Foodiestation

Going Thai at Songkran, BF Homes

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 05:28:00 +0000

One lovely Sunday last August, the hubby and I took our house guest (my friend and kumare Josh) to Songkran Authentic Thai Streetfood in BF Homes, Parañaque. It's a causal resto with a nice ambience and serves good Thai food. It was definitely a lunch to remember and let me tell you why.

Check out the food we ordered below which were all a delight in their own right:

This Pad Thai (P210) was very tasty. It's more on the sweet side, though. But the mung beans and tofu were bittersweet and crunchy and somehow, they were able to neutralize the sweetness of this dish.

The Green Chicken Curry (P270) was a bit sweet as well but had a rich, spicy curry taste and delicate texture. Veggies like eggplant and red bell peppers were also mixed in. The chicken pieces were quite few, though, and that's the only thing I can complain about it. Haha.

As for the Bagoong Rice (P170), the bagoong flavor was just mild and it went well with the other toppings which were mostly in their raw form. I liked that the rice came in a generous serving that we had a hard time finishing it.

Now, their Thai Iced Tea (P100) was the bomb! It arrived in a tall glass, was very refreshing and the milk and tea ratio was just right. We all thought it made us full faster because after a few sips while waiting for our food, we felt quite stuffed already.

We enjoyed chatting inside the restaurant because there were only two other groups when we went there and they were just quietly eating. The servers were the silent type, too. It's like they were trained to respect the privacy of the diners, which for me is a plus point.

with my two dining companions

Food, service and ambience-wise, Songkran is a good choice of restaurant if you're in the BF Homes area. We shall be back! :)

Songkran Thai Restaurant
Aguirre Ave.
B.F. Homes, Parañaque

(+632) 829-2963

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Family Dinners at Hap Chan, SM Manila

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 07:29:00 +0000

Whenever I want cheap but delicious Chinese food, I only go to North Park (they currently have two stores along Macapagal Blvd.!). Now, there's also Hap Chan Tea House to satiate my Chinese food cravings. Since they opened a branch at SM Manila last year (I stand corrected), we've had family dinner there a couple of times already and each time, my family and I were satisfied.

Below are our some of our must-orders there:

Yang Chow Fried Rice (P230) and Lumpiang Shanghai (P250). I liked how their fried rice was not oily at all and contained lots of small shrimps, pork asado bits and veggies. Their shanghai rolls, on the other hand, were crispy, meaty (unlike others that had more veggies than pork meat) and seasoned just right. Their lumpiang shanghai actually got my mom's nod of approval at first bite.

Their Quail Egg Siomai (P75) hit the spot! It's now officially my fave siomai in the entire Metro Manila. Haha. I liked how each piece of dimsum was plump, juicy, packed with meat (and not just fat!) and was seasoned just right. No umay factor here.

These two were soya-based smoothies (P60-P65 per glass). The one on the left was strawberry and the one on the right was chocolate. I prefer the latter because it tasted more chocolate-y than tofu-flavored.

One time, we also tried their Buttered Chicken (P250) which was very good. Our order had around six to seven small chicken pieces which were fried to perfection. I could taste the butter in every bite so I could tell they didn't scrimp on ingredients.

Another time, my mom and I had dinner there and availed of their rice meals which were okay, too. Priced at P120-P150, they were quite delicious and filling.

with my mom and my two younger sisters during one of our family dinners at Hap Chan, SM Manila

Hap Chan
4/L SM City Manila
Natividad Almeda-Lopez, Ermita, Manila

(+632) 484-3229

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Lunch Buffet at Circles Event Cafe, Makati Shangri-La

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 06:28:00 +0000

Armed with two GCs I won from the raffle at a Nissan event the hubby and I attended sometime last year, we had a lunch buffet at Circles Event Cafe of Shangri-La Hotel Makati one fine Monday. The food selection wasn't as massive as that of Sofitel's Spiral, but we enjoyed the cozy and intimate ambience and the very attentive staff. I secretly wished, though, that they had fresh crabs and scallops but unfortunately, those were not available during our visit.

Below are the various kinds of food I got from the buffet spread:

These breads were nice to eat. Soft and chewy center with crunchy edges.

I started my meal with this salad. It looks messy but it was bursting with flavors.

This miso soup tasted okay. I got a lot of leeks because it's one of my fave veggies.

I liked how plump and juicy and fresh the mussels were! I requested for these to be cooked in butter and garlic and it proved to be a good decision.

I requested the tiger prawns to be cooked Singaporean style and the chef at the cooking station happily obliged. This was yummy! The sauce had a good balance of saltiness and sweetness and the tiger prawns were well-cooked. I ate everything because the hubby is allergic to seafood. Lucky me!

I requested this carbonara from the chef at the pasta station. A few minutes after, this lovely plate of creamy goodness was served to me. It was pretty good.

The tempura was crunchy and thinly-breaded, which I appreciated. The dimsum were okay but nothing special.

When in a buffet place, I try to eat some Indian food, too. And steak, of course. The steak was memorable because it was juicy and fork-tender and had a little fat in the center.

I never leave a buffet place without trying their ice cream whether it's homemade or commercial. At Circles, they had homemade sorbet and gelato. I got raspberry sorbet and yogurt gelato. I so looooove the latter! I'm a big yogurt fan, you know. But believe me when I say that the yogurt gelato was very good. So creamy, tangy and just a little sweet. It was perfect, IMHO.

I ended my meal with fruits. I made sure to get some for fiber. Haha.

my eating buddy!

Next time, we'll try the dinner buffet and compare it with our lunch buffet experience, food and service wise. :)

Circles Event Cafe
Shangri-La Hotel Makati
Ayala cor. Makati Avenues, Makati

(+632) 813-8888

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Erra's Ramen: The Cheapest Ramen in Manila!

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 07:06:00 +0000

The hubby is a self-confessed ramen fan. So far, we've eaten in a few ramen places already but that doesn't stop him from finding more ramen places to try. A bowl of ramen in most Japanese restos can go anywhere from P280 to P450. Sometimes, even higher than that. Good thing we chanced upon this ramen place in Malate that serves unbelievably cheap ramen at less than P100 per bowl -- Erra's Ramen. As we have found out after eating there, their ramen is not just delicious but can give those high-end ramen places a run for their money. Like, seriously.

have you been to this side of Malate?

Erra's Ramen is just a food cart beside Erra's Grill (same owner, I heard) and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL) but you'll be amazed by how the place is always packed with people. So far, we've visited twice already and ordered the same ramen flavor each time: Tantanmen for the hubby and Miso for me.

My Miso ramen was delicious with just the right amount of flavor and heat from the tasty broth and spices. The noodles were chewy and firm, characteristics of good, homemade ramen noodles. The egg mixed in was hard-boiled, though, and didn't have the yellowish, runny appeal of a real ajitsuke tamago. But still, the ramen gave me the warmth and joy I'd usually get whenever a bowl of good ramen is in front of me. And for just P70, what more can I ask for, right?

