karaage – Jellybeans in the City

#NoticeToThePublic: Good eats abound at Public Eatery, Robinsons Magnolia

If you’re on the lookout for the what’s new and absolutely delish, The Tasteless Food Group’s got something for you.

Drop by Robinsons Magnolia to immerse yourself in a new dining concept – Public Eatery!

Taking inspiration from subway lines, this elevated foodcourt destination is marked by energy and movement, from the stylish and modern decor to the airy open dining area layout bathed in ample natural light.

Above all, Public Eatery brings the metro’s foodies to the express lane towards good eats by bringing together a diverse collection of dining options – covering a wide range of flavors and cuisines – in one convenient location.

Ready to go on a flavorful journey? Get all aboard and take your tastebuds for a ride with these exciting food stations at Public Eatery:

Anyhow

Our favorite ihaw-ihaw goes international! Inspired by the Pinoys’ penchant for various kinds grilled meats, Anyhow offers inihaw any way you like it! Here, your can make your own satisfying meal by combining your choice of smokey grilled meat – such as this succulent US Beef Belly – with equally flavorsome rice and sides.

Bad Bird

Famous for fully embracing umami flavors, Bad Bird goes all out in using MSG in its natural and processed forms: dashi, mushroom powder, furikake, miso, and more, all to produce that complex savory taste that tickles the taste buds. Check out Bad Bird’s Fish and Chips made with meaty white fish coated in its signature umami beer batter, and served with fries and tartare sauce.

Bookoh

Even the humble buko juice gets a make-over: at Bookoh, coconut water gets mixed with various syrups and sinkers to produce a tasty thirst quencher. This Coconut Pandan Gula Melaka Juice, for instance, combines buko juice with panda syrup, nata de coco, grass jelly and Gula Melaka, a type of palm sugar made from the sap of flower buds from the coconut palm.

FRNK

Try out FRNK’s artisanal beverages that accentuate the natural flavor of milk through the addition of flavors from chocolates, teas, fruits and other ingredients. It also produces a variety bakery items that pair well with its milk beverages such as its plant-based Coffee Almond Doughnut that complements its Frozen Kokoa drink.

Konbini Karaage

In Japan, convenience stores are more than just places to grab some essentials at all hours. They also provide quick access to tasty munchables such as this Karaage, Japan’s crispy and yummy take on the fried chicken, served hot and fresh – quite conveniently – in a cute takeout box.

Le Chon

Chef Happy Ongpauco-Tiu celebrates savory roasted meats that define Pinoy celebrations at her newest venture, Le Chon. Aside from the hallmark lechon baboy and lechon manok, Le Chon also serves other meats, deliciously roasted lechon-style, such as this Lechon Angus Beef Belly.

Merry Moo

Our sweltering summer heat calls for some ice cream, doesn’t it? Well, chill out with some icy handcrafted confection that comes from the milk of happy cows at Merry Moo. Go for creamy and velvety scoops of Merry Moo ice cream richly flavored with Auro Milk Chocolate finished with a generous amount of roasted cacao nibs for an additional burst of cacao.

Morse

Perk up your day with a cuppa joe from the passion project of Mike Holaschke, the Austrian blogger behind “Making It Happen.” Power great conversations with your companions with The One, made with a shot of espresso topped with thick salted cream and sea salt.

New York, Cubao

Award-winning and best-selling cookbook author Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou curates an array of much-loved, down-home, and “Simpol” Pinoy fare we all know and love, remixed for variety and rediscovery. NYC’s Tocino Ribs brings a hefty serving of salt-cured pork ribs, perfect for a very heavy breakfast with fried rice and egg.

OK Bob

Satisfy your cravings for Middle Eastern dishes with OK Bob‘s fresh takes on classics such as kebabs, falafel, hummus and curries, with recipes and methods perfected by Chefs Decker Gokioco and Jorge Mendez. How about wowing your friends with a towering serving of Hanging Kebab comprised of a skewer of grilled beef hanging over a bed of buttered basmati rice topped with grilled tomatoes.

Samyan

Bite into Authentic Thai streetfood, curated by Chef Third “Ton” Tassanakajohn and produced by Chef Gabriel Ong, at Samyan. Named after the bustling Sam Yan Market in Bangkok, Samyan brings exotic yet comforting tastes and textures of Thai street cuisine, such as in this Khao Pad Pu, also known as Crab Fried Rice.

Seafood Oyster Bar

It’s quite shuck-ing how oysters have become a big hit in food halls. As evidenced by Seafood Oyster Bar, foodies have gone crazy over the briny taste and silky mouthfeel of oysters – whether raw with spiced vinegar, doused with garlic butter, heated with a few drops of tabasco or as an oyster shot – or even Baked and topped with Miso Custard. Because, why not?

Thomson Road

Savor the flavors of Singapore at Thomson Road, inspired by the Lion City’s famous shophouses and hawker stands. Chef Johanne Wee dishes out fresh takes on Singapore’s much-loved street dishes, such as this spicy yet comforting Seafood Laksa.

Ten by Tsukemen

Sate your hunger with a mouthwatering bowl of ramen that scores a 10 out of 10. Chef Noel Mauricio helms the kitchen, taking his cues from the minimalist Japanese culture, to produce ramen bowls such as this Tonkotsu Premium, made with pork bone broth and ramen noodles topped with grilled chashu, aji tamago, sesame seeds and negi. Be sure to get the Richer broth, that’s the chef’s recommendation!

The Bev Bar

Who says you can’t make pour decisions? You can do just that at The Bev Bar which serves a wide assortment of refreshments to pair with your orders from other Public Eatery stations. Chef Patrick Go creates mouthwatering drinks such as this scrumptious Choco Chocnut Shake.

So let this be my Notice to the Public: Go full steam ahead on your next foodie adventure at Public Eatery. With so many cuisines to explore, you can always count on a flavorful and satisfying food trip.

