tantanmen – Jellybeans in the City

9 reasons why Hashi Donburi is a must-try restaurant for Japanese food lovers

If you’re a Japanese food lover and you’re looking for a new restaurant to try, you can hie yourself off to this hidden gem along Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City.

Here are nine reasons why you should dine at Hashi Donburi:

1. Japanese flavors made accessible

Hashi Donburi offers an extensive menu of Japanese dishes including rice bowls, sushi, sashimi, tempura, ramen, and more, all of which are prepared using traditional techniques and ingredients that the owner – ex-OFW Aldy Mancio – learned from Japanese mentor during his overseas stint setting up one of the first Japanese restaurants in the Middle East back in the 80s.

He parlayed his kitchen prowess into a thriving business back home when he opened a ramen and donburi shop in Dapitan, Manila, catering to the students in the area.

The restaurant’s name is a combination of two Japanese words. “Hashi” means chopsticks, which are a common utensil for eating Japanese food, while “donburi” refers to a bowl of rice topped with various ingredients.

Soon, another branch opened along Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City to cater to the professionals and families in the area. Despite going through a rough patch during the lockdowns brought about by the pandemic, Andy and his team kept Hashi Donburi open, ready to serve their loyal clientele and new foodie fans with the restaurant’s takes on Japanese food.

2. Cozy and inviting atmosphere

The restaurant has a cozy and inviting atmosphere, with wooden furniture, Japanese-inspired decor, and warm lighting that exudes a minimalist-industrial ambiance but also creates a comfortable and relaxing dining experience. It’s the perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner.

3. Friendly and attentive service

The staff at Hashi Donburi are friendly and attentive, making sure that every customer feels welcome and satisfied. They are always happy to answer any questions about the menu and offer recommendations based on your preferences. Plus, the restaurant recently migrated to a digital ordering system, allowing guests to scan a QR code browse through and order from an online menu and which also totals their bill.

4. Wide variety of rice bowls

Rice bowls, or donburi, are a staple in Japanese cuisine, and Hashi Donburi specializes in a wide variety of flavorful and satisfying rice bowls. Whether you prefer meat, seafood, or vegetables, there is a donburi for everyone on their menu.

5. Fresh handmade sushi

If you’re a fan of sushi you won’t be disappointed at Hashi Donburi. They use fresh and high-quality ingredients to create their beautifully plated handmade rolls.

Here are some tips for sushi lovers at Hashi Donburi: If you’re dining solo, treat yourself to an Onigiri, an Okinawan nori sandwich filled with katsu, Spam and tamago. On the other hand. if you’re dining with a group, go all-out on the sushi and order a Maki Boat which already features a delicious combo of mixed maki and sushi rolls great for sharing.

6. Comforting ramen bowls

Ramen is a popular Japanese dish that consists of noodles served in a savory broth with various toppings. At Hashi Donburi, the ramen bowls are made with care and attention to detail, resulting in a rich and flavorful bowl of comfort.

7. The classic faves

Pinoys have quite a special affinity for Tonkatsu and Ebi Tempura. After all, these are dishes that are easy to appreciate and enjoy, and they go so well with that Pinoy staple: steamed rice. Additionally, they are versatile dishes that can be served as a simple snack or as a more substantial meal, making them perfect for practically any occasion.

8. Refreshing drinks

Whether you’re up for something to help you cool down on a hot day, or want a drink to complement your meal, Hashi Donburi has the beverage you want, available by glass or by pitcher.

9. Your just desserts

For sweet-tooths, there’s no better way than to end a meal on a high note with something sweet. Hashi Donburi’s got them covered with its Tempura Ice Cream.

Japanese food lovers in the Quezon City area who are looking for a satisfying dining experience should definitely add Hashi Donburi to their list of must-visit restaurants. Its wide variety of Japanese dishes, fresh sushi, comforting ramen bowls, refreshing drinks and a cozy and inviting atmosphere as well as its friendly and attentive service make it a welcoming haven to any Japanese food aficionado.

Hashi Donburi is located 139 Mother Ignacia Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 11pm for dine-in, takeout and delivery. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77206040.