OTHER RAMEN PLACES WE'VE TRIED:
Ramen Kuroda, BF Homes
Ramen Yushoken, Molito-Alabang
Kokoro Ramenya, Roxas Blvd.
Yasuo Japanese Restaurant, Robinsons Place Manila
Izakaya Den Japanese Restaurant, Malate
Rai Rai Ken, Finlandia
Ume-ya Japanese Restaurant, Bacoor
Yoshinoya, SM Manila

The hubby's Tantanmen ramen, P80, on the other hand, was on the spicy side (as it should be), but the heat was tolerable according to him. He finished it in no time so I guess he liked it as well.

Should you want more soup, noodles, pork, egg or whatever, just ask the staff and they'll be glad to serve it to you in exchange for a few pesos.

check out the prices, people!

Cleanliness may be a bit of an issue here because it is situated on the side walk and everything is prepared by hand, but if you're willing to get your hands dirty for a taste of good ramen at a dirt-cheap price (pun intended!), then this is the place for you! :)

Erra's Ramen
Adriatico cor. Nakpil Sts.
Malate, Manila

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Ramen Set Meals at Ramen Kuroda, BF Homes

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 06:10:00 +0000

One random Saturday night, the hubby and I met up with our two family friends Eric and Joy. We had dinner at Ramen Kuroda, one of the many restaurants inside BF Homes, Parañaque. We availed of their ramen set meals which were incredibly filling and provided full value to our money.

We ordered four different ramen set meals but I only have a photo of my tray to show you:

Ramen + Karaage set, P420

I chose karaage (Japanese fried chicken) to go with my ramen. Aside from these two, my set meal also had three side dishes, two desserts and Japanese rice. My three companions, on the other hand, asked for gyoza, katsudon and tonkatsu to go with their ramen.

OTHER RAMEN PLACES WE'VE TRIED:
Erra's Ramen, Malate
Ramen Yushoken, Molito-Alabang
Kokoro Ramenya, Roxas Blvd.
Yasuo Japanese Restaurant, Robinsons Place Manila
Izakaya Den Japanese Restaurant, Malate
Rai Rai Ken, Finlandia
Ume-ya Japanese Restaurant, Bacoor
Yoshinoya, SM Manila

When it comes to my ramen (I asked for their miso one), the broth was tasty and flavorful but I found the noodles thinner and less firm than those served in other ramen places I've visited. I liked that my ramen had the usual Chashu (slow-roasted pork), some veggies like bokchoy, leeks and mushrooms as well as half hard-boiled egg and black sesame seeds. It made my ramen bright, colorful and delightful to eat!

group photo

My three companions and I were one in agreement that Ramen Kuroda's ramen set meals were good (but nothing exceptional) and very filling. Next time, we'll order ala carte so we could try their other dishes. :)

check them out, guys! (click the photo to enlarge)

Ramen Kuroda was filled with people during our visit but the service was amazingly fast. Parking outside is limited so you might want to go early if you're bringing a car. :)

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Delightful Brunch at Heaven and Eggs, Glorietta 4

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 03:56:00 +0000

It was my first time to dine at Heaven and Eggs, Glorietta 4, Makati last Saturday. I was with my blogger friends and we had a sort of brunch feast there. We partook of several American and Filipino breakfast fares which all turned out to be gastronomically fulfilling. I've been hearing a lot of raves about Heaven and Egg's eat-all-you-can breakfast online and I'm glad the restaurant didn't disappoint during our visit even if we just ordered straight off the menu.

Allow me to share with you photos of our orders:

This Angus Beef Tapa (P390) hit the spot! The meat was tender, juicy, tasty and oh-so flavorful. I enjoyed eating this with the garlic fried rice and instead of the usual sunny side up eggs, I paired it with the salted egg which I thought complemented the richness of tapa. If you're eating at Heaven and Eggs anytime soon, this is a must-order. As in!

Another favorite among our group was the Lovin Lucban Longganisa (P310). It had six pieces of garlicky longganisa, grilled tomatoes, a slice of salted egg plus two sunny side up eggs and garlic fried rice. I liked the crunch, flavor and meatiness of the longganisa. Dipping it in the vinegar provided made it more pleasurable to eat. Yum!

The Classic Manila Ribs (P330) was oozing with smoky, porky goodness! The ribs was barbecued just right so the meat turned out to be tender and juicy. No need to dip it in the sweet and sour sauce that went with it.

This is aptly called Steak and Eggs (P998). It had 8oz. of USDA rib-eye steak served with two sunny side up eggs (you can actually choose to have your eggs any style!), a hash brown and buttered corn kernels. We had the steak cooked medium-well and after it landed our table, everybody started digging in.

This Grilled Tocino (P255) I didn't get to try but my friends said it was also delish.

We also had pancakes and waffles! These served as our "desserts" because we started our brunch with rice. Haha.

This Apple Cinnamon Pancakes (P185) was beautifully topped with caramelized apple slices and toasted walnuts. The pancakes were made with cinnamon and sugar so I could really taste the rich cinnamon flavor in every bite.

I found the Oreo Pancakes (195) a bit dry and thought it could use some syrup or perhaps, some condensed milk? But still, we finished 'em flap jacks because they were fluffy and generously filled with Oreo cookies!

The Chocolate Chips Waffle (P195) was the crowd favorite. It had milk and dark chocolate filling and was topped with whipped cream.

Personally, I liked the Fruity Tootie Waffles (P235) the best! The assorted fruit compote and whipped cream on top provided a touch of freshness and added a nice flavor to the hot iron waffles.

To assist in digesting all these glorious food, I had their Lemonade Cooler P85).

I also had a cup of Hot Chocolate P100) to further perk myself up. Actually, I find eating pancakes and waffles more enjoyable with a cup of hot chocolate. Haha.

Heaven and Eggs is a casual restaurant that serves American and Filipino breakfast favorites not just in the morning but all day! The place is very intimate and not intimidating at all. The prices are reasonable and the service is quite good, too. I'd love to take my family there some time!

our group

P.S. Thank you to my blogger friend Alex and my PR friend Xchosa for inviting me to this resto. See you guys around! :)

Heaven and Eggs
G/F Glorietta 4
East Drive
Ayala Center, Makati

(+632) 818-2792

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Foodie Find in the South: Marky’s Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 01:28:00 +0000

One random Saturday, the hubby and I went to Festival Mall-Alabang to unwind. When we got hungry, I thought of where we could eat without breaking our wallets. Then I remember about this food stall called Marky’s Chicken inside Save More supermarket (same mall) that serves cheap and tasty chicken. I actually heard about it from a blog I follow. If I’m not mistaken, there’s a restaurant version of this somewhere in Parañaque.

When we got to the stall, I didn’t waste time and ordered food immediately. I got two orders of two-piece soy-garlic chicken with rice (P100) and an order of spaghetti (P35). During that time, there was an ongoing promo for the chicken meals so we ended up getting freebies: buttered corn and iced tea. Nice!

The hubby highly approved of their chicken. He said it has the right amount of saltiness and sweetness though it would have been better if the chicken was served to us hot instead of just warm. It could have made the chicken’s skin crispier and more appetizing. The temperature of the food is something that matters to my husband, obviously.

While I have to admit the chicken was big and juicy, I find the flavors lacking. I don’t know, but Manang’s Chicken is still the better one for me.