Public Eatery is located at the Fourth Floor, New Wing, Robinsons Magnolia, Aurora Boulevard corner Doña Hemady Street, Barangay New Manila, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 9pm. For inquiries, call +63 976 2810277 or email publiceatery@tasteless.ph.

For more information on Public Eatery, visit its website or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held at this venue. Food items mentioned here were served at no cost to facilitate this feature.

Hanamaruken Ramen welcomes the new year with its latest flavor: Mabo Dofu Donburi

Are you a Japanese food fan? Are you game to widen your Japanese food horizons?

Well, here’s a piece of good news just for you!

Hanamaruken Ramen kicks of the year by expanding its delicious menu to include something quite special: the Mabo Dofu Donburi!

Your favorite ramen place translates the much-loved spicy Sichuan Mapo Tofu dish into a tasty Japanese rice bowl. Made of coated silky tofu cubes covered thick and spicy aromatic sauce topped with chopped spring onions, fried leeks and shredded red pepper on a bowl of steamed rice, it has a milder and slightly sweeter flavor is due to the use of distinctly Japanese ingredients such as miso and mirin.

Similar to other Sichuan dishes, the Mapo Tofu was popularized in Japan in the 1950s, where it was adapted for Japanese tastes through the use of local ingredients.

Today it is one of Japan’s most beloved dishes which has made its way to one of the metro’s top Japanese food destinations.

For a complete and filling Japanese meal, pair this rice bowl with a serving of Nanban Karaage (Php380), Hanamaruken’s take on the Japanese-style fried chicken glazed with teriyaki sauce and served with a side of prawn crackers and tartare sauce, and a glass of Peach Lemon Iced Tea (Php90) to chase the spice away and soothe the palate.

Hanamaruken Ramen was founded in 1982 by Takaku Arakawa, who drew inspiration from his family’s rich background in butchery to create a distinct marriage between meat and ramen, resulting to its Signature Happiness Ramen.

Aside from authentic ramen bowls, Hanamaruken Ramen also serves rice bowls, sushi and small plates of Japanese appetizers.

In the Philippines, this ramen store is managed by the Tasteless Food Group.

So go ahead and drop by your nearest Hanamaruken Ramen branch to welcome the new year with the fresh flavors of the Mabo Dofu Donburi!

This Hanamaruken Ramen branch is located at Ground Floor Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, open daily from 10am to 7pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 7043871.

Other branches are located at:

2F Garden Wing, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City (+63 2 77535949 | +63 917 6212130)
2F Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa (+63 2 88699857 | +63 917 6235931)
The Grove by Rockwell, E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City (+63 917 6237181)
Ground Floor Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (+63 917 7017211)
Forbes Retail, Forbes Town Center, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (+63 917 635 6259 | +63 2 8259202)
Ground Floor Santolan Town Plaza, Santolan Road, Little Baguio, San Juan City (+63 917 7032729)

You may also order for delivery at Tasteless.ph or via GrabFood, FoodPanda and Pick*A*Roo.

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

Check out my previous posts on Hanamaruken Ramen:

Happiness Overload at Hanamaruken, Trinoma

Get your bowl of happiness at Hanamaruken

Hanako’s newest branch at Promenade Mall Greenhills now on soft opening

Got a hankering for Japanese food in between bouts of retail therapy?

Don’t worry because you can now feast on #HandsDownGoodFood at Hanako’s newest branch at the Promenade Mall in Greenhills Shopping Center!

Long known for its easy-on-the-pocket Japanese dishes, Hanako is now serving its signature authentic cuisine to both shoppers and foodies who frequent one of the metro’s busiest shopping districts.

So be sure to take a break from your shopping binge and indulge yourself with your favorite Japanese food and explore new ones to enjoy!

Sashimi and Sushi

Tuna Sashimi (Php259).

Salmon Sashimi (Php299).

Torched Cheese and Salmon (Php329). Fresh salmon topped with cream cheese and Japanese mayo on sushi rice and drizzled with teriyaki sauce.

California Gunkan (Php239). Sushi rice, kani and cucumber wrapped in nori and topped with tamago, ebiko, mango and fried salmon skin.

Ultimate Dynamite Roll (Php309). Sushi roll made with tuna, salmon, kami, togarashi and topped with crunchy tempura flakes.

Hanako’s Best (Php1,419). A platter full of sushi favorites from Hanako: eight pcs California Maki, eight pcs Spicy Tuna Crunch, eight pcs Philadelphia Roll, eight pcs Tuna Sashimi and eight pcs Salmon Sashimi.

Starters

Miso Soup (Php74). Hot broth falvored with miso paste, leeks, tofu and wakame.

Gyoza Sampler (Php199). Includes two pieces each of the classic pork, beef and chicken versions of the Japanese potsticker gyoza.

Kani Salad (Php269). Cucumber sticks, kani, mango slices, ebiko and nori strips dressed with creamy Japanese mayo.

Chicken Karaage (Php284). Japanese-style fried chicken served with mayo on the side.

Beef Sukiyaki (Php274). Beef strips, sotanghon noodles, carrots, onions, cabbage and egg in a sweet-savory donburi sauce.

Donburi

Beef Gyudon (Php329). Filling rice bowl topped with slices of high-grade beef, white onions, leeks, shibazuke and egg flavored with a mildly sweet sauce.

Chicken Teriyakidon (Php309). Japanese rice bowl topped with strips of grilled chicken breast marinated in house-made teriyaki sauce along with leeks, bean sprouts, shibazuke and sesame seeds.

Pork Belly Don (Php229). Strips of pork belly on a rice bowl flavored with gyudon sauce and topped with pickled radish.

Salmon Teriyaki Don (Php334). Grilled salmon on a rice bowl topped with leeks, pickled cucumber and sesame seeds flavored with teriyaki sauce.

Entrees

Beef Omurice (Php229). Beef strips and rice wrapped in a delicate omelette.

