Hainanese Chicken is one of the dishes that Lauren loves since discovering it on a trip to Singapore and her choice of where to eat it is Wee Nam Kee. Her standard order is Yellow Hainanese Chicken (breast part only) with rice and soup, that’s it. We also love hainaese chicken so we don’t mind but sometimes we want a little something different so we try some of their other dishes and we always seem to find something new to like.
Recently, Bob of Wee Nam Kee invited me and a couple of my friends to try out their new dishes dubbed “Culinary Treasures of Singapore“. These new dishes, over 25, were conceptualized in Singapore and currently available in the Philippines only.
We started with the Crispy Mantou with Condensed Milk (P78). I totally forgot to take a pic of this so I’m borrowing one from Wee Nam Kee Philippines press photo. Irene loves these deep fried fluffy buns that you dip in condensed milk. Lauren loves it even more when on a subsequent visit demanded we order 2 of these, 1 for her alone and one the three of us can share. We’ve tried to buy the ones available in the supermarket and make it at home but Wee Nam Kee’s are just way fluffier. These mantou were served with the chili crab before but they’ve dis-continued it and kept the buns.
We also got to try 2 new drinks, the Cucumber Lime Refresher (P135) for me and the Mango Mint Smoothie (P125) for Irene. I enjoyed the refreshing mix as it effectively washed away the strong flavors. The mango mint is also nice but its a bit sweeter owing to the juicy mangoes.
Prawn Paste Chicken Wings (P218). The chicken wings are coated in umami filled prawn paste then deep fried to a oil-free crisp. Irene and I felt it needed a bit more prawn paste and was happy to know we could specify this while ordering. I guess the amount they use is to satisfy the majority.
Hainanese Chicken Curry Noodles (P368/sharing, P225/solo). This is their pseudo take on laksa, using their signature hainanese chicken with curry noodles. They serve this with a cute little container with extra soup. This is more of a curry soup than laksa so if you want it really spicy, you have to tell them when ordering.
Cashew Coffee Spareribs (P298). I first encountered coffee spareribs in Boon Tong Kee and immediately fell in love. Wee Nam Kee’s version is a bit lacking in coffee flavor maybe owing to the thicker piece of pork rib they serve it with. A thinner one would definitely absorb more of the flavor or maybe then could marinate it for a longer time. The cashews are window dressing in the dish, it adds a bit of contrasting color and texture but can really be omitted.
Prawns with Lychee and Peaches (P495/5 pieces). This is their take on sweet and sour but with peaches and lychee providing the sweet and some pineapples playing the sour citrus part. Crisp prawns thoroughly coated with the sauce that is asking for some rice to top it with.
Wok fried Chicken with Cashews and Sun-dried Chili (P270). They used both sun dried chilis and a few fresh ones in this dish. The chicken and sauce are actually not spicy and you won’t get it unless you bite on the chili’s. I wish this dish was a bit less saucy.
Salted Egg Chinese Style Fried Chicken (P295). Chicken thigh pieces coated in salted egg batter then fried. Salted egg sauce is poured before serving giving it more texture via the savory salted eggs. This was the best dish from Wee Nam Kee’s new menu. You can ask for the sauce to be served on the side to keep the chicken from getting soggy.
Sauteed Beef Fillet in Sate Sauce (P395). A different take on beef fillets, this time using savory sate sauce. This is another dish that would be perfect with rice.
Spicy Sambal Rice Noodles (P295). This is a heaping bowl of orange tinged rice noodles, it can probably served 5 people comfortably. It’s flavor and a tinge of spiciness comes from the sambal sauce. I wish they could do a smaller serving.
Pineapple Fried Rice (P250). Pineapple fried rice amped up with some pork floss on top, this is really good on its own. Most of the dishes we had that day was craving for plain rice but since we only tried the new dishes we had to pair it with fried rice.
I’ve also tried the Prawn Rolls in Beancurd Skin (P218), Butterflied Tilapia with “Singapore” Chili Crab Sauce (P385) and Stewed Pork Belly with Steamed Buns (P365) in other visits and have enjoyed them also.
The new dishes at Wee Nam Kee Philippines adds an exciting element when dining there again. Try one or two new in addition to your regular plate of hainanese chicken and you might be pleasantly surprised at what your taste buds may discover.
Have you tried any of their new dishes? Share your thoughts below.
Wee Nam Kee Philippines
L/G level, Shangrila East Wing Shangrila Mall Edsa cor. Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong City Contact No.: (63917)828-5051 Other Branches: Serendra, New Glorietta 2, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Promenade 3, Trinoma, Alabang Town Center and The District CaviteFacebook Page: Wee Nam Kee PH
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