Donald & Lily - Makansutra

Oğuz

3.0

For those whose not brave enough to deal with the heat and crowd during the World Street Food Congress,  don't wallow in regret.   The website gods heard your prayers,  they've brought a revamped WSFC via Makasuntra.I was one of the few who skipped WSFC,  i tried but the heat and the long lines were a lil discouraging.  I wasn't too keen on visiting Makasuntra but i when i found out that there's an Indian Stall and one that sells Laksa,  my mood changed from indifferent to giddy.It is not advisable to visit Makasuntra during lunch.  I was suddenly reminded of the crowd during WSFC.  I waved the white flag and decided to have lunch somewhere else.   Went back three hours after.  There were more vacant seats and less people.  Yes,  you got it right,  Makasuntra is a food hall with different stalls that offers a specific cuisine.  Think of it as a hip,  modern foodcourt.  Wood is predominant and they are not afraid to use bold colors.  I liked the wall art,  there are a couple illustrations on the wall - graffiti style. I didn't explore all of the stalls as i only wanted Laksa and Roti.  Albeit the minimal crowd,  it gets really hot inside and the smoke from all the cooking is a lil bothersome. | Laksa from Donald and Lily (php 250).  I wasn't too crazy about this.  It's a lil steep for a half filled bowl of laksa.  The broth is seasoned well with minimal heat.  Sadly,  the broth is not enough to justify the price tag,  the contents of the bowl is miniscule.  I count two shrimps,  two squid balls and two slices of kiquiam.  I miss Eat Fresh all of a sudden. The Indian Stall ran out of Roti.  That's my cue to leave the premises.  Part of me wanted to tough it up and try some of the sweets but i was  sweating bullets. My Makasuntra experience is not as memorable as i wanted it to be.  But I still believe in second chances,  i might pay them a visit again soon.  I hope the ventilation is fixed by then.Peace Out!~Reich

Colonel Jude Mayne

4.0

I totally agree with hands up that Donald and Lily's Laksa is "the" best authentic Malaccan Laksa in Manila.Together with some bloggers, I was one of them who was able to take delight in a Singaporean culinary  experience without having to go to Singapore.  Donald and Lily's Laksa is an explosion of flavors in one sipping of the broth.  A balance of sweet, sour, salty and spicy elements  over a rich orange sauce makes you sip and gulp and drink even more.  It has rice glass noodles and big prawns that makes this even more above the rest.  I wouldn't deny I would have rice to eat this with to mellow the spiciness.  But I wouldn't mind finishing the bowl with my website partner.  A serving is enough for two people.Fast service,  cheerful staff and lean surrounding and the vibe pulsating and truly appetizing!

Hermawan

3.0

Makansutra made waves when it first opened. We let two weekends pass after its opening before going there ourselves. It is pretty overwhelming at first-- well that's my initial reaction upon entering any new food court. This one had a lot of stalls with different specialty items and with one theme in common. What is food you encounter in Singapore, Alex? So we are talking of our Singaporean favorites and there are so many! Choosing a handful is the problem and that's how I felt while walking around Makansutra. My fiance settled on laksa from this stall. Admittedly I had a difficult time remembering the names of the stalls (save for one) and initially lumped the pictures into the Makansutra entry (this place is now closed in the website database and now replaced by the stalls themselves. Better I think). I'm not a fan of laksa to be honest. This one is no different for me. It had a strong broth for me, but he wanted it to be spicier. There were lots of ingredients in the laksa, but I still thought it was just okay. To be fair, he also thought it was just okay. I prefer chili crabs, cereal prawns, satay and roti...

Jovanni Estrada

4.0

Singapore cuisine dominated this newest food hall in the Metro, Makansutra. If you haven't been here, it's just on top of National Bookstore of Megamall Building A. It replaces the KFC before. When one visits Singapore one must visit its iconic Hawker area. Somehow this location replicates that vibe. There are 12 stalls total and this one offers only two dishes. The idea is for each restaurant to focus on their masterpieces. The main chefs are all experienced and foreign. Authentic Laksa impressed despite a price tag of Php 250 to a good for one bowl. The spice has a good kick and the presence of coconut milk is very much felt. It's also got thicker soup base which I think is better. No need to fly for the real deal. I also got to try the refreshing Mee Siam with Prawns also retailing at Php 250. Nice thin vermicelli noodles in a combination of spicy, sour and sweet taste. If you are a fan of tamarind this is for you. Two people can share this one.

Ica Annisa

3.0

I have been to Singapore quite a lot of times already but it was just recently that I absolutely fell in love with their food. My favourites would be the satay (esp the one from lau pa sat) and the laksa, so those were what I ordered in Makansutra. They got the flavour of the laksa perfectly and...

Airin Amira

4.0

This stall offers the Nonya Laksa ,noodles in a rich coconut gravy with shrimp ,eggs and shredded veggies.Laksa is one of the flagship dishes of SG and Malaysia,the taste of their Laksa is very very good it's like you're in KL or Melaka.The gravy's taste is just right no overpowering of flavors,not too spicy nor too bland.I like the size of the shrimp,the authentic taste of the fish cake and balls.The marriage of flavors is right on target.The price is reasonable, serving size is good.

Muhamad Faudzan

3.0

laksa!!!! no hawker is complete without a laksa stand! I could never resist laksa. once keeps complaining about how spicy it is but still keep eating! makansutra hawker has done well in their setup and their choice of stalls.

Andra Riztyan

3.0

I tried the laksa and it tastes great. I didn't like noodles that much, though. I prefer the rice noodles that Toastbox uses, like the noodles used for pansit malabon. But the soup and the fishballs and shrimpt were very tasty. This place is in the Makansutra above National bookstore. Unfortunately, you have to get water or drinks somewhere else. Minor inconvenience.

Albertus Giovani

4.0

Serving size of the bowl is perfect. Great flavor from the laksa.. Comes with 2 big prawns and other toppings.. The noodle though is a bit on the salty side..

Rebecca Ayesha

3.0

Donald and Lily is one of the stalls in Makansutra that serves Laksa. Our laksa is part of the Set A meal. My bowl of laksa wasn' t that amazing or memorable. I don't know if its how it is in Singapore or Malaysia, but I got used to the rich red curry-coconut milk laksa version of the usual places that I go to. Donald & Lily's laksa has a lighter curry-coconut note, but has a more shrimp briny flavor. A little bit watered down for me. The glass noodles was nice and firm. It was just okay for me. Lacks the richness of flavor.#TheFoodCrawlers #SplatMNL #OngsFoodprints