Craving for Laksa

Some people don't like eating alone. I've gotten used to it because back in college I didn't always have the same schedule as my friends or block mates. I'd buy food, find a table, open up a book and read while eating. Of course, that was always in the school cafeteria. Eating at a restaurant alone is a bit different.

One upside to dining alone is that you'll be able to try places that you normally wouldn't be able to go to if you were with a group. If you're taste buds are a bit more adventurous compared to your peers dining alone is the best time to try out new places to eat.

Spicy Singapore laksa

Singapore Food Republic has been open for a while and the first time I tried it was because I wanted to have some vegetables for lunch. I figured since it's supposed to have Singaporean cuisine then they should have at least some vegetable dishes on the menu.

I had the Kang Kong Sambal Blachan and an order of Siomai. The siomai wasn't anything special, it was just okay. I loved the kang kong just because it was spicy (haha). I can't remember much detail on my first dining experience, so I can't give it a proper review.

Iced bandung

I went back there for lunch today. I had this craving for laksa and I figured I'd try the one there. Singapore Food Republic is by Nasi Lemak, which claims to have the most authentic laksa in Manila (or the Philippines, I'm not sure which one). I ordered the Singapore Laksa (spicy) with shrimp and a glass of Iced Bandung.

There are two types of laksa - curry and asam. Curry laksa has a soup base of coconut and curry while asam laksa has a sour, fish-based soup. The laksa in Singapore Food Republic is a curry laksa, which is exactly what I was craving for.

Now, I'm no laksa connoisseur, but their laksa was wonderful! The soup had a thick consistency that was gravy-like and had a good combination of sweet, spicy, and seafood flavor. I finished everything. It wasn't as spicy as I was expecting, but it still had a good kick. People who have a high tolerance for spicy food could probably ask for more sambal or just tell them to make it really spicy.

I ordered the iced bandung out of curiosity. Also, I figured, if the laksa was too spicy at least I'd have some milk to help me with the spiciness. Iced bandung is a drink made from chilled milk, rose essence, and sugar syrup. Isn't that interesting? It was really pink, but very good! The milk embodied the rose flavor really well and didn't taste flowery, unlike how I was imagining it (I have no idea what rose essence/water tastes like haha). The drink complemented the laksa really well.

Overall, I loved my second dining experience in Singapore Food Republic. I'm definitely going back for the laksa and to try their other dishes.

Singapore Food Republic
Unit 8 Commercenter, 4th Ave cor 31st St.
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

Nasi Lemak
2/F Robinsons Galleria, East Lane, Ortigas Ave.
cor EDSA Ugong Norte, Quezon City

UPDATE (11/24/2012):
I went back there last Thursday for dinner with my sister. We shared an order of laksa and salt and pepper squid. We were disappointed with the laksa that was served. It was nowhere near what was served to me when I tried it the first time. The soup was...soupy...and not gravy-like and wasn't as flavorful. Also, my sister pointed out that the noodles they used were like regular spaghetti noodles. I didn't notice what type of noodles they were the first time I tried the laksa because I was too distracted by the soup and the taste. We were super disappointed with the laksa that night. Good thing the salt and pepper squid was all kinds of awesome with its perfectly crispy breading.