Well Kaya Korean Restaurant on our Korean Part 1 is quite a bit an expensive K-raving. If K-raving is unstoppable yet the budget is, why not try Kim n' Chi in Glorietta 4?

I always order their set meals, and for just Php 119, solb!

This is their Beef Stew Set Meal:

The bento Korean

UPCLOSE: Beef stew

UPCLOSE: Other sidings

UPCLOSE: Chapchae

Aside from the tender and sweet beef stew, it has Chapchae with bean sprouts, skewered crabsticks with meatloaf strips in between leeks, and something like a tamago sushi with crabstick in the middle plus dilis. Their Chapchae of course cannot compete with Kaya's but it's tasty enough for me. What I like among the side dishes is the skewered goodies and the tamago (sound like Japanese, though). And oh, their beef stew is not that far from Kaya's.

I've also tried their Vienna Sausage Set Meal, one sweet meal.

Kim n Chi is located at


Glorietta 4 Food Court
Near the movie houses :)

Beef Stew Chapchae cheap finds food blog Food Court food review Glorietta 4 Kim n' Chi Makati City restaurants reviews verdict

Friday, September 13, 2013

While everybody's going gaga over Korea, I just chill. Oblivious to what the fuss was all about.

Except when the hit song 'Gangnam Style' came, I was suddenly aware of their craze. Put everything else in between plus my 'fangirl' office mates, it's not hard to deduce why I ended up in a posh Korean Restaurant. That is, despite the fact that not even the names I can well pronounce :P

Kaya Korean Restaurant exhibits a truly Asian interior, homey actually. I'm quite surprised too that their service is quite fast (although it's a down time when we went there). Suddenly, our table were filled with K-goodness:

1. Free appetizers with KimChi, Kaya Salad and etc! What a fine way to dine, right? Although I was informed that this is really a Korean tradition.

2. Japchae, sweet potato noodles sauteed with beef and vegetables (Php 160). Three-thumbs up! I knew it when I've read, "sweet potato noodles!". I love the balance of its flavors and the texture of the noodles. Must-try I must say!

3. Sam Kyup Sal, grilled fresh pork belly strips (Php 170). Perfect with Sangchoo, fresh lettuce served with soybean paste (Php 110). It's like eating a salad, the Korean way. I enjoyed the experience more than the taste though. Bet I placed excessive soybean paste and thought of it as corned beef. @_@

Freshly grilled. 

4. Ojingo Gui, grilled spicy squid (Php 180). Good try for the seafood lovers.

5. Kalbi Jim, Korean beef stew (Php 240). A good try too. Its sweet sauce is viand in itself. Not to mention how it was tenderly cooked. No much frills, just delectable. I enjoyed pouring it over my rice.

Not an eye-friendly photo. I guess we were all way excited back then. 

6. For our Jungol or hot pot, we had Gobnak, entraits, octopus, vegetable and noodle casserole (Php 800).  This was way too hot for me. But what is Korean that isn't hot? One of my office mates said that this was his best bet among. He kept on raving about how he gobbled several bowls the day after :)

7. Mondeum Mandoo, fried and steamed mixed dumpling (Php 155). I got excited when we decided to have this. I tried the fried but the flavor didn't much satisfy. With the sauce, it's just fair.

8. And a send off for all of us :) Kamsa-ham-nida!

I guess to fully enjoy a Korean dish, I have to fully embrace the culture that comes with it. Sometimes, it's not all about the taste but how you enjoyed savoring it. Case in point, I got full with the meals served, enjoyed several of their dishes but I have to love the spicy parts so that I can take it holistically.

Then again, consider a Php 300/ head when planning to eat in Kaya. :)

Kaya Korean Restaurant is located at:
62 Jupiter St.,
Bel-Air, Makati

 

food blog food review Gobnak Jungol Japchae Jupiter St. Kalbi Jim Kaya Korean Restaurant Kaya Salad Kimchi Makati Mondeum Mandoo reviews Sam Kyup Sal Sangchoo verdict

Thursday, September 05, 2013

One spontaneous Wednesday night, all the buses going down South were so full it was almost Vito Cruz when we found a decent bus. Tiring as it was, walking along Taft Avenue in a nippy night brings to mind memories of good ol’ place to hang out.

