Ramen Review: Ichiran Ramen - Shinjuku Area, Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Ramen Review: Ichiran Ramen in Shinjuku Tokyo

Being a huge fan of noodles, I've always wanted to try out authentic Ramen from Japan. I had the chance to do a ramen hunt during the long weekend (April 2012) and had a blast researching shops to try in Tokyo.

I read up on various blogs and must-try lists online and narrowed the list to about 3. Unfortunately, we only had a few days in Japan so we were only able to go to 2 which were both located in the Shinjuku area.

The 1st shop was Ichiran Ramen - this was the weirdest restaurant I've ever been in. Diners had  to wait outside of a curtained area with a panel with flashing lights - which indicate whether a seat is unoccupied. Once you see that  a seat is free you can proceed inside to your "stall". Get the ramen option form, and indicate your add-ons (ex. tamago, kakuni) . (BTW, you'd have already paid the ramen at the vending machine located at the restaurant entrance prior to entering the waiting area). After checking your add-ons you press a button near the wooden partition separating you from the kitchen. The cook will then open the partition take your order, and then all you'll have to do is wait for your ramen while staring at the wall in front of you.

All of those ^ would be annoying, if it weren't for the fact that you're there for the experience and you'll be able to taste the best Ramen in existence (I'm biased, What can I say?) After about 5 minutes of waiting, the cook will place your steaming bowl of noodles in your stall and you'll be able to enjoy the meaty soupy goodness of it.

Price: Around P300 (Philippine Pesos)
Where is Ichiran Ramen Located? I really have no clue. A family friend brought us there and I think we got lost for quite a bit. All I know is it's located in the Shinjuku Area and it's in a basement of a nondescript building :/

Food and Travel: Siem Reap, Cambodia

My family was able to avail of the Asia Flypass promo of Philippine Airlines last year. This enabled us to go to various Asian destinations for a relatively lower rate than if we booked the flights through different airlines.

But come to think of it, if we had waited a bit more we would have been able to get cheaper direct flights from Manila to Siem Reap via Cebu Pacific Air. We had to fly with Bangkok Airways to get to Cambodia AND upon arrival at BKK we had to run to get to the boarding gate for Siem Reap since it was all the way in the other side of the airport.

Anyway, Siem Reap is a quaint town filled with tourists. The attractions are concentrated near the temple complexes while the restaurants are concentrated near the Pub St. area. The food was good and I liked how they spiced their meats, it was similar to Filipino Food and Thai Food.

I also tried lotus seeds when we were driving from Tonle Sap to the hotel. I asked our guide to buy some from vendors along the side of the lotus fields. These seeds taste like peanuts and water chestnuts. Honestly, I couldn't finish a pod and my sister did not want any so we had to give it away :)

 They get the seeds  by halving the pod  and then digging out the seeds with their fingers.

This is how the pod looks like originally

The trip was relaxing and was a welcome distraction / adventure apart from work :)

Food Review: Hello Kitty Cafe, Taiwan

I'm currently in Taipei using the hotel's free internet (yay!) and just decided to do a quick update.

I learned about the Hello Kitty Cafe in Taipei when I was doing research for this trip. So since we didn't have anything to do, we just decided to have pm snacks aka merienda there.

The place was super cute but a bit pricey, as they also require all patrons to buy at least NT$300 worth of food and beverages to dine inside the restaurant. It was fun, coz we were all cooing over the presentation of the cakes. Taste-wise it wasn't earth shattering, but I guess what you're really paying for is the ambience and the experience.

1st Row L-R : Creme Brulee, Custard Creme/Mousse

2nd Row: Layered Cake, Cheese Cake, Random Kitty Heads

3rd Row: Cake Selections

I really wanted to post the names of the food we ordered, but I really can't because the menu was written in Chinese :/

(FYI, the Cafe also serves lunch/ dinner meals from 11- 2:30(?) and 5 onwards. We arrived at around 3pm and they were just serving desserts and drinks then.)

Overall, our experience at the Hello Kitty Cafe was fun and memorable, mostly because of the whole look and feel of the place. If you're in Taiwan and you're a Kitty fan you should try it out! 

Where is the Hello Kitty Cafe (Taipei) located?

