Chinese dishes with a twist

MANILA, Philippines - If you think you know your way around a Chinese restaurant menu, think again.

Ever had a sumptuous serving of Salt and Pepper Spareribs with a side of Kilawin na Suahe? What about Lechon Macau paired with a tall glass of Jackfruit Shake? At RK Garden Chinese Seafood Restaurant, your serving of authentic comfort food is delivered with a zing of unexpected flavors.

“RK Garden started as a restaurant in Davao,” shares chef-owner Joseph Low, a Singaporean married to a Filipina. His homegrown restaurant has been a local favorite in Tagum City for years. Brought to Manila by his partner Christopher Casana, RK’s menu reflects a combination of imaginative and creative cuisine that shows Joseph’s ethnic and cultural background.

“It would be a shame if RK Garden remained a Davaoeño’s secret,” shares Christopher Casana, who, upon taking his first bite, insisted that the Chinese restaurant should have a Manila branch. “Eating here is like being hosted by the owner in his house. You get to try dishes that he personally prepares, and you’re assured of his commitment to authenticity.”

From the classic to the contemporary, each dish is a certified hit. “The secret is to begin with fresh ingredients and to finish with generous portions,” Joseph says. Try the Beef with Black Pepper Sauce, flank of tenderloin slow cooked in savory sauce; or order the bestselling Crab with Szechuan Sauce, stir fried and served with generous chili — a nod to the chef’s Singaporean roots.

The other signature dishes, the brainchild of the owners, are the Fish Fillet with Tausi Sauce, Lohanchay with Braised Beancurd, and the RK Special Seafood Mix. The house drink specialty called the RK Special Iced Tea is made from talbos ng kamote. This thirst-quenching, refreshing, healthy blend is a perfect foil to the richness of the dishes’ flavors.

“We maintain a mix of Chinese and Singaporean cuisine in the restaurant. We also add the full flavors of Davao’s provincial specialties. Our menu offers more dining options for the foodie — from the appetizer, the soup, seafood, dimsum and desserts,” adds Christopher.

With great, real, down home cuisine that’s all about the balance of flavors, anyone looking for the best food in town can settle happily at RK Garden.

 (The restaurant is located at 16 Jupiter St. corner Antares St., Makati City. For reservations, call 519-9434 or 0932-8788761.)