After years of shaping the culinary landscape in the Philippines, The Moment Group is launching Hayop in Singapore this month, marking the first overseas venture for the beloved Manam brand.
Located in the vibrant Amoy Street neighbourhood, hayop is the fine casual offshoot of Manam – and a much-anticipated addition to our city’s dining scene. Aside from creating nostalgia for fellow Filipinos living abroad, hayop advocates for Filipino cuisine beyond its home country. Dining at hayop, you are immersed in the infectious whirl of Filipino culture. The restaurant’s signature “alagang Manam” hospitality philosophy, and fun lively vibe, are magnified by the larger-than-life space designed with contemporary Filipino flair – all within a shophouse in eclectic Amoy Street, one of the epicentres of lifestyle in Singapore.
Loosely translated from the vernacular, hayop means “beast” – a hyperbolic compliment for something that is truly amazing. It is a name that resonates with the extravagantly wonderful tapestry of cultures that make up the Philippines – which The Moment Group seeks to encapsulate in the hayop experience.
Deeply inspired by Manam, hayop serves classic and reinventive takes on familiar Filipino comfort food through a contemporary lens. It is Filipino food as it is, now — nostalgic and recognisable to Filipinos living abroad, but at the same time, embracing the use of the best ingredients that can be found, wherever that may be in the world.
The menu is succinct yet diverse, with dishes rooted in the personal memories of the founders and the collective history of the Philippines, itself a treasure trove of centuries of foreign influence. The selection of bites, mains, vegetables, and rice – a Filipino staple – as well as desserts that come in small plates are perfect for sharing and exploring the cornucopia of Filipino flavours.
Together with Singaporean partners, Russell Yu of Iki Concepts, and Gwen Lim of Patisserie G, hayop looks forward to welcoming guests through their doors.
The restaurant embraces you with Bayanihan, the Filipino concept of togetherness and unity rooted in familial ties beyond immediate family. After all, Filipinos have always viewed life as a celebration, and every meal is as such. At hayop, this irrepressible zest shines throughout, making every table a warm welcome, every meal a festive occasion, and every diner family.