Nagi is a town in Okayma, Japan. Although on their flags, it says Ramen Nagi | Universal Noodle. Could this be the translation I’m looking for?

Maybe the queue was just long. :) Anyway, Ramen Nagi’s interior is bright and loud with the flurry of people and red flags hung all over. I haven’t been to Japan but it feels like eating along its busy streets. And just like how they do it in the land of the ramen, guests are greeted happily in Japanese.

Four kings rule Ramen Nagi’s kingdom:

• Butao (tonkotsu)
• Red (spicy)
• Green (pesto and cheese)
• Black (squid ink)

I decided for the basic: Butao Ramen starting at Php 390. But they’ll hand omotenashi sheet first and red crayon. It can be customized.

Check first!

I didn't choose the easy way out by checking Chef’s Recommendation.

For the soup base, I want it really rich. Special sauce normal so with garlic. For the toppings starting with pork, I chose belly while for the vegetable, cabbage (though I wish I checked onions, instead). I don’t like spicy so checked none. For the noodles, as per the suggestion in Ikkoryu Fukuoka, went for hard.

Ramen Nagi's Butao

Though I enjoyed the ajitama in Ikkoryu Fukuoka, I didn’t add any extras, even tamago.

The broth in Ramen Nagi is the richest and creamiest I’ve had (well I asked for it). The chashu’s thicker and has a mild sweetness. The noodle was really hard, some were even sticking together. It’s a bit expensive than Ikkoryu Fukuoka but it has a relatively bigger bowl. Though lesser toppings.

In terms of taste, there’s just a very slight difference between Ikkoryu Fukuoka and Ramen Nagi. So choosing between, it has to be, again, Kichitora’s Paitan Ramen Zenbu no Se. ;)

Menu: 

   

Rating: 3.5

Ramen Nagi has a branch in:

South Wing, 
Mall of Asia Complex

Pasay City 

Butao favorite ramen food blog food reviews Pasay City ramen craze ramen joints Ramen Nagi restaurant menu SM Mall of Asia tonkotsu zomato rating

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Fukuoka is a city in Southern Japan on Kyushu. It’s where Tonkotsu ramen, a popular regional style of ramen originated.

I tried searching what Ikkoryu means. Sorry. Nil.

Going back to Kyushu, Tonkotsu is characterized by its thin, straight noodles in rich and creamy pork broth. That can only be done after laborious boiling.

According to Ikkoryu Fukuoka, their ramen is special because of the ff:

• Tonkotsu soup
• Noodle- freshly made using premium flour from Japan
• Chashu- roast pork cooked in a stringent process
• Special soy sauce- secret soy sauce producing the rich ramen soup

People are raving about it. Let me see.

Upon entering Ikkoryu Fukuoka, tall wooden fences with Japanese calligraphy dotted by red chairs welcome everyone. That is, alongside with the staff’s loud “irrashaimase” (“welcome” in Japanese).

The menu welcomes guests, too

The interior exudes coziness and the staff are ready to suggest what best to eat. So as recommended, Ajitama Tonkatsu at Php 380 it is.

Hot bowl of Ajitama

The ramen is topped with special half boiled egg fully marinated with special blended soy sauce base. Of course, there’s also the chashu, green onions, bamboo shoots, wood ear and dried seaweed.

The tonkotsu soup for me is rich and creamy, but very basic. My heart still roots for Kichitora’s PaitanRamen Zenbu no Se.

The noodle quality is okay. Chose it ‘hard’, as suggested too.

The chashu is thin and big enough. And the fatty portion, I’m quite satisfied. But the best chashu’s I’ve ever tasted was in Hokkaido Ramen Santouka.

Then the star of the ramen: ajitama or boiled eggs. Yummy! It’s so soft and runny in a good way. I enjoyed it. Truly, the cream of the crop.

For the salad, they recommended Tofu Salad at Php 160 and it’s good. What I love about it is the sweet something-like-chips on top. It added texture and a bit of flavor to the salad as there’s nothing to expect from a tofu. As always, Japanese dressing’s yummy.

Yummy tofu salad

Aside from the very proactive staff, their service is fast, too. Additional points for that.

Menu here:

 

 
Rating: 3.5 

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen has a branch in:

Wack-Wack 5/L, Shangri-la Plaza Mall 

EDSA, Shaw Blvd. cor. EDSA, 

Mandaluyong City

Ajitama Tonkatsu chashu favorite ramen Fukuoka meaning Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen irrashaimase Japan Japanese food Kyushu Mandaluyong ramen joints restaurant menu Shangri-La special ramen Tofu Salad

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Chinese cuisine is so comforting. We’re so used to it that some are household dish already. Around the metro, there are so many of this to choose from. One of my favorites is Hap Chan. 

Happily enough, Lido Cocina Tsina is not far down the list.

Their serving isn't big even when tagged as ‘for sharing’. But not so much of an issue if their dishes are pleasant, which is a yes for me.

Lido Pugon Asado at Php 285 (1/4) tastes like Chinese Ham. It reminds me of Christmas. Pork quality is good, just the right amount of fatty portion. I’m not sure, but I think the sauce is made of honey.