Ebi Fry (Php204). Breaded shrimp with toasted sesame and katsu sauce on the side, served on a bed of rice.

Shrimp Tempura (Php219/3pcs | Php319/5pcs). Deep-fried battered shrimp served with tempura sauce.

Mixed Tempura (Php179). Deep-fried battered shrimp, kani and vegetables served with tempura sauce.

Drinks

Thirsty? Hanako’s got house-made drinks to refresh you.

Now you know that whenever you’re in the Greenhills area and you #CraveHanako, there’s a branch here ready to serve you!

Plus, here’s some good news: Hanako is bringing back its Tempura-All-You-Can promo to welcome diners to this store. Enjoy unlimited Ebi Tempura all weekdays of December when you dine at Hanako Greenhills.

This newest Hanako branch is located at the Food Court, Ground Floor, Promenade Mall, Annapolis Street corner Missouri Street, Greenshills Shopping Center, San Juan, open daily from 10am to 8pm.

Other branches are located at:

4th Floor, East Wing, Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig City
30 Doña Soledad Ave., Better Living Subd., Brgy. Don Bosco, Parañaque City
83 B Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City, Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City (beside Car Doctor)
131-C Armstrong Ave., Brgy. Moonwalk, Parañaque City
GF, SM Center Pasig, Ortigas East, Pasig City
2nd Floor, The Rock, Holy Spirit Drive, Brgy. Don Antonio, Quezon City
Robinsons Townville Regalado Ext Ciudad Verde, Quezon City

You may also order online at cravehanako.ph.

To stay updated on Hanako’s offers and promos, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant where food items were served at no cost to the attendees.

Check out my previous posts on Hanako:

Hanako, Katipunan — Sate your Japanese food cravings at Hanako, Regis Katipunan

Affordable Japanese Lunch at Happon, Maginhawa

Maginhawa Street in QC has made a name for itself as a foodie haven, particularly with the proliferation of small and artisanal eateries there.

One such restaurant is Happon Ramen House which my fam came upon – oddly enough – as we left another Japanese restaurant due to the unavailability of most of its menu items.

Fortunately, just across the street is this seemingly nondescript eatery, located in a narrow space in a commercial building.

Upon entering, we noted that the store’s interior decor and furnishings were sparse, with some anime-themed tchotchkes to add some color and points of interest to the space.

We gave our orders at the counter then found our seats upstairs at the loft.

There, we enjoyed our lunch which consisted of reasonably priced Japanese food:

Edamame (Php78). Soybeans boiled in saltwater while still in their pods which served as our appetizer.

Spicy Tantanmen (Php228). Chewy ramen noodles resting a creamy and nutty sesame-based broth topped with spicy minced pork.

Gyoza (Php138). Japanese potstickers made of minced pork and finely chopped vegetables mixed with aromatics steamed in a pan then allowed to crisp on one side then served with an tangy dipping sauce.

Chahan (Php78). Also known as yakimeshi, this is the flavorful Japanese version of fried rice.

Karaage (Php138). Marinated chicken pieces are lightly coated in starch then deep fried in oil until brown and crispy.

Tonkatsu (Php138). Breaded pork cutlet deep-fried in oil until golden brown and served with shredded cabbage and zesty tonkatsu sauce.

After our meal, we headed downstairs and settled our bill. Thankfully, the store accepts payments via GCash!

We’re glad that we chanced upon this low-key Japanese restaurant and enjoyed our affordable lunch.

I look forward to new discoveries that Maginhawa has in store for me and the fam!

Happon Ramen House is located at 143 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village (near Bayantel Office), Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 9pm.

For inquiries and reservations, call + 63 922 2203911.

Other branches are located at:

Caltex Gas Station, F7 Bldg., Belfast Ave., Fairview, QC (back of SM Fairview)
Blk 21 Lot 1 Bristol St. cor. Flores de Mayo St. Greater Lagro, QC (near Lagro Subd. entrance)
70 Cepeda St. cor. Col. Divino St., Concepcion Uno, Marikina City (near Concepcion Highschool/ DEPED)
41 Lilac St. Hacienda Heights, Concepcion Dos, Marikina City (same building as Watsons)

To know more about its menu items and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Feeling at home at BOTEJYU, SM City East Ortigas

My fam and I do enjoy being so near what we consider to be our neighborhood mall, SM City East Ortigas.

As it is the site of quite a number of great restaurants, a delicious meal for the family is just a short drive away.

Imagine our excitement when we got word that BOTEJYU is opening a branch here.

This chain traces its roots back to Osaka, Japan where it was established in 1946 as an okonomiyaki restaurant.

Okomiyaki is a dish that emerged in postwar Japan during a food shortage. As American provisions were unloaded at Osaka and Kobe ports, the locals discovered American flour mixed with water results in a pancake that can serve as an alternative staple food.

BOTEJYU’s founder Eikichi Nishino discovered another culinary delight which also makes use of an American provision – mayonnaise – this time, as a topping for okonomiyaki.

The dish is central to the restaurant’s concept that its name was coined after the sounds heard when cooking its signature dish: “BOTE” from the sound made when flipping the okonomiyaki and “JYU” from the sizzling sound it makes as it cooks on the teppan grill.

Being a family of Japanese food lovers, we lost no time in dropping by this newest BOTEJYU branch in SM City East Ortigas to try out delicious selections from its extensive menu, such as:

Edamame (Php121). Lightly salted boiled green beans.

Fresh Salmon Sashimi (Php395).

Seattle Roll (Php315). Sushi roll made with salmon, cream cheese, avocado and mayonnaise.

Spicy Maguro Tuna Roll (Php315). Sushi roll made with spicy tuna, cucumber and lettuce.

Diced Beef Garlic Steak (Php490). Tender beef cubes sauteed with Botejyu’s signature Chaliapin sauce.

