korean food – Jellybeans in the City

Today’s your last chance to celebrate Chuseok with Ball Katsu’s Pick A Prize Promo!

As September draws to a close, so does the vibrant celebration of Chuseok, the Korean harvest festival. This annual event is a time for gratitude, togetherness, and indulgence in delectable Korean cuisine. If you haven’t seized the opportunity yet, there’s no better time than now to immerse yourself in the festivities and make the most of Ball Katsu’s Pick A Prize Promo.

Ball Katsu, a brainchild of the esteemed Korean chef Paik Jong Won, adds an exciting twist to the classic katsu by transforming it into delightful katsu balls. Before this month concludes, dive into the world of Korean flavors and savor the chance to win amazing prizes at Ball Katsu.

The Korean Twist: Explore Ball Katsu’s Innovative Katsu Balls

Visualize the traditional katsu – a succulent, crispy-on-the-outside yet juicy-on-the-inside pork cutlet. Now, imagine that same katsu, expertly shaped into charming, flavorful balls. That’s the magic of Ball Katsu.

Korean chef Paik Jong Won, renowned for his culinary ingenuity, took the beloved katsu and transformed it into delightful balls. Each ball encapsulates the flavors of katsu within a convenient, bite-sized form. It’s a fusion of textures and tastes that’s both unique and appetizing, adding a Korean twist to a well-loved classic.

A Delicious Korean Foodie Adventure at Ball Katsu

Located in Mega Fashion Hall’s Food Hall, Ball Katsu is your gateway to a yummy adventure. The unassuming setup might belie the gastronomic delights that await you, but don’t you worry, you’ll find a tantalizing array of options, including katsu balls, rice bowls, and curry rice dishes.

The katsu balls, of course, steal the spotlight. Each bite-sized sphere is a burst of flavor, showcasing the perfect harmony of tender meat and crispy coating. Ball Katsu launched its hottest flavor, the Hot Pepper Ball Katsu (Php159/pc), proving the versatility of these bite-sized delights!

For those seeking a heartier meal, the Regular Ball Katsu Rice Bowl (Php189) presents an equally satisfying experience.

The Cheese Ball Curry Rice (Php269), on the other hand, offer a comforting and aromatic journey through Korean flavors.

The Pick A Prize Promo: Seize the Last Moments of Excitement!

As the clock ticks towards midnight on September 30, 2023, seize the last chance to be part of the Pick A Prize Promo at Ball Katsu. Celebrate Chuseok as you savor the delectable katsu balls and potentially win incredible prizes.

Here’s how to join:

Make a minimum purchase of 350 pesos in a single transaction to qualify for the promo.
Like and follow Ball Katsu’s Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok Pages, and share the promo post.
Present a screenshot showing that you’ve followed and shared Ball Katsu’s social media pages.
Show the receipt as proof of purchase to the Ball Katsu staff.
After verification, pick a prize from the Ball Katsu Box/Bowl.
Each customer can avail of the promo once during the entire promo period.
Instant prizes can be redeemed on the same day or at the end of the promo period. Prizes are transferable but not convertible to cash.
Fill up the acknowledgment form for your prizes.
Staff will stamp the receipt to verify the promotion.

Make the Most of Chuseok: Hurry and Join Ball Katsu’s Celebration!

For Korean pop culture enthusiasts and food lovers alike, the last day of September is the last call to partake in this unique celebration. Chuseok is a time to immerse yourself in Korean traditions, and Ball Katsu offers not only a delightful gastronomic journey but also a chance to win exciting prizes through their Pick A Prize Promo. Don’t let this opportunity slip away; be part of the Chuseok festivities at Ball Katsu.

Ball Katsu is located at 5th Floor SM Mega Food Hall, SM Megamall, EDSA corner Doña Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting event held at this restaurant. Food items were served at no cost in exchange for honest feedback and to facilitate this feature.

Why Bibimbud Original Kimchi Sauce should be your kitchen staple

Who doesn’t love to create masterpieces in the kitchen – the kind that will elicit praise and appreciation from the people who will partake of the meal?

