california maki – Jellybeans in the City

Japanese comfort food for less at Hakata Ton-ichi

Looking for an affordable and delicious Japanese dining experience that won’t break the bank? Look no further than Hakata Ton-ichi, a cozy ramen shop dedicated to satisfying the taste buds of hardworking individuals craving comfort food after a long day.

The people behind Hakata Ton-ichi believe that great tasting ramen should be a necessary comfort, not a rare luxury. It’s no wonder then that its mouthwatering delights, wallet-friendly prices, and inviting atmosphere make Hakata Ton-ichi a go-to spot for Japanese food lovers on a budget.

Ambiance that Invites and Delights

Hakata Ton-ichi provides an inviting and visually captivating dining experience from its brightly lit space which showcases colorful murals of Japanese cartoons and vintage Japanese magazine collages, creating a perfect backdrop for your Instagram-worthy moments. The blend of modern industrial fixtures with vibrant decor adds to the lively ambiance. Whether you’re dining solo at the ramen bar or enjoying a meal with friends at the tables, Hakata Ton-Ichi’s cozy atmosphere will provide a happy setting for your comfort meal.

Deliciously Affordable Hakata-Style Ramen

At the heart of Hakata Ton-ichi’s menu is its essential ramen, crafted in the renowned Hakata-style from the Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan. This style of ramen is known for its luscious pork bone broth, or tonkotsu, which is simmered for hours until it transforms into a rich, creamy, and cloudy white soup. The flavorful broth, combined with thin noodles, creates a heavenly bowl of ramen that will warm your soul.

Super Buta Ramen: A Bowlful of Happiness

One standout dish at Hakata Ton-Ichi is its Super Buta Ramen (Php458). Picture fresh noodles submerged in their signature silky Ton-ichi broth, topped with a generous overload of smoked and grilled pork belly slices. The combination of flavors is simply irresistible. The addition of spring onions, menma (fermented bamboo shoots), and tamago (soft-boiled egg) adds a touch of freshness and contrast of textures to this bowlful of happiness. Surely, it’s an affordable treat that satisfies both your taste buds and your wallet.

Beyond Ramen: Exciting Culinary Offerings

While ramen takes center stage at Hakata Ton-ichi, the menu doesn’t stop there. Its selection of delectable dishes complements the ramen experience and allows you to indulge in a variety of flavors.

Crab Salad (Php248). Shredded kani combined with crisp vegetables and a tangy dressing.

Cheese Gyoza (Php168/3pcs | Php238/5pcs). A delightful twist on traditional gyoza wherein pan-fried dumplings are filled with a savory mixture of meat and vegetables, then served on a bed of melted cheese.

California Maki (Php318). Classic sushi roll made with a delectable combination of crab stick, mango, cucumber, and tobiko (flying fish roe) wrapped in nori (seaweed) and rice.

Gyudon (Php398). A comforting dish consisting of tender slices of beef simmered in a sweet and savory sauce, served over a bowl of steamed rice.

Pork Katsu Curry (Php398). Tender pork cutlets are breaded and deep-fried to perfection, then served with a luscious curry sauce and steamed rice.

Value-Packed Meal Sets:

To provide the ultimate value to its customers, Hakata Ton-ichi offers essential meal sets that combine its ramen variants with other mouthwatering dishes. The Essential Ramen Set (starts at Php458) allows you to choose your preferred ramen and pair it with delectable sides such as Gyoza, Cheesy Gyoza, Aburi Tuna, Chicken Karaage, Aburi Salmon, Spicy Tuna, and California Maki. Looking for a combination of ramen and donburi? The Ramen Don Set (starts at Php568) allows you to mix and match your ramen choice with half-size servings of Smoked Chicken Teriyaki, Smoked Pork Teriyaki, Gyudon, Ebi Katsudon, Oyakodon, or Chicken Katsudon.