As for the spaghetti, it didn’t leave a lasting impression to us.

Price wise, I think Marky’s Chicken is very affordable. Their chicken is also bigger than those served in most fast food restos. I hope they keep the size for long. :)

While dining, I also noticed that many employees (mostly men) order food from Marky’s Chicken. It’s probably because they get full value for their money there. If ever you’re in the area, do try it and see for yourself if their chicken will be to your liking.

Marky's Chicken
Save More Supermarket
Festival Mall, Alabang
Muntinlupa City

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Unlimited Pasta and Pizza at The Old Spaghetti House (TOSH)

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 06:26:00 +0000

When I learned about the eat-all-you-can pasta + unlimited pizza promo at The Old Spaghetti House (TOSH), I immediately suggested it to the Tropang Gala (a group composed of my husband, my superfriend Nice, my friend Carmela and myself) in time for our scheduled dinner date which happened last Tuesday night at TOSH - SM Manila. For P150 per head, the eat-all-you-can pasta sounded like a good deal to us. We also availed of the additional P50 for unlimited pizza and P65 for bottomless iced tea. To be very honest, we got full from the food but we were not quite satisfied with the service.

There were four kinds of pasta on offer: pomodoro, carbonara, pesto and Viatnamese. For the pizza, there were three flavors: pepperoni, five cheese and Hawaaian. There's really not much to expect here. Spaghetti is the type of noodle used for all four sauces while all pizza was served on thin crust. Here are some food photos to give you an idea of what we ate there:

pomodoro pasta with five-cheese pizza

pesto, carbonara and pomodoro pasta with Hawaiian pizza

Vietnamese pasta with Hawaiian pizza

pesto pasta with pepperoni pizza

During our visit, I liked that the spaghetti was cooked "al dente" and some of the pizza slices were still hot when they landed on our table. We got to the restaurant at around 7:30 pm and left when the nearby shops started closing their doors.

Unlike in other restaurants where eat-all-you-can translates to having a buffet style of serving the food, at TOSH it's kind of personalized. The wait staff go around, table by table, serving the pasta and the pizza.

If we wanted what the staff was showing to us, all we had to do was ask for some. If we wanted a different pasta or pizza, we would ask them for it, too. The problem was, the wait staff wasn't that attentive even if only five tables were occupied that night. We had to call their attention twice, sometimes thrice or more, before we could get whatever food we were asking for. It didn't help that they looked exhausted and couldn't even give out a friendly smile. It was a good thing I was in good company then that these setbacks didn't affect my happy mood that much.

our group

But, if ever anyone from TOSH could read this, kindly remind your wait staff about good and proper customer service. It'll be for your own good, not mine. But even so, I'll appreciate it very much.

The Old Spaghetti House
4/F SM City Manila
San Marcelino St.
Ermita, Manila

(+632) 353-8674

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Late Night Snacking at 8 Street Bites Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 09:21:00 +0000

Right after watching the 6:30pm screening of Maleficent at SM Manila last Friday, my mom, my two sisters and I had a late snack at 8 Street Bites Restaurant, also on the fourth level. It’s fairly new, serves American-Mexican fast food and we had never eaten there until that night.

the restaurant's facade...

and interior

We were supposed to get only snack items from the menu but mom wanted to try the chicken tenders that happened to be a rice meal. And so she did. She shared that with my sister Nyam who got an order of fries to pair with the chicken tenders. They both thought it was good. An order had five chunky pieces. The chicken was deep-fried, crispy on the outside but the meat retained its juices somehow. The sauce that came with it was honey mustard and tasted yummy, too. I knew because I had a bite of the chicken with it. Haha.

Chicken Tender Bites, P148

Nyam's fries, P28

My sister Jodie and I, on the other hand, shared Freeway Nachos (P98) and a Banoffee Pie (P58). The nacho sauce was delicious but tasted like it came straight from the can. (Not that it was a bad thing, just saying.) It had a few kidney beans and meat. There were fresh tomatoes, onions, sour cream and cheese sauce on top, too.

This banofee pie satisfied my sweeth tooth. It was pretty basic but I liked the thick cream a lot.

with my sister Jodie

For the small food servings, I thought the prices were just right. The service was a bit slow during our visit and I guess the staff felt that, too. We ended up getting a complimentary dessert in the form of a pana cotta which had a good balance of creaminess and sweetness.

I’d love to go back to this resto and try the other items soon. :)

8 Street Bites Restaurant
4/F SM City Manila
Natividad Lopez St.
Ermita, Manila
(+632) 585-4211

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Indian Lunch at Assad Cafe, UN Avenue

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Fri, 02 May 2014 02:49:00 +0000

I've long wanted to eat at Assad Cafe, a small Indian resto on UN Avenue, Manila. I finally did last month with the hubby. We were running some errands then and I suggested we go there for lunch. It was one delicious and affordable lunch that I'd like to have all over again.

Assad Cafe has a very straightforward menu. Ordering is easy as the wait staff know the resto's offerings well. The food takes time to arrive (around 30 minutes during our visit) but once it lands on your table, a pleasant gastronomic experience ensues.

Below were our orders:

The Beef Quorma, P170 was delicious. The curry flavor was mild, just like how it should be. There were four small pieces of fork-tender, lean beef in our order and the hubby paired it with rice because he's a rice person. Haha.

Paneer Matar, P145. This vegetarian dish consisting of green peas and Indian cheese was a revelation. It looked so simple when I saw it but when I tasted it, it packed a lot of flavors. The cheese's texture and taste is similar to that of feta. Along with the soft green peas and the rich curry-based sauce, this dish is best-paired with a Nann (P17 per piece) or a Parata(P39 per piece).

Nann

My personal choice is parata because it's sweet, buttery and chewy. It's so good I can even eat it on its own.

Parata

Even their Sweet Lassi (P60) was good. The hubby isn't a fan of yogurt-based drinks, but I am, so this went to me. I loved every sip of this refreshing yogurt drink which complemented the heat and rich flavors of my food well.

with my fave food buddy a.k.a. the hubby

Assad Cafe isn't your posh and dainty resto. The interiors are plain and old-looking and there's minimal ventilation provided. It's the kind of place where you come for the food and nothing else. But if you're looking for some cheap yet authentic Indian food, then this is the right place for you. :)

Assad Cafe
1268-D Midtown Executive Homes
U.N. Ave. Paco, Manila

(+632) 404-0319

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

We Love Todd English Food Hall!

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 03:06:00 +0000

Todd English Food Hall was still in soft-opening when we dined there last Valor Day (April 9th). It's like a big food court (albeit very posh, well-lit and well-ventilated) with nine cooking stations that make the atmosphere so festive and alive. The restaurant sits on a 900sqm space. It was really huge, I initially thought people were just exaggerating.

After waiting to be ushered inside (there was a long queue, I tell you), we got seated to the bar area. We didn't mind so long as we got to eat because we were starving already. If I remembered correctly, we waited for almost 45 minutes. Haha.

Just like when dealing with newly-opened restos, we played safe and ordered food based on the crowd favorites. The hubby, my SIL Albie and I shared all the food so we could taste everything.

