Asian flavors on steroids.
Now closed
Chinese restaurants are located practically everywhere in Metro Manila, but Thai? Not so much. Despite stiff competition, COCA stands out because it offers the best of Cantonese and Thai cuisine under one roof.
In 1957, Mr. Srichai Phanphensophon and his wife established the restaurant’s first branch, a 20-seater in Soi Dejo, Thailand. Following the restaurant’s immediate success, they moved to a nearby location and expanded it to a 150-seater branch where suki-style cooking was introduced.
Thai Suki is a style of hotpot where you cook your vegetables, meat, and seafood in a hot broth then dip it in their signature sukiyaki sauce. COCA now has branches in Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and more.
Fun Fact: 'COCA' comes from the Mandarin word, "Kekou," which means appetizing.
COCA is located at the 5/F Skypark of SM Aura in BGC. The ambiance is loungey and fancy–a good option for family dinners and the like. They serve classic Thai dishes (and their signature hotpot, of course) with a Cantonese twist that locals love. Next time you visit them, try out these 10 dishes:
Roast Duck Salad
Thinly sliced roasted duck with assorted vegetables, topped with fresh cucumber slices and watermelon chunks. One of the most refreshing appetizers on their menu.
Crispy Roasted Pork Belly
Slices of ultra-crispy, melt in your mouth pork belly with a dab of mustard on the side, comparable to a Cantonese-style liempo.
Chicken in a Paper Bag
Diced chicken doused in a special sauce, individually wrapped in paper bags then deep fried–a unique version of chicken pandan. TIP: Contrary to some might think, the paper bags are not edible.
After starters, seafood lovers should get a taste of their various platters which showcase their prawns and crabs in soup or as grilled dishes with a twist.
Thai Suki: Emperor’s Platter with Ojiya
Assorted meat, seafood, vegetables, glass noodles and their signature suki sauce. Since COCA’s specialty is their suki, this is one dish you definitely should not miss out on. Servings are good for sharing.
Tip: The hotpot can be split into two soup bases, one with the highly-recommended spicy Tom Yum Goong and the other half with chicken broth.
Pacific Sunset
Live king crab, squid, tiger prawn, pork sausage, corn with a hint of spices from all over the world.
Prawns with Salted Egg
Grilled prawns topped with salted mashed hardboiled egg yolks and spring onions.
Live Steamed Garoupa with Lime Sauce
Steamed fish with spices of lime, chili and basil.
Braised King Crab with Glass Noodles
Live king crab flavorfully braised and served with a hefty portion of glass noodles and their special sauce.
Not a fan of noodles? Balance out your orders with a serving of their famous fried rice.
COCA Yang Chow Fried Rice
TIP: It’s best paired with any of their seafood or meat dishes. Comes in large and regular servings.
For dessert, don’t forget to order this Thai staple.
Mango Sticky Rice
Thailand’s famous dessert made with glutinous rice, a sweet sauce, and fresh mangoes.
Got a family dinner coming up? COCA would surely make a great option. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @bookyapp because we’re always on the lookout for the best food photos in the metro. Just tag us and use the hashtag #bookymanila.
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5/F SM Aura, 26th St cor McKinley Parkway, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 218-1110