Hakata Ton-ichi is a hidden gem for Japanese food lovers on a budget. Here, you can savor the flavors of their signature dishes like the Super Buta Ramen, while exploring a variety of culinary offerings that go beyond ramen. With value-packed meal sets and a vibrant atmosphere, Hakata Ton-ichi offers a dining experience that is not only satisfying to your taste buds but also friendly to your wallet. So, gather your friends or plan a cozy date night, and embark on a culinary journey that won’t leave you broke.

Visit Hakata Ton-ichi and treat yourself to a bowl-ful of comfort without breaking the bank.

This Hakata Ton-ichi branch is located at 4th Floor Japan Town, Top of the Glo, Glorietta 3 Roofdeck, Ayala Center, Makati City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 8pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 82558150.

Other branches are located at:

North Towers, SM North EDSA (Tel: +63 2 82563635)
Ayala North Exchange (Tel: +63 2 79009129)

Know more about its menu and offers by following Hakata Ton-ichi on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: Food items mentioned here were served at no cost to facilitate this feature.

Playful takes on Japanese cuisine at Saigosan, Uptown Mall BGC

Just when you thought that you’ve seen all there is to see when it comes to Japanese food, here comes Saigosan, all ready to set the local foodie scene on its ear.

This recently opened izakaya-style restaurant in Uptown Mall BGC is geared to take its diners on a fun food trip across Japanese pop culture with the enticement of delicious comfort food and classic dishes.

The latest venture of the restaurant group that manages The Red Crab Alimango House, Blackbeard’s Seafood Island and Pier at Clawdaddy’s, Saigosan offers a uniquely colorful dining experience situated between an exciting commuter train ride and a comforting stay at a ramen shop.

Here, Nobu-trained Chef Chris Oronse and his team whip up playful and creative takes on familiar Japanese food that will surely tickle the fancy of young and young-at-heart foodies with a predilection for Japanese pop culture. These include:

Classic Gyoza (₱225). The all-time favorite pan-fried Japanese potsticker filled with ground pork, cabbage, aromatics and seasonings, served with a soy sauce and vinegar-based dipping sauce.

Mini Volcano (₱280). Saigosan puts a fun twist on the classic California maki roll, thanks to its topping of chopped kani (crab sticks) and bonito flakes.

Chicken Katsudon (₱345). Tender strip of breaded chicken served with egg chahan (Japanese fried rice) and your choice between Domi and Curry sauce.

Chasu Bacon Breakfast Ramen (₱499). Breakfast favorites such as bacon slices and fried egg served on top of firm ramen noodles in a rich pork soup.

Chirashi Don (₱525). A variety of sashimi such as fresh salmon, tuna, tanigue, ikura (salmon roe) and tamago (rolled omelette) artfully served on a platter with a bowl of rice on the side.

So if you want to experience your favorite Japanese food in a fresh, fun and colorful way, then get on board for a delicious ride at Saigosan.

Saigosan is located at 3rd Floor, Uptown Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, open from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 915 8126855 or email saigosan.bgc@gmail.com.

To stay updated on its promos and offers, follow Saigosan on Facebook and Instagram.

Family lunch at BOTEJYU, SM City San Mateo

After being mostly stuck within Metro Manila during the lockdown, the family heartily welcomed an out-of-town trip to San Mateo.

Venturing out from our comfy accommodations at Timberland Highlands Resort to SM City San Mateo for a spot of lunch and a bit of shopping, we decided to dine at the BOTEJYU outlet located there.

BOTEJYU is a Japanese restaurant that originated from an okonomiyaki eatery established Osaka, Japan in 1946.

Its menu expanded to include other popular Japanese dishes such as the ones we enjoyed during our visit:

Tuna Sashimi (Php395). Fresh tuna slices served with wasabi and Japanese soy sauce.

California Roll (Php255). Sushi roll made with crab meat, avocado, cucumber, prawn egg and BOTEJYU’s original mayonnaise.

Edamame (Php110). Lightly salted boiled green soy beans that serve as an appetizer to many Japanese meals.

Prawn Tempura (Php670/10pcs). Crispy battered prawns served with tempura sauce.