Of course, our secret weapons in producing tasty meals is our arsenal of condiments and flavorings, which, by now, should include Bibimbud.

Bibimbud Original Kimchi Sauce is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. Made with authentic Korean ingredients, this sauce brings the tangy, spicy, and savory flavors of kimchi to any dish.

Here are some delicious ways to jazz up your meals with Bibimbud Original Kimchi Sauce:

Stir-fries. Add a dollop of Bibimbud to your stir-fries for an instant burst of flavor. The sauce works well with meat, seafood, and vegetables.

Noodles. Add Bibimbud to your favorite noodle soup, or stir-fry noodles with this kimchi sauce for a quick and tasty meal.

Dips. Bibimbud makes a great dip for vegetables, chips, and crackers. Mix the sauce with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a creamy and tangy dip.

Burgers. Give your burgers a Korean twist by adding Bibimbud as a topping. The spicy and tangy flavors of the sauce pair well with the juicy burger patty.

Tacos. Bibimbud is also a great topping for tacos. The flavors of the sauce work well with different types of meats, such as pork, beef, or chicken.

Marinades. Use Bibimbud as a marinade for your meats. The acidity of the sauce helps to tenderize the meat while imparting a delicious flavor.

Rice bowls. Bibimbud is a perfect addition to rice bowls. It pairs well with different types of proteins and vegetables, making it a versatile ingredient for creating a variety of rice bowl combinations.

Given that Bibimbud is in a sauce form, it is easy to adjust its kimchi taste in the food, whether mild to suit newbies, or more intense to suit connoisseurs of Korean cuisine.

Clearly, Bibimbud Original Kimchi Sauce is a must-have condiment, not just for Korean food lover, but for any culinary aficionado. Its versatile uses make it a staple in any kitchen, adding a burst of flavor to a variety of dishes.

Try it out today and explore the many ways this delicious and authentic sauce bring out fresh possibilities in your meals.

Stock up on Bibimbud Original Kimchi Sauce at Lazada.

Check out my previous post about Bibimbud Original Kimchi Sauce.

Kimchi Musubi with Bibimbud, the original kimchi sauce

K-pop and K-Chicken at Kko Kko

Still on a high from your latest K-drama binge? Got an urge to get close to your K-pop idols?

Well, hie yourself over to the nearest Kko Kko branch then!

There you can take selfies with Hallyu and K-pop stars as you partake in the cherished Korean meal: the chimaek. It consists of crispy double-fried chicken and cold beer, best enjoyed with your buddies.

You can share a Chicken Fondue (Php598 half | Php998 whole) with the fam like the group I saw when I dropped by. You can dip boneless chicken pieces (your choice of flavor) and other finger food such as onion rings, fries and nachos in hot gooey cheese inside a bread bowl!

You can also get your favorite fried chicken variant for take out, just like I did!

Giving in to my daughter #ExhibitA’s request, I ordered 6 pieces Korean Fried Chicken (Php558) flavored with Yangnyum glaze. She loves this sweet and spicy duality of the sauce, while I love it when she’s happy. (#MotherOfTheYear!)

These crispy and flavorful chicken pieces can be enjoyed on their own (papak Pinoy-style), paired with beer if you’re with friends, or eaten with rice and kimchi, with some soda drinks as a family meal.

This Kko Kko branch is located at The Sapphire Bloc, 35 Garnet Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, open daily from 11am to 11pm.

Other branches are located at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, Market Market in Taguig and Festival Mall in Alabang.

Kko Kko Chicken also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

To know more about its offers and promos, follow Kko Kko Chicken on Facebook and Instagram.

Let’s #ChooseTheSarapEveryday with Chewsarap

Despite the pandemic that still rages on, life continues.

Amid the trials and challenges we face, and continue to encounter, there are moments that we choose to savor, and milestones that we celebrate. Those are the times when we choose the sarap out of life.

One such moment is the birthday of my eldest. My unica hija – whom I usually refer to in this blog as #ExhibitA – is now a young adult, and I wanted to mark the day with a special meal.