As the bell tolled 6:30pm the next day, we found an easier route to Taft, gather our colleagues as we went giddy to Café Noriter, our new playground.

And playground it was, as the Korean translation of the word. It’s not really a playground where kids play. It’s a classroom setting where creative juices come to play!

What’s fun about Café Noriter was that we get to express ourselves and how can you be not compelled?

How can you not when this table comes with blank paper cups to pour our thoughts on?

How can we stare blankly into space where nothing in between is blank?

This is a haven where vandalism isn't a crime.

My Lemon iced tea (Php 90) (not that much of a coffee lover given the time of the day) and Tuna Sandwich (Php 110) were just all complementary. Next time, I'll try their frappes :)

I didn't enjoy the food but the ambiance was so conducive to laughter and banter!


Café Noriter is located at:

2746 Reyes Bldg., 
Estrada St. (at Taft Ave.)

Parallel to Tapa King

Cafe Noriter coffee shop food blog food review Korean Korean Art Coffee Shop Manila Noriter playground reviews Taft verdict

Sunday, August 18, 2013

I'm not a rice lover, but for those who are, Kanin Club surely is a haven.

Spoiler alert: We haven't tried any of their specialty rice but who says we can't go back to try again? Besides, they have this relatively new branch in Westgate, Alabang. Hurraaaah!

Kanin Club is distinctly Filipino: from the wooden doors, stained glasses, colorful paintings everywhere to wooden tables with Capiz shells. The ambiance inside is a mixture of homey feeling with something modern about it. 

Unmistakably too, they serve Filipino dish with a twist. 

This is their Crispy Dinuguan (Php 274). Until upon looking at it, I can't still figure out why it's called crispy. Only when I've tasted  it's crunchiness did it dawned on me why. It's chicharon-goodness beneath! Perfect with the tangy dinuguan sauce. Heart-stopping!

Hello there Kare-Kare (Php 376)! The thing with me eating Kare-Kare, though weird it is, I don't eat it with bagoong. I approve of Kare-Kares which are tasty as is. And here, I got what I wished for. A light, hearty and creamy Kare-Kare! Yum!

Went a bit Spanishy with Beef Callos (Php 430) here. The sauce is good, you can even take it home, boil your own spaghetti noodle and devour. 

Just beware though when eating in Kanin Club. On the menu are yummy tasting innocent angels, but watch out, these goodness can be treacherous devils to the heart!

  

Rating: 4.5

Kanin Club is located at:

Westgate, Alabang-Zapote Rd

Alabang, Muntinlupa

Beef Callos Crispy Dinuguan food blog food review Kanin club Kare-Kare price restaurant reviews verdict Westgate Alabang

Sunday, August 11, 2013

This is probably the peg of Movie Stars Cafe in Seaside Blvd, Mall of Asia Complex. I find the concept really creative: you eat their choice buffet while being entertained by the stars themselves. They dance around you, they pose for pictures beside you and there are also statues all about the place. It's like a one big movie house where movie characters come alive.

The entertainment side is really something to clap about from the costumes to the production number itself. In fact days after, 'we are the cartoon heeroes-oh-oh-oh' kept ringing in my head.

For when you look up, you will see. There's so many memorabilias to see around and the most amazing of them all? Their little Harry Potter collection almost stashed near the entrance. At first (although I don't have the pictures) we realized Fawkes in the corner. Then Hermoine's Time Turner, the Mirror of Erised, and the Goblet of Fire all seated in one place! Amazing finds for Harry Potter fans!

