SINGAPORE ON A PLATE | KAOKEE OPENS IN ORTIGAS WITH HAWKER-STYLE FAVORITES

SINGAPOREAN flavors have been slowly finding a foothold in Metro Manila, but in Ortigas, where lunch breaks are short and choices are often predictable, it’s still not something you stumble upon every day.

- TEXT AND PHOTOS BY JUSTINE XYRAH GARCIA

That’s what makes Kaokee Singaporean Kitchen’s arrival at SM Podium feel like a welcome change. Tucked on the fourth level, the new branch brings in the kind of hawker-style comfort food that’s easy to crave and even easier to come back to.

Before even getting to the food, Kaokee’s story already explains why it resonates.

“I didn’t start Kaokee with a business plan in mind,” said founder Reagan Tan.

“During the pandemic, I was just cooking Hainanese chicken at home because I loved it. I shared it with my neighbors, word spread, and before I knew it, the dish had taken on a life of its own. That unexpected journey led to our first branch, which we opened quietly, with no fanfare, just the food.”

Hawker culture

THAT straightforward approach continues to define the brand. As travel resumed, the team went to Singapore to immerse themselves in hawker culture, learning from seasoned cooks and refining their menu through multiple iterations—nine versions in total—before settling on what is now served.