However, with my busy work day, I didn’t have time to shop for ingredients, let alone spend time in the kitchen putting together various dishes.

Fortunately, I won’t have to, thanks to Chewsarap!

Operating on the philosophy that good food need not be expensive, this cloud kitchen offers a well-curated menu consisting of Chinese, Korean and Filipino cuisines, affordably priced and available in portions ranging from solo to family and party trays.

#ExhibitA’s birthday feast consisted of:

Hot Prawn Salad (Php350 for 2-3 persons | Php600 for 4-5 persons | Php900 for 7-8 persons).

Succulent prawns tossed in mayonnaise and cream then topped with sweetened fruits.

Salted Egg Chicken Wings (Php240/3 pcs | Php900/12 pcs).

Juicy chicken wings covered in Chewsarap’s special salted egg sauce.

Roast Beef (Php450) half portion | Php850 full portion).

Beef belly cooked sous vide for forty-eight hours and served with gravy and barbecue sauce.

Hainan Chicken with Curry Rice (Php300 for 1-2 persons | Php500 for 3-4 persons | Php900 for 6-8 persons).

Chicken cooked sous-vide on top of curry rice and served with ginger and soy dipping sauces.

The fam loved the varied dishes I served for my baby girl’s birthday dinner. Our intimate feast included old favorites as well as new flavors that broadened our culinary horizons, all made fresh on the day of delivery.

Plus, ordering this feast was so easy. Here’s how:

Visit chewsarap.com.
Select your orders.
Upon checkout, fill up your delivery details and choose your shipping option (pickup or delivery).
After getting the total bill, make your payments (cards/e-wallets, bank deposit and GCash are accepted).
Send proof of payment via Viber or by messaging Chewsarap on Facebook or Instagram.

Want to cook show-stopping viands such as these without the work of food prep?

Order Chewsarap’s Ready-to-Cook Meals such as:

Chicken Tenders
Beef Tapa
Japche Noodles
Pork Sisig
Beef Stew

Why should we choose the hassle, when we can #ChooseTheSarap, everyday?

Disclosure: Product samples were provided.

Aegyo Korean Chicken for a yummy K-Lunch

Everytime I watch the antics of Josh Carrott and Ollie Kendal on the Youtube channel Korean Englishman, I get absolutely green with envy at the sight of those two and their friends enjoying those scrumptious Korean food.

At some point, I would get so envious that I simply have to get those delicious dishes for myself.

Fortunately, yummy and affordable Korean dishes is just a phone call away, thanks to Aegyo Korean Chicken.

It started out as a Korean mini-mart located a few blocks from my home. Thanks to this establishment, I acquired a readily accessible source for ingredients for my #SamgyupAtHome and my #HotPotAtHome adventures, including pork, beef, fish balls and lobster balls.

Recently, it started offering classic Korean dishes, so I was able treat my fam to a Korean lunch with viands such as:

Bone-in Korean Chicken (Php269 for 5 pcs | Php488 for 10 pcs). I ordered both Spicy Yangneom and Lemon Pepper flavors so that my family members who prefer spicy and non-spicy Korean Chicken would be able to have something to enjoy.

Bibimbap (Php198). A solo-sized meal all by itself consisting of steamed rice with, beef strips and veggies topped with a fried egg, all of which are meant to be mixed together for a wonderful layering of flavors.

Fishcake (Php75) and Tteokbokki (Php88). These popular Korean street food items also serve great side dishes for this Korean lunch.

Well, now I don’t have to go all #FOMO whenever Josh and Ollie feeds their guest with Korean dishes, simply because I can readily have them here at my neck of the woods.

What’s your K-food craving today?

Aegyo Korean Chicken and Coffee is located at the corner of Countryside Avenue and 4th Street, Countryside Village, Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, open daily from 9am to 9pm. For inquiries, call +63 915 064 2961 or order for delivery via FoodPanda.

To stay updated on its products and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Enjoy a feast fit for an emperor at Hahn Restaurant

Have you ever found yourself somewhat distracted from the storyline of your newest binge-able Korean drama because you can’t take your eyes off the sumptuous dishes that your oppas and unnies are feasting on?

