I was so happy with my Ichiro Japanese Casual Restaurant experience that I decided to push again for another great find the next day. Parallel to One Archer's place where Ichiro was located lies Tori Box, a non-descript restaurant that's quite easy to miss when just walking on the sidewalk.

toribox taft manila tonkatsu review facade

toribox taft manila tonkatsu review decors

Fast-food like, gave it a shot. Still motivated by the yumminess of the previous day's Cheese Roll Kastu,  this time in Tori Box went for Cheese Katsu (chose pork between chicken) at Php 145.

toribox taft manila tonkatsu review review

When the order arrived, here's what it offered: Katsu as big as my hands spread, a lump of cabbages and shredded cabbages. I bought separately the Red Iced tea, 16 oz, at Php 30.

toribox taft manila tonkatsu cheese tonkatsu

Attacked the cabbages first but it wasn't as good as Ichiro's. So okay, placed my bet on the Cheese Katsu. But I didn't let my hopes high as judging from it, it's dry. It looks very different, too. The cheese here was just spread on top. I was right that it's not as juicy. It was like eating porkchop. The cheese also didn't help much as it doesn't taste like it.

toribox taft manila tonkatsu cheese tonkatsu1

In the end, I concluded, it's cheaper but better in Ichiro. For a quick fix, I'd rather eat Chickenjoy but okay, it wasn't a complete loss.


Click to add a blog post for Toribox Cafe on Zomato
: 3


Tori Box is located at:


Beside One Archer's Place,
Taft Avenue, Malate,
Manila
Whenever we have birthday celebrations in the office, our go-to patisserie is Purple Oven. But once we tried to break the rules and headed farther to Cheesecake Melliza.

Cheesecake Melliza is located along the one-way Kamagong street in Makati. It's just a small bakeshop but they sell yumminess. Bought Blueberry Cheesecake for our boss at Php 890.

cheesecake melliza san antonio makati blueberry cheesecake
Blueberry love :)
It's not only looking oh-so heavenly, it is heaven! What's nice about it is its moderate sweetness. It complemented the light zest of the blueberry, too.

Excited for more birthday celebrations with a Cheesecake!


Click to add a blog post for Cheesecake Melliza on Zomato 
: 3.5


Cheesecake Melliza is located at:


9696 Kamagong St.,
San Antonio Village, 
Makati City 
Frequenting in Taft Avenue, Manila can bear results such as finding a gem restaurant. And that's what we concluded when we found out about Ichiro Japanese Casual Restaurant. 

ichiro japanese casual restaurant taft manila facade

ichiro japanese casual restaurant taft manila menu

Ichiro is proud of their authentic Japanese cuisine from tonkatsu, sushi and maki, ramen, udon, donburi and etc. We noticed that their tonkatsu meals come in set and there were a lot to choose from. At that time, Ross Katsu was sold out. Second option was Cheese Roll Kastu (Pork Ham and Cheese) at Php 185 plus Php 10 for juice.

Waited for just about five minutes for our bentos to be served. During this time, noticed the Japanese vibe of the restaurant's decors: wooden chairs plus Japanese characters as figurines or painting hung above. It has a homey feel and I liked it.

ichiro japanese casual restaurant taft manila interior


ichiro japanese casual restaurant taft manila decors

In the middle of our admiration came the Cheese Roll Kastu set. In the set were four slices of the Katsu, cheese oozing so that it distracts, a cup of rice, lump of cabbages with Japanese Mayo, miso soup, tonkatsu sauce and sesame seeds and a red iced tea.

ichiro japanese casual restaurant taft manila tonkatsu sauce

ichiro japanese casual restaurant taft manila tonkatsu sauce1

I always try the miso first though I don't like it and my stance remains. Next I tried the shredded cabbages with Japanese Mayo (asking for additional sauce is at Php 10). It's so good. Better than Yabu: House of Katsu inasmuch as I can remember. I enjoyed munching it and thought that's the best part already. Just paid around Php 200 so my expectations are calculated.

ichiro japanese casual restaurant taft manila cheese roll katsu bento


ichiro japanese casual restaurant taft manila cheese roll katsu bento 1

But no. If I can sum it as, "I've tasted the best Katsu ever!" then by all means. Why? First, the crust just crumbles with every bite! I bet even if I don't have teeth, I can still munch it. The meat follows suit, too. The cheese ends it in a very nice note. I remember just blubbering how good it was during the course of the meal.