Premium Mix Moonlight-Egg Oko (Php495). Okomiyaki made with Botejyu’s original batter, cabbage, beef, pork belly, shrimp, squid and fried egg cooked on the teppan grill and topped with Botejyu’s original tomato sauce, special sauce and white mayonnaise.

We also took advantage of one of BOTEJYU’s Kazukp Tumori (Family Bundles), deliciously curated meal sets meant for sharing that also offer great discounts. Our order of Family Bundle F (Php1,995) already included four sets of rice, miso soup, kimchi and iced tea, as well as:

3pcs Original Mayo Takoyaki. Made from flour-based batter with bits of octopus and spices topped with takoyaki sauce, Japanese mayo and katsuoboshi.

Pork Tonkotsu Ramen. Ramen noodles in tonkotsu broth with char siu pork.

California Roll. Sushi roll made with crab meat, avocado, cucumber, ebiko and mayonnaise.

3pcs Tempura. Crispy prawns fried in special batter and served with tempura dipping sauce.

Grilled Pork Rib Hokkaido Style. Tender pork steak grilled then glazed in umami-flavored sauce.

Teppan Grilled Pork Gyoza. Japanese potstickers served with aromatic soy sauce.

Original Chicken Karaage. Japanese-style crispy fried chicken infused with garlic flavor.

With such a sumptuous array of Japanese dishes so readily available to us, it sure looks like we’ll be spending more time in our neighborhood mall!

This BOTEJYU branch is located at Ground Floor, SM City East Ortigas, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, open daily from 10.15am to 7.45pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8524657.

Other 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
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.

Satisfy your Japanese food cravings with Tokyo Tokyo

Tokyo Tokyo has long been one of the go-to restaurants of foodies looking for tasty yet affordable Japanese food.

In fact, I got my first taste of Tokyo Tokyo back when my food budget was dependent on my baon back during my college days. I’m sure my love for Japanese cuisine was spurred, in part, by my taste of Tokyo Tokyo’s tonkatsu and tempura that I bought from its kiosk during one of my college fairs.

Today, Tokyo Tokyo is the number one Japanese food chain, staying true to its mission of bringing Japan closer to Pinoys.

My family and I have come to look forward to a visit to a Tokyo Tokyo branch for a delicious Japanese meal.

Some of our favorites include:

Fried Gyoza (Php60 | 3pcs). Classic Japanese potstickers that are fried then served on a bed of fresh cabbage and drizzled with Teriyaki sauce.

Wagyu Katsu Bento (Php195). Wagyu beef coated in panko crumbs then deep-fried to golden and crunchy perfection and served with tonktsu sauce, vegetable misono and unlimited rice.

Beef Misono Bento (Php270). Tender beef strips seasoned with misono sauce and toasted garlic bits and red pickled radish served red iced tea, miso soup and dessert.

On the other hand, to cater to the family’s Japanese food cravings without leaving home, we can easily get platters of Tokyo Tokyo’s dishes delivered right to our doorstep.

Chicken Karaage Platter (Php160 | 6pcs). Marinated chicken pieces are lightly floured and deep-fried to a delicious golden brown, then served with soy ginger sauce.

Prawn Tempura (Php265 | 6pcs). Battered and deep-fried prawns served with tempura sauce.

With such great-tasting Japanese dishes so easily accessible, you won’t have any problem sating your Japanese food cravings.

Dine in at Tokyo Tokyo outlets or get your takeouts from its Express Stores in the metro.

For delivery, order through Tokyo Tokyo’s website, its mobile app or via GrabFood, FoodPanda or Pick.A.Roo.

Japanese-style burgers and more from MOS Burger

With a burger joint practically at every street corner, the Philippines may well be a Burger Nation.

Those proliferating burger outlets, however, are mostly Western-style, largely because the burger was introduced by the Americans to the country.

One of the few bright spots of 2020 is the introduction of new, Japanese-style burgers to widen the culinary horizons of Pinoys, thanks to the opening of MOS Burgers first store in Robinsons Galleria.

This outlet joined the brand’s 1,300 stores in Japan and almost 400 stores overseas. Pretty soon, new branches sprouted up such as in Megamall, Glorietta and Kapitolyo.

My daughter, who’s a serious fan of Japanese food and culture, has always wanted to eat at one of MOS Burgers’ local branches ever since the first one opened but the lockdown due to the pandemic precluded me from taking her.

Thankfully, with the recent loosening of quarantine restrictions, we were able to visit the Robinsons Galleria branch where we enjoyed some of its celebrated offerings.

MOS Cheeseburger (Php169 solo | Php269 set with iced tea and sides). I got this Japanese-style cheeseburger that comes with MOS’ special meat sauce poured over a pile of beef patty, tomato, onion, and cheese. It was well complimented by an order of Chicken Karaage (Php160).

Wagyu Burger (Php309 solo | Php409 set with iced tea and sides). My daughter ordered this Japanese-style burger made with flavorful Wagyu beef. It’s excellent when enjoyed with a side of Japanese House Salad (Php90).

Hash Browns (Php60/3pcs | Php90/5pcs). Crispy and golden-brown grids of fried potatoes.

Strawberry Cake (Php129). Fluffy chiffon cake layered with cream filling and slices of candied strawberry.

I’m glad that I was able to experience MOS Burgers again as it’s been quite a while since its Grand Opening when I last had a taste of its menu items.

A few days later, the fam was able to have another MOS experience – at home, this time – thanks to a food truck making its rounds in BGC which Hubby happened to pass by on his way home.

Of course, he brought home the MOS Cheeseburger in a Family Pack (Php499/3pcs).

But he also added two MOS Garlic Rice Onigiri (Php79 each): Chicken Karaage Mayo and Ebi Tempura. These are balls of Japanese rice flavored with garlic chips and wrapped with nori along with their fillings.

With its unusual burgers and sides, MOS Burgers surely is a welcome addition to the local food scene!