If you’ve been salivating over the colorful and appetizing food that make appearances in your favorite K-dramas, then Ayala Malls Manila Bay’s Korean Town should be right up your alley.

Home of authentic Korean specialties

Located in this hub is Hahn Restaurant, a stalwart when it comes to authentic Korean cuisine.

Inside its elegant interiors, you can sit down and dine in comfort as you experience Korea and its culture through food with your special someone, or with your family and friends.

You may also entertain a large group in one of the VIP Rooms (both can be combined into one even larger room for bigger parties).

You may also opt to enjoy your Korean food al fresco by stepping out to the veranda.

True to its positioning as the home of authentic Korean cusine, its offerings are prepared using traditional cooking methods such as fermenting, boiling, blanching, seasoning, and pickling. These are served with bap (cooked rice), kuk (dishes with broth), kimchi (traditional Korean sode dish made of fermented and seasoned vegetables) and banchan (side dishes), to be consumed at the same time, as the layering of flavors and textures is a hallmark of Korean dining.

A feast fit for an emperor

If you’re all set to expand your gastronomic horizons in Korean cuisine, Hahn Restaurant’s Emperor’s Feast will bring you the classic Korean faves, all in one set, meticulously prepared by the resto’s Chef Isagani according traditional Korean methods.

With this exciting meal set, you and a friend can enjoy a filling array classic Korean flavors for just Php980, which includes:

Kimchi-Jjigae. The central dish of the Emperor’s Feast, this hearty stew made with kimchi, pork belly and gochujang brings you spicy, tangy and umami flavors with each spoonful.

Hahn Gimbap. To cool your palate, you can bite into a few slices of cooked rice, crisp vegetables and meats rolled in dried seaweed sheets.

Bibimbap. For a truly satisfying meal for you and your companion, two servings of Hahn Restaurant’s best-seller – the Bibimbap, made with cooked rice topped with sauteed vegetables, kimchi, sliced meat and fried egg – will be served.

Banchan. Bite into these delicious side dishes to complement your meal.

To complete the set, you and your friend can choose two sodas from the restaurant’s beverage menu.

The Emperor’s Feast is truly a feast for the taste buds, but you need to hie yourself over to Hahn Restaurant asap to experience it as it’s available for a limited time only.

If you feel that a visit to a Korean restaurant is not complete without grilling some meat, you can always add an ala carte order of Pork Belly Samgyupsal for just Php350.

So whenever you feel like grabbing the food off the K-drama lead’s hands during your binge-watching sesh, just drop by Hahn Restaurant to get your taste of deliciously authentic Korean food.

Hahn Restaurant is located at Third Floor, Korean Town, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Paranaque City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 7pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79337658 or +63 906 2142575.

You may also order from its website for delivery. Here’s a tip: Use my code JellyHR15 and get 15% off your orders (excluding The Emperor’s Feast). Code is valid until August 31, 2022 for online purchases.

To stay updated on its latest promos and offers, follow Hahn Restaurant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting held in the restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to facilitate the experience for an honest review.

Underrated yet must-try Korean food from Soban K-Town Grill

Sure, Korean culture has infiltrated the Pinoy consciousness with all the K-dramas, K-idols and K-variety shows almost constantly streaming on our TV screens.

However, there’s one aspect of Korean culture that appeals to me the most: Korean food!

Despite its penchant for pungent fermented condiments and spices, Korean food is known for creating a delicious harmony of flavors.

For years now, Korean food, particularly the samgyeopsal or the Korean pork barbecue, has been capturing hearts and palates of Pinoy diners, with restaurants such as Soban K-Town Grill serving up diverse meats and side dishes such as the ones I enjoyed during a previous visit with the fam.

Soban K-Town, Eastwood — Classic BBQ Combo Set

However, today, I’ll be featuring some of the lesser known Korean dishes which I think also deserves some attention.

Hubby decided to order some dishes via GrabFood to go with the Korean barbecue I’m cooking at home so these delectable dishes arrived to grace our dinner table.