Tastes like Chinese Ham

Sizzling Squid in Seafood Sauce at Php 285 is surprisingly yummy, too. I love its little spicy kick.

But the serving is just small

Their Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet at Php 245 is fine, too. A close match of Hap Chan’s. But the latter’s still better.

Sweet and sour is a favorite!

The Stir-fried Seasonal Vegetable at Php 185 has a very light flavor. I can even go as to say the veggies are fresh. Interestingly, it has mongo sprouts.

Eating healthy :)

Service is below average. The place can get too cramped at times, too.

Menu:

 

  
Rating: 3.5

Lido Cocina Tsina has a branch in:

South Park High Commercial Complex,

262 Alabang Zapote Rd.,

Talon Uno,

Las Piñas City

Chinese cuisine food blog food review food trip Las Piñas City Lido Cocina Tsina Lido menu and price Pugon Asado Sweet and Sour

Saturday, March 14, 2015

#FASTGOOD!

True! Fast-food price twice the goodness! Saw this accidentally after jogging along Ayala. Thought that Bon Chon’s the cheapest chow around but wait, Chef Lau’s here to save the night.

It's Chef Lau on the logo

As a first timer, ordered Pugon Roast Chicken at Php 114 with drinks included. Serving size’s not a heaping and when you look at it, it seems ordinary. Except looking closer, there were sauce drippings and a few spices on top of the chicken. And it smells good.

Looks ordinary until...

Thanks to lemongrass. Bet they marinated it overnight. Even the chicken meat’s good. Not unlike in Bon Chon where only the skin’s blessed.

Menu here!

I’m excited other dishes here. I know it won’t take long as I only need a few bucks. 

 
Rating: 4

Chef Lau Pugon Roasters has a branch in:

Ayala Triangle Gardens,

Salcedo Village, Makati City

affordable ayala triangle cheap finds Chef Lau fastgood food blog food review Makati food trip must-try Pinoy masterchef pugon roast chicken restaurant sulit meals

Saturday, March 07, 2015

I love kwek-kwek, proben and isaw! But Latin American street foods? Never heard.

One lucky night, I found myself in Brasas.  All I can say was, “Ay! Caramba”! I wanna salsa after eating!

Brasas serves Latin American, i.e, Cuban, Argentinian, Colombian, Peruvian, etc. It translates to “live, hot coal” and true enough, I’d tasted a fanfare of bursting flavors straight from the charcoal.

Flaming hot!

Street food theme, the interior has that comfortable vibe. Wooden tables and chairs; blackboards with doodles; brick walls and bottles of drinks on the counter; they all added up to that relaxing ambiance.

Salsa, anyone?

Already impressed with the cool place, it doubled-over after. Here’s why starting with their Picada:

Patacones at Php 180 (Single). Crispy plantain chips with smoked pulled pork, tomato salsa and melted Monterey Jack Cheese.

Hey ,Jack! 

I’m not a fan of hard chips but it was good! Pork was so flavorful and cheese, generous. Yes, it’s crispy (but hard), too.

Ay! Caramba la Papa at Php 190. Season potatoes with smoked bacon bits, salsa de queso and pico de gallo.

Just munch

I liked this better. Chips with the above goodness= deadly combination.

Ensalada de la Casa at Php 220 (Sharing, Vegetarian). Seasonal greens, South American slaw, tortilla chips, choice of dressing: lime-cilantro, orange-walnut and honey Dijon.

Did not add meat anymore

A nice break from all the meat. Just an ordinary salad.

Puerco Asado at Php 310 (Cuba).  Slow-roasted pork belly with crunchy skin, Tajadas, rice & beans and South American slaw.

What a great dish! My favorite from among. The pork was really good and the skin uber crunchy. I love the rice and beans, too! Plus with the Chimichurri sauce, oh yummy!

Puerco Asado x Carne Asada Wrap

Serving is only good for one, though.

Carne Asada Platter at Php 290 (Colombia). Charcoal grilled beef sirloin, South American slaw, Spanish rice and Chimichurri sauce.

Love the colors!

It doesn’t look appetizing, but it’s good. Nice play of colors, too. And the Chimichurri added zest!

Carne Asada Wrap at Php 310. Charcoal grilled beef sirloin, sautéed onions, roasted bell peppers, pico de gallo wrapped in soft flour tortilla.

Hefty carne

So filling! It was a pocketful wrap oozing with a nice kick of spice.

Pollo Asado Wrap at Php 260. Charcoal grilled chicken thigh fillet, sautéed onions, roasted bell peppers wrapped in soft flour tortilla.

Chicken version of the carne asada wrap. Which one did I like more? Still the beef version.

  

For drinks, they have single in glass and for sharing in carafe. Aside from the mojito, they also recommend Brasacolada at Php 140 (good for three) with mango, pineapple, strawberry and coconut milk. How refreshing!

Brasas's version of pinacolada

Brasas’s a not so cheap street food but it’s a must-try! Delicioso!

Menu here:

 

 

Rating: 4

Brasas has a branch in:

G/F SM Jazz,

Nicanor Garcia St.,

Bel-Air, Makati

Brasas casual dining charcoal grilled food blog food reviews Latin American street food Makati food trip SM Jazz zomato rating

Sunday, March 01, 2015