A tasty Asian escapade in Ninak

MANILA, Philippines - This is a journey that doesn’t require luggage or a plane ticket. All you need is your sense of adventure paired with an appetite for new and exotic flavors, as Ninak takes you on a trip that will leave your palate fired up and wanting more.

Ninak, the new foodie haunt that offers the best of Asian comfort food, takes its name from the reversed Filipino term for rice (kanin). Not only does its menu feature dishes that go well with kanin, it also reads like a travel map with dishes from Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Why book flights when an Asian gastronomic quest awaits you in your own city?

Kick off the trip with a taste of Thailand. Ninak’s Pad Thai is one that will take you into the heart of Bangkok with its generous mix of ingredients and flavors which include tofu, red chili pepper, chopped roast peanuts, bean sprouts, and shrimp. Similar to the resplendent temples of Thailand, Ninak also serves Red Pork Curry and Green Chicken Curry, which pack an opulent blend of spices. The Red Pork Curry tantalizes with its rich coconut taste that seeps into the juicy pork while the Green Chicken Curry teases with its fragrant aroma that leads to its flavor-rich soup.

Ninak’s Laksa is a favorite among the restaurant’s patrons.

Let Singapore surprise you through Ninak’s Laksa, a favorite among the restaurant’s patrons. It’s easy to see why this is a runaway winner. The soup’s flavors flow like a dream and unleash a spicy zing with the bean curd puffs, fish sticks, and shrimps. Every sip will feel like you were sent to the top of the Singapore Flyer. The tender Hainanese Chicken also oozes with juicy goodness that comes from the meat’s natural oil. Every bite further becomes a treasured experience with the hot chili sauce dip topped with dark soy sauce and freshly-pounded ginger.

For culinary travelers who prefer offbeat paths, Ninak has Indonesia’s Nasi Goreng to offer. An interesting alternative to plain steamed rice, the Nasi Goreng is cooked with sweet soy sauce, tamarind, chili, egg, chicken, and prawns. Served fresh from the pan, the Nasi Goreng goes well with the Chicken Satay and Pork Satay. Both grilled to perfection and with their own special sauce, Ninak’s satay variants are more than delectable. Can’t get enough of Indonesia? Dig into the Beef Rendang, whose tender beef pieces are well-simmered into a delicious mix of lemongrass and coconut milk.

Grilled to perfection and each with its own special sauce, satay variants are more than delectable.

Feel the vibe of the Vietnamese streets with Ninak’s version of the Pho Ga, or chicken noodle soup. The smell of the dish alone is enough to transport you to Hanoi. As you take a sip of the broth accented by roasted onion and ginger and bite into the chicken strips, it will almost feel like dining in one of the city’s quaint restaurants. Finish off your sojourn with Grilled Vietnamese Pork, marinated and caramelized to ensure genuine Vietnamese goodness with a mix of lemon grass, fish sauce, honey, and sesame oil.

Now that you’ve had a fill of Asia’s best, return to the familiar taste of home with Ninak’s Filipino offers. Beef sinigang, longanelia, and tinapa rice are just some of the local dishes in the menu in case you miss the flavors of the Philippines.

Ninak is located at Unit 101 Seven East Capitol Building, East Capitol Dr. cor. Sta. Rosa St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City, 655-6902/0922-857-6187 and ground floor, V&O Building, Don Bosco St., Pasong Tamo, Makati City, 894-4367.