Gimbap (Php110/6 pcs | Php195/12 pcs). Lightly seasoned steamed rice, scrambled egg, chopped vegetables and meat rolled in gim – dried seaweed sheets – then cut up into thin slices prior to serving. Although highly snackable, it’s also a good side dish in any Korean meal.

Jeyuk Bokkeum (Php405). Thinly sliced pork pieces are marinated in spicy gochujang paste along with fresh garlic and ginger, then stir-fried along with vegetables. I like wrapping up the pork in lettuce leaves along with rice and sliced garlic and ssamjang, essentially treating this dish as another form of samgyeopsal.

Banchan Set (Php140 | free with our order). For me, much of celebrated harmony of flavors that Korean cuisine is known for is attributable to its wide array of side dishes also known as banchan. With Soban’s Banchan Set, diners can enjoy six side dishes such as kimchi, scrambled eggs and stir-fried or pickled vegetables that can be mixed and matched with other dishes.

These dishes sure added a lot of interest (and flavor!) to the fam’s dinner, and further strengthened Korean food’s position in our hearts.

Craving for your Korean food faves or want to try something new? Order now from Soban K-Town Grill via GrabFood!

About Grab

Grab is the leading super app in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter most to consumers. Today, the Grab app has been downloaded onto over 185 million mobile devices, giving users access to over 9 million drivers, merchants and agents. Grab offers the widest range of on-demand transport services in the region, in addition to food, package, grocery delivery services, mobile payments and financial services across 339 cities in eight countries.

About GrabFood

Operating under the Grab super app, GrabFood is an online food delivery service that connects local food businesses to people. GrabFood presents a variety of food based on what’s available around consumers: Filipino, Western, Asian, European, Fusion and so on. Today, GrabFood’s services are available in areas of Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, and Cebu, with plans to continue expanding to reach more areas in the country.

Download the Grab app here.

Kimchi Musubi with Bibimbud, the original kimchi sauce

The sheer amount of time we’ve spent watching K-dramas have surely developed our craving for Korean flavors. Admittedly, the sight of our favorite idols feasting on Korean food got us craving for it too.

Korean cuisine is known for the layering of tastes and textures such that there’s an explosion of flavors in every mouthful.

One of K-cuisine’s hallmark dishes is kimchi. This traditional side dish is made with salted and fermented vegetables and flavored with a variety of seasonings and aromatics such as chili powder, spring onions, garlic and salted seafood, resulting in complex blend of sour, spicy and umami.

Kimchi is ever-present in Korean food culture that you would be hard-pressed to find a Korean meal without it.

That certainly held true for Koreans Steve Song and David Seo, two buddies living abroad who embraced local cuisines but found something missing in their foodie adventures. Deciding to add a taste of home to their meals, they developed a kimchi-style condiment that’s uniquely blended to complement and add that crave-worthy kimchi flavor to practically any dish.

They named their creation Bibimbud, the Original Kimchi Sauce.

Made by people who absolutely love kimchi, Bibimbud is packed full with the flavor and goodness of kimchi with no preservatives. The product underwent a natural fermentation process just like real kimchi which allows it to get better with age and keep for a longer period.

It also comes with the health benefits brought by real kimchi such as boosting and metabolism and improving blood circulation and gut health.

With these in mind, why not incorporate Bibimbud to any meal?

Check out this fusion of Korean and Japanese flavors in my version of Kimchi Spam Musubi, made possible by Bibimbud.

Spam Musubi is said to have originated in Hawaii during and post-World War II, when the Japanese-American locals incorporated the canned meat into their own cuisines.

The addition of Bibimbud to Spam Musubi gives a new dimension of flavor to this popular snack.