In terms of the food, there's 2 kinds of buffets to choose from:

• 6:00- 9:00pm- Dinner Dino Buffet (a hamburger and sandwich buffet)

[which includes: various kinds of sausages from bratwurst and wiener, beef hotdogs, cheeses, patties, chili con carne, cheese sauce, salad selection, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, french fries, mixed veggies, beef tenderloin steak, fish & chips, assorted fruits ans pastries. Drinks not included]

• 10:00- 2:00pm- Midnight Dino Buffet

[which includes: pica-pica foods from crispy crablets served with sweet chili sauce, buffalo chicken wings, chicken liver romaki, an assortment of sushi and sashimi, fried calamari, jalapeno poppers, cream cheese poppers, cheddar poppers, grilled mixed sausage, fish finger with tartar sauce, flavored potato chips, assorted coated french fries, chili sausages, beef salpicao, vegetable sticks, assorted dimsum and dumplings, Hungarian meat balls, on the spot Tempura Station, on the spot Sisig Station. Bottomless drinks such as local, draft beers, cocktails, juice and soda also await those who dare pass their T-Rex gastronomical territory. :) ]

We tried the Dinner Dino Buffet. It's a bit cheaper and convenient (in terms of time) but if you have the luxury of time and a decent ride home, might as well take the Midnight Dino Buffet. There's more food selection that will surely make your tummy bulge. But no regrets for the Dino Buffet. Because after we partied at UNO!

      

(Clockwise: fish and chips (onion rings), mixed vegetables and the DIY burger)

For entertainment value, clap clap clap! For food, well let's just say that it's just icing on the cake.


  
Rating: 3

Movie Stars Cafe is located at:

Seaside Blvd., 
SM Mall of Asia, 
Pasay, Metro Manila

dancing superheroes Dino Buffet entertainment food blog food review Iron Man Mall of Asia Movie Stars Cafe reviews Seaside Blvd Super Man verdict

Saturday, August 03, 2013

Maybe when they conceptualized the name 'Zark's', they have in mind 'sharks'. That when they thought of a food to serve, it must be big you break your jaw eating. Maybe I didn't bother to research why, but that one humongous burger made my tummy full, I can't bring myself to even care.

I didn't. Because just hearing that the famous Zark's is now in BF brought me three-pointer rush and tagged along my siblings love. Here's what we rawwred: 

And this is my Three-Pointer (Php 125).

Three-Pointer reads: three kinds of cheese served with lettuce, tomato and caramelized onions. I added Php 25 for hand-cut fries and iced tea. For someone who doesn't have a huge appetite, go for this relatively small burger. Though when I ate this, I forgot that it has three kinds of cheese because it didn't register well with me. I'd also bargain some buns for more caramelized onion. :)

My sister had Zark's Ultimate Burger (Php 130). 

This was my first choice but gave way (although I now don't see much the point. We didn't share anyway :P). I wish I didn't because this was much ultimate that my three-pointer. Imagine the cheese sauce in a bed of lettuce and tomatoes topped with sauteed mushrooms and bacon! And wait, it was oozing with caramelized onions!

My brother's Jawbreaker (Php 250) served with iced tea and hand-cut fries.

If you try eating this as a whole, you might as well break your jaw. My brother thought it would be unwise too (to take the 5-min challenge and break his jaw) that's why he ate his BURGER slowly but surely. First, he took off that humongous bun then ate some of its Spam. Then ate some bits of bacon. Then ate like viand the two patties. When he was sure that the size was okay enough not to break his jaw, he ate it like a normal burger. And hoorah, he, we all burped!

I'd give Zark's Burgers's another try, that I just thought their patty was a bit bland. And as mentioned, my Three-Pointer with three cheeses didn't justify. Or was it just me? Its branch in BF Parañaque was not as good as probably in Taft, but that you don't have to wait in long queues and you get to find seat at once. Of  Service meantime, it was average.

  
Rating: 2.5


Zark's Burgers is located at:


Presidents Ave., BF Homes Parañaque,
Parañaque City
(In front of Shawarma Snack Center)

BF Homes big burger food blog food review Jawbreaker kickass burgers reviews verdict Zark's Burger

Monday, July 08, 2013

When you've satisfied yourself with a good movie, what usually comes next is a search to devour. Much so, if watching is actually a 'work' thing. Let me add to the riddle that since it's work, you just have to find one decent spot to feast- in this case, that floor in Resorts World Manila with cinemas.