Well, unlike in Yabu, it's not unlimited though. But it's value-meal at its best. It's really must-try in Taft. In this encloses my wish that they continue to be consistent. I have to be back to check. :-)


Click to add a blog post for Ichiro on Zomato 
:4.5


Ichiro Japanese Casual Restaurant is located at:


2/F One Archer's Place,
Taft Avenue, 
Malate, Manila

 

Hello friends out there! I renamed my blog from www.hellosheena.blogspot.com to www.eatsdelicious.blogspot.com.

Please be guided! Happy eating :)
An immersion in a different culture will not be complete without tasting their local dish or restaurant. So when in Shanghai, again didn't ate Lumpia, devoured and ate local.

This was my food trip journey in SH and I'm sorry that I cannot rack some of the prices from my brain.

1. Traditional Chinese along French Concession
As I cannot read Mandarin, I just would have to resort to posting the name of the restaurant.

shanghai china travel food trip traditional chinese along french concession

shanghai china travel food trip traditional chinese along french concession when in china

It's just small and non-air conditioned but was just happy to try local. Had big bowl of noodles with fish. It's flavorful considering the fish. And I can remember the noodle being much thicker than what I was used to.

shanghai china travel food trip traditional chinese along french concession fish noodles

Next had this tofu version. It's good and quite sweet.

shanghai china travel food trip traditional chinese along french concession sweet tofu

Too bad I wasn't able to take picture of their crispy chicken. It's like a tonkatsu and it was very yummy. Maybe I was too impressed with it that I forgot I'm a blogger. Hahaha.

Recommended? Yes, by all means.

2. 1937 AD Polo
This one is quite a fine dining restaurant (although I'm not pretty, pretty sure of the name, forgive me). The chandelier would speak for itself. Inside is very large, it even has a second floor landing. It was quite full during lunch time when we went to took the second floor. I remember going up, we saw aquariums of fishes that I believe were part of the menu.

shanghai china travel food trip 1937 AD polo 1

shanghai china travel food trip 1937 AD polo 2

For appetizer, had this vegetable. It's a stalk of lotus but I don't darn know where on earth did they get it. I can compare it to eating langka, only that this one's harder. The way it was cooked was sweet, too. Just had one.

shanghai china travel food trip lotus

This Peking Duck, same with the veggie lotus, was cooked in a sweet way. I wished it was chicken so that I'd get more meat even those close to the bones. It was hard eating it with just chopsticks!

shanghai china travel food trip 1937 AD polo peking duck

Then fish! I forgot to ask what kind of fish is this but this one I find delicious. Again, it's sweet and the fish was fresh. Great combo.

shanghai china travel food trip 1937 AD polo fish

Lastly, had this sweet pork. It's close to our hamonado. On top of it are nut that was said to make one smarter. So nibbled my share.

shanghai china travel food trip 1937 AD pork

What I enjoyed most was the drink. Outside, it's sold at 5RMB only but here it's 8RMB. But it didn't matter because it was so refreshingly sweet.

shanghai china travel food trip 1937 AD yummy drink

When I went back to Manila, I got the habit of looking for it at convenience stores.

3. Hooters
Well Hooters has a branch in Manila, too. Specifically in SM Mall of Asia Complex. 

shanghai china travel food trip hooters

Naturally, I enjoyed the food here because they serve American foods. Bet men would like it here too as servers are pretty and skinny girls in skimpy clothes. They performed, too. But they weren't good sexy dancers compared here. Haha

Don't have photos, of the girls and the food, but I enjoyed their Burger Bites and everything we chose except the Onion rings. 

I hope to try it in Manila, too. I miss the burger bites. Though hoping it's not as expensive.

4. Tsui Wah Restaurant
Originated in Hong Kong, Tsui Wah was famous before for the quality of food. Although now, it started to deteriorate.

shanghai china travel food trip tsui wah restaurant

And I second the motion. Here tried the ff:

Mixed vegetables where the veggies are yet hard.

shanghai china travel food trip tsui wah restaurant mixed veggies

Curry that was so spicy. I can't take it.

shanghai china travel food trip tsui wah restaurant curry

This pork which I hoped to redeem everything but didn't.