Hashi Donburi also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Stay updated on its promos and offers by following Hashi Donburi on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous post about Hashi Donburi:

Ramen Who: Meet the new delicious name in ramen

One of the most welcome sensations that December brings to us Pinoys is the feel of brisk morning air and cool breezes throughout the day.

These cool climes also make for delicious ramen weather.

And if you happen to be near The Lipa Outlets in Batangas, you’re in luck because you can indulge your craving for delectable ramen to warm you up during these chill days.

Ramen Who boasts of flavorful and creamy broth, a product of sixteen hours of careful boiling and melding of ingredients to achieve that delicate balance deep flavor and umami, without making it too rich or thick to enjoy. Together with their firm perfectly cooked noodles and its various toppings and flavorings, Ramen Who’s ramen offerings sure make the trip to the restaurant worthwhile.

It recently launched new ramen variants that are sure to excite the taste buds of ramen lovers.

Let’s start this foodie journey with the Tita Tori Paitan (₱385). Its milky white broth is made from boiling chicken bones which results in a flavorful soup that is not too rich. Its topping of grilled chicken slices go very well with the broth.

Next up is the Boss Gyu Beef Ramen (₱405), definitely a boss-level combination of soup stock made from beef bones and topped with thinly sliced strips of grilled beef.

Last is the Pinoy Ramen which adds a decidedly Filipino twist to the ramen, thanks to its pares-style beef and grilled eggplant toppings.

Another exciting debut in the menu is the Who Burger, served deconstructed so you can enjoy the sheer fun of layering its components – grilled beef patty, brioche buns, housemade sesame soy sauce, minced nori chips, wasabi mayo, goat cheese and slaw – into an extraordinary burger.

Personally, no meal is complete without dessert, and Ramen Who serves up the sweets with its new confections: Mango Chizu (₱180) and Choco Toptop (₱150).

Got a hankering for sushi rolls to go with your ramen or to snack on with your companions? Opt for Sushi Mixes, then. These consist of twelve pieces of sushi rolls of three yummy variants: Aburi Dreams Mix (₱535 – California Sunrise, Ultimate Unagi Aburi and Wango Tamango Aburi) and Sushi Dreams Mix (₱565 – California Sunrise, Spicy Salmon Crunch and Ebi Tempura Crunch).

Also, you can never go wrong with a bit of crunchy Ebi Tempura (₱405); it’s always a hit with Japanese food lovers, after all!

If you want to go for your classic ramen faves, you can always opt for the Vice Tonkotsu-San (₱395) and Mr. Tantanmen (₱405).

So go ahead and cuddle up with your Significant Other and go on a Ramen Date, or huddle up with your gang for a Ramen outing at Ramen Who!

Whatever your food trip is, any weather is perfect weather to sip, slurp and savor a heartwarming bowl of ramen at Ramen Who!

Ramen Who is located at The Outlets at Lipa, Lipa City, Batangas. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8078901.

Stay updated on its promos and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

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

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.

Double servings of Ramen at Dabururamen, SM Megamall

Are you loving the recent spate of cold weather, foodies?

Chilly days like these make me want to slurp on some fully loaded and steaming hot ramen. When I’m feeling particularly ravenous, I don’t think a single bowl would suffice.

Well, wouldn’t you know it: at the newly opened Dabururamen at SM Megamall, I can get two bowls for the price of one! Yey!

“Daburo” is one way of saying “double” in Japanese. With its ramen dishes available on Buy 1 Take 1 deals, Dabururamen gives you double the flavor and double the ramen goodness with every order.

Are you curious yet on what you can enjoy at Dabururamen? Here’s a sampling:

Daburu Ramen (Php358 for double | Php188 for single). The house special ramen with rich broth, chashu slice and marinated egg, resulting to a hearty blend of authentic Japanese flavors. Definitely incredouble!

Kamabaku Ramen (Php348 for double | Php198 for single). Dabururamen’s version of the Tantanmen and my new favorite! Its blend of nutty and spicy sweetness can’t be beat!

Melting Gyoza (Php98 for 6pcs | Php190 for 12pcs). The classic Japanese dumpling made with minced pork and chopped vegetables gets an upgrade with the addition of oozing melted cheese!