Just a few spots away, The Sizzlin' Pepper Steak attracts you with what sizzles.

The interior feels homey with the wooden ensemble and all, coupled with the smoke that sizzles everywhere. You'd find the resto's concept really cool and cute.

First, they have this standee where you just flip 'mooooove' if you want a waiter to tend to you or 'stop' if you want to put things in normal. Needless to say, you don't have to raise your hands to get attention. Cool.

Then, when your sizzling order arrives (unless it doesn't), the protocol is 1.) turn it (because the upper part isn't that cooked yet) then 2.) you pour the sizzlin' sauce and 3.) mix it. You'd find this really enjoyable and unique for something that's not shabu-shabu. It's also a good waiting time to cool it too.

To add to the thrill, (a.k.a your liberty to choose your own pepper adventure) they also have 7 sizzlin' sauces to choose from. When in doubt, just follow what's on the menu. Anyhow, it's posted everywhere you can just help but manage to write while waiting:

1. Twist of Steak
2. Terikayi Trippin'
3. Hottie Tomato Steak
4. Teri-Mayo Duo
5. Marinara Connection
6. Gravy Kind of Love
7. Dippy Tartare Cream

After the smoke effect and all, taaaadaaaaa!

Pork Barbeque Pepper Rice at Php 223 served with iced tea and teriyaki trippin' sauce

The Pork Barbeque Pepper Rice is just normal, nothing really so fantabulous with the flavor. The serving of rice is hefty but not so much with the pork.

Sizzlin' Soya Cream Tuna at Php 160 with (if I'm not mistaken) Teri-Mayo duo sauce

You have to go healthy at times, yes, so this came next (after brooding over if giving it a second try was worth it). From of the greens in the rice, there's no mistaking, it's an embark on the right side. Tasting the tuna alone can be a bit bland but when paired with the teri-mayo duo sauce, it's a good combination. The sauce is so yummy, you can't help ask for more and you'd be surprised asking for more doesn't really cost a penny (mentally took note of this).

Did it really sizzled? Literally, yes but then again food is just normal. Sometimes service can be slow too. But for experience's sake, yes it's a fun place to dine.

The Sizzlin' Pepper Steak has a branch in:


4/F, Resorts World,
Newport City, Pasay City


 

food blog food review Newport City Pasay Pork Barbeque Pepper Rice price Resorts World Manila restaurant reviews Sizzlin' Soya Cream Tuna The Sizzlin' Pepper Steak verdict

Monday, June 24, 2013

I've always wanted to eat in Hap Chan especially when its new branch opened along Alabang-Zapote Rd. Blame it on the “credit cards accepted here” tag hung on its glass walls, I thought it was that expensive.

Where will you take us?

But since we have a very special brother to treat on his 19^th birthday, we tried our luck in this inviting Chinese restaurant and feasted. 

A plate of Yang Chow (Php 230) is enough for a family of 5 but since we had equally special guests with us, we had two. I didn't appreciate their Yang Chow but my siblings did.

You can never go wrong with Sweet and Sour Pork (Php 250). Its yumminess lingered even after eating a spoonful of rice. The balance of its sweet and tangy flavor is perfect! I miss it everytime I eat sweet and sour.

Sautéed Beef with Broccoli Flower (Php 240) tastes just fine although for me, it was overpowered with my love for their sweet and sour pork.

Sliced Chicken with Two-Kind Mushroom (Php 250). Went healthy with this but in a goody-goody way.

Our pahabol order Braised Chicken with Sesame Seeds in Honey Sauce (Php 300). It doesn't look that inviting. I was surprised that it’s sweet (it's the honey!) and the chicken’s tender. 