The Hello Kitty Cafe is located near the Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT Stop. Take Exit 3 and walk towards the intersection of Da An Road, Sec 1. Turn right. The cafe can be seen on your right. It's unmissable since it's pink and has Hello Kitty decor all over :))

Visa Rant

It's unfair that we have to get visas for most of the countries in the western hemisphere. And it's molto expensivo, Hello?! since everyone's calling the Philippines a 3rd world country, why not impose 3rd world visa fees? Am I right? or am I right? end.

Filipino Food Reviews: Updates? What Updates?

Was out for the whole month of June and part of July for something work related. It was pretty tiring but it was also a great experience to travel to different places in the Philippines, and to talk with different people from all sorts of backgrounds. I've learned a lot from the stories they shared, mostly regarding their businesses and I realized that there is no single formula for success.  Everyone finds their own path to greatness. Some may take years to reach their goal, while others achieve it immediately. Basta, it was fun and educational, But it took time away from my blogging...

So. updates on food blogging? I have a few ones lined up, but for now, I'm posting a picspam from the Field :D

 Lechon Hoffun - Luisa's Cafe, Session Road, Baguio City

HUMONGOUS Baby Back Ribs - Steaks and ?, Santiago City, Isabela

Php 150 or around $3.50 

 Weird Siopao with Ketchup - From a Bakery at Balamban, Cebu

 Porcupinefish or Blowfish or Balloonfish - I say, epol apple :))

Note: I did not eat this, heard that improper cooked Tetraodontidae (oooh!)

can kill a person. no thanks.

 Stingray sinigang - Larangan in Cebu

Note: A bit fishy, tasted ok

Vegetarian Lasagna - Health 100 Restaurant, Baguio City

La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post - I know, this isn't a typical food shot, but isn't it pretty astounding?!

Millions worth of vegetables bought and sold here reach the whole Philippines.

The huge amount of activity here raises land prices to match those of exclusive villages in Manila - Php30,000/sqm ++

Think - a "carinderia" (small eatery) beside this location has monthly rentals of about 30,000 pesos. 0_0

Veggies!

Laing (Gabi leaves in Coconut broth), Fried Tofu and Red Mountain Rice - 

Cafe Maleng-ag, La Trinidad, Benguet

Sweetened Rimas/Kolo/ Breadfruit - Bus Stop from Baguio to Abra

Note: this is the FIRST time that I've encountered this fruit. It really tastes a bit "bready" :)) But since this was sliced thinly it resembled cassava chips/banana chips

I actually forgot to take pictures of all the other things I ate during my trips, bad blogger.

Manila Restaurant Reviews: Tong Yang (SM Megamall Atrium)

I've always been a sucker for buffets, especially seafood buffets. Tong Yang - one of the oldest grill buffets in the country has always been a go to for my family and I when we have a hankering for Japanese food.

I havent been able to try Sambokojin/ Yakimix, the (relative) newcomers - probably need to try them for comparison. 

Here are a few photos from the resto:

This place is always packed during lunch and dinner, so reservations are highly encouraged.

Yummy grilled seafood. 

I like this contraption - :D you get to choose 2 broths and you put it in a single pot  - simple but ingenious!

Yum!

Where is Tong Yang located? SM Mega-Atrium, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Filipino Recipes: Sisig

My Mom loves lechon and she loves holding parties at home. And here, Party = Lechon, so you can imagine the amount of lechon that we have during the holiday season.

 Last December for example, we had around 3 for the whole month and (of course) had a lot of leftovers. Since we were tired of eating lechon paksiw after parties, we decided to make sisig (YUM!).

Here is how we made our homemade sisig:

Ingredients : Leftover lechon, Green Chillies, Onions, Chicharon, Worcestershire Sauce, Mayonnaise, Soy Sauce, Calamansi

Step 1:  Fry the leftover lechon and chop it "sisig-style"

Step 2:  Chop onions, green chillies and crush the chicharon 

Step 3: Put everything in a microwaveable container

Step 4: Squeeze 1 calamansi, Put mayonnaise, soy sauce and worcestershire sauce

Step 5: Mix well

Step 6: Pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes

Step 7: Serve and enjoy!

*nom nom nom* heart attack *nom nom nom*