MOS Burgers outlets are located in the following areas, now open for dine-in, takeout and delivery:

Robinsons Galleria
Kapitolyo
SM Megamall
Robinsons Place Manila
Glorietta

The Jelly List: Countdown to sundown at Lamp Quarters, Marikina

The sun may rise in the East but that doesn’t mean that the fun stops here when the sun goes down.

Lamp Quarters in Marikina, for example, is one of the prime destinations east of Manila where things definitely liven up from late afternoon to late night.

Looking for a place to spend the waning hours of the day with friends? Lamp Quarters is your best bet, because:

Being located in the Marikina suburbs, it provides a welcome escape from the noise and traffic woes you experience in most parts of the metro.
It has a sprawling outdoor dining area where you can comfortably meet up with your pals over some brews, cues and even a bit of booze.
It houses several establishments that cater to diverse cravings.

So join me and my foodie friends as we count down to sundown at various foodie hotspots here at Lamp Quarters, Marikina!

4… Celsius Cafe Lounge for coffee connoisseurs

Get a taste of the sheer wondrous variety of coffee the world has to offer at Celsius Cafe Lounge.

A third-wave coffee shop that serves handcrafted brews from single-origin coffee beans sourced from various countries, Celsius is sure to broaden your coffee horizons!

Top coffee finds here include:

Filtered Coffee from Tanzania.

Espresso Affogato.

Spanish Latte.

Want some bites to go along with your brews? Then nibble on these sweet and savory snacks!

Pork Floss.

Danish Bread.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich,

Ube Queso de Bola Cheesecake.

Celsius also offers all-day breakfast with free coffee.

To know more about this extraordinary coffee shop, follow Celsius Cafe Lounge on Facebook and Instagram.

3… Tongara Ramen for ramen lovers

If you’ve been craving ramen then look no further than Lamp Quarters’ ramen destination: Tongara Ramen.

Lauded for its signature broth which is also its namesake – ton from tonkotsu (made from pork bones) and gara from torigara (made ftom chicken bones), it serves up ramen and other Japanese dishes that are sure to excite ramen lovers.

Check out its best-sellers:

Tongara Ramen.

Ebi Miso Ramen.

Tantanramen.

Tsukemen.

Karaage.

Spicy Chicken.

Tonkatsu.

Gyoza.

To support the drive for herd immunity, Tongara Ramen is also serving free gyoza for every ramen purchase upon presentation of your COVID-19 vaccination card until September 2020.

You can also enjoy Tongara’s signature dishes at home by ordering a Tongara Home Kit Bundle for pickup or delivery:

For 2 (Php1,800). Includes 2 Tongara Ramen kits and 1 frozen karaage kit
For 4 (Php2,300). Includes 2 Tongara Ramen kits, 1 frozen gyoza kit and 1 frozen karaage kit

For more deets on what you can enjoy here, follow Tongara Ramen on Facebook and Instagram.

2… Wing Commander for food trippers

Are you a kapakpak? Then hie yourself over to Wing Commander where you can embark on an unli food trip.

For just Php198, bite into unlimited crispy fried chicken wings, coated in sauces of international flavors and accompanied by filling portions of fries and rice. Add Php78 and you can have a bottomless drink to go with your meal.

Wing your next foodie adventure with these flavors:

Filipino Barbecue.

American Honey Mustard.

Chinese Szechuan.

Russian Thousand Island.

Japanese Wasabi.

Indian Cumin.

Fasten your seatbelts because at Wing Commander, the chicken bites and the chikahan are non-stop!

For the latest scoop on Wing Commander, follow it on Facebook.

1… Opening soon, Bar by East for cocktails

Want to cap the night with a drink or two? Pretty soon, Lamp Quarters will let you in on a little secret… a hidden bar!

The trendy office space of architectural firm Emerging Architects Studio (EAST) will give way to a hip and happenin’ secret bar at night!

Here’s a sneak peek at some of its refreshing classic cocktails:

Whisky Sour. Made with whisky, lemon, brown sugar, bitters.

Cold Brew Martini. Made with vodka, cold brew and coffee liqueur.

Whisky Highball. Made with whisky, ginger ale and citrus.

Gin and Tonic. Made with gin, tonic water, and citrus.

Margarita. Made with tequila, orange liqueur, lime, and salt.

Daiquiri. Made with white run, lime, sugar syrup.

Negroni. Made with gin, campari, and sweet vermouth.

Not much of a tippler? Never fear because the barista can concoct a non-alcoholic beverage for you just like this “Gel and Tonic” (a mocktail jokingly named by the barista after me, hahaha!) made with cold brew, tonic water and citrus.

The good news is that you won’t have to travel far for a hidden bar adventure!

Bar by EAST will be opening to the public soon. In the meantime, it is available for intimate private events. For inquiries, send a message to EAST on Instagram.

So don’t let the sundown get you down: welcome the end of the day with good food, good fun and good friends at Lamp Quarters!

Lamp Quarters is located along Gil Fernando Street, Centro de Buenviaje, Bgy Santo Nino, Marikina City. For updates on its special promos and events, follow Lamp Quarters on Facebook and Instagram.

For inquiries, call Lamp Quarters +63 917 6520324 or email lamp.quarters@gmail.com.

Disclosure: Together with my foodie friends, I attended a food tasting held at this venue. Food items mentioned here were served to elicit honest feedback and were not paid for by the attendees.

Sushi bake delivery from Meatsumo Premium, Panay

I admit: I’ve grown quite worried about how restaurants will fare in The New Normal.

Particularly vulnerable are the samgyupsal places wherein unlimited meats and other food items are served for table-top grilling by the diners. These places require groups of people to gather around the table as they grill their food.

One such place was Meatsumo Premium located in Panay Avenue in Quezon City. Located a few minutes’ ride away from my office, it was the perfect place to indulge my craving for all things samgyup. No wonder then, that I found myself dragging my more fellow samgyup lovers at work to this resto a few weeks after it opened.

