There is nothing more comforting to me than having a warm bowl of noodles. Be it a piping hot bowl of chicken mami or a super savoury serving or ramen, sipping on warm soup and chewing on perfectly cooked noodles always keeps me warm and comfortable.
I sometimes sneak in a bowl or two of instant ramen into my hotel room whenever I go on a staycation, never mind the havok it can wreak on my diet. At least right now, for my staycations at the Marco Polo Davao, I don’t need to pack bowls of instant noodles anymore as they introduced six new and exciting in-room dining noodles. The new items include Wanton Noodle Soup, Nanjing Beef Short Rib Noodle Soup, Chongquing Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup, Pancit Bihon Guisado, Pancit Palabok, and Pancit Egg Noodle Canton Style, a truly diverse selection that spans the Philippines through to coastal and central China similar to the ancient Silk Road.
“Executive Chef Alex Destriza actually trained in China to bring the authentic flavours of the dishes to the Marco Polo Davao,” said Marco Polo Davao’s PR officer Sarah Mama.
From my first sip of the soup to savouring the flavours of the toppings, the taste of the dishes is as authentic as it gets. The Nanjing Beef Short Rib Noodle Soup was a masterpiece with delicious broth and tender-cooked beef that literally melts in the mouth.
Spice fanatics, me included, are sure to fall in love with the Chongquing Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup that is spiced with Szechuan pepper and lots of dried chili pepper. Those who are sensitive to spice may want to try the clean flavours of the Wanton Noodle Soup instead.
“All six noodle dishes are available ala carte for in-room dining while some noodle dishes will be available on rotation at Cafe Marco’s breakfast buffet,” added Sarah.
After the hearty meal, tea was served. In another nod to the Silk Road, Marco Polo Davao also rolled out a new selection of teas for all of its restaurants as well as the Continental Club Lounge.
“We have partnered with premium tea supplier, Althaus, to give our guests the best afternoon tea experience,” said Sarah “All of the teas that are available at all of the hotel’s outlets are curated to match with the food the outlet serves.”
From the green teas, black teas, flower and fruit infusions. There was a cacophony of teas to choose from. My favourite of the lot would be the Grün Matinee, a refreshing flavoured green tea that mixes Japanese Sencha leaves with rose, cornflower, and sunflower petals. Another interesting tea, was Althaus’ Manila Mango fruit infusion which offers a juicy tropical mix of hibiscus flowers, mango, pineapple, apple, grapes, and marigold flower petals.
Truly the Heart of Davao lives up to the legend of Marco Polo the traveller, bringing various flavours and tastes from across the silk road for its guests to enjoy and appreciate.
Follow me on my Instagram account at @kennethkingong for more travel tips and foodie finds in, around, and beyond Durianburg.