Coffee something. The coffee was stronger than the other part of the mixture, which is milk I suppose.

Serving was very small, too.

5. Honeymoon Desserts
Obviously, they serve desserts. Tried their branch in a mall near People's Square. Just like Tsui Wah, it's also from Hong Kong. Generally, desserts served here are not so sweet. As for the cost each, it ranges from 25RMB to 35RMB.

shanghai china travel food trip honeymoon restaurant

The first one was a concoction of red beans, jelly topped with ice cream. As I don't really eat red beans cold, it was a shock to me. If I do, I'd probably enjoy it, though.

shanghai china travel food trip honeymoon restaurant yummy dessert

Now this one was shaved ice with glutinous rice topped with a slice of mango. This one I enjoyed very much. The shaved ice portion was not so sweet but paired with the glutinous rice and mango, it's good.

shanghai china travel food trip honeymoon dessert 1

Durian was king in this one, the one in an ice cream scoop. But it's not a flavored ice cream, it's like a blended one. Now at first it's quite okay but at the end, the durian was already overpowering.

shanghai china travel food trip honeymoon dessert 2

Last but not the least is an enjoyable snack, too. It's a wrapped fruit, in this case mango, with whip. Great! 

shanghai china travel food trip honeymoon dessert mango crepe

6. Nine Thirty by Awfully Chocolate
Another dessert haven!

shanghai china travel food trip nine thirty by awfully chocolate

shanghai china travel food trip nine thirty by awfully chocolate yummy cakes

Chocolate Cake Crepe at 37RMB was layer after layer of chocolate goodness with wine. A combination to reckon.

shanghai china travel food trip nine thirty by awfully chocolate crepe cake

White Chocolate Swiss Roll at 29RMB. This was my bet though. Caramel paired with the moist chiffon, perfect!

shanghai china travel food trip nine thirty by awfully chocolate swiss roll

7. Element Fresh
Just had drinks here at night in their XinTianDi branch. But Element Fresh is a famous restaurant in Shanghai. You'll see it almost anywhere. Instead of going for liquor, opted for a healthier detox drink.

shanghai china travel food trip element fresh xintiandi

shanghai china travel food trip element fresh xintiandi

Mine's on the right in green. It's a concoction of greens including cucumber. Interesting taste.

8. Costa Coffee
Now they have Costa Coffee here in Manila. In SH, Tried their very yummy Goji berry drink at, if I'm not mistaken, 35RMB. Good berries.

shanghai china travel food trip costa coffee

Some tips:
1. Tried McDonalds in Shanghai. To my surprise, their menu is in ala carte. I'm so used to value meals in Manila. Language barrier adding, I ordered for a cheeseburger plus coke but was served only the coke at 9RMB. Making the matter worse, when I lined-up again for my Cheeseburger, it just cost 8RMB. And I can't complain. How can I?

2. Aside from McDo, also tried KFC. I can't remember the name of what I ate but it's a big square bun with glazed chicken and veggies inside and oh my, what a serving! If only KFC in Manila is as big and as delicious... Sometimes I just can't wonder why my Php 50 in PH is just a fistful. I wanna punch for that.


For those Shanghai, China bound, don't just enjoy the view. Eat and be merry! 
Did you know that Lumpia traces its roots from China? And rightfully so because in the Philippines, Lumpiang Shanghai next to pancit is a common dish during celebrations.

And I'm so happy because finally, I was able to set foot, not in Lumpia, but in Shanghai, China.

Compared to Manila, Shanghai is an advanced metropolitan city. Not only meaning the fidelity of Wifi connection everywhere. The financial district of the communist country is also a hot pot of different cultures. For one, parts of the city were once conquered by different nations, and today foreigners are everywhere because of business.