Todd English Slider, P390. The three sliders were gone in seconds! They were that good. The patties alone were bursting with flavors. And no extenders, whatsoever. The buns were soft, had a nice texture and not crumbly. The other fillings were lightly-seasoned, perhaps the chef didn't want them to overpower the patties which were the star of the show.

Fig and Prosciutto, P530. The flatbread pizza had sticky-sweet fig jam and salty prosciutto as toppings. These two ingredients work so well and the pungent gorgonzola cheese made it all the more appetizing. It's the ultimate sweet-salty treat anyone will love and in my case, crave for on a regular day.

a tiny fire grill was provided to warm the meat or cook it further

U.S. Hanger Steak, P590. I asked the beef to be cooked medium-well. It turned out to be succulent, tasty and tender enough. The sides of potato wedges and veggies I didn't touch but based on my companions, they were okay. The bone marrow was tasty, too, but I found nothing special to it. I loved how Todd English was generous in their food servings. Like this beef, for instance, which had a big slab sliced into three chunky pieces. More food always equates to happier tummy!

The OMG Dessert (P420) was insanely good. The chocolate-y goodness was evident in the photo, isn't it? It had chocolate ice cream, chocolate cereals, chocolate sauce and chocolate bits. I sensed some Milo in it, too. I treasured every bite of it and momentarily wished I had it all for myself. Haha.

Definitely, our first time at Todd English Food Hall won't be our last. We need to go back for the other must-try dishes! :)

Todd English Food Hall
5/F Sky Park
SM Aura Premier
McKinley Parkway, McKinley Hill
Taguig City

(+632) 621-4002

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

New Favorite: Hainanese Delights!

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 08:14:00 +0000

After two visits at Hainanese Delights, the hubby and I have started to love it. On both occasions, we ordered the same two food items (Hainanese chicken and kutchay dumplings, only cooked differently each time) and a few more dishes which we all enjoyed. Quality food plus reasonable prices is always a winning formula for us!

During our first visit, it was just the hubby and me. We had Hainanese chicken and kutchay dumplings (both steamed). These were accompanied by their Hainanese rice cooked in rich chicken broth.

The chicken (Hainanese Delights, P139) was lean and flavorful with lesser fat than I imagined it to be.

The three kinds of dip provided (chili oil, garlic-ginger sauce and sweet soy sauce) were quite good, they complimented the chicken's delicate taste very well.

The kutchay dumplings (Kutchay Craze, P110 for 10 pieces), on the other hand, were tasty, meaty, moist and juicy. The dip that came with it made everything more delicious as it had the perfect salty-sweet flavor balance. The dip alone was worth a second visit, methinks. Haha.

On our second visit, the hubby and I were joined by my MIL and my SIL. We settled for their Hainanese chicken again, but this time it was roasted. We also got their kutchay dumplings and went for the fried variety for comparison.

The roasted Hainanese chicken (1/2 chicken was P190), was equally good as the classic steamed one. The skin was a bit crispy, too and the meat was tender and moist and flavorful as well.

As for the kutchay dumplings, the fried variety was crispy and well-seasoned. Dipped in the same awesome sauce, each bite was a delight to our taste buds.

We also ordered their beef and wanton noodles (Beef Bites, P140) and Salt and Pepper Squid (P190). I liked that the noodles were served to us steaming hot with generous servings of tender beef and wanton dumplings. The squid dish was also good with just the right amount of heat from the chili flakes. It was also tender and not rubbery as some squid dishes tend to be.

For drinks, we had their Strawberry Blossom (P75) and Coffee Jelly something (P75), sorry I forgot the complete name. Between the two, we liked the coffee jelly better (in the photo below, it's the one on the left with the darker shade at the base of the glass!) with its moderate coffee flavor and mild sweetness.

And then of course we got the usual red iced tea which was refreshing and not too sweet.

If you want unlimited Hainanese rice, just pay P45 for it. This we all availed to our tummies' desire!

With its delicious food, reasonable prices, the friendly and fast service, the neat interiors and the overall casual vibe of the place, Hainanese Delights is now on top of our list when we want to enjoy Singaporean cuisine in Manila.

with the hubby, my MIL and my SIL

Hainanese Delights
UG/F SM City Manila
Concepcion St. cor. Arroceros St.
cor. San Marcelino St.
Ermita, Manila

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Fantastic Ramen at Ramen Yushoken, Molito

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 03:03:00 +0000

During our wedding anniversary celebration last weekend, the hubby and I dined at Ramen Yushoken - Molito branch. After lining up for about 30 minutes, we got seated on their bar area and that was where our awesome ramen dinner started and ended on a happy note.

the store's logo

a peek through Ramen Yushoken's minimalist menu

A bowl of ramen at Ramen Yushoken starts at P320. Pricey, yes, but if it’s good, we won’t mind paying. If it’s special, then that’s already a bonus.

condiments and chopsticks (they don't provide Western utensils here)

OTHER RAMEN PLACES WE'VE TRIED:
Ramen Kuroda, BF Homes
Erra's Ramen, Malate
Kokoro Ramenya, Roxas Blvd.
Yasuo Japanese Restaurant, Robinsons Place Manila
Izakaya Den Japanese Restaurant, Malate
Rai Rai Ken, Finlandia
Ume-ya Japanese Restaurant, Bacoor
Yoshinoya, SM Manila

So, we ordered two kinds of ramen. Mine was the Miso Ramen (P380) while the hubby’s was the Tantan-men (P380). To complete our ramen experience, we also got a serving of their Gyoza (five pieces for P150) and Aji Tamago (P80).

After tasting the rich broth of his spicy ramen, the hubby couldn’t stop complimenting it. I had to try it to believe him. OMG, he wasn’t lying at all. His ramen had a nutty, milky, creamy, meaty, flavorful broth with mild heat from the chili oil. The ground pork on top were very tasty, too. As for the noodles, they were cooked “al dente” and came in generous serving. Suffice it to say, the hubby finished his ramen in no time.

Tantan-men

My ramen was equally good, too. It also had a rich broth coming from the miso. And then there were some diced pork, fresh mushrooms, fresh bean sprouts and chopped spring onion mixed in to complete the ramen. Oh, I loved the diced pork with its glorious and tasty fat I had to control myself to ingest them all (hello rising cholesterol levels!).

Miso Ramen

The hubby and I shared the AJi Tamago whose runny yolk was just perfect.

As for their gyoza, each piece was packed with flavor. I loved that the meat and veggie filling was generous and the wrapper was crispy and chewy at the same time.

with my husband who's a big ramen fan

Our bill amounted to P1,000+ (total food cost plus 10% service charge). It was wallet-breaking but definitely worth it. Haha.

Now we know why people continue to flock to Ramen Yushoken. Their ramen are fantastic and you really get what you pay for! Plus, the service is fast and the restaurant has a cheery vibe, just like in most ramen restos we’ve been to.

Ramen Yushoken
Molito Lifestyle Mall
Madrigal Ave.
Alabang, Muntinlupa City

(632) 808-7424

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Quick Lunch at Project Pie, Alabang

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 06:33:00 +0000

We were in Alabang last, last weekend to run some errands. When it was lunch time, I asked the hubby to take me to the Filinvest branch of the popular Project Pie for some custom-built pizza. He actually promised to treat me there because he ate at Project Pie-Macapagal before without me. Talk about pay back time. Haha.