House Special Takoyaki (Php168 for 6pcs | Php298 for 12pcs). A mixture of wheat batter and chopped octopus formed into succulent and savory balls topped with special sauce and bonito flakes.

So the next time you’ve got a monster craving for ramen or just want to chase the chilly weather blues away, drop by Dabururamen!

Update: I went back to Eatogether Food Hall with my foodie friends and was able to try more of Dabururamen’s dishes. Check them out!

Shoyu Ramen (Php328 for double | Php185 for single). Crispy pork katsu tops a bowl of savory clear soup, spring onions, nori and mushrooms.

Cheesy Katsudon Poppers (Php275). Cheese-stuffed breaded pork roulade drizzled with Dabururamen’s Emperor sauce and served with cabbage salad and oriental veggies.

And again, more of that fabulous Dabururamen. Yey!

Now I’m looking forward to more visits!

Dabururamen is located at Eatogether Food Hall, Second Floor, SM Megamall Building A, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. For delivery, call in your orders at +63 917 1598522 or +63 9605151688. You may also course your order through FoodPanda, GrabFood and Poodtrip.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting here together with fellow foodies. Food items mentioned here were served to let us sample the fare and elicit our honest feedback.

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

Comforting ramen at Ippudo

Did you know that Tokugawa Mitsukuni, a prominent daimyo that lived during the early Edo period in 1600s, was claimed to be the first person to ever eat ramen? The dish was said to have been introduced to him by Chinese neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Shunsui who became the daimyo’s advisor after fleeing the Manchu rule in China and seeking refuge in Japan.

After a business meeting in SM Mall of Asia, my officemates and I decided to have lunch at Ippudo for a taste of its celebrated ramen.

Founded in 1985 by Shigemi Kawahara, who has been dubbed The Ramen King, Ippudo is the stage by which the famed ramen chef showcases his “tao” – the way of the ramen. This is centered on the philosophy of continuously innovating to remain true.

My lunchmates and I were able to het a taste of Ippudo’s artistry and innovation with our orders.

Tantanmen (Php520). Made with thick wavy noodles immersed in Ippudo’s signature tonkotsu (pork bone) broth infused with tantanmen oil. It topped with a generous serving of ground pork, torched chasu (pork belly), cilantro, parmesan cheese and onsen tamago.

Shiromaru Special (Php495). In this classic Hakata-style ramen, pork belly and pork loin are placed on top of ultra-thin noodles in Ippudo’s tonkotsu broth, garnished with salted soft-boiled egg and seaweed.

Shiromaru Tamago (Php420). The Shiromaru with salted soft-boiled egg.

Akamaru Special (Php499). In this modern-style ramen, a special blend of miso paste and garlic enhances Ippudo’s tonkotsu broth. Served with thin noodles and pork belly slices, it is topped by ajikikurage (flavored black fungus), salted soft-boiled egg and seaweed.

It was easy to discern the care and craftmanship that went into the ramen, from the flavorful broth, the springy noodles to the meticulously prepared toppings. These bowls are quite pricy too, so they’re not for everyday eating, but well-suited for those times when you want to treat yourself to an exceptional bowl of ramen.

You might be wondering how you can enjoy Ippudo’s carefully crafted ramen during quarantine. You would be glad to know that it recently opened some of its branches for curbside or courier pickups, making it possible for ramen lovers to have Ippudo at Home. Here’s how:

Send a message to a Yabu branch nearest you via Viber (+63 919 0744557 for SM Megamall, Greenbelt 5 and Powerplant Mall | +63 919 0744564 for Ayala Malls the 30th, Robinsons Magnolia, Ayala Malls Vertis North | +63 919 0744560 for Uptown Mall, Mall of Asia and Robinsons Place Manila)
Include the following details in your message: name, email address, birthday, date, time and store for pickup, orders and desired quantity
After receiving billing confirmation, make your payments via GCash, BPI or BDO
Send proof of payment via Viber
Arrange for pickup

So if you’ve been longing for a taste of Ippudo, fret not. Your lovely bowl of ramen is just a few phone taps away!