The city of Shanghai is subdivided into the "old" and "new", as they say. On the WEST side of the Huangpu River is Puxi, the old side where historical architecture can be admired. Pudong, on the EAST, is the cosmopolitan version. It's the home to Shanghai's famous backdrop: Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center and Shanghai Tower.

shanghai china travel blog three tallest towers

Here are the places and activities I was able to relish in Shanghai. Some are highly recommend, others is up to the traveler to decide:

Must-See and See-For-Yourself Places and Activities

1. The Bund on Puxi side of the river
It is perhaps one of the most prominent cityscape around with Shanghai's famous buildings on the frontier.

shanghai china travel blog the bund on puxi

shanghai china travel blog the bund on puxi panorama

I've seen it both during daytime and nighttime. Huangpu River dividing it adds the drama that sometimes picture cannot capture. It's a delight to the eyes. It's like a look in the future. But best seen at nighttime where dancing lights are on display including LED advertisements on the building's facade. Tried to catch a picture of me with I <3 data-blogger-escaped-font="" data-blogger-escaped-shanghai.="">

shanghai china travel blog the bund on puxi day time

shanghai china travel blog the bund on puxi day time panorama

It could have been more beautiful if I could see the clouds. Apparently, Shanghai sky is polluted.

2. The Bund on Pudong side
If on Puxi side it's a look in the future, The Bund on Pudong Side is like a lookback from it. Almost the same venue but different scenario. The old buildings from Shanghai can be seen from this side of the river. Thanks to Huangpu River, it's like looking at Shanghai in different perspectives.

shanghai china travel blog the bund on pudong

shanghai china travel blog the bund on pudong panorama

I recommend to see both, at night.

3. Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) Observatory
SWFC used to be the highest building in Shanghai at 100 floors or 492 meters high. Although Shanghai Tower took the spot already, it was still worth visiting. Barely 360 degrees of Shanghai skyline, on the left side upon entrance high buildings are in view but they were never as high as SWFC (except for the tallest now). Jin Mao, a high building too looked small in this height. What's amazing on this part is the close up view of Oriental Pearl Tower.

shanghai china travel blog shanghai world financial center swfc 100F

shanghai china travel blog shanghai world financial center swfc 100F observatory

shanghai china travel blog shanghai world financial center swfc 100F observatory 1

On the right is just flat, rows after rows of Shanghai neighborhood. In my mind, it's like the contrast of Puxi and Pudong. High rise on the left, low buildings on the right.

In the Observatory, there's also clear portion on the floor (view point) where you can look through down. It was scary at first. Good thing the glass was kind of frosted (or dirty) that you know you're stepping on something.

shanghai china travel blog shanghai world financial center swfc 100F view point


Thrilling it was, yes. All these at 180 RMB. Best at night, too.

shanghai china travel blog shanghai world financial center swfc 100F

4. Shanghai Circus World- ERA: Intersection of Time
They say it's a must see show in Shanghai, and I agree. Got the second to the last tier at 220 RMB ticket for ERA: Intersection of Time.

shanghai china travel blog shanghai circus world era intersection of time

shanghai china travel blog shanghai circus world era intersection of time

shanghai china travel blog shanghai circus world era intersection of time performance

shanghai china travel blog shanghai circus world era intersection of time performance 1

It was heart stopping and the cast were brilliantly amazing. Pictures were not allowed to be taken, but I'm a blogger. Can't help it.

5. French Concession
It's a breeze to walk along French Concession. It was called such because before, this part of the city was colonized by France. As such, buildings were designed after the taste of France. And the houses were a delight to the eyes.

shanghai china travel blog french concession

shanghai china travel blog french concession

It was also where we ate local Chinese food and bought dried tea leaves. What's amazing in this part of the globe is that they have different kinds of tea leaves depending on the need. I bought sunflower because it washes down toxins from the body. A great pasalubong for my parents.

Unlike in Manila, their weather is relatively cold making the stroll a pleasing activity.

6. Nanjing Road
Another busy street in Shanghai. Aside from malls, there are also boutique shops on street level.

7. Yuyuan Garden
Yuyuan is a traditional Chinese area in Shanghai. Inside, there are shops for pasalubong but the main attraction was the old Chinese building on a water-feature.

shanghai china travel blog yuyuan garden

shanghai china travel blog yuyuan tourist map

shanghai china travel blog yuyuan garden heritage


shanghai china travel blog yuyuan garden traditional chinese

There's also Yuyuan Garden but it's a paid area so didn't bother. Just bought pasalubong from keychains to t-shirt. And hey, bargaining is allowed but in Mandarin, of course.