I was the one who chose the toppings for our pizza (P285) and here’s what I came up with:

thin crust pizza with red sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, pepperoni, Italian sausage, grilled chicken, bacon, prosciutto ham, green bell pepper, pineapple, tomato and caramelized onion

The hubby liked my combination and ate the pizza with gusto. It was as delicious as I imagined it to be. The pie crust was chewy and not soggy at all despite the many ingredients piled on top. The pineapple and the caramelized onion made a great job balancing out the saltiness from the three cheeses and the four kinds of processed meat. The fresh green bell pepper and tomato slices gave added texture and flavor, too. If I’m gonna eat at Project Pie again (which is very likely), I’ll order the exact same set!

And because I read raves about their dessert pies, I also got us a Banana Nutella (P145)...

…which turned out to be a winner! We loved the sweet banana (they used the lakatan variety), the nutty and chocolate-y nutella and the sweet-salty flavor and chewy texture of the pie crust. We really couldn’t get enough of it.

Project Pie-Filinvest on a Sunday was packed with people. Can you believe we lined up for about 45 minutes before we reached the open kitchen and ate our food for less than 10 minutes only? Haha.

Anyway, I liked that the drinks there are bottomless. For P65, you can enjoy unlimited soda, juices and some hot/cold tea variants.

As for the store itself, we liked the casual vibe going and appreciated the fast and friendly service. The food was okay, too, so I think, overall, we got our money’s worth.

Project Pie
Commerce Avenue (beside Jollibee)
Alabang, Muntinlupa City

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Late Lunch at Casa Verde, UP Town Center

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 05:30:00 +0000

Last Sunday, the hubby and I, along with my SIL Albie, found ourselves driving to UP Town Center after our visit to St. Pio Shrine in Eastwood. We eventually decided to have a late lunch at Casa Verde. This restaurant originated in Cebu (I even blogged about their famous Brian’s Ribs here) and is now in Manila to serve good food to its Manila fans.

I wanted to order their Chicken Raffitas (their deconstructed version of the Mexican favorite Chicken Fajitas) but got sad when I saw the sign “coming soon” beside it in the menu. The hubby and Albie were already decided in ordering the Brian’s Ribs so I chose a different dish for myself which was Tenderloin Tips and Eggs.

As expected, Casa Verde’s Brian’s Ribs (P250) were huge! The hubby’s plate had three slabs of baked pork ribs marinated in a sweet and tangy piquet sauce. They also came with a cup of rice and some corn and carrots. He said the taste and flavor of the ribs hit the spot and the tender meat was moist and juicy, too. Just like how they were when we had them at Casa Verde, The Walk in Cebu in 2009.

the all-time fave Brian's Ribs

My Tenderloin Tips and Eggs (P198), on the other hand, was a delight in its own right. It’s actually their take on the popular Pinoy fare “Tapsilog” except that this had two eggs (done your way) and the rice used wasn’t fried but steamed. The USDA beef used was perfectly seasoned with hints of sweetness, sourness and saltiness (and slight bitterness from the garlic) that worked together to give out a burst of flavor in every mouthful. I loved it!

We availed of their bottomless iced tea (P75) for drinks. They had two flavors: Panama Orange and Raspberry which you could have alternately. Both flavors were sweet and refreshing but I liked the first one better because its citrus-y flavor was just perfect.

Panama Orange Iced Tea

with my two hungry companions

We got full after finishing our meals that we forewent our desire to have cupcakes and ice cream for desserts. The long wait for our table (we were 7th on the list and that was already past 2:00 pm!) was worth it. Casa Verde, we are definitely coming back for more!

some happy diners at Casa Verde

Casa Verde
2L Ayala-UP Town Center Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Merienda at Café Breton

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 06:40:00 +0000

For our post-Valentine’s Day celebration, the hubby and I had a double date with my parents in Tagaytay. After our buffet lunch at Celina’s Café and Restaurant where we feasted on mostly Pinoy food, we strolled around Sky Ranch and when it was time for merienda, we headed over to The Cliffhouse to enjoy French crepe and coffee at Café Breton.

The first Café Breton branch I’ve been to was the one at Paseo de Sta. Rosa in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna. I remembered loving their La Pinay crepe (P180) then so that’s what I immediately ordered for us to share. Actually, it was just my mom and I who ate most of it because our two guy companions were not really fond of crepes. Haha.

My mom said the crepe was yummy and I couldn’t agree more. The combination of the sweet crepe, the fresh mango slices, the chocolate sauce and the vanilla ice cream was really delicious and comforting.

We also got some drinks. My parents had a cup of Cappuccino (P90) each while the hubby settled for Chocolate Milk Shake (P125). I, on the other hand, went for my favorite Banoffee (P130).

freshly-brewed Cappuccino

Among them, it was my drink that stood out. Imagine cold espresso with blended banana and caramel syrup finished off with whipped cream. It was sweet, creamy, fruity, milky, nutty, caramel-y and chocolate-y with a slight hint of bitterness from the coffee. It was pure bliss in a glass!

Banofee on the left, Chocolate Milk Shake on the right

All in all, it was a good merienda for all of us. I liked the fact that Cafe Breton has been able to keep their prices affordable all these years. The cozy ambience of the restaurant, the quiet atmosphere inside, the attention to detail in the design of the interiors and the personalized service of the staff added up to give us a pleasant dining experience there. What a great way to re-energize ourselves before going home!

with my parents at The Cliffhouse stairs

Cafe Breton
G/L The Cliffhouse
Aguinaldo Highway
Tagaytay City

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Eat and Drink All You Can at Celina’s Café and Restaurant, Tagaytay

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:06:00 +0000

For our post-Valentine’s Day celebration, the hubby and I had a double date with my parents in Tagaytay last February 15. We arrived there in the morning and when lunchtime came, we had an eat-and-drink-all-you-can at Celina’s Café and Restaurant along Aguinaldo Highway. It was one filling lunch that gave us enough energy to explore the different tourist spots in Tagaytay later in the day.

During our visit, the main buffet spread featured Pinoy dishes such as Kare-Kare, Lechon Kawali, Chicken Inasal, Fried Chicken, Stewed Fish, Stewed Mussels, and a few more viands. There were also Sinigang soup, white rice and Bolognese pasta in the line-up.

my plate

these siopao and siomai were forgettable and you'll be okay without getting them

Right beside the main buffet was the salad station that had just the basic greens, local cherry tomatoes, turnip slices and carrot slices with thousand island as dressing.

Just across the salad station was the dessert station with mini cupcakes, fresh fruits and some desserts placed in small glasses.

The drinks included in the buffet were iced tea and orange juice (the powdered kind).

What stood out in the buffet for us were the Lechon Kawali (tender, crispy, juicy and well-seasoned) and the Fried Chicken (lightly-breaded, crispy, juicy and tasty). The rest were just okay, something you can easily replicate at home. I would have raved about their flavorful Bolognese pasta but I found the spaghetti overcooked.