This Ippudo branch is located at Second Floor, Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

Other branches are located at:

Robinsons Place Manila
Robinsons Magnolia
Ayala Malls Vertis North
Greenbelt 5
Power Plant Mall
Uptown Place Mall
SM Megamall
Ayala Malls the 30th
Eastwood

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

Fresh flavors of Japanese food at Soru Izakaya, Maginhawa

My fam and I have a very strong affinity towards Japanese food. As it is one of our favorite cuisines, more often than not, we end up choosing Japanese restos when dining out.

Such was the case when we decided to eat out in the Maginhawa, QC area the weekend right before the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was announced.

At Soru Izakaya’s Maginhawa branch, we were able to get a table relatively quickly despite the bustling dinner crowd.

There, we we were able to enjoy our favorite Japanese dishes, which included:

Lava Maki (Php430). Salmon skin, crabsticks and tamago topped with salmon and tuna cubes in spicy mayo. This dish, which served as our appetizer, also featured the whimsical mayo design that Soru Izakaya became known for.

Tantanmen (Php330). Hubby likes his ramen spicy and this one fits the bill. It is made with firm ramen noodles in spicy miso and peanut broth with chasyu pork and mixed vegetables served with slices of seasoned egg. Of course, he had to share some of it with me!

Katsudon (Php295). My princess’ near-constant craving which is made with deep-fried and breaded pork loin served with egg cooked in sweet and savory sauce over steamed rice, topped with melted cheese and onion leeks.

Tomahawk Katsu (Php355). My little boy’s go-to order which consisted of deep-fried breaded pork tomahawk cutlet served with sweet and savory katsu sauce and shredded cabbage doused in roaster sesame dressing. We ordered a cup of rice to go with this dish which the little boy demolished in record time.

Chirashidon (Php360). My new favorite Japanese dish made with torched tuna, salmon sashimi cubes, kani, tamago and endamame over sushi rice. I just love the variations in flavor and texture in every bite.

Looking back, I’m glad that we were able to spend some time together out of the house, enjoying one of our favorite cuisines, before we had to sequester ourselves at home due to the quarantine. (I’m also thankful we managed to stay and healthy thus far.)

We’re all looking forward to the time when we can venture out and go back to our favorite places to dine and enjoy.

How about you? Which of your favorite restos were you able to visit before the quarantine started?

Want a taste of Soru Izakaya’s dishes but stuck at home because of the quarantine? Here’s some good news: During the ECQ, this branch is open from 10am to 5pm daily with a limited menu available for takeout or delivery via Grab Express or Lalamove. To order, text your name, address, contact number and orders to +63 917 7040515, +63 917 6363526 or +63 935 7830298.

When the ECQ is lifted and you can visit the resto with your friends and family, you can also get free dishes when you unlock your Zomato Gold privilege.

Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 (Buy 1 Get 1) deals on food or 2+2 (Buy 2 Get 2) deals on drinks for dining in at partner restaurants. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use the code JELLYB to get 45% off the membership fee.

This Soru Izakaya branch is located at Ground Floor, 140 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City.

Other branches are located at:

Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Scout Torillo corner Scout Fernandez Street, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

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.

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

The Jelly List: Healthy Eats in QC

Healthy eating helps promote overall health and wellness by ensuring that we get the necessary nutrients our bodies need.

Well within Quezon City, there is an abundance of wholesome and nourishing, yet also tasty eats.

Check them out:

Salmon Sriracha Poke Bowl (Php230 for regular bowl| Php150 for junior bowl) at Poke Shack

Poke (pronounced as POKE-KAY) bowls originate from Hawaii, where pieces of fresh fish are chopped into small pieces, marinated in flavorful sauces and served on top of freshly steamed rice along with chopped fresh vegetables, nuts and other toppings that add flavor and texture to the dish. This Salmon Sriracha Poke Bowl, for instance, is made with tempura flour mix, ebiko, furikake, sesame seed with sriracha mayo.

Poke Shack is located at Ground Floor, Tera Tower, Bridgetowne Business Center, Ortigas Avenue Extension corner E. Rodriguez Jr Avenue, Libis, Quezon City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 10pm, Fridays from 10am to 11pm and Saturdays from 11am to 8pm. For inquiries, call +63 926 0718992 or +63 929 3173857.