Tender Pork Tonkatsu (Php275). Tender pork cutlet breaded and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown and served on a bed of shredded cabbage with tokatsu sauce.

Tender Pork Tonkatsu Curry (Php425). Tender pork cutlet breaded and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown and served on a bed of rice with Osaka-style curry sauce poured over it.

Diced Beef Garlic Steak Bowl (Php545). Steamed rice bowl topped with diced beef garlic steak.

Sukiyaki Teishoku (Php540). A set meal which consists of beef cooked in sukiyaki sauce with noodles and soft-boiled egg, served with miso soup, salad, rice and kimchi.

While the menu offerings are a bit pricey, we found the quality to be reliably good, and the service to be prompt.

It’s great to see that BOTEJYU has established its presence in Rizal, thanks to this branch.

This BOTEJYU branch is located at Ground Floor, SM City San Mateo, Gen. Luna Avenue, Ampid 1, San Mateo City, Rizal, open daily from 11.15am to 7.45pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8524673.

BOTEJYU branches in Metro Manila are located in:

Alabang: Festival Mall Expansion Wing
Caloocan: SM City Grand Central
Las Pinas: Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Ayala Greenbelt 3, Ayala North Exchange
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall The Atrium
Manila: SM City Manila
Paranaque: Ayala Malls Manila Bay, SM City Bicutan, SM City Sucat, SM Southmall
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia Galileo Wing
Pasig: Ayala Malls Feliz, Estancia Mall Capitol Commons, SM City East Ortigas
Quezon City: Ayala Vertis North Mall, Fisher Mall, Robinsons Place Magnolia, SM City Fairview, SM City North EDSA, Trinoma Mall Garden Area
San Juan: O Square 2 Greenhills Shopping Center
Taguig: One Bonifacio High Street Mall

BOTEJYU also accepts orders for delivery through its website and via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

To know more about its latest offers and promos, follow BOTEJYU on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous post about BOTEJYU:

Fab foodie possibilities at Timberland Highland Resort’s Ridge Cafe

Whether you’re a guest at Timberland Highlands Resort, or you’re simply in the area (being so near great bike and nature trails which work up quite an appetite), you won’t have to stress yourself over where to eat.

At the Ridge Cafe, you can dine in comfort and style inside the restaurant, or take a spot in its al fresco dining area to take in the view as you eat.

Ridge Cafe - Timberland Highlands Resort — Ridge Cafe at Daytime

Timberland Highlands Resort — Elegant and comfy interiors

I’ve shared in my previous blog posts about its buffet offers here and here, but a new question arises: what to eat when you’re not keen on an all-you-can-eat setup?

Don’t worry: Ridge Cafe’s got you well-covered with its ala carte offerings, such as:

Sandwiches and Burgers

Snack on these sammies, all served with your choice between homemade potato fries or mixed greens.

Pasta, Noodles and Salads

Sate your hunger with filling noodle dishes, from pastas served with garlic bread to Pinoy merienda classics, or go for a helping of healthy greens.

Sushi

Don’t miss the chance to munch on some freshly made sushi rolls.

Mains

Choose from a wide variety of viands – which include Pinoy ulams and international dishes – for your lunch or dinner.

Desserts

Cap your meal with these sweet delights!

As you can see, there’s no need to worry about how to soothe your hunger pangs as you embark on your mountain adventure in San Mateo, Rizal. Simply hie yourself off to Ridge Cafe!

Ridge Cafe also offers buffet meals including:

Top of the Morning Buffet: intercontinental breakfast menu and classic Pinoy almusal at Php650 net per person (weekends from 7am to 10am)
Arabic Dinner Buffet: an exciting curation of Arabic, Mediterranean and South Asian cuisines with free-flowing iced tea at Php980+ per person (Saturdays, from 6pm to 9pm)
Filipino Buffet: favorite Filipino dishes with free-flowing iced tea at Php980+ per person (Sundays, lunch from 11.30am to .30pm | dinner from 6pm to 9pm)

To reserve a table, email timberlandfbm@timberlandresort.com or message 0999-889-2659 | 0995-840-3206 | 8891-8288 local 1030 and 1032.

