Secret Recipe: The Malaysian Cafe Chain is Now Back in the Philippines!

For many years, there is a lack of Malaysian and Singaporean food spots in the Philippines. But the culinary landscape is beginning to change. More and more Malaysian and Singaporean brands are entering the Philippine market. Examples are Malaysia’s Old Town Coffee, and Singapore’s Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice (read my review here) and The Common Man Roasters.

In One Ayala mall alone, two brands have (re)opened in the past months: Singapore’s Ya Kun Kaya Toast, the popular kopitiam (traditional coffee shop) chain and Malaysia’s Secret Recipe.

Secret Recipe is a Malaysian cafe chain. It was here in the early 2000s and I remember its branches in Robinsons Place Manila and SM Megamall. It has now partnered with The Bistro Group, the group behind Italiannis, TGI Fridays, and other F&B concepts.

The first Philippine branch in One Ayala has a cute and dainty interior. Ladies would love it!

They served us some complimentary dinner rolls that’s brushed with butter on top. It’s yummy!

Secret Recipe serves a fusion of Asian (especially Malaysian and Singaporean) and Western food. Here’s what we tried…

We started with the Starter Platter (see what I did there? LOL), which is composed of Chicken Satay with peanut sauce, deep-fried chicken Spring Rolls and Wontons, and Tomato Tango Drumette. You can order the components individually if you want more of it.

My favorite in the platter is the drumette, which is sweet and tangy. I think it’s flavored with turmeric, which explains the hard-to-wash yellow stain in my fingers. LOL.

We also got two of their noodles. First is the Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup, which has a beefy and tasty broth.

The other is Curry Mee, which is a popular noodle soup dish in the Malaysia and Singapore. Its broth is creamy and coconutty, with a nice curry flavor.

The bean sprouts and string beans add crunch, and has taufu pok (beancurd) and huge slices of fish cakes. My only wish is that the noodles be firmer.

Since we’re eating in a Malaysian brand, I couldn’t pass on its Nasi Lemak. Literally “fat rice”, Literally “fat rice”, nasi lemak is a dish consisting of boiled or fried egg, cucumber, ikan bilis (fried anchovies), peanuts, sambal (chilli sauce), and of course the rice, which is cooked in santan (coconut milk) and flavored with pandan leaves. It’s usually paired with a viand, in which ayam goreng (fried chicken) is the most popular. Imagine the flavors and textures!

*Nasi Lemak* (2pcs.: PHP495; 4pcs.: PHP895)

I didn’t expect Secret Recipe’s nasi lemak to have a hint of coconut flavor in its rice because the menu says that it uses buttered herb rice (it won’t be a nasi lemak without the coconut rice).

The nasi lemak comes with fried chicken, which has crisp skin and tender meat but could use a bit more salt. The sambal is sweet, salty, and full of umami!

Secret Recipe is known for their cakes. What better cake to have than their…drumroll…Absolute Durian cake! LOL. Its icing has a nice durian flavor.

I will definitely return to try more of their cakes!

Of course, I don’t expect Secret Recipe’s versions of Malaysian and Singaporean dishes to be the best or authentic. But if you’re craving for Malaysian and Singaporean food, I think it does the job to satisfy your tastebuds. I recommend Secret Recipe to you!

Have you been to Secret Recipe? What dish above have you tried or would like to try? Comment below!

One Ayala Branch: L2 Al Fresco Area, One Ayala, Ayala Ave. cor. EDSA, San Lorenzo, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10AM-9PM; Friday-Sunday, 10AM-10PM | Facebook | Instagram