Cravings satisfied, no compromise required
My family and I first stumbled upon My South Hall by accident while we were enjoying our first taste of post lockdown freedom during a staycation at Conrad. S Maison had a few restaurants open, but we couldn’t pick one because we were craving everything.
And by that, we mean everything. I wanted Korean, my husband wanted anything but Korean, and our daughter requested sinigang or fried chicken. There are multiple ways to deal with this dilemma, one of which is to purchase a kiddie meal from a fast food restaurant to be brought inside a restaurant that my husband and I would probably take turns picking.
My South Hall caught our attention simply because we saw that there were a number of food concepts by The Bistro Group inside. Also, the place was impossible to miss, given that it’s at the end of S Maison. Initially, we thought it was like a typical dining hall where you pick a restaurant, line up, order, and convene with the others at the table. The same routine of getting up and lining up again would apply if you wanted dessert.
Imagine our surprise when we were guided to our seats and handed an extensive menu featuring dishes from each restaurant. We ended up having quite a mix of things that we craved: bibimbap, fish and chips, and fried chicken.
It’s been three years since then, and we still look at My South Hall with fondness. Changes and updates were bound to happen. The menu and the kitchen have been revamped, and it now includes Sarap Bistro Filipino and Xi Nen Hotpot.
Filipino comfort food
There’s no mystery about what you’ll get when you order from these concepts. Their names say it all. Sarap serves Pinoy comfort food, making it a very popular stop for big families celebrating an occasion. The choices include crowd-pleasers Sinigang (salmon belly, bangus, and pork), Crispy Pata-rrific, and Pinatisang Fried Chicken.
But you have to give some of their other dishes a try. The Ok na Okoy is sinfully addicting. Whole shrimps are nestled between julienned squash lightly dusted with flour, giving you more of the squash’s natural sweetness and the shrimp’s savory bite. It’s wonderfully crunchy, especially if you ask the waiter to have it fried until crispy. A side of vinegar dipping sauce ties everything together and makes the flavors explode in your mouth.
Kuhol ni Tanggol is a dish of snails simmered in rich coconut milk. My Ilonggo parents used to serve something similar when I was growing up, but I often ignored it back then. I remember the struggle of scooping the meat out, the loud slurping, and the mess it always left behind. At Sarap, the other end of the snail is cracked open, making it easier to scoop out the meat with a pick. They even provide tongs for convenience, letting you enjoy kuhol (or escargot, if you’re feeling fancy) without the fuss.
When it’s easier to eat, it’s easier to enjoy. And for the first time, I got to enjoy the mild, earthy flavor of the snails that had a tender, slightly chewy bite, the richness of the coconut milk soaked up. It was also slightly spicy, which made it absolutely perfect. I didn’t stop eating until I had reached the bottom of the bowl.
This was what made Sarap stand out to me. The menu didn’t rely on fusion or modern twists. It served familiar Filipino dishes done really well. Also, you can’t leave without trying Bonggang Bibingka.
Mini hotpot
Xi Nen Hotpot shares its kitchen with Modern Shanghai, and it makes a lot of sense. The latter already offers hotpot in stand-alone restaurants, but what Xi Nen gives its diners are the dipping sauces. The choices are Creamy Garlic, Chinese Sesame Soy, Spicy Garlic, and Sesame Peanut. It is served in a mini hotpot overflowing with vegetables and assorted mushrooms with the protein of your choice. Or you can just opt for the veggies. It comes with a thermos of soup base that matches your protein. It’s a hearty dish that pairs well with Modern Shanghai’s Pan-Fried Shanghai Pork Buns.
If you haven’t tried the Steamed Buns with Preserved Egg Yolk Paste, you’re seriously missing out. Think pillowy-soft buns bursting with rich, velvety yolk that oozes out. I salivate just thinking about it.
Other food concepts inside include El Pollo Loco, Fish & Co., and WCKD for milk tea lovers. We suggest saving the milk tea for after your meal because they’re quite filling, especially with all the tempting sinkers like tapioca pearls, nata de coco, and pudding. If you’re looking for something light to sip on first, try one of Fish & Co.’s signature drinks. Basil Instinct is a standout, a refreshing mix of basil and citrus.
Again, My South Hall’s charm lies in the freedom to order whatever you’re craving, even if it doesn’t match what everyone else is having. And it’s completely understandable if you go for a plate of prawn fettuccine from Fish & Co. just because it’s absolutely mind-blowing, while the rest eat their sisig in peace.
If you’re with friends and sticking to a budget, there’s no pressure to join a group order. You can easily go solo with all-day set meals starting at P385. Each set comes with your choice of appetizer, which includes Caesar Salad, Garden Salad, Nori Cheese Nachos, or Clam Chowder; one main dish such as Sweet and Sour Fish Rice Bowl, Curry Chicken Rice Bowl, Chicken Mushroom Rice Bowl, Best Fish and Chips in Town, or Seafood Aglio Olio; and a drink of either Iced Tea or Lemonade.
The power to choose what you want to eat is an underrated privilege in any social setting and one you’ll be thankful for. You don’t have to give in just because someone insists on chicken—you can still have your kuhol without compromise.
My South Hall is at ground floor of S Maison, Marina Way corner Seaside Boulevard, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