Ridge Cafe is located at Timberland Highlands Resort, inside Timberland Heights, Barangay Guitnang Bayan II, San Mateo, Rizal 1850 Philippines.

Book your room via Klook today to enjoy great savings!

To know more about Timberland Highlands Resorts latest updates and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Timberland Highlands Resort:

Three reasons why Go Bento is your new go-to place for your quarantine Japanese food cravings

It’s been four months since we’ve been hit with this crazy pandemic and many of us foodies may be chomping at the bit. Four months of isolation, munching on the same lutong-bahay, or stressing on how to stretch our limited food budget may be taking their toll.

But take heart, fellow foodies!

Here are three reasons why Go Bento can be your new go-to place to give your taste buds a break from your usual ulam, without you having to break the bank.

One: It is the home of affordable, everyday Japanese food.

The resto takes its concept from the Japanese bento, a takeout or home-packed meal good for one person which already includes rice, a fish or meat viand and cooked veggies, all placed in a box that can be taken anywhere.

However, other food options such as donburi (rice bowls) and ala carte dishes are also made available to suit the tastes and budget of you Japanese food lovers out there.

Go Bento’s tasty offerings, all costing no higher than Php200, include:

Beef Misono Bento (Php190). Thin slices of beef stir-fried in a garlicky yakiniku style sauce, served with rice, stir-fried veggies and miso soup.

Mixed Tempura Bento (Php190). Japanese-style battered and fried shrimp and mixed vegetables served with tempura sauce, rice, veggie salad and miso soup.

Gyudon (Php155). Thin slices of beef simmered with onions in a mildly sweet, dashi-flavored sauce and served on top of rice.

Hambagu Curry (Php110). Japan’s version of the Salisbury or hamburger steak served with a fried egg in a sweet Japanese curry sauce over rice.

Miso Nori Hambagu (Php75). Japanese-style beef burger patty topped with nori, shredded cabbage and signature sauce served in a bun.

If you’re feeling just lightly peckish, you can also snack on:

California Maki (Php95/4pcs).

Chicken Thigh Yakitori (Php50/stick).

Chicken Skin Yakitori (Php35/stick).

Potato Takoyaki.

Two: You can Go Bento at home.

Go Bento delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda so you can feast on your Japanese comfort food faves or take a break from your WFH tasks with a tasty snack.

Three: You can safely dine in at Go Bento.

Protocols are already in place to minimize physical contact and ensure your safety so you can dine in comfort.

So, foodies, there’s no need to stress yourself out on your dining options. The next time your Japanese food craving hits, you know where to go: Go Bento!

Go Bento is located at 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open daily from 11am to 8pm for dine-in, takeout, pickup or delivery via GrabFood and FoodPanda. Safe cashless payments via GCash also available. For inquiries, reservations or orders, call +63 2 88651565 or +63 998 9529796.

It recently opened a new branch along Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City, open daily from 10am to 5pm. For inquiries, reservations or orders, call +63 998 5875592.

Disclosure: Together with a fellow foodie, I attended a food tasting held at this resto where food items were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate our honest reviews, and were not paid for by the attendees.

All-time Japanese food faves at Kimono Ken

Craving for Japanese food while stuck at home?

Why not order your favorites from Kimono Ken?

With its mantra “Enticingly Japanese. For less.” you can expect mouthwatering yet affordable Japanese dishes at Kimono Ken.

My faves here include:

Maguro (Php260). Fresh tuna sashimi sliced into bite-size pieces.

California Maki (Php160). Rolled sushi made with crabstick, mango, lettuce, Japanese mayo and ebiko.

Dynamite Maki (Php380). Rolled sushi made with spicy salmon, ebiko, unagi and cucumber.

Sushi Moriawase (Php450). Mixed fresh sushi served with miso soup.

Chahan (Php90). Special Japanese fried rice made with cooked rice, garlic, green and spring onions, bits of meat, egg and soy sauce.

