(SPOT.ph) When we think about Chinese food, our mind often wanders to dim sum, stir-frys, noodles, braised meats, and all the usual suspects. Here's the thing though: China is huge and their cuisine is incredibly varied. There are around eight or more, depending on who you ask. It just so happens that the typical Filipino is ironically most familiar with Cantonese cuisine, which originates from the Guangdong province and Hong Kong. We say ironic because the majority of the Filipino-Chinese community can trace their origins not from Guangdong but the Fujian province. A typical Filipino-Chinese would tell you that their meals at home would be Hokkien, a.k.a. Fujian, but when they eat out, the food available is Cantonese. That being said, there isn't a lot of Hokkien Chinese food representation in the market, until now. The Vikings Group has brought to our shores PUTIEN, a Michelin-starred Singaporean Hokkien Chinese restaurant. We say it's about time you try something new at their spot at The Podium.
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What's so unique about this Michelin-starred Singaporoean Hokkien Chinese restaurant PUTIEN?
First, PUTIEN is not your typical Chinese restaurant. At first glance, the sleek and eye-catching interior full of blues and natural browns is an immediate deviation from most Chinese restaurants' usual reds and yellows. PUTIEN's interiors still does have Chinese-restaurant staples like private dining rooms, lazy susans on some tables, several dipping sauces, and a family-style dining setup.
Next is the food. Typical Cantonese dishes preserve and highlight the natural taste of its ingredients. This means little to no seasoning is added despite the food being braised, sauced, or stir-fried, meaning Cantonese dishes often a mild flavor. Fujian cuisine is similar to Cantonese dishes in that they are lightly flavored. But, a distinct characteristic of Fujian cuisine is its use of various ingredients from the surrounding mountainside and seas. It also uses a lot of foraged spices and ingredients while maintaining a light and clean flavor profile. Also, remember that PUTIEN is not only Fujian cuisine but a fusion of Singaporean and Fujian. With that in mind, one can also expect a whole array of flavor profiles and dishes.
The dishes we tried during our visit tasted fresh and was certainly not the usual Chinese fare. Some of our favorite items include the Claypot Fish Soup (P998 for small, P1,388 for medium), the Singaporean staple Cereal Prawns (P688), the Shredded Pork with Sesame Bun (P98/pc, minimum of two pieces), the PUTIEN Sweet & Sour Pork with Lychees (P388 for small, P588 for medium), the PUTIEN Style Pork Ribs (P168/pc, minimum of two pieces), and the Claypot Sea Cucumber with Chestnut and Abalone (P3,888 for small or four pieces of Abalone).
The Claypot Fish Soup is a great way to open the meal. It's a light and fresh-tasting fish soup, without the fishy aftertaste. You actually only get to taste the fish once you've taken bites out of the soft meat. It also comes with vegetables, notably taro, which lends a nice creamy texture. Think of it as a warm welcome to rev up your stomach for the next dishes.
The Cereal Prawns are a sure hit for the younger kids. The crunchy and sweet dish fits right into familiar flavors for the less adventurous when it comes to food. Not to mention, they used especially large prawns, which is, yup, a huge plus. Literally. PUTIEN does not skimp on the quality of its ingredients.
The most intriguing thing about the Shredded Pork and Sesame Bun for us is the bun itself. Crisp on the outside but soft and pillowy on the inside; the texture is crave-worthy. The bun is also slightly sweet but not in a sugary doughnut kind of way. The Shredded Pork is good on its own—kind of reminiscent of Filipino beef steak; but, when you place it in the bun, as it should be eaten, its taste is overpowered by the bun. We recommend around three to four Sesame Buns for each serving of the Shredded Pork.
Though it may seem like your usual sweet and sour pork dish, PUTIEN switches things up with the addition of fresh lychees. The fruit lends a saccharine note with a bit of a tang that just plain ol' sugar would not have given.
The PUTIEN Style Pork Ribs are our personal favorite. Fork-tender, juicy, and packed with so much flavor you'd be crazy not to be crazy about it. The ribs have a sweet and slightly smokey flavor similar to American-style oven-baked ribs, but the succulent porky flavor still shines through. The sauce doesn't drown out the taste of the meat, creating a savory balance that's a definite must-try.
We admit that the Claypot Sea Cucumber with Chestnuts and Abalone was a new experience for us. We don't know many restaurants that serve abalone and sea cucumbers, let alone combine them in one stew. In terms of flavor, it's very mild and earthy; mushroom notes do come through but what had us hooked on this dish was the texture of both the abalone and sea cucumbers. First, the abalone was succulent. It was not at all tough nor chewy. Instead, when we bit into it, it had a mild briny taste similar to that of a scallop. Then we had the sea cucumbers, which were a delight to eat. Yes, they were gelatinous and a bit slippery, which are not words one might like to hear about food, but this time, it worked. In terms of flavor, they don't have their own taste, unlike the abalone, and instead serve as the perfect conduit for the stew.
Just when you think the dish is already at peak flavor level, we say add a bit of PUTIEN's signature La Ma chili sauce. Made from fresh chilis in their kitchens daily, it has a mild heat that creeps up on you, but not before first treating you with its fresh, slightly tangy flavor. The La Ma chili sauce goes great on everything. It is usually available at every table, but if you find yourself seated at a table without one, definitely ask your waiter for some—you won't regret it. Did we also mention you could buy a jar to take home?
You know that moment when you're stuffed after a Chinese feast? Yup, it's time to down some tea. An excellent tea to try at PUTIEN is their Wu Yi Mountain Early Spring Da Hong Pao (P298). Made from the first batch of leaves harvested every spring, this tea has a crisp, fresh, and naturally sweet taste with a flowery note that lingers after each sip.
With the fare we tried, it's clear PUTIEN uses the freshest and best quality ingredients. Think standards so strict that their head office in Singapore went through everything, from the ingredients to the interiors and the recipes, before approving them to ensure all is at par across their branches. The next time you have a hankering for Chinese food, or hey, maybe want to impress that Filipino-Chinese person you like, why not treat them to PUTIEN for some Fujian Singaporean meals? It's about time you try something different.
PUTIEN opened in the Philippines in 2019. While its sole Philippine branch is at The Podium, PUTIEN has over 93 outlets in several key cities across Asia. The first PUTIEN branch is in Singapore and boasts of a Michelin star for six years in a row.
PUTIEN is located at 5/F The Podium. It is available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery. For deliveries, you may call 8282-1888 or order through their website, GrabFood or Pickaroo. For more inquiries, visit PUTIEN's Facebook page.
UPDATE (August 22, 9 p.m.): A representative from PUTIEN reached out and updated the number of PUTIEN outlets in Asia. In addition, an updated price on the Clay Pot Sea Cucumbers dish has been provided. The article has been updated to reflect these developments