I was initially hoping we’d get lucky and find some shrimp or crab dishes in the buffet (just like what I read from blog reviews before) but there were none.

The restaurant has an open-air setting and when you walk several steps to the viewing deck, you’ll get a nice view of the famous Taal Lake.

Aside from that, I can’t say anything more because the building where the restaurant is standing looks dilapidated to me and their restrooms are in bad need of maintenance. Like, seriously.

our group

All in all, I think we generally enjoyed our dining experience at Celina’s Cafe. The staff were attentive and friendly and we were able to eat a lot because they keep refilling the food in the buffet stations. Unlike in other buffet restaurants where once the food in the chafing dishes have run out, the refills come few and far between.

P.S. The price of the lunch buffet was P325 per head. Please take note that they only accept cash as form of payment and they add 3% city government tax to your bill.

Celina’s Café and Restaurant
Unit 3 Vista Point Complex
5915 Aguinaldo Highway
Brgy. Kaybagal, Tagaytay City

(+6346) 483-0916

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Dinner at Pugon Roasters, Ayala Triangle

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 06:42:00 +0000

Last month during one of our weekend nights out, the hubby and I, along with my brother Danison, checked out Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati. It was my brother’s first time there and so we decided to treat him to dinner and some coffee after. For dinner, we chose Chef Lau’s Pugon Roasters and we were very satisfied because they served us with delicious, restaurant-grade food at fast food prices.

Chef Lau is Rolando Laudico, a Culinary Institute of America-educated chef who appeared as one of the three judges on ABS-CBN's competitive cooking game show Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition aired in 2011. By the way, Pugon Roasters stands right beside Banapple. It’s a no frills restaurant with a casual vibe. You pay as you order and wait for your food to be served on your table.

I had Caldereta Mac and Cheese (P89) which I finished up to the last bite. This isn’t your ordinary mac and cheese as it has mashed potato and cheesy caldereta meat. It was big in taste and flavor. At first I thought the serving was small (I found the ramekin where it was placed small, actually) but it turned out to be very filling. I would have appreciated it more had it been served to me piping hot with STILL melting cheese on top. Looking at the photo below, you could tell it was not as hot as I expected it to be.

The hubby got Sizzling Chicken Sisig (P89) which he paired with white rice. I tried it and it was very tasty. There was a generous serving of chicken meat and the spice level was just right. My only complaint was that it was too oily.

My brother went for one of their chicken specialties. I’m not sure of its name but as you can see in the photo below, it’s ¼ fried chicken with adobo sauce. The price was also P99. He said the chicken was crispy and lightly-seasoned and the adobo sauce complemented it well.

my two guy companions (photo taken at CBTL-Ayala Triangle where we had coffee)

When you find yourself at Ayala Triangle Gardens and you suddenly got hungry, give Chef Lau’s Pugon Roasters a try. They’re one of the few restaurants there that serve decent meals at pocket-friendly prices.

Chef Lau's Pugon Roasters
Ayala Triangle Gardens
Makati Avenue
Bel-Air, Makati

(+632) 621-6100

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Dimsum All You Can at Kung Fu Kitchen, The District Imus

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 03:01:00 +0000

Strolling around The District Mall, Imus in the afternoon of Chinese New Year, the hubby and I passed by Kung Fu Kitchen which, at that time, was having a promo – Dimsum All You Can at P298 per head. (If you’ve been following this blog, you may have known by now that I love Chinese food!) I attended the opening of Kung Fu Kitchen - SM City Manila before and from what I remember they serve good Chinese food at affordable prices. So I asked the hubby if we could give this unlimited dimsum offer a try, to which he agreed without hesitation. And so our dimsum adventure began.

smiling and hoping for the best with this dimsum all you can offer

The dimsum all you can turned out to be our early dinner. By the way, as per the photo of the promo board below, it’s served from Monday to Thursday (the promo poster seen from the outside of the restaurant says it’s served from Monday to Saturday, though), between 2:30 pm to 6:00 p.m and with additional 10% service charge. If I’m not mistaken, we went inside the restaurant at past 5:00 pm already.

Since there were a lot of options, we only ordered some familiar items and a few more which sounded interesting to us. Below are the items that landed on our table (in order of appearance):

clockwise: pinsec frito, radish cake, lumpiang shanghai

bola pao and beancurd roll

clockwise: Yang Chow fried rice, hot chicken salad, stir-fried noodles and pork siomai

Yang Chow fried rice, steamed brown rice with pork and shrimps and stir-fried noodles

Our top favorites were the pinsec frito, pork siomai, lumpiang shanghai, beancurd roll and stir-fried noodles (the hubby said this was too salty for his liking but for me the saltiness was just right). Their pinsec frito were still as good as ever: crispy and tasty deep-fried dumplings which had a good meat-fat-wrapper-oil ratio.

The Yang Chow fried rice and the steamed brown rice with pork and shrimps were okay, too. The hot chicken salad was forgettable while the bola pao hit the spot. We appreciated the fact that all our food came straight from the kitchen so they really arrived on our table steaming hot. Yes, not “cold” like when we had unlimited dimsum at The Original Salido Restaurant.

Out of the 20 items on offer, we got to try 14 and mostly one serving for each item only. That was because most of our re-orders fell on deaf ears (of the waiters we talked to). Like when we would try to re-order, we had to talk to at least two waiters and make a follow-up with two more before they would serve us more food. Eventually, we got tired of re-ordering because from the 14 items we re-ordered, we only got about 6. Frustrating, right? And that said a lot about their service.

When it was time to have desserts for us, we asked for buchi and mango sago only to be served with just the mango sago, and that’s after a 15-minute waiting time and two follow-ups with two different waiters and the guy who looked like the manager of the resto (he was not wearing a uniform and was staying behind the counter most of the time). By that time, we lost our patience completely and asked for the bill immediately so we could get out of the resto ASAP.

During our visit, only a few tables (4 tables the most) were occupied, so I really wondered what went wrong. It seemed like there was a communication problem between the waiters and the kitchen staff. They should look into it to improve their overall service. Sayang kasi ang sarap pa naman ng karamihan sa food nila!

Kung Fu Kitchen
G/L The District Mall
Imus City, Cavite

0917-6247749

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Molito Food Trip: BBQ Chicken and Beer

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 05:10:00 +0000

It was our first time at Molito, a fast-growing foodie destination in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The place is lovely and huge and well-maintained. It’s also peppered with restaurants, cafes and some shops. I even saw a Korean grocery in one corner. That Saturday night during my visit with the hubby, it was half-filled with people but you could still see how relaxing the place was.

We just came from the evening mass at the nearby St. Jerome Parish and we were still full from the late merienda we had at Alabang Town Center. I just wanted something light for dinner when the hubby suggested we try out BBQ Chicken and Beer. We both like chicken so off we went inside the resto.

We ordered their Nacho and Hot Wings (P265) and Vegetable Fried Rice (P100+) and shared everything. The hot wings (four pieces in total) were really spicy, the kind that will leave you perspiring like crazy! The nachos, on the other hand, was good and made more delicious by the cheese dip and the fresh-tasting salsa that came with it.