Ingredients:

3 cups steamed rice, kept warm
1 can Spam cut into eight slices
Teriyaki sauce made with 1 tbsp sugar dissolved in 2 tbsp light soy sauce
3 eggs, whisked until homogenous
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp roasted sesame seeds
2 nori sheets, each sheet cut into 4 strips of equal width
2 tbsp Bibimbud, The Original Kimchi Sauce

Procedure:

Mix one tablespoon of the teriyaki sauce to the eggs.
Place a lightly oiled frying pan over medium to low heat. Add the eggs, cover and let cook for five minutes. When the top is set, slide the eggs onto a cutting board, the two sides into the middle making three layers then cut into eight strips of equal width.
Fry the Spam in a non-stick pan over high heat for five to seven minutes until crispy on both sides. When cooked, place the Spam pieces on a paper towel to drain off excess oil. Using the same pan, cook the remaining teriyaki sauce over medium heat. When it begins to thicken, add back the Spam to coat both sides of pieces with sauce.
Mix the Bibimbud, sesame seeds and rice vinegar into the rice and divide the mixture into eight equal portions. Press one portion into your musubi mold. (You can use the empty Spam can as a musubi mold by lining the bottom and inner sides with plastic wrap.)
Layer an egg strip on top of the rice then top with a piece of Spam. Press the layers against the mold until firm.
Wrap the molded musubi in a strip of nori. Seal the end of the nori strip with a bit of water.
Serve and enjoy!

Bibimbud may also be used in flavoring Kimchi Fried Rice, Kimchi Pasta, Bibimbap, Korean-style Fried Chicken and more. For more details about Bibimbud and to check out recipes, visit bibimbud.com.

Given that Bibimbud is in a sauce form, it is easy to adjust the kimchi taste in the food, whether mild to suit newbies, or more intense to suit connoisseurs of Korean cuisine.

So the next time we go on a K-drama binge, we know we can easily have a taste of the flavors our K-idols are enjoying, thanks to Bibimbud!

Bibimbud is available at Lazada in 250-gram packs for Php175/pack.

SHOP NOW

Disclosure: A product sample was by Bibimbud.

Good times and good eating with Hodai’s newest Daebag Set

With all we’ve been through during lockdowns and quarantines, one can’t help but hold out hope for better times ahead.

At the same time, we can’t help but look back on all the things we used to enjoy, like dining out to savor our favorite and spending fun times with family and friends.

Personally, I miss going out for Korean BBQ (or “mag-samgyup” as we Pinoys like to term it). The sheer adventure of grilling our own food as we talk, laugh and banter with our companions always proves enjoyable.

A prime destination for this experience is Hodai Restaurant in Quezon City. Located in a remodeled two-story house along Examiner Street in Barangay West Triangle built in the 1960s, it lives up to its name (“Hodai” translates to “all you can” in Nihongo), it’s where you can get your fill of unlimited meats and side dishes.

To mark its recent re-opening, Hodai Restaurant celebrates the good times ahead with its Daebag Set. For just Php599 per person, this set brings together everybody’s Korean BBQ and yakiniku favorites, plus more, into one table for everyone to enjoy.

Seafood. Includes salmon sashimi, assorted sushi rolls (California Roll, Kani Roll and Mango Roll) and Salmon Sushi (Torched Salmon Sushi with Spicy Sauce, Salmon Maki with Mustard Sauce and Salmon Sushi) as well as fresh shrimp.

LA Galbi. Barbecued beef short ribs cut thinly along the bone usually served during special occasions.

Cheese Spicy Ribs. Tender pork ribs marinated in gochujang sauce with stringy mozzarella cheese.

Five kinds of pork. Includes Herb Pork Steak, Daepae Pork, Plain Pork, Yakiniku Pork and Gochujang Pork.

Five kinds of beef. Includes Enoki Beef Roll, Plain Beef, Herb Beef, Yangnyeom Beef and Gochujang Beef

Side dishes. Includes Beef Tteokbokki, Galbi Fried Chicken, Potato Marbles, Kimchi, Japchae, Fishcake and Sour Radish.

Did you know that “daebag” translates to “Awesome!” in Korean? In Korean dramas. it’s usually uttered as an expression of surprise at a positive situation. No doubt you will echo the same sentiment when this sumptuous spread is laid before you and your companions.

