Hearts broke when news circulated that all Toast Box branches in the Philippines would close down on May 31, 2018. While there was no social media statement, word got around fast after fellow kopi tiam lovers spotted the official letter posted in Toast Box branches all over Manila.
I personally went to Toast Box in Greenbelt mid-May to ask the employees about the real deal. True enough, they told me that they are closing all branches and no longer renewing the Singaporean franchise. Their bestsellers—laksa, char kway teow, and kaya toast—were no longer available when I went, and my guess is that they were getting rid of the remaining supplies before closing shop.
I settled for the Hainanese chicken rice as my final Toast Box PH meal before bidding adieu to one of my favorite restaurants in Manila—my go-to place for Singaporean dishes and good ol’ kopi O.
This June, the team behind Toast Box PH opened their new Asian concept restaurant, Nanyang, which is right where Toast Box SM Aura used to be. It’s almost like the original Toast Box never left. All-time Singaporean favorites such as the laksa, Hainanese chicken rice, kopi teh, kaya toast, and Milo dinosaur are part of the menu. It’s too bad the char kway teow is not part of it.
I ordered something new that they were promoting—the cheesy chicken chop noodle, which I disliked! Let me put it this way, my instant Mi Goreng with fried egg tastes better. Edit: I returned a few days later to try the Laksa. It’s just as we like it!
Edit: I initially reported that the cashier told me this is the only Nanyang branch, but a reader shared that Toast Box’s former Greenbelt 5 branch now has a sign that says, “Nanyang opening on the 28th.” (Thanks for the info, Maurabie!)
Hooray! The laksa is safe and sound.
Nanyang is located at the Lower Ground Floor of SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Other branches to open soon.
Date of visit: June 4, 2018
Post updated on June 14, 2018.