Manam - Shangri-la Plaza

Manam Shangri-la Plaza: Modern Filipino twists. Flavorful comfort food. Lively vibe.

Casual Filipino comfort food with modern twists; affordable, with Solo/Medium/Large sharing sizes.

Menu Highlights:
– House Crispy Sisig (often praised as one of the best)
– Watermelon Sinigang (tender beef; a signature here)
– Kare-kare (rich, savory; wins over non-fans)
– Gising-gising with winged beans
– Garlic chicken and pork belly
– Crispy bangus
– Pako salad
– Crispy pata
– Palabok
– Ube sago (sometimes given during promos)

Service Highlights:
– Generally friendly, attentive staff; quick service
– Accommodating with seating changes when requested
– Lively, modern ambience; good for families and groups
– Dining room can get noisy and feel packed when sections are loaded
– Inside is brightly lit; outdoor seating feels cozier to some

Notes:
– Seating arrangement/clustering can feel cramped or claustrophobic, even when not full
– Some single (solo) portions feel small or “bitin”
– Watermelon sinigang is divisive; a few found the flavor underwhelming and once served cold
– Rice texture tends to be on the wet/sticky side, including fried rice
– One instance of inconsistent service on soup serving protocol

Diners come to Manam Shangri-la Plaza for creative takes on Pinoy classics—comforting flavors with modern twists that still feel familiar. The House Crispy Sisig is a crowd favorite, with many calling it the best around, and the kare-kare gets love for its deep, nutty flavor. Folks also mention standouts like gising-gising with crunchy winged beans, crispy bangus, pako salad, and a sleeper hit of garlic chicken and pork belly. The branch’s signature Watermelon Sinigang earns plenty of praise for tender beef and a distinct profile, though a few customers mention it didn’t “pop” for them, and one group even received it cold.

Service usually feels warm and efficient, with staff who are quick to accommodate requests—several guests were happily moved to comfier spots after initial seating. Names that come up for great hospitality include Manager Anna, plus team members Mark and Alyssa, who made meals feel extra welcome; some even got a free ube sago during promo tie-ins. Families and groups like the lively, modern vibe and the practical Solo/Medium/Large sizes, which make sharing easy without breaking the bank.

That said, diners also talk about quirks. The host stand sometimes clusters guests in one section, making the space feel tight and noisy even when other tables are open; a few felt claustrophobic or wished the outside area—calmer and dimmer—were offered first. Inside lighting can be harsh for some. A couple of practical notes pop up too: certain solo portions can feel small, and rice tends to be wetter or stickier than expected, including the fried rice. Still, many regulars keep this branch in their Shang roster for consistently tasty Filipino comfort food with playful twists.