Yummy and healthy eats at Nomi Cafe, BGC

Being a foodie, I find that when given a choice between what is flavorful and what is healthy, I would usually go for flavor. For me, eating is not just something I do to nourish my body; it is also something I do to calm my mind, soothe my soul or warm my heart.

The thing is: sometimes, there doesn’t have to be a line between flavor and health. At Nomi Cafe, for instance, Japanese food are prepared using fresh produce and premium ingredients to present diners with a meal that whets their appetite while helping them keep themselves healthy.

On our way to our staycation, I took my mom and my daughter to Nomi Cafe in Bonifacio Global City. (Yes, we’re three generations of women out for good food and good vibes!)

We liked the chill, casual and relaxing vibe of the place, from the use of pastel colors, the fun sayings on the walls, to the faux greens under the glass tables that give diners a feeling of nature and freshness.

One of Nomi’s founding partners, Take, was there to tell us more about the cafe’s origins. Take and his friends synergized what they like about their favorite modern Japanese cafes in Kyoto, Osaka and Kyoto, and brought about Nomi Cafe in Bonifacio Global City to a receptive Filipino dining public.

We were able to enjoy some of Nomi Cafe’s yummy and healthy offerings such as:

Beef Me Up (Php350). A balanced bowl of sauteed beef tenderloin, roasted garlic, broccoli, bell peppers, mixed greens, olives and soy garlic dressing on top of steamed Japanese rice, this is perfect for my mom who’s into getting more veggies in her meals. If she wanted to, she could have opted to replace the rice with brown rice or cauliflower rice.

My mom paired this rice bowl with a Berry Power Up (Php180), one of Nomi Cafe’s low-fat smoothies. This drink is made of strawberry, blueberry and acai shipped from Brazil which are then blended with coconut water and yoghurt. This, and the other drinks we ordered, also make use of earth-friendly bamboo straws which makes my environmentally aware daughter very happy.

Pork Katsu Curry Rice (Php330). My daughter has been craving for Japanese curry for some time now, so it’s fortunate that she chanced upon this dish. The katsu pieces were tender and tasty and well complemented by the potato, carrots and curry sauce.

My baby girl, who also happens to be a matcha connoisseur, opted for a Matcha Weight Loss Smoothie (Php190), a banana smoothie infused with organic match flown in from Japan, to enjoy with her rice meal.

Tantanmen (Php395). In yet another instance that proves my #RamenPhase is here to stay, I opted for this spicy and hearty ramen given the day’s sudden burst of rainfall (which, thanks to the inconstant weather deities, dried up by the end of our meal). Tantanmen gets its richness from the sesame seeds and paste incorporated in the soup flavored with ginger, spring onions and other aromatics. Together with the bits of ground pork and tamago, it presents a complex flavor that I just can’t resist.

I got myself a Mango Madness (Php180), made with fresh mangoes mixed with bananas, coconut water and cinnamon to cool and refresh my palate after the Tantanmen.

Nomi Style Cheesecake (Php250/slice). For dessert, we treated ourselves with this confection composed of matcha cheesecake on a graham cracker crust topped with a rich matcha-flavored mousse.

Thanks to the wonderful folks of Nomi Cafe for this fun foodie adventure with my favorite girls!

Nomi Cafe is located at Ground Floor, W City Center, 30th Street corner 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 12 midnight and Sundays from 12 noon to 8pm.

Did you know that if you and a friend dined at Nomi Cafe, you can get some dishes free via Zomato Gold? 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 20% off the membership fee.

Disclosure: Our meal was sponsored by Nomi Cafe as a way for us to sample the fare in exchange for an honest review.

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

I finally ate at Mendokoro Ramenba!

Ever since I started going through my #RamenPhase three years ago, Mendokoro Ramenba has been the gold standard that longtime ramen connoisseurs have been encouraging me to try.

One foodie, in fact, advised me to withhold my judgement on where to find the best ramen until I have tasted what Mendokoro has to offer. What kept me from checking this resto out were news of the long waiting lines and the relative inaccessibility of its original branch in Makati to me.

