Sad news for BGC dwellers—Hey Handsome will be closing its doors on December 1st. In the wake of Taguig’s best Southeast Asian resto closing, we’re now on the lookout for other spots that can satiate our Peranakan cuisine cravings.
Though Hey Handsome is a real gem that’s hard to replace and forget, there are quite a number of restaurants that serve up excellent Southeast Asian dishes that you should check out to fill the void that Hey Handsome will leave.
Nanyang
SM Aura Premier, BGC
Just in the vicinity of Taguig is this quaint little cafe that serves Singaporean classic dishes with ingredients imported from Singapore. Even their kitchen crew was trained in Singapore! Traditional and authentic are probably the best words to describe what they offer and we’re not just talking about the food; the experience is legit too! The crew uses Singaporean lingo at the counter when they serve you a classic Singaporean breakfast of Kopi Jelly Milk Tea and Kaya Toast.
Goreng Goreng
St. Marikina Heights, Marikina City
Mee Goreng lovers will delight in what Goreng Goreng has to offer. The place has a very homey atmosphere that go well with the inviting flavors of their dishes, especially their Mee Goreng Mamak that’s perfectly seasoned with spices and herbs.
Shiok Shiok
81 Nicanor Roxas St, Quezon City
The name is inspired by the famous Singaporean expression ‘shiok!’ which Singaporeans say when they’re happy, excited, or impressed. That itself is probably telling you that their offerings will give you the ‘shiok’ of your life. A must-try on their menu is the classic Laksa and Beef Rendang, both of which will make you come up with varying puns of ‘shiok’.
Wee Nam Kee
Serendra, BGC
Wee Nam Kee is the perfect place if you’re in the mood for some giant servings of tiger prawns. If you’re going to miss Hey Handsome’s Steeped Chicken, Wee Nam Kee’s raved-about Soy Chicken is your next best bet. Pair it with their Hainanese chicken rice for a full Asian gastronomical experience.
Bugis Singaporean Street Food
78 Nicanor Roxas St, Quezon City
If it’s flavorful sensory overload that you’re looking for, you’ll love Bugis Singapore Street Food. Once you get a taste (or even a waft!) of their savory menu items like Crunchy Tofu and Chicken Sate (which are cutely called Numnums), you’ll get transported to the famous Singaporean cobblestoned tourist spot itself. The prices are cheap so order a meal for 5 for yourself!
Bakmi Nyonya
Eden Food Hall, 32nd St., BGC
This stop in BGC has a menu of authentic Indonesian classics that range from appetizers to desserts. Satisfied customers would recommend the Bakmi Goreng, the Sate Ayam, and the Beef Rendang. The price range is pretty decent too—from P100 to P200+ so if you’re not too keen on paying a hefty bill, here you’ll only have hefty meals.