Their serving is good for two to three people. Service is quite fast. I’m excited to eat again in Hap Chan and try other dishes. Even during eating our desserts in McDo, we still kept on raving about how we loved their food. *winks*'

  
Rating: 4


Hap Chan is located along:


Alabang-Zapote Rd.
In front of Jollibee 

Chinese cuisine food blog food review Hap Chan Las Piñas City price restaurant reviews Sweet and Sour verdict Yang Chow

Saturday, June 08, 2013

In a flighty night when McDonalds is usually craved, we swerved a bit and found ourselves in the bar strip of BF Homes.

We didn't party but we feasted in the yummy Mediterranean/Persian cuisine of Le Souk. Most of the foods served are flaming hot. Since I’m no fan of anything spicy, I tried their Picadillo in soft tacos (you can also choose hard). I got surprised with the feast on my plate. For only Php 160 I had two tacos, a bunch of potato wedges served with salsa or cream cheese. Although I prefer their potato wedges in garlic mayo. :) 

The photo might not be good, but that doesn't mean to say that wasn't a hit. 

Given its value for money, good service (although I’ve read other reviews saying otherwise), average ambiance (it’s a restobar in the first place) Le Souk is worth another trip.

Le Souk is located at:


283 Aguirre Ave.,
BF Homes, 
Parañaque

Aguirre St. BF Homes food blog food review Le Souk Mediterranean Picadillo price restaurant reviews verdict

Friday, June 07, 2013

Yabusog with my Yaburitong food buddies!

Yabu: House of Katsu is like a trip to Japan. Its animated walls, fresh from the land of the rising sun and condiments all complement together to serve the best original Katsu in town. Yabu isn't  all about the food, it’s the experience.

 Yahoo for Yabu

Yabu condiments + Himalayan pink salt

We didn't notice how fast or slow their service was. We got engrossed as their menu retold the beginnings of Katsu in words and in manga. And just before our orders were served, we made our very own tonkatsu sauce.

As we grind the sesame seeds, its aroma filled the air. That's our cue to pour a cup or two of the sauce, and we're now all set to munch.

Grind and Pour

I ordered the Hire Tonkatsu Set (Php 330), as opposed to Rosu because it doesn’t have fat.  It came along with Japanese Rice (I went healthy so I opted for brown rice), miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited cabbage with sesame dressing and a bowl of fruit.

Hire-kiri meal!

I enjoyed eating my Hire and did so effortlessly. The pork is soft in my mouth yet it’s crunchy on the outside (sounds like french fries :P).  Although I’m not a fan of miso soup, I banked on the unli cabbage to make a sulit meal. Speaking of sulit, I also was able to try Menchi (thanks to my friend, Kuya Ed who was surprisingly full at that time). It’s oozing with flavor, thanks to its oozy creamy cheese.

It’s a three thumbs-up for Yabu. It’s Japayummy and sulit! Not to mention their good service especially for new-timers.

Yabu: House of Katsu has a branch in:


SM Mall of Asia

food blog food review Hire Tonkatsu katsuretsu Menchi price reviews tonkatsu verdict Yabu: House of Katsu

Sunday, June 02, 2013

Status: INVADED!

What I haven’t invaded? My blow-by-blow account of the invasion with the Difficults! 

Malaysia, here we go!

Our Malaysian tour was a product of excel and research, in short D.I.Y. Maybe that’s one focal ingredient that made it 1forgetable.

The game plan was to start the tour in Legoland, Johor Bahru (but this is for another roll) and enjoy the succeeding in Kuala Lumpur. After our LEGOxiting and LEGOtastic day in Johor Bahru, we braced ourselves for a truly Asian treat!

Last 24 hours

We started our day with a hefty breakfast in Areena Diner. Our plateful (of thick and stuffy pancakes, tasty patty and eggs) was all we need for a 272 step-climb in Batu Caves.

 

One Malaysian energizer at Areena Diner.

Instead of going by train to Batu Caves, we commissioned a taxi in KL Sentral which costs RM 110 (Malaysian Ringgit). From the city, Batu Caves is just 30 minutes away.

