MANILA, Philippines - Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila’s premier Chinese restaurant, Xin Tian Di, in cooperation with the Singapore Tourism Board and Cebu Pacific, brings the uniqueness of Singapore’s cuisine to Manila this whole month of August.
Until Aug. 31, explore the diversity of Singapore’s food culture and discover unique flavor combinations from this melting pot of cuisines around the world.
To give guests the widest variety of Singaporean dishes, Xin Tian Di’s Singaporean Chef Sam Lee prepared a menu inspired from Peranakan, Malay, Indian, Chinese and Indonesian influences that changes each week with staple dishes such as Sambal Halaan (Nylon Shell), Singaporean Chili Crabs, Singaporean Fish Head Curry, and Hot Pepper Chicken.
The most identifiable cultural influence in Singapore is Peranakan or Nonya, which hails from the mixed Malay and Chinese communities of the old British colonies of the Straits settlements (Singapore, Penang and Malacca).
This month, Crowne Plaza guests get the chance to sample Singapore’s famous Chili Crab; Laksa, a fragrant coconut and curry broth with noodles and seafood; Mee Siam, a noodle dish served with sour gravy made from tamarind, dried shrimp and fermented beans; and many more.
It is said that the Singaporean cuisine also bears some resemblance to the cuisine of Malaysia; it only differs in preparation. Some examples of dishes with Malay influence that can be enjoyed at Xin Tian Di are Nasi Lemak, a simple dish of rice cooked in coconut milk accompanied by peanuts and ikan bilis (anchovies) served with a dab of chili on the side and some fried fish, chicken or seafood; Rendang, which is meat stewed for hours in spicy curry paste until almost all water is absorbed; and assorted satay (beef, seafood, lamb, chicken and pork) served with spicy peanut sauce.
Other wonderful dishes with multi-cultural influence showcased in Xin Tian Di’s Singaporean Food Festival are Murtabak, Indian flat bread layered with lamb; Nasi Briyani, rice cooked in turmeric powder topped with lamb curry; the Chinese-influenced Bak Kut Teh, a soup dish that consists of meaty pork ribs simmered in a complex broth of herbs and spices; and the famous Hainanese Chicken.
At the end of the month, a lucky diner will have the chance to win a trip to Singapore via Cebu Pacific with three days and two nights’ stay at the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport.
Xin Tian Di estaurant is located at the fourth floor of Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila.
For inquiries on the Let’s Makan Singapore food promo, call Xin Tian Di at 633-7222 or e-mail at f&b.reservations@ihg.com.
Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group, the world’s largest hotel group in terms of number of rooms.