What made Meatsumo Premium stand out from similar restos is Japanese dishes it also offers alongside its Korean fare. For just Php549 per person, we were able to enjoy eleven kinds of meat (including plain pork, pork galbi, regular and spicy pork yakiniku, pork gochujiang, plain beef, peppered beef, beef bulgogi, regular and spicy beef yakiniku and beef gochujiang) as well as twenty different side dishes (including my favorites such as cheese, kani salad, kimbap, California Maki and California Temaki).

Oh, such happy times…

But then, the enhanced community quarantine happened. I knew then that I had to bid adieu to Meatsumo.

That is, until it re-opened a few weeks ago, offering a “Create Your Own” Samgyupsal Set as well as its Japanese-Korean fusion dishes ala carte.

However, what drew my attention was its newest menu item: the Sushi Bake (Php480).

This trendy dish akin to a sushi casserole. The usual Japanese maki elements such as sushi rice, kani (crabstick), mango, zucchini, Japanese mayo and tobiko (fish roe) are there. With all these, you’ve got one scrumptious dish!

To eat, just scoop out a portion (mine tend to be overly large but I don’t care), place it in the nori strip provided, add a bit of finely chopped spring onions and tempura flakes for one tasty bite!

I ordered this for the fam’s lunch, along with Tempura (Php150) and Karaage (Php120), and all proved to be certified hits with kiddos!

Well, I’m glad to see that Meatsumo Premium was able to deftly pivot its business and innovate on its offerings. It sure looks poised to meet the challenges of The New Normal head on.

Meatsumo Premium is located 23 Panay Avenue, Barangay Paligsahan, Quezon City, open for delivery from 9am to 3pm.

To order, fill out this form, send a Facebook message, or Viber +63 933 1346534.

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

Yokohama’s Sigekiya Ramen now at Estancia Mall

My #RamenPhase has already spanned years.

From the first time I had a taste of what real Japanese ramen could be (as opposed to the instant noodles the defined the term during my childhood) I was hooked.

Since then, I’ve always been on the lookout for places to enjoy those firm, freshly made noodles in hot flavorful broth. I’ve tried a number of ramen restaurants in the metro already but this is the first time I’ve tried Sigekiya Ramen.

A franchise of the famous ramen chain in Yokohama, Japan, this shop opened in Estancia Mall’s East Wing in November last year. The place has a down-home izakaya feel to it, with colorful banners and lanterns hanging from the ceiling and a peek from the ramen bar into the hustlin’ and bustlin’ scene in the kitchen where the ramen orders are freshly made.

Last Sunday, together with my fellow East-based foodies, I had a taste of Sigekiya’s celebrated offerings, which included:

Sigekiya Ramen (Php325 small | Php375 regular | Php420 large). The store’s unique take on the shoyu ramen with pork meat broth taking the place of the pork bone broth resulting to a rich umami flavor. It comes with generous slices of char siu (seasoned and torched pork belly) which gives the ramen some added heft. Just imagine slurping this during these balmy January days. Yummy!

Tsukemen (Php375 small | Php420 regular | Php500 large). The so-called “dipping ramen.” Instead of being immersed in the pork broth, the ramen noodles are eaten after being dipped in the soup which is more intense in flavor than the normal ramen broth. A version called Tsukemen Gyokai (Php385 small | Php430 regular | Php510 large) is also available wherein the pork broth is supplemented by fish powder, giving the ramen another dimension in flavor.

Tantanmen Ramen (Php325 small | Php375 regular | Php420 large). Sigekiya’s take on the spicy Dandanmian noodle dish which originated in China. With a hearty peanut-based broth, ground meat and chopped veggies, this is a filling meal for the ramen lover.

Gojira (Php380). The name sounds so similar to what the Japanese call the monster Godzilla, hehehe! (I wonder if that’s intentional, hmm…) Well, this ramen bowl is such a monster in terms of serving size. With all those noodles, meat, loads of garlic and veggies, you’ll really get your fill.

Shirunashi (Php380). Another ramen that has very little soup, just a bit of rich-tasting sauce that together with a freshly cracked egg, veggies and loads of garlic to bring flavor and texture to the noodles.

Gyoza (Php110 for three pieces | Php160 for five pieces). Pan-fried dumplings filled with seasoned ground pork flavored with aromatics. The gyoza here are larger than the usual gyoza and are among the most delish my friends and I have tasted.

Okonomiyaki (Php160). Sigekiya’s version of the savory Japanese pancake is served on hot plates and topped with Japanese mayo and smoky bonito flakes.

Chicken Karaage (Php215). This version of the Japanese fried chicken is served with a sweet chili sauce but, trust me, request for some Japanese mayo and dip the karaage there instead. Add a bit of wasabi for a bit of spice.

With its delicious and affordable offerings and large portions, Sigekiya Ramen makes Yokohama’s celebrated dishes more accessible to hungry Pinoys.

Many thanks to Miguel Illescas and the crew of Sigekiya Ramen for the warm welcome and the delicious food!

This Sigekiya Ramen branch is located at Lower Ground, East Wing, Estancia Mall, Oranbo, Pasig City.

Another branch is located at Ground Floor, Commercenter, 1780 Commerce Corner Filinvest Avenue, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa City.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a food tasting held in this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

Ramen Cool, Kapitolyo

Back when I worked in the Ortigas area, my officemates and I used to venture to the foodie-friendly Kapitolyo for our happy lunches.

One of our favorite haunts is Ramen Cool which was established in the area before the ongoing ramen craze.

It offers Japanese food lovers their favorite dishes, some with a few twists.

This branch now offers lunch sets which allow diners to enjoy a well-curated set of dishes which include solo servings of a main viand, soup, salad, drink and more all for under Php400. In this way, diners can have a flavorful variety of Japanese dishes while still staying on budget.

While out on field work in the area, my coworkers and I took advantage of these offers by ordering:

Karaage Lunch (Php219). Chicken karaage served with iced coffee, plain rice, pulled pork ramen, two pieces of California Maki and Kani Salad.