The steps seemed unassuming; we were enthralled by the golden Hindu (or maybe our tummies were yet full) that we thought it’s going to be an average walk in the park. But of course, 272 is 272. Along the way, monkeys play, eat or pester guests that nonetheless, added to the thrill. I kept on looking at how far we've gone; how in the middle of the city, there’s something as breathtaking as Batu Caves. When we reached the summit, our friend Grace bought flavored water and to her surprise she saw a snake meddling with business affairs, nice.

Upstairs was a vast temple, we walked through it and found (to our surprise and dismay) another staircase with more statues. What’s remarkable about it was the open-air ceiling, like this inside the cave:

As I don’t know how to describe this nature’s feast.

 It was easier going down, of course and only then did we appreciate the birds owning the ground.

Our memento in Batu Caves

We didn’t have a hard time going to our next stop, Genting Highlands, because our taxi was waiting for us. The ride going to the Highlands was thrilling. We were literally scraping the mountain. From Batu Caves, it’s about an hour's ride.

We were dropped of at Highlands Station. From there, we took a cable car to the peak (2-way, RM 12). Forgive me for repeating but the cable car ride was so thrilling! Naïve to it, we screamed our up up and away. We had 15-minutes of 360 bird’s eye-view feast of Genting tropical forest.

Although at the top, we were kind of at the loss where to go but we did wandered in Resorts World (too bad most of us donned shorts, we weren't allowed to look inside the casino) and Genting Theme Park. We quite spent a considerable amount in Legoland that, it might have broken the heart of my friends, but they have to let pass this ride:

According to Cha: the ride that got away

As consolation (not me, never mind the ride), we bought ourselves sweets from Baskin Robbins because it's not yet in Manila. Yum yum!

I screeeeeeeeeam!

We didn't stay long in Genting Highlands because we already booked a 1:30pm trip back to the city. (Next time, I’ll make sure to see the Chinese temple and strawberry farm).

WHOAH!

We only had drinks and sweets in Genting that famished, we went back to the city. We had our super late lunch in a Chinese Restaurant (I forgot to mentally take note of the name of the resto and foods) near Petaling Street. We rate the yummy foods three thumbs up!

We had:

The best noodles ever! It’s served as a pancit but it’s the tastiest. It was stir-fried to perfection I hope I get to eat this again soon. So yummy I'll never forget how so taken I was!

This is Squid with salted egg. The ingredients sound ordinary but what a calamari this is! This made us conclude that dishes in this part of the globe are fusing with flavor.

 

What is Malaysia without a curry? This is just way hot for my taste buds, but definitely for the spicy goers, this is a good dish.

Our tummies were once again full. Since it’s still early to rest, we tried a tour-around the city via a hop-on hop-off concept. We started our course in Petaling Street since we were already there:

Our KL Hop-on-Hop Off map

This bus takes anyone to 23 major tourist spots in the city. That we started late, some parks were already closed by 6pm (but the ticket is good for 24 hours & can be used again the next day).

We found this bigger than life I <3 KL in Kuala Lumpur City Gallery when we went down for Merdeka Square and so this cute back-drop where we posed:

Mik & I in Kuala Lumpur City Gallery

The tour ended in the famous Petronas Twin Towers. And at night, it's truly a sight to behold.

 

My favorite shot of the twin towers

At the back of Petronas was Suria KLCC. We had our dinner in the peri-famous for peri-hot meals, Nando’s.

 

Choose your own adventure in Nando’s

Since not all of us are hot & spicy fans, we opted for the safe level: Lemon & Herb. We enjoyed the meal, but we were bashed for being cowards. :D 

  Notes from our meal: Not so brave!

But we braved our adventures and misadventures in Malaysia. Especially our Amazing Race going back to the Philippines. In hindsight, we laugh about it now and we banked it already on experience but for those giddy-travelers like us, a piece of advice: tickets are in military time. 1:25 H is not after lunch, but before dawn or else the plane will take off without you :P 

Areena Diner Baskin Robbins Batu Caves blog Genting Highlands Johor Bahru Kuala Lumpur Legoland Malaysia Nando's Petronas Twin Towers reviews Suria KLCC travel travel blog verdict wanderlust

Wednesday, May 29, 2013