Soon, I heard news that it opened a new branch in Bonifacio Global City and I eagerly waited for my chance to join the club of ramen aficionados whose tastebuds have experienced the sheer joy of Mendokoro’s ramen bowls.

Well, just the other day, I finally got the chance to taste two of its ramen offerings.

And I must say: I can totally understand the hype.

Mendokoro translates to “shared table” in Nihongo. In keeping with this concept, and consistent with its earlier branch in Makati, this resto features a bar-style seating arrangement. Patrons first order and pay for their food at the cashier, then they are ushered to their seats along the bar which can seat up to forty-five people. The ramen bowls and other food items are assembled in the open kitchen right smack in the middle of the bar and are served as soon as they are done.

After a meeting in a nearby building, my officemates and I, all newbies to Mendokoro Ramenba, decided to head on over to Icon Plaza and get a taste of the resto’s much-vaunted ramen bowls.

We split among ourselves the Shio Tonkotsu (Php370) and Tantanmen (Php420) bowls of the resto’s ramen offerings, two orders of Aji Tamago (Php80/order) and five pieces of Gyoza (Php200) which served as our appetizer.

Tonkotsu ramen are notable for the sheer amount of effort and time needed to properly prepare these dishes. The broth is made by boiling pork bones (“tonkotsu” in Nihongo) and other ingredients in water for up to eight hours, until it takes on a rich, cloudy appearance. Tonkotsu ramen are normally served with noodles that are still slightly firm, then topped with chashu, a slice or marinated pork belly. I prefer the salt-flavored shio ramen over the other options of miso and soy sauces-flavored shoyu ramen; fortunately, my companions agreed with my choice. We added the tamagos – marinated soft-boiled eggs – to our bowls for added richness.

Tantanmen, on the other hand, is the Japanese take on the Sichuan dish Dan Dan Noodles. In this delectable bowl of ramen, the noodles are engulfed with a rich, mildly spicy (we requested that the spiciness level be dialed down) broth, flavored with the nutty sweetness of from the sesame paste.

Each mouthful was a delight and we soon found ourselves slurping our bowls clean. Now I can hardly wait until I can come back to sample the other ramen options available here.

This Mendokoro Ramenba branch is located at Icon Plaza, 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, open daily from 11am to midnight. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 8514844.

Its other branch is located at V. Corporate Center, Soliman Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City. It is open daily from 11am to 12 midnight and assists inquiries and reservations via +63 2 4789625.

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

Accidental Vegetarian Lunch at Wabi Sabi, Tomas Morato

Hidden in a nondescript building along Scout Madrinan in Quezon City is a small noodle house called Wabi Sabi.

Named after the Japanese worldview of finding beauty in impermanence and imperfection, this cozy restaurant embodies “wisdom in natural simplicity.”

A friend and I chanced upon this eatery during one of our more adventurous lunchtime forays. Wanting a change of scenery (as well as food choices), we veered away from our usual haunts and found ourselves at this unusual joint.

My friend and I didn’t realize that it was a vegetarian restaurant at first and by the time we did, I didn’t want to walk back out in the heat of the sun wearing my impractical wedge shoes looking for another place to eat in.

Well, I’m glad we stayed. 🙂

The dining space occupies a small area; it can accommodate around fifteen people. The menu is written in the big chalkboard above the counter. The menu items may seem familiar but they’re all vegetarian and contain no meat.

As this was out first visit, my friend and I decided to try dishes that are a bit more familar to us. She ordered the Tantanmen (Php220) while I got the Shio Ramen (Php200).

The Shio Ramen, on the other hand, also features a meat substitute for the traditional chashu pork slice and the broth is clearer than what I’m used to.

From a taste of Japan, I went for a taste of Vietnam with my post-lunch drink: Kaphe Suada (Php75). Boiling water is poured over Vietnam-grown ground coffee beans into a bed of condensed milk, stirred then poured into a tall glass with ice, resulting into a sweet and invigorating beverage.

Wabi Sabi is a welcome and lucky discovery for me and I don’t mind returning to sample its other healthy offerings.

Wabi Sabi is located at Ground Floor, POS Building, Scout Mandriñan Street Corner Tomas Morato, South Triangle, Quezon City. For inquiries, call +63 918 9622935.