8. XinTianDi
Typical Chinese homes converted to shops, now it's quite a high-end place where yuppies go at nighttime. Went there at daytime to take pictures of their Architecture. Went back again to cap the night.

shanghai china travel blog xintiandi day time

shanghai china travel blog xintiandi symbol fountain

shanghai china travel blog xintiandi street

9. Jing'an Temple
I have this notion that in China, a temple is a must visit place. Problem is, I'm not a Buddhist. So only looked at it outside. Jing'an a relatively new temple. I believe in Beijing, there many of these to enjoy.

shanghai china travel blog jing'an temple

These pictures were taken across the temple. Went back again at Kerry Center in Jing'an after.

10. Fuxing Park
One relatively small Park in Shanghai. Just went inside due to walking fatigue. Surprised to see that inside, there were lots of old people just enjoying the coolness of nature.

shanghai china travel blog fuxing park

shanghai china travel blog fuxing park garden

shanghai china travel blog fuxing park attraction

I feel quite envious because in Manila, I don't know any park full of flowers in bloom such as in Fuxing. I saw how they value culture (even if the communist brought all down, though). Plus, it's amazing that the old ones can have park to themselves in the middle of the city.

11. People's Square
This one is a relatively huge Park. Went there by Shanghai subway. Though not as pretty as Fuxing or even Yuyuan, this spot has a special place in their history.

shanghai china travel blog peoples park

shanghai china travel blog peoples park

12. Maglev Train
Maglev or Magnetic Levitation train. This pride of Shanghai, is a must especially when going back to the airport (bring itinerary plane ticket to get 10RMB discount).

shanghai china travel blog maglev train

shanghai china travel blog maglev train longyang station

shanghai china travel blog maglev train fast


shanghai china travel blog maglev train experience

Maximum speed is at 301 kph but you won't feel the rush. Only when there's a train speeding on the opposite site. It was amazing!

The 1 hour ride to the airport was just taken at 15 minutes.

13. Just stroll around Puxi area
Near the Bund, there are views worth indulging in. Such as these:

shanghai china travel blog puxi area

shanghai china travel blog puxi area

shanghai china travel blog puxi area

And oh, went inside Fairmont Peace Hotel, too.

14. Try other local transport such as their commuter train
They have a complicated map but lucky to be with a local. 

shanghai china travel blog train

shanghai china travel blog train ticket

Shanghai malls are also interesting. Was able to visit these three:

1. Kerry Center
2. K11

shanghai china travel blog k11 mall


3. IAMP

shanghai china travel blog iamp mall

shanghai china travel blog iamp mall

Is there anything I missed? Where else is a must-see in Shanghai?

Shanghai Tips:

After a few days on this side of the globe, here are my tips to consider:

1. No FB and Instagram- Taiwanese connect to a VPN connection to access these sites. Although Chinese have their own version of these. Viber is very weak too so I suggest to download the WeChat app for communication and connect it to FB to post photos realtime.

2. Worse than that, no Google. Imagine if you're out on a workday and needs to access GMAIL? Terrible, right? Yahoo is fine but slower. If you can ask them to send files thru WeChat, much better.

3. Buy a local sim if in dire need to communicate. Tried China Unicom. And unlike in the Philippines,  they are more on the calls side. They offer big mobile data allocation, too. But what use is this without access to our social media? Research, can be. Free wifi connection in the city also needs a local number for registration.

4. Most Chinese can't understand English. Better learn a few words. Or download a translate app. I tried to say "comfort room" in Chinese to no avail. They can't understand my accent!

5. Water scarcity! Well not really but people there are tea drinkers. Water in the restos are usually bought, or else they'd give hot water. Buying outside, though can just cost 2RMB per bottle.

6. Go to free museums. Didn't had the time to but I heard it's worth the visit.

I wish that more Filipinos can go out the country. A progressive city is a sight to see, not only meaning Shanghai of course. If only our roots can travel alot, it will make us wiser, it will help us realize what we're loosing.

Anyhow, I didn't mean to end on a sad note. To those whose sails are China-bound, enjoy!