For fans of the famed Hainanese chicken meal, only a few places in the metro truly measure up to the authentic taste. This is why the opening of several restaurants serving chicken rice the way they do it in Singapore has been warmly welcomed.

Tiong Bahru Philippines recently opened its sixth branch in Alabang Town Center, bringing the Michelin-starred Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice to the south.

Its seventh branch will open soon in Eastwood, Quezon City, in March.

Tiong Bahru Philippines, the franchise of the Singapore hawker known for its Hainanese chicken, is co-owned by Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, the wife of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Coming from the quaint village of Tiong Bahru in Singapore, it opened its first international franchise in the Philippines in 2019. It was brought in by Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, with her business partners Andrew Koh, Abel Manliclic, Danny Ngo, Milo Ramirez, Alvin Vega, Tony Moncupa, Alex Padilla, and Ramon Garcia.

Yu-Pimentel recalls the seemingly ill-timed opening of the branch as the Covid-19 pandemic hit the globe soon after.

“It was a challenging time for any business, but fortunately, we found footing by harnessing digital marketing to continue running and providing for our staff,” Yu-Pimentel said.

“Home delivery has become our strength. We deliver to all customers who like a very healthy dish that won’t hurt their wallets,” she added.

Now, the food sector is experiencing steady growth. Tiong Bahru Philippines, for one, after opening its sixth branch early this year in Alabang Town Center, will be inaugurating another one soon.

The Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken is a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee for five years from 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022. Bib Gourmand is Michelin’s category for restaurants that give the best value for money.

Now growing throughout Manila, Filipinos residing in Luzon and beyond who fancy traversing the urban city no longer need to go overseas to experience Singaporean-style cuisine as the Yu-Pimentel promises to continuously expand the chicken joint in the heart of the metro.