Since I wasn’t that hungry then, the hubby ate most of the fried rice. Other than the fact that it was not oily, I can’t say anything good about it. Haha.

If there’s one thing I liked about the resto, it’s their interiors that look very Japanese with plastic trees, paper lanterns and all.

Next time, we’d like to try the other flavored wings at BBQ Chicken and Beer. We’re not so much of a beer fan so I guess we’ll skip their beers.

BBQ Chicken and Beer
Molito Lifestyle Bldg.
Madrigal Ave. cor. Alabang Zapote Rd. Alabang, Muntinlupa City

(+632) 869-8638

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Binond Food Trip: Unlimited Dimsum at The Original Salido Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 03:00:00 +0000

A few weeks before the Chinese New Year, the hubby and I were able to visit Binondo again for a food trip. This time around, we were armed with two Cash Cash Pinoy vouchers (worth P299 each) that entitled us to unlimited dimsum + drinks and desserts (originally valued at P600) at The Original Salido Restaurant on Ongpin St. It was a dimsum-filled afternoon that we half-heartedly enjoyed. Read on to know why.

Here are the nine (9) kinds of dimsum featured in the unlimited dimsum promo of Salido:

Beancurd Rolls

Pork Siomai

Sharksfin Dumplings

Hakaw (soggy wrapper, overcooked shrimps)

Pork Spareribs with Tausi

Japanese Siomai

Chicken Feet

Chicken something (sorry, I didn't get the name)

Fish and Kani something (this one tasted old and fishy!)

I will get straight to the point here. What made us disappointed about our dining experience was the fact that our orders were served to us cold. Like they stayed in their bamboo steamer baskets for hours without steaming or some heat to keep them warm. We came at around 2:30 pm and it was hard not to entertain the idea that the dimsum we were feasting on could just be left overs from the batch served to the other diners who arrived before us. Too bad because I even posted a photo in my Instagram account sharing my excitement upon seeing (meaning, not yet tasting) the baskets of dimsum laid out on our table one after the other!

Salido interiors

But still, we ate the cold dimsum and hoped for the best in the taste department. We even ordered Yang Chow fried rice to go with everything. (I have high praises for it because it was tasty and not oily at all. ) Among the dimsum we tried, the hubby and I favored their two kinds of siomai (pork and Japanese), the bean curd roll and the chicken feet (which I ate alone as the hubby doesn’t eat chicken feet). The rest were just so-so and tasted nothing special primarily because they didn’t have any sense of warmth in them (they were served to us cold, remember?).

Another thing that made our dining experience not so pleasant was the service. We had a hard time getting the waiters’ attention. When it was also time to order more dimsum, the waiter that got our re-orders returned to our table initially with nothing. Like all the dimsum supply in the kitchen suddenly ran out. But it seemed that wasn’t the case (buti na lang kundi umuwi na talaga kami agad, agad!). The waiter informed us some of the dimsum were already not available and the ones that were available were still being cooked in the kitchen.

Soon enough, our re-orders of pork siomai and beancurd roll came to our table steaming hot! At least, out of the four kinds we re-ordered, we were still served with two, and they were hot not cold. Amazing. Haha.

the hubby and I

What I realized after this dining “incident” was that not all dining experiences and dining promos (courtesy of Groupon sites), for that matter, are equal. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don’t. To lessen your disappointment, you just think of happy thoughts. Like how you enjoyed the company of the people you ate with, or how you got to the restaurant safe and got home safe as well. At the end of the day, there are still many restaurants (and a lot more still in their conceptualization phase opening sooner or later) waiting for you to try them out.

If you'll ask me if I'd eat again at The Original Salido Restaurant, I think I might. I'm a self-confessed Chinese food lover, after all. But if ever I'd dine there again, I'll make sure to order straight from the menu without availing of any of their promos. :)

The Original Salido Restaurant
839 Ongpin St.
Binondo, Manila

(+632) 521-3333

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Ume-Ya, Our Favorite Neighborhood Japanese Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 06:32:00 +0000

Ume-Ya or Ume-Ya Jozam Japanese Cuisine is a Japanese restaurant located along Mambog Road in Bacoor. It’s just a few blocks away from where we live so we consider it a “neighborhood restaurant.” Haha. Currently, it’s our favorite one because of the delicious and affordable Japanese fares they serve there. I’ve never been to Japan but their food tastes as authentic as you could ever find in the whole Cavite province.

Ume-ya interiors

I found out about Ume-Ya from a blogger friend’s FB post about it and since that time, we’ve been to the restaurant for a few times already, mostly during Saturday nights.

Below are some of our tried-and-tested orders:

Kani Salad. For P78, I think this is a steal. Served on a rectangular plate, it is filled with crunchy iceberg lettuce, kani, cucumber and carrot slices, fresh mango cubes, fish roe and Japanese mayo. It’s as refreshing and yummy as it looks!

California Maki, P45. Your fave Pinoy style maki just got better! There are five pieces in one order and each one is heaven in every bite. The hubby orders this every time.

Tuna Maki, P65. When we want it simple but still very tasty, we order this kind of maki with fresh tuna as main filling.

Bibimba, P99. This sounds Korean to me but they have it on their menu. I won’t complain because this is one delicious meal in a bowl. The serving of the meat may be small, but the veggies, sauce and rice are enough to warm and fill your empty tummy.

Beef Teriyaki, P129. Tender, thin-sliced beef in rich teriyaki sauce with bean sprouts over rice. You can never go wrong with this one.

Katsudon, P89. Deep-fried, breaded pork on a sweet-salty sauce with egg and onion slices over rice. Your usual Katsudon cooked just the way you like it – tasty and filling.

Beef Chahan, P75. Chahan is Japanese fried rice and Ume-ya’s beef-flavored chahan is as good as it can be. It’s a meal on its own with some tender beef strips and crunchy veggie bits mixed in.

Chasu Ramen, P165. This is not on the menu but you could ask the waiter for this (and the other ramen variety, actually) and the kitchen staff will cook this especially for you. The chasu was tender, juicy and tasty while the broth was a-okay according to my ramen-loving husband. His only complaint is the half-egg that came with it whose yolk wasn’t runny like those found in ramen shops in Manila.

OTHER RAMEN PLACES WE'VE TRIED:
Ramen Kuroda, BF Homes
Ramen Yushoken, Molito-Alabang
Kokoro Ramenya, Roxas Blvd.
Erra's Ramen, Malate
Yasuo Japanese Restaurant, Robinsons Place Manila
Izakaya Den Japanese Restaurant, Malate
Rai Rai Ken, Finlandia
Yoshinoya, SM Manila

during one of our visits at Ume-ya, the hubby and I with my two sisters

Our visits at Ume-ya are always filled with delight and satisfaction. Plus point for me is the fact that your food is cooked on the spot and served to your table hot off the stove. Some of their meals already come with a red iced tea drink, like the Bibimba, Katsudon and Beef Teriyaki. If you don't want to order any drinks, you could ask for their barley juice which serves as their "service water."

