For food lovers, deciding where their next food destination will be can be as simple as asking, “What do I want to eat?” Maybe it’s a steaming bowl of Prawn Laksa in Singapore, a serving of Lamb Curry in New Delhi, a plate of Raclette in Paris, or an entirely new dish you’ve never tried before. Sometimes, a single bite is enough to spark curiosity about the people, traditions, and places behind it.
That’s the magic of food travel: you don’t just visit a destination—you get to taste it.
Food offers one of the most delicious ways to understand a culture. A dish can tell stories about migration, history, local ingredients, family traditions, and even the way communities celebrate.
When Food Becomes Your Travel Inspiration
Think about how food can shape an itinerary. You might build a Singapore trip around hawker classics, book a hotel near a centuries-old food market like Barcelona’s La Boquería, scour for the best food stalls in Fukuoka, or spend an afternoon wandering through markets in another city simply to see what locals are eating.
But you know, you don’t always have to board a plane to start that culinary adventure. For a limited time, Culinary Connections brings flavors inspired by destinations across Singapore Airlines’ global network to The Grand Kitchen at Grand Hyatt Manila.
The collaboration between Singapore Airlines, Mastercard, and Grand Hyatt Manila invites diners to experience selected dishes while learning more about the history and cultural significance behind them.
Must Try Dishes
It’s essentially a little taste of the world before you even pack your bags. One dish that captures this spirit is the Octopus Adobo, a Filipino-inspired creation that combines tender, chewy octopus with the familiar tangy, garlicky soy-and-vinegar combination. Sambal adds an Indonesian-inspired kick, creating a dish that brings together flavors from different culinary traditions onto one plate.
Another is the Mee Pok, a noodle dish that’s popular in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. It’s usually made with an egg noodle base that can vary in thickness, but its distinction lies in the tangy sauce it’s tossed with, made of soy sauce, lard, black vinegar, and chili paste. Bouncy fish balls, leafy greens, ground pork, mushrooms, and aromatics like chopped chilies and spring onions are also added for heft and texture.
Otak-otak is a steamed Southeast Asian fish cake with Malay origins. The Grand Kitchen elevates this humble dish into a sumptuous white fish entree cooked in coconut milk and curry paste. Lightly flavored yet appetizing with every bite, it’s a dish that’d have you returning to the buffet again and again.
Your Next Food Trip Could Start at a “Grand” Table
A good travel meal does more than satisfy your appetite. It can make you curious. What ingredients are used? Why is the dish prepared that way? Where did the recipe come from? How does it connect to the destination? Those questions can turn a simple meal into the beginning of a much bigger story.
That idea is at the heart of Culinary Connections, which goes beyond serving travel-inspired dishes to encourage diners to explore—or rediscover—the places and cultures behind them. And if a particular flavor catches your attention, perhaps it can become the inspiration for your next adventure. After all, there’s something exciting about tasting a destination first and then eventually experiencing it for yourself.
From Manila to Your Next Destination
The Culinary Connections experience is available at The Grand Kitchen, Grand Hyatt Manila, from August 6 to October 5, 2026.
There are also special ways for Singapore Airlines customers, KrisFlyer members, and Mastercard cardholders to enjoy the experience. Singapore Airlines customers who present an eligible SIA e-ticket purchased with Mastercard during the promotion period can avail of a Dine for 2, Pay for 1 offer, priced at PHP 2,288 for lunch or PHP 2,988 for dinner or Sunday lunch.
KrisFlyer members can also redeem the experience using miles, with lunch available for 4,500 KrisFlyer miles and dinner or Sunday lunch for 5,500 miles. Selected Mastercard privileges and promotional offers are also available.
Diners can also join a raffle for the chance to win prizes—including a Singapore Airlines round-trip Business Class experience for two to Singapore, paired with a two-night stay at Grand Hyatt Singapore.
So, if your appetite has been telling you it’s time for a vacation, maybe it’s worth listening. Start with a dish. Follow the flavors. Learn the story behind the food. And who knows? That first taste might just inspire you to book the trip that comes next!
For more details about the Singapore Airlines’ Culinary Connections promo, you can click here.
Missing Singapore? Make these Singaporean-inspired recipes at home:
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for foodie finds, re-imagined recipes, and easy eats that will take Pinoy bellies on an adventure!
Leave a Reply