So far, this is the best Hainanese Chicken Rice in Manila

Posted by pat on Mar 19, 2010 in Food | 11 comments

*some photos courtesy of Carlos Palma and Maki Eduardo

Anyone whose been to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur will tell you that the food is one of the best things they love about those two places (I have yet to hear otherwise). I’ve been to both and I regularly find myself craving for their local fare. The smells, the flavours, the spices.. oh I miss it. Unfortunately, unlike Singapore or KL, we don’t have hawker centers or mamak stores (Malaysian carinderia) in the Philippines.

One of the dishes I miss the most? Hainanese Chicken Rice (or just Chicken Rice).

For some time now, I’ve been on the hunt for really good chicken rice here in Manila. I’ve come a across some restos and food establishments that serve Singaporean and/or Malaysian fare but they just don’t seem to hit that spot. At the end of the meals, I was often left wanting and only half satisfied.

One day, I came across a post by a popular food blogger praising a dish to high heavens. And I quote: “I’m trying to remember when I last ate something so good I cursed every bite.” She was talking about Stevie’s Hainanese Chicken Rice. Chicken rice that good in Manila? If it is so, I HAVE to try it.

So for our Friday treat, my colleagues and I decided to place our order. We called Stevie on a Thursday to place in our order to be sure its ready the next day. Orders must be made a day before so that they can prepare it fresh. Friday, went to pick it up at 11am so by the time we get back to the office, we’re just in time for lunch.

My colleagues – Carlos and Maki – and I were lucky enough to meet Stevie Villacin himself. When we got there, he was busy in the kitchen but was nice enough to come out to talk to us. We were greeted with a smile by this jovial fellow. He seemed like a really nice person – very warm and sunny. You know what they say about happy chefs… happy chef = happy food = happy eating!

I would’ve wanted to stay longer and find out more about Stevie but he had to go back into the Kitchen (busy day perhaps?). There’ll be a next time for sure. Besides, we were dying to eat.

When we got to the office, we rushed to pantry and took some pictures of the food. Carlos did some food styling while I couldn’t care less about composing my picture as the smell was just beckoning. I took a snap shot and dug in.

As I went to get my share, all poise flew out the window. Shovel chicken into plate. Scoop rice into plate. Dabble sauce on chicken and rice… rush to spoon food in and…oh..my…god. It was damn good. I’d say Stevie can make it better than the Singaporeans/Malaysians (I’m kidding)…if only the chilli was spicier. Stevie had to tone it down for the Filipino palette.

I just kept on going. I’m not quite sure how much I ate but if I’m not mistaken, I think I finished three servings. Yes, this petite little thing ate like a football player today.

Its been a while since just one dish satisfied me like this.

Finally, I found the best chicken rice in Manila (and probably the Philippines??). Now can anyone tell me where to find good Asam Laksa?

Some info:

An order consists of one chicken and on the other tray, the rice. With that comes four sauces – garlic ginger, sweet soy, chilli, and some of the sauce the chicken was cooked in. Its good for 3-5 people, depending on how much you can eat. Chin, the Malaysian partner of my boss was able to finish half an order.

Orders must be placed at least a day before and must be picked up at Stevie’s place. Deliveries are done only for large orders which is equivalent to 8 trays of chicken.

Price: Php 950 / order

Stevie Villacin’s number : 09065084155