice to go with your main course dishes.

 

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Next was the Fried Spare Ribs with Zhen Jiang Sauce (Php395), which is also one of the chef’s recommendation.  The spare ribs was tender and really flavorful with all that Zhen Jiang sauce that lathers the meat. I really enjoyed having it with the toasted bread served on the side because it balances the sweet and a sour taste of the Zhen Jiang sauce.

 

With all the food I already ate, my excitement for their Signature Boiled Chicken was still on high. I had my first taste of boiled chicken when I went to Bangkok two years ago and I fell in love with it! From then on, I was always on a constant lookout for boiled chicken in order to satisfy my craving for it. 

 

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Signature Boiled Chicken (Php425/half)

 

What can I say,  Boon Tong Kee’s Signature Boiled Chicken just rekindled my love for boiled chicken. It was delicious! The chicken was cooked just right and it was just a perfect match with the chicken rice! It was really that good that I completely disregarded the sauces.

 

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They serve their Chicken Rice (Php65) in a shape of a pyramid! Which was unusual but in a good and appealing way. It becomes more interesting with its presentation and good thing that its taste did not fail. I can have plates and plates of it together with their Signature Boiled Chicken or the Crispy Roast Chicken! Yes, I can eat that much!

 

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Ginger, Sweet Soy and Chili Sauce

 

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The Crispy Roast Chicken (Php395/half) is a different story. This one is more savory in my opinion compared to the Signature Boiled Chicken, but what the hey, I love chicken!  The skin is crispy and the meat is moist and tender!

 

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 And the last but not the least, their Crispy Cereal Prawns (Php595/large).  This was a real treat because their prawns are really big!

 

I tasted other cereal prawns before and I should say that Boon Tong Kee’s version tops my list so far. The breading was really good and not tough unlike the others I’ve tasted.

 

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I can’t wait to try an authentic Singaporean meal. I will definitely try Boon Tong Kee in Singapore someday!

 

 

By the end of our little Singaporean feast, the look of satisfaction were drawn all over our faces. We were so full afterwards! And my younger siblings who joined us on our Boon Tong Kee adventure gave Boon Tong Kee a rating of two thumbs up!! 

 

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 Thank you Boon Tong Kee Philippines and Sir Miguel Aranaz who joined us in devouring the best of Boon Tong Kee’s dishes! We had a really great time and not only us but our tummies as well!

 

 

When In Manila, drop by the Mall of Asia and try the first Boon Tong Kee branch outside Singapore! Whether it is to satisfy your boiled chicken or prawn cereal craving, or you just feel to have Singaporean cuisine, then this is the place to go! After a tiring stroll in the Mall of Asia, cap it off with a delightful meal in Boon Tong Kee and you’ll surely go home with a happy stomach!

 

 Boon Tong Kee

2/F, Entertainment Mall (by Seaside Blvd), SM Mall of Asia (near IMAX theatre)

Contact Number:  (632) 804 2862

Twitter | Facebook | Website

Open from 10AM to 10PM on Sunday to Thursday

Open from 10AM to 11PM on Friday & Saturday

 

They will be opening their next branch in Rockwell in October! 

 

 

 

Boon Tong Kee: Straight from Singapore to Manila!

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