The restaurant may be tiny (only five to six tables inside and no al fresco dining) that you will have to wait for other diners to finish eating before you could get seated but I’m telling you, the 10 or 15-minute wait is worth it. For a decent meal there, I suggest you allot P150 to 200 per head. A bit more if you want to share several dishes for your group. (On our next visit, I plan to try their tempura!)

Sorry, the flash made it impossible to show the restaurant's name in this photo

I just hope they accept credit cards as form of payment soon so they could attract more diners (especially those who don’t like bringing a lot of cash when they go out).

Ume-Ya: Jozam Japanese Cuisine
(beside LBC and Lots'a Pizza)
Mambog Road
Brgy. Mambog
Bacoor, Cavite

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Quick Dinner at Yoshinoya

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 06:18:00 +0000

One random weeknight and the hubby and I found ourselves dining at Yoshinoya-SM Manila branch. It was our first time there and we knew nothing about their food except their popular Gyudon beef bowl. So, that was exactly what I ordered while the hubby, who’s starting to be a ramen fan, tried out their Chasu ramen.

Yoshinoya interiors

Yoshinoya’s Gyudon beef bowl, true to the positive reviews I read online, was delicious. The beef was lightly-seasoned but was very tender and the sweet-salty sauce with onion slices added richness to its taste. The rice that went with it was soft, sticky and firm, making each bite of the rice-beef-sauce mix a delightful experience.

The hubby’s Chasu ramen, on the other hand, was just okay. The chasu (pork slices) were tasty and flavorful (plus points). The noodles tasted like the instant variety, though. Good thing they were cooked well. The sauce was more on the sweet side according to the hubby and when I took a spoonful of it, it tasted a lot like my beef bowl’s sauce although I could still taste some good broth flavor in it.

OTHER RAMEN PLACES WE'VE TRIED:
Ramen Kuroda, BF Homes
Ramen Yushoken, Molito-Alabang
Kokoro Ramenya, Roxas Blvd.
Yasuo Japanese Restaurant, Robinsons Place Manila
Izakaya Den Japanese Restaurant, Malate
Rai Rai Ken, Finlandia
Ume-ya Japanese Restaurant, Bacoor
Erra's Ramen, Malate

Overall, we liked Yoshinoya’s food. The prices (less than P150 each for our orders) were quite affordable, too, for a fast food.

Yoshinoya 4L SM City Manila
(beside Bon Chon)

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Ramen Night at Kokoro Ramenya, Ermita

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 03:37:00 +0000

The hubby was craving for some ramen last night (he thinks he’s turning to be a ramen addict) and I was quite game for it so we agreed to have dinner at the ramen place we’ve long wanted to visit – Kokoro Ramenya in Ermita, Manila. It’s just right across the US Embassy and a mere 5-minute ride from home. This yet another ramen experience made us full to the brim!

On our table were two kinds of ramen and a plate of California Maki (the hubby’s ultimate sushi fave):

Tantanmen, P275. This was off the menu but they made one for me. (The waitress actually showed me a list of food not from the menu and this was the first one I saw and somehow I was familiar with it from the blogs I've read before so I ordered it.) The serving was huge so I thought the price was reasonable. The soup base was rich and thick miso and I loved how tasty and savory it was. The spicy ground pork, though small in serving, packed a lot of flavor and heat. The restaurant was air-conditioned but I could feel my sweat running from my head down in every spoonful. The noodles were firm and chewy, just how I liked it. It was my first time to have Tantanmen and I was very satisfied. This will definitely set the bar high for the next Tantanmen I'd try.

OTHER RAMEN PLACES WE'VE TRIED:
Ramen Kuroda, BF Homes
Ramen Yushoken, Molito-Alabang
Erra's Ramen, Malate
Yasuo Japanese Restaurant, Robinsons Place Manila
Izakaya Den Japanese Restaurant, Malate
Rai Rai Ken, Finlandia
Ume-ya Japanese Restaurant, Bacoor
Yoshinoya, SM Manila

Shoyu Ramen, P235. This was the hubby’s order and he was raving about it. He said the soy-sauce based soup had a delicate, clean taste. The pork was tender and the noodles were al dente just like mine. Suffice it to say, he was very satisfied with this one.

California Maki, P185. For appetizer, we had eight pieces of the American-inspired sushi roll. They were okay except that the rice used wasn’t sticky enough to keep the fillings together. Once dipped in the soy sauce-wasabi mix and held by the chopstick, the sushi had to be eaten fast, or it would break apart easily.

Our ramen left us really stuffed. I actually felt a little dizzy after finishing my bowl. It was too heavy for me. Next time, we’ll just order one ramen and some other dishes so it’ll be lighter.

Kokoro Ramenya has neat and spacious interiors and is located at the second floor of the Avenue of the Arts building. There was a cheery vibe inside which we liked. We also noticed the attentiveness and fast service of the staff. The good food plus all of these extras added up to a pleasant dining experience for us.

We are definitely coming back! :)

Kokoro Ramenya
2/F Avenue of the Arts Building
1388 Guerrero St.
Ermita, Manila

(+632) 254-9716

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.

Affordable Japanese Meals at Yasuo, Robinsons Place Manila

noreply@blogger.com (edelweiza) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 07:09:00 +0000

Strolling around Robinsons Place Manila one random weeknight with the hubby and his family, we chanced upon Yasuo, a tiny Japanese restaurant serving affordable meals. We decided to have dinner there and it turned out be pleasurable both for our tummies and our pockets.

Yasuo is near the supermarket which makes it easy to locate. While it can only serve less than 20 diners at a time, I noticed that people wait to get seated there.

Here are what we ordered during our visit:

Miso Ramen, P149. This was the hubby’s food. He said this was good. I took a spoonful and noted the rich flavor of the broth. The serving was also just right, not too little and not too much.

Sio Ramen, P129. According to the waitress who dealt with us, this has the original ramen goodness. No miso or soy sauce added as flavor. My PILs loved it!

OTHER RAMEN PLACES WE'VE TRIED:
Ramen Kuroda, BF Homes
Ramen Yushoken, Molito-Alabang
Kokoro Ramenya, Roxas Blvd.
Erra's Ramen, Malate
Izakaya Den Japanese Restaurant, Malate
Rai Rai Ken, Finlandia
Ume-ya Japanese Restaurant, Bacoor
Yoshinoya, SM Manila

Katsudon, P129. My SIL and I ordered this same dish. The sauce was tasty and the breaded boiled pork was well-seasoned. But I thought the highlight of this dish was the rice used. It was soft and sticky and chewy just like Japanese rice should be.

Chicken Katsu Set, P139. This was my FIL’s order. He’s a picky eater but he finished this in no time so I’m guessing it was good.

Oyakodon, P139. My MIL’s order had chicken chunks in golden brown sauce and topped with egg and sliced scallion. It’s like Katsudon, only chicken is the meat used and the sauce has just a tinge of sweetness.

Looking at the prices of the food above and reading my comments on the food, I bet you’ll agree with me when I say that Yasuo serves cheap yet quality and delicious Japanese food. :)

Yasuo Restaurant
G/L Adriatico Wing
Robinsons Place Manila
Ermita, Manila

If you liked this post and would be interested to get updated with Foodiestation, bookmark this site or subscribe to my feeds.