Date Spots in SM Get a Global Twist This UN Day

United Nations Day falls on October 24, and eating your way across the globe makes for one of the tastiest ways to celebrate. Between hot pot from China, grilled beef from Japan, curry from India, and coconut coffee from Vietnam, SM Supermalls brings global flavor into a single mall visit.

Whether you’re rounding up the barkada for a weekend food crawl, planning your next round of date spots in SM, or treating yourself to a solo lunch, this list has a stop for you. And if you need things to do in SM this weekend at any branch near you, consider this your starting point.

China: Make Hot Pot Your Next Hangout at Haidilao

Some meals taste better when everyone at the table helps cook, and Chinese hot pot shows why. At Haidilao, your group gathers around a simmering pot of soup and drops in your favorite ingredients as the broth bubbles away. Sliced beef, shrimp paste, and hand-pulled noodles make a solid first order, especially once you’ve mixed your own dipping sauce at the sauce bar.

Since the cooking happens right at your table, dinner stretches into a full hangout. Haidilao is the place to go when the barkada wants to catch up for hours.

South Korea: Get Your Spicy Fix at Jin Joo

Samgyupsal nights will always have a special place on the barkada calendar, and Korean cuisine has plenty more to love whenever you’re ready for a new favorite. At Jin Joo, try the budae jjigae, a hearty stew loaded with ramen noodles, sausage, Spam, kimchi, and tofu in a spicy, savory broth. Set the pot in the middle of the table and share with your group, the way your favorite K-drama characters do.

Japan: Fire Up Your Own Grill at Yakiniku Like

Japanese barbecue usually means a big group crowding around one grill, but Yakiniku Like does things differently. Every diner gets a personal grill, so you cook each slice exactly how you want, at your own pace. Start with the Karubi Set, which pairs beef short plate with rice and sides.

The setup makes Yakiniku Like a great introduction to yakiniku, Japan’s grilled-meat dining tradition. You can bring a friend or go solo. A gala for one still counts after all.

Thailand: Go Crispy at Khao Kai

Fried chicken rarely disappoints, and Khao Kai gives the classic a Thai accent with gai tod. Expect crunchy, golden skin and juicy meat, best eaten with rice and a dip in the house sauces. Khao Kai is a safe bet for friends who stick to familiar food, while the adventurous ones in your group get new sauces to play with.

Italy: Indulge in Truffle Pasta at Italianni’s

On days when only a bowl of pasta will do, head to Italianni’s and order the truffle chicken and mushroom pasta. The fettuccine comes coated in a creamy sauce with tender chicken, mushrooms, and earthy truffle notes.

Italianni’s Truffle Amore series also makes a great date night pick. If you keep a list of indoor date ideas Metro Manila couples swear by, add this one, book a table for two, and share a starter before the pasta arrives.

Vietnam: Sip Coconut Coffee at Cong Caphe

A good food crawl needs a coffee break, and Cong Caphe makes a strong case for Vietnamese coffee. The brew is bold on its own, but the coconut coffee is the one to try, blending the coffee with a creamy coconut base for something closer to dessert. Make Cong Caphe your midway stop, and you get a sweet pick-me-up plus a chance to rest your feet before the next round of eating.

India: Find Your Comfort Curry at Royal Indian Curry House

Indian food rewards anyone willing to try something new, and Royal Indian Curry House makes the first step easy. Order the butter chicken, where tender chicken sits in a creamy, tomato-based sauce, and ask for warm naan on the side. Tear off a piece, scoop up the sauce, and repeat until the bowl is empty. Butter chicken leans mild, making the dish a friendly intro to Indian cuisine.

Mexico: Bring on the Tacos at El Chato

Tacos turn any meal into a casual affair, and El Chato keeps things fun with savory fillings, fresh toppings, salsa, and a squeeze of lime. Every bite moves from soft tortilla to tangy salsa to a punchy finish. Order a few different kinds, swap with your group, and settle the debate over which one wins before heading to the next stop.

Mediterranean: Try a Falafel Gyro at The Cafe Mediterranean

Wrap up your crawl at The Cafe Mediterranean with a falafel gyro. Crispy chickpea fritters get tucked into soft pita with fresh vegetables and tangy sauces, giving you a filling, meat-free meal your vegetarian friends will love. Order an extra one for the table.

Go All Out This UN Day

From Haidilao’s bubbling hot pot to Cong Caphe’s coconut coffee and the falafel gyro at The Cafe Mediterranean, each stop on this list brings a different food tradition to your table, which fits the spirit of UN Day. Before you head out, check the mall directory of your branch, since not every SM mall carries all nine restaurants. 

Bonus tip: share dishes so you fit in three or four stops in one outing! Bring your SM Advantage Card to ask about how to earn SMAC points, and watch SM Supermalls’ social pages for mall promos and mall events.

Between meals, catch a movie or browse the shops, since a food crawl pairs well with other things to do in SM Supermalls. Gather your foodie crew, order something you’ve never tasted, and make this UN Day a gala to the max, one bite at a time.

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