Sukiyaki (Php350 good for two). Thinly-sliced beef, tofu, vegetables and glass noodles cooked in sukiyaki broth.

Ebi Tempura (Php410 for 5 pieces). Battered and deep-fried prawns served with tempura sauce.

Bacon Asparagus Maki (Php300). Fresh green asparagus rolled in bacon.

Gyu Hireniku (Php480). Beef tenderloin grilled teppanyaki-style and served with sauteed bean sprouts.

So the next time I have a hankering for Japanese food, guess where I’m headed!

During the Enhanced Community Quarantine, Kimono Ken has two of its stores open for takeout our delivery:

256 Tomas Morato corner Scout Fuentebella, Quezon City (open from 10,30am to 6pm): Call +63 2 89281228 or +63 2 89292535
Met Live EDSA Extension corner Macapagal Boulevard, Metro Park Bay Area CBD, Pasay City (open from 11am to 7pm): Call +63 2 87798685 or +63 2 85564484

To have your favorite Japanese food delivered to you, call the branch or Viber +63 956 804 2237 with your order. Once confirmed, pay via bank transfer or GCash (cash-on-delivery option also available), then Viber proof of payment to +63 956 804 2237. Once receipt of payment is confirmed, have your order picked up via Grab Express or LalaMove Pabili Service.

This Kimono Ken branch is located at Ground Floor, Tower 1, Rockwell Business Center, Ugong, Pasig City.

Other branches are located at:

Mandaluyong: The Podium Mall, Shangri-La Plaza
Quezon City: Tomas Morato, SM North EDSA The Block
Pasay: Met Live Mall, Main Mall SM MOA
Paranaque: SM City BF Paranaque

Hashi Donburi, Tomas Morato

Got a sudden hankering for Japanese food?

Why not drop by Hashi Donburi’s newest branch in QC?

Step up to the second floor of the building across ABS-CBN and you will enter what appears to be a laid-back izakaya where you can sit back and have a hearty serving of your favorite Japanese food.

Here’s a sampling of what you can enjoy here:

Salmon Sashimi (Php299). Slices of fresh salmon served that’s great for starters.

Tantanmen (Php299). Slightly spicy ramen with a peanut-based broth topped with pork slices and egg.

Tonkotsu (Php269). Savory miso-based ramen topped with pork slices and egg. This is quite hearty and well-suited for a rainy day.

Gyudon (Php199). Rice bowl topped with beef and onion simmered in a sweet sauce with dashi.

Tendon (Php179). Rice bowl topped with battered and deep-fried prawns in donburi sauce.

Oyakudon (Php159). Rice bowl topped with simmered chicken, egg and sliced scallions.

Chicken Teriyaki Bento (Php199). A meal set that includes chicken teriyaki, rice, sauteed veggies, potato croquettes and miso soup.

Chicken Karaage Bento (Php199). A meal set that includes chicken karaage, rice, sauteed veggies and potato croquettes. I suggest you request for a serving of Japanese mayo (and add a bit of wasabi to that) as your dip.

Among Hashi Donburi’s menu items, I found the bento boxes the best value in terms of price, serving size and taste.

I now count this resto among my lunch choices in the area.

Planning a party? Hold your gathering at Hashi Donburi and take advantage of these value-packed party packages:

Set A (Php4,499 good for 10-15 pax). Two servings each of edamame, ebi furai, yakisoba, tonkatsu, chicken karaage and chicken teppan plus three rice platters, 60-piece maki/sushi platter, four pitchers of drinks and 4 servings of tempura ice cream.

Set B (Php4,999 good for 10-15 pax). Two servings each of korokke, tempura, ebi furai, seaweed salad, yakiudon, beef teppanyaki, chicken karaage and chicken teppan plus two rice platters, 48-piece maki/sushi platter, one big ramen serving and 4 servings of tempura ice cream.

This Hashi Donburi branch is located at Second Floor, 139 Mother Ignacia Avenue, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77206040.

The original branch is located at 1607 Dapitan Street, Sampaloc, Manila.