As a theater fan and a foodie, my favorite venue right now has to be Mirror Studio because that gives me a reason to try out the many restaurants in Makati’s Poblacion area — if you’re willing to deal with the crowds.
One place that kept coming up on my radar is Super Uncle Claypot. It’s the kind of restaurant you pass by multiple times, always full, always buzzing, until you finally decide to show up early enough to beat the queue. That alone usually says something.
Interestingly, I first tried their Greenhills Mall branch and came away underwhelmed. Same menu, different story. Here in Poblacion, though, everything just clicks better — the food, the pacing, even the confidence of the service.
Super Uncle leans into a retro aesthetic — old Chinese posters lining the walls, warm lighting, and just enough neon to remind you where you are. It feels like an old-school Hong Kong diner filtered through Poblacion’s nightlife energy. Come early and it’s a laid-back dinner spot; come later and it turns into a natural extension of the neighborhood’s bar scene. Either way, it works.
Fans of Cantonese food will recognize what they’re trying to do here. The menu centers on claypot rice, cooked to order in the traditional Guangzhou style — rice, toppings, and sauce all coming together in a single pot, finished with that signature crispy layer at the bottom. It’s a simple idea, but one that requires patience. Orders can take a while, which is why the standing advice (and a good one) is to start with dim sum.
The menu itself is fairly straightforward — no overwhelming pages, no unnecessary detours. Just a focused selection of staples, plus a few dishes meant for sharing if you come in a group.
I let the staff guide the meal, which is usually the safest bet.
For starters, the kikiam (P195) turned out to be a surprisingly good call. It’s more substantial than the usual siomai order, with a firmer bite and fuller flavor. Not groundbreaking, but a solid way to ease into the meal.
The shrimp wonton noodle soup (P330) is closer to a Hong Kong style than what we’re used to locally. The broth is clear but deeply flavored, clean without feeling thin. The noodles are on the firmer side but they grow on you. The real highlight are the wontons: generously sized, packed with shrimp and pork, and filling enough to stand on their own.
But the main event is, unsurprisingly, the claypot rice.
I went with the sausage and pork spare ribs (P430) on the waiter’s recommendation, skipping the more commonly ordered chicken and mushroom. It arrives piping hot, with the sauce poured tableside — part practical, part performance. Give it a minute to settle, then mix everything in: the savory-sweet sauce, the tender meat, and the rice that’s absorbed all of it.
What you’re really after is the bottom layer — that slightly crisp, almost toasted rice that adds texture to every bite (think socarrat, but Chinese). It’s the same principle as a good paella, and it’s what makes the dish worth the wait. It’s rich, filling, and best eaten slowly once it cools just enough to handle.
To finish, the almond lychee dessert (P180) keeps things simple. It’s not the most memorable version out there, but it does what it needs to do — light, mildly sweet, and a clean way to end a heavier meal.
Super Uncle Claypot has picked up a Michelin Selection nod in the guide’s Philippine debut, which explains part of the hype. Whether it fully lives up to that depends on what you’re expecting.
Here’s the honest take: the Michelin recognition makes sense, but don’t walk in expecting a life-changing meal.
What Super Uncle Claypot does well is consistency and comfort. It delivers solid, well-executed Cantonese flavors in a setting that feels alive. And in a neighborhood like Poblacion — where concepts can sometimes overshadow cooking — that already counts for a lot.
Is it the best Chinese food in Metro Manila? No.
Is it worth lining up for? Maybe, depending on your patience.
Is it a great place to eat when you’re in Poblacion? Absolutely.
You’ll leave full, satisfied, and maybe already thinking about which claypot to try next. And honestly, that’s kind of the point.
Super Uncle Claypot is located at 5887 Enriquez St., Poblacion, Makati City.
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