Such a delicious bounty sure seems like a portent of great things to come, doesn’t it? Well, invite more good fortune into your life by gathering your nears-and-dears and celebrating being alive and being together over good food. (While practicing physical distancing, of course!)

If you feel that luck is on your side, here’s your chance to win a free Daebag Set. From September 27 to October 10, paying adults ordering the Daebag Set can play a fun game wherein they can choose one out of four boxes containing a dalgona candy with an imprinted shape. They will be tasked to trim away the candy outside the imprinted shape using just a toothpick. Any customer that successfully accomplished this feat will be awarded a free Daebag Set.

(You might be getting flashbacks to similar scenes in the Netflix Show Squid Game, but this activity is actually a favorite pastime of Korean kids.)

So if you feel that you have been without fun times with family and friends over good food for too long, go meet up at Hodai Restaurant and feast over the Daebag Set.

Hodai Restaurant is located at 14 Examiner Street, Barangay West Triangle, quezon City, open daily for dine-in from 12 noon to 10pm. Note: Al fresco diners is available for all customers regardless of vaccination status while indoor diners are required to present their vaccination cards.

To reserve your table, call +63 956 4605848.

Disclosure: Together with fellow foodies, I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant. Food items were served to facilitate this feature and were not paid for by the attendees.

Virtual resto-hopping at GrabKitchen in Pasig

Do you sometimes miss those times when you can just hang out at a mall and go restaurant-hopping?

Being able to try various cuisines is heaven for a foodie like me.

However, with lockdowns and restrictions brought about by the pandemic, restaurant hopping is nigh impossible.

Even if you try to order food from different establishments for delivery, the delivery fees would also multiply.

Unless, of course, you get your food orders from GrabKitchen.

GrabKitchens are designed to greatly expand the food choices available in a particular locale by serving a varied curation of food selections from restaurants with no physical presence in the area all served from one central kitchen. It also offers customers the ability to mix-and-match – ordering from different restaurants hosted by the GrabKitchen for a single checkout and delivery fee.

That’s a load of convenience and savings, right?

GrabKitchens have already set up branches in Glorietta, Malate and Paranaque, and now, finally, right in my neck of the woods: Pasig City!

Through this GrabKitchen, I was able to able to treat the fam to a wide array of dishes and cuisines from different restaurants for our weekend lunch. These include:

Dimsum and noodles from King Chef such as Hakaw (Php190/4pcs), Pork & Shrimp Siomai (Php130/4pcs) and Beef Brisket Noodles (Php280).

Korean-style boneless fried chicken from 24 Chicken such as a Half Half order of Original and Yangnyeon (Php545/7pcs each) and a Half order of Snow Cheese (Php299).

Solo (100ml) cups of artisanal ice cream from Merry Moo such as Honey Comb (Php135), Milo (Php135) and Strawberry Shortcake (Php135).

Refreshing drinks from CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice such as CoCo Milk Tea (Php85/regular), Pearl Milk Tea (Php90/regular), Strawberry Au Lait (Php150/regular with pudding) and Chocolate with Pudding & Pearl (Php100/regular).

Thanks to GrabKitchen, the fam and I had a virtual resto-hopping experience right at home!

But that’s not all!

A few months ago, driven by our K-drama triggered cravings, we also ordered our Korean meal from Happilee Korean Kitchen which included Pork Mandu (Php99/4pcs), Mini Kimbap (Php150/5pcs), Kimchi (Php30) and Soy Glazed Chicken Tray (Php600/10pcs).

Other restaurants hosted by GrabKitchen Pasig include Omakase, Conti’s, Las Titas MNL and Merienda by Pan de Manila.

With the mix-and-matching options available, ordering from GrabKitchen Pasig is well-suited for families whose members have varied food preferences.

So, fellow Pasiguenos, when you feel like having some variety in your meals or want to explore new food options, download the Grab app and order from GrabKitchen Pasig!

GrabKitchen Pasig is located at 172 C. Raymundo Avenue, Maybunga, Pasig City, open daily for delivery orders from 9am to 10pm.

Disclosure: A gift voucher was provided to facilitate the order experience.