Tuna Ahi Poke Lunch (Php269). A yellowfin tuna poke bowl served with iced coffee, miso soup, yakisoba and kani salad.

Chirashi Lunch (Php379). A bowl of chirashi (sushi rice topped with various sliced and chopped sushi flavored with Japanese mayo, wasabi and spring onions) served with iced coffee, miso soup, yakisoba and kani salad.

Aside from these lunch sets, our group’s orders also included:

Seared Tuna Salad (Php315) and Spicy Tuna Salad (Php295). Both prettily served on a specialized bowl which kept the salads cool and the greens crisp.

Karaage Wasabi Mayo (Php195). Japanese-style fried chicken doused with wasabi mayo.

It was a delicious return to an old haunt and I’d love to revisit the place and its specialties again soon!

This Ramen Cool branch is located at 25 East Capitol Drive, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City, open Sundays to Wednesdays from 11am to 10.30pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 12 midnight. For inquries and reservations, call +63 2 86360972 or +63 2 89984168.

Other branches are located at:

San Lorenzo Village Condominium, San Lorenzo, Makati
Westlife Building, West Avenue, Quezon City

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

A tonkatsu lunch at Fumizen, Tomas Morato

It’s the first working day of the year!

And do you know what I’ve been looking forward to since the day started?

A #happylunch with my office buddies, that’s what!

For today’s foodie adventure, we decided to give the newly opened Japanese restaurant along Sgt. Esguerra Street a try!

Located within walking distance from our office is Fumizen which specializes in premium katsu. It is a local franchisee of a long-established Japanese restaurant which was founded over 40 years ago and patronized by Japanese officials and celebrities.

It has a cozy atmosphere and a minimalist aesthetic with polished wood and gray upholsteried furniture set against clean white walls sparsely decorated with silhouettes of bamboo.

Katsu refers to “cutlet” in Japanese. It is usually a piece of meat coated in panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried to achieve a bright golden color and a crispy outer layer which gives way to tender. juicy and flavorful meat inside.

At Fumizen, diners can enjoy Katsu Sets which consist of a katsu variant plus unlimited rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage and fruit slices. The katsus may be enjoyed by dipping the pieces in Fumizen’s secret katsu sauce, rock salt or the resto’s signature truffle salt.

Our happy lunch at Fumizen included:

Rosu Loin Tonkatsu Set (Php375). This is the richer cut of pork loin owing to a strip of fat along one side.

Hire Tenderloin Tonkatsu Set (Php405). This is the leaner, less fatty cut of pork.

Fumizen also has ongoing Lunchtime Deals that some of my companions availed of. These deals give significant discounts on selected katsu sets such as:

Chicken Karaage Set Meal (Php199 from Php255). Japanese-style fried chicken best dipped (as we’ve discovered) in Japanese mayo with a bit of wasabi.

Menchi Katsu Set (Php199 from Php350). Patties consisting of two-thirds ground pork and one-third ground beef prepared and cooked katsu-style.

The katsus are well-cooked with the panko-breading adhering well and providing a satisfyingly crunchy texture to the meat. I found dipping the katsu in truffle salt winderfully heightens the flavor.

What could use a bit of work is the rice which could be a little stickier to serve as a foil to the katsu.

The wait staff is polite and accommodating but could use some more training on product knowledge.

Still, with the quality and afforadability of Fumizen’s katsu sets, it sure looks like my officemates and I found a new favorite Japanese resto in our area!

Fumizen is located at 34 Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, Bgy. South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77931894

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

Japanese food faves at Hanako, SM Pasig

Japanese restaurant Hanako got its name from a popular female given name in Japan which translates to “flower girl.”

Coincidentally, I recently dined at its SM Pasig branch after an all-girl’s outing with my mom and my daughter #ExhibitA. At this restaurant, we were able to sample tasty and authentic Japanese dishes which are also easy on the pocket (and made even easier by Zomato Gold… more on that later).

This outlet brings the color and vibrancy of Japanese street eateries inside the mall, attracting diners with its boldly colored banners and food posters.

Japanese food remains among my family’s favorite cuisines. We love the simple yet strong flavors and the contrast in textures that make each bite tasty and interesting.

Take our lunch orders for example:

Salmon Tartare (Php224). Small pieces of salmon mixed in mayonnaise, togarashi (Japanese chili pepper), tempura flakes and chopped scallions. A delicious start to the meal!

Ebi Tempura (Php279). Five large prawns battered then deep fried to a beautiful golden brown, then served with tempura dipping sauce. A mainstay in many of the fam’s Japanese meals!

(Trivia: Did you know that the method of preparing tempura was introduced in Japan by Portuguese Jesuits in the mid-16th century?)

Chicken Karaage (Php199). Boneless chicken thigh pieces are marinated in a mixture of ginger and soy sauce, then coated with starch and deep fried before being served with a side of Japanese mayo for its dipping sauce.

(Trivia: Did you know that in the US, chicken karaage is sometimes called JFC, or Japanese Fried Chicken?)

Tonkatsu (Php219). A juicy piece of pork cutlet, seasoned then panko-coated and deep-fried, then served with a salad of shredded cabbage and katsu sauce. How can you go wrong with this dish?

(Trivia: Did you know that ton translates to “pork” and katsu – a shortened form of katsuretsu – is a transliteration of the word “cutlet?”)

Chahan (Php79). Flavorful dish of rice stir-fried in a wok with some minced meat and chopped vegetables.

Our lunch of our favorite Japanese food is a happy cap to an outing of three generations!

And since both #ExhibitA and I are Zomato Gold members, we got two of these dishes for free!

Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 (Buy 1 Get 1) deals on food or 2+2 (Buy 2 Get 2) deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use my code JELLYB to get additional 20% off the membership fee.

