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This new stall at The Grid is serving Thai street food by a Michelin-starred Thai chef

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Cyrene de la Rosa

<p>Just in time for the holidays, The Grid Food Market in Rockwell’s Power Plant unveiled a special holiday menu, as well as a large extension that will eventually accommodate six more food stalls and 160 additional seats.</p><p>Jumpstarting the festivities was The Grid’s newest concept, called Samyan at stall number 16, the first one to open at the food hall’s brand new wing. But this is no ordinary Thai food concept, as it happens to be helmed by one of Thailand’s top chefs, Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn, who joined forces with local entrepreneur Patrick Pesengco and Tasteless Food Group’s Charles Paw.</p><h3>You may also like:</h3><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/07/28/19/this-camiguin-guerrera-turned-a-major-heartbreak-into-an-opportunity-to-discover-her-inner-chef">This guerrera turned a major heartbreak into an opportunity to find her inner chef</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/video/03/13/19/video-we-tried-the-bangkok-sidewalk-eatery-famous-for-its-oyster-omelette-and-michelin-star">VIDEO: We tried the Bangkok sidewalk eatery famous for its oyster omelette and Michelin badge</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/03/09/19/this-thai-chefs-grandfather-told-him-not-to-open-a-restaurant-but-he-did-anyway-and-earned-a-michelin-star">This Thai chef&#x27;s grandfather told him not to open a restaurant, but he did anyway and earned a Michelin star</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/03/03/19/a-tour-of-the-imperial-kitchen">Once served to emperors, these expensive Chinese dishes were inventions of commoners</a> </li></ul><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid2.jpg"/><figcaption>Samyan partners, from left, Chef Ton Tassanakajohn, Charles Paw, and Patrick Pesengco</figcaption></figure></div><p>According to Pesengco, Tassanakajohn developed Samyan as a Thai street food-inspired stall especially for The Grid Food Market. This is his first food hall concept and his first food venture in the Philippines. Tassanakajohn boasts two Michelin-recognized restaurants in Bangkok. Le Du is his one Michelin-starred modern Thai flagship, which also landed the number 20 spot at this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Awarded the more traditional Michelin Bib Gourmand, Baan is his other Thai restaurant which serves his family’s heirloom recipes, including what I consider the best Massaman Lamb Curry and Mango Sticky Rice in Bangkok.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid3.jpg"/><figcaption>Le Du earned its one Michelin star in 2018</figcaption></figure></div><p>Tassanakajohn started his culinary journey at the Culinary Institute of America, graduating with the highest scores in his class. He honed his newfound culinary skills at the kitchens of top New York City restaurants like Eleven Madison Park, The Modern, and Jean Georges, before returning to Thailand with a vision to elevate Thai cuisine in his homeland.</p><p>Just before the opening of Samyan, Tassanakajohn flew to Manila from Bangkok to do a final check and attend the stall’s formal launch. While he was in town, I sat down with this very friendly and humble chef (who I first met at a “50 Best Explores Thailand” dinner) over a casual lunch at The Grid and asked him what we can expect at Samyan.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid4.jpg"/><figcaption>Chef Ton Tassanakajohn cooking in a “practice” kitchen at The Grid ahead of the opening of Samyan</figcaption></figure></div><p>According to Tassanakajohn, the dishes he developed for Samyan were inspired by the street food that he ate as a kid growing up in Samyan Market, where he used to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. He hopes Samyan at The Grid will be his platform to share with Manila his love for and good memories of these delicious dishes that he enjoyed as a child.</p><p>Tassanakajohn made sure to emphasize that the Thai dishes at Samyan are not tweaked to Filipino taste, but cooked exactly as he would in Bangkok. However, some dishes are offered with a choice of three spice levels.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid5.jpg"/><figcaption>Thai Grilled Chicken</figcaption></figure></div><p>My early favorites include Moo Dad Deaw or crispy aromatic pork strips. It’s an appetizer dish like a spiced-up pork <em>tapa</em> or jerky that I can see myself enjoying with a side order of rice. Another one is Tom Yum Kung Namkun, a creamy <em>tom yum</em> soup with shrimp that gets its creaminess, surprisingly, from evaporated milk, just like the way it’s cooked in Thailand, says Tassanakajohn.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid6.jpg"/><figcaption>Tom Yum Soup</figcaption></figure></div><p>Like a Thai version of <em>sinigang,</em> Tom Yum Soup can be enjoyed as Kway Teow Tom Yum, a one-bowl meal with either noodles or rice. Or for a heftier complete meal, there is also Khao Pad Tom Yum composed of <em>tom yum</em>-flavored fried rice served with prawn and fried fish.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid7.jpg"/><figcaption>Khao Pad Tom Yum or tom yum fried rice</figcaption></figure></div><p>Other must-tries are the Phad Krapao Moo (stir-fried pork) and Phad Krapao Gai (stir-fried chicken) with Thai basil, like a Thai version of adobo that’s ubiquitous in Thailand. At Samyan, Tassanakajohn prepares this popular dish just like it’s enjoyed in Thailand, devoid of the brown gravy that many Thai restaurants in Manila add to the dish to cater to Filipino taste.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid8.jpg"/><figcaption>Pork Krapao with fried egg</figcaption></figure></div><p>Let’s hope Samyan stays faithful to Tassanakajohn’s original concept of offering Manila diners his personal take on the street food of Bangkok.</p><div> </div><h3>Christmas offerings at The Grid</h3><p>Aside from Samyan’s big opening, the rest of the food stalls at The Grid have been gearing up for the holidays with various Christmas specials now available. Among the many offerings, here are my top picks:</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid9.jpg"/><figcaption>At Stall 2 by Bucky’s, an anything-but-boring Meatloaf with roasted mushrooms, mashed potatoes, and a really tasty gravy made from scratch</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid10.jpg"/><figcaption>Stall 6 by Gochugang’s delicious Korean riff on a ham steak, called hamgyupsal, topped with pineapple and served with Korean condiments</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid11.jpg"/><figcaption>Stall 10’s extra tasty Chicken Enchilade Verde served with La Chinesca’s addicting salsa verde, so good that I hope it’s added to the regular menu</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid12.jpg"/><figcaption>Stall 19 by Risa Chocolates for extra buttery caramel gelato with white chocolate, plus a selection of truffles and pralines</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2019/29/grid13.jpg"/><figcaption>Stall 21 by Edsa BDG for the perfect Peppermint Hot Chocolate and Eggnog in keeping with the season</figcaption></figure></div><p>While waiting for the rest of the new stalls to open this coming new year, there’s definitely enough happening at The Grid Food Market to satisfy your food cravings this holiday season.</p><div> </div><div><em>The Grid, R2 Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City</em></div><div> </div>

<p>What’s new at Power Plant’s food hall? Thai fare by acclaimed Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn of Le Du and Baan in Bangkok, plus holiday offerings from this food hall’s favorite stalls</p>

What’s new at Power Plant’s food hall? Thai fare by acclaimed Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn of Le Du and Baan in Bangkok, plus holiday offerings from this food hall’s favorite stalls