This Hanako branch is located at SM Center Pasig, Frontera Drive, Bgy. Ugong, Pasig, open daily from 10am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 5848708.

Other branches are located at:

Second Floor, Regis Center, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Second Floor, The Rock Lifestyle Hub, Holy Spirit Drive, Bgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City
131 C. Armstrong Avenue, Moonwalk Village Phase 1, Paranaque
30-C Dona Soledad Avenue, Don Bosco, Paranaque

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo Gives You More Delicious Options at Budget-Friendly Prices

Just when you thought you’ve experienced all there is to it when it comes to ramen dining, in comes another concept from the same company that gave you the Tsukemen experience.

Infinity Foods Alliance, the firm behind Mitsuyado Sei-men: The House of Tsukemen, recently opened a cafeteria-style ramen shop at the Japan Town of Top of the Glo in Glorietta 2 that is reminiscent of the noodle houses in Japan.

Mitsuyado Seimen is a concept that originated from Tokyo, Japan. It specializes in Tsukemen (dipping noodle). This is what it has been known for in the Philippines for the past six to seven years. It is known for making good quality thick noodles for Tsukemen. For Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo, meanwhile, uses good quality thin noodles.

“Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo is a ramen house where you can choose your own ramen and pair it with your preferred topping,” explained Judy Kay C. Ang, representative of Infinity Food Alliance.

Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo was born because the company wanted to offer a fast-paced restaurant to satisfy the ramen cravings of Filipinos. In the Philippines, ramen has been priced on the average of P400-P500 per bowl. Through Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo, it wants to bring ramen appreciation to a price level that is more affordable, which is about only P180 per bowl.

Their ramen offerings include the Hakata Ramen, a pork-based broth that originated from the Hakata District of Fukuoka in Kyushu in southern Japan. They also have the white original Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen, Red Spicy Ramen (which makes use of the Japanese spice, karashi), Black Garlic, and Green Matcha.

To add variety to the ramen they ordered, customers are encouraged to customize it by selecting from various favorite Japanese toppings. Choices include the Charsiu, Sukiyaki, Ajitama, and Boneless Pork Chop, among others. Ang said that there are currently 10 to 12 toppings, and this number can increase in the coming months.

“We want to offer something different to the popular ramen, and we want it to be very affordable. At Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo, customers can enjoy good quality noodles at very budget-friendly prices,” said the company’s Marketing and Customer Care Specialist April Faith Alquiroz.

Now, if you want to enjoy your ramen with other popular Japanese food on the side, you can do, too! For Filipinos who love rice, meanwhile, there are donburi options available. There are the Pork Cutlet Rice Bowl Don, Ebi Tempura Don, Chicken Karaage Don, Boneless Porkchop Don, and Gyoza to choose from.

Ang said that after their Glorietta ramen shop, they will be opening another Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo in Vertis North. In the coming months, they will also be unveiling a CoCo ICHIBANYA Curry House in Top of the Glo before the end of the year.

Infinity Foods Alliance is among the many companies focusing on Japanese concept restaurants by entrepreneur Hubert Young, who has been credited for growing the UCC Coffee chain in the Philippines. He is also set to open the biggest Japanese fast food burger chain Mos Burger in the last quarter of the year.

Mitsuysado Ramen Shokudo is located at Top of the Glo, Roofdeck, Glorietta 1, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 9pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 10pm.

Restaurant details and images provided by Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo in a recent press release.

Check out my posts regarding other Japanese restaurants:

Ramen time with Tongara Ramen, Lamp Quarters

My #RamenPhase has been going on for years now and is showing no sign of waning.

And with the metro just entering the season of ramen weather, it’s only fitting that I start looking for new ramen places to try.

Friends who reside in Marikina have been giving me rave reviews about Tongara Ramen for some time now. Located in foodie haven Lamp Quarters, this new ramen spot is lauded for its special broth which is also its namesake: tongara – a mixture of tonkotsu, broth made from pork bones, and torigara, broth made from chicken bones. The resulting broth has an additional layer of sweet-savory flavor to it that differentiates Tongara Ramen’s offerings from those of other ramen places in the metro.

During a recent foray to Lamp Quarters with my daughter #ExhibitA, we decided to have lunch at Tongara Ramen to taste its celebrated ramen for ourselves.

Our meal included:

Tongara Ramen Junior Bowl (Php220). Don’t let its junior size fool you. We each had a Junior Bowl of Tongara’s famed ramen and it was filling enough to sate our hunger. We loved its flavorful broth and firm noodles which are well complemented by the torched tender slice of chashu (seasoned pork belly), ajitama (seasoned soft-boiled egg) and crisp bamboo shoots.

Chicken Karaage (Php200). Tender and flavorful bite-size pieces of marinated chicken covered in seasoned what flour and deep-fried to a beautiful golden brown. These are best sprinkled with a bit of lemon juice upon serving and dipped in Japanese mayo.

Gyoza (Php200). Japan’s famous pot sticker made of minced pork, shredded cabbage and aromatics wrapped in thinly rolled dough skins which are first steamed then lightly fried on one side to achieve a slightly crisp texture that complements the dish’s garlicky flavor. Any meal at a Japanese resto with #ExhibitA will not be complete without this dish.

So, thanks to Tongara Ramen for another mother-daughter foodie adventure unlocked!

Tongara Ramen is located at Lamp Quarters, Gil Fernando Avenue, Santo Nino, Marikina, open Sundays to Fridays from 11am to 11pm and Saturdays from 11am to 8pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 3903773 or +63 917 1794718.

Did you know you that you and a friend can buy two drinks and get the same two drinks for free at Tongara Ramen through Zomato Gold? Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 deals on food or 2+2 deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use my code JELLYB to get 20% off the membership fee.

Enjoy your ramen during the wet season with Tongara’s Rainy Days Special: get a free side dish or cocktail for a minimum single receipt purchase of Php1,200 or 2 free side dishes or cocktails for a minimum single recept purchase of Php2,000.