The Geeky Momm: restaurants

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Thursday, September 10, 2015

Tongara Ramen | Tongkatsu + Torigara

Late morning rain brought me to the nearest ramen house after I finished my errands near Escario Avenue around past eleven today. Tongara Ramen | Tongkotsu + Torigara has been in every ramen lovers talk lately and as a ramen girl myself, this is my chance to finally get a bowl of my own.

The place wasn't full yet when I got there since it was still early. I ordered their signature Tongara Ramen. It had slices of chasyu, bamboo shoots, veggie and green onions. It wouldn't be complete without a half slice of ajitsuki tamago to top it all off. Mind you that the tamago they use isn't the ordinary yellow yolk ones. It's the small orange ones that are hard to find and if I'm not mistaken, these are the brown eggs or the free range ones? Or Japanese eggs perhaps? I'm not sure but one thing I do know that the egg is special, not the commercial ones. I have a recipe here to try.

What also impressed me is not only the yummy, firm, chewy noodles but the rich, dense, delicately seasoned broth. You don't get that often on other ramen house. I fell in love with the broth the moment it touched my palate. You can guess right away that it has been specially prepared, simmering in the pot with all the meat, bone and cartilage goodness for several hours. My guess would be pork or combination of pork and chicken broth. You know the sticky feeling around your lips right after you have the soup? That's the cartilage making the stock thick not the starch. It brings back memories when my grandma makes cartilage based soup. The cartilage is made up mostly of collagen and many Asians believe that consuming collagen is good for the skin, makes you look younger since skin is mostly held up by collagen fibers beneath the epidermis. IMHO, the key to a great ramen is in the broth. No matter how many fancy toppings you put in every bowl, if the broth is bad, the whole thing wouldn't taste any good. So here's to Tongara Ramen and younger looking skin! ( Told ya food and beauty blog always go together. Hehehe)

I was just dissapointed that they didn't have Gyoza available today. It's my tradition have gyoza on the side with my ramen. :( Oh well, till my next visit soon!

My tastebuds are longing for that broth reunion sometime soon.

They always have a pitcher of ice cold water on each table. I love to put lots of garlic paste, ground sesame seeds and chili oil in my ramen. There are plenty of condiments to choose from.

Menu items are a bit pricey for a typical penny pinching Cebuano. In the end it's really up to you on how you spend your moolah wisely. Spending it sporadically like once in three months when you feel you deserve it. Hahaha.

Restaurant facade. There is air conditioning inside and seats around 30 to 50 pax if I'm not mistaken. Staff are courteous and would gladly explain to you what's in your ramen if you're not familiar with Japanese cuisine. There are ample parking spaces outside. The comfort room is located outside the resto, within the building complex.

Tongara Ramen | Tongkotsu+Torigara is located at

Unit #13, Escario Central Mall, 64 N. Escario St., Cebu City, Philippines

Ribpublic Diner

Think about a typical surf and turf menu that we Pinoys love. Large portions of juicy ribs, buttery shrimps, hot chicken wings, fish and chips, tacos, burger, pasta, summer coolers and more...each item under P188.00! I mean a hefty slab of ribs for P188.00 and a pitcher of Thirst Buster for P98.00? It's a place to be for the street smart, budget conscious and for the hearty eaters alike. No wonder this place is packed with students, families, transients, even blue collared workers who are looking for a good place to eat with a bang for one's buck.

Tucked in Gov. M. Roa St. right across Fuente Oro Business Suite at Capitol Site, this diner albeit small has some of the most tasty and satisfying menus offered. Interesting wall mural greets you when you go in and the staff is friendly and accommodating as well. I drop by there whenever I have a doctor's appointment at the Cebu Doctor's Medical Center during lunch time. It's just a block away from the building. Though parking spaces are limited, there is a pay parking available near the area.

The Ribpublic Ribs is the house specialty. It's a perfectly tender falls-off-the bone ribs served with sweet tangy barbecue sauce, buttered corn and rice. A must try. Take note that their beverages are at an affordable sari-sari store prices as well.

Check out their menu below if you don't believe me.

Art Deco style mural.

Their famous Ribpublic Ribs as big as my hand.

Another house specialty, cheesy, buttery and garlicky Parmesan Wild West Wings. Best eaten with hands.

BureauPORKcracy. I wonder if it has something to do with the defunct Pork Barrel issue? :)

Anyway it's a pork belly at its finest.

New addition on the menu. Pork Barbeque. This one is not listed yet but surprisingly tender and juicy. It comes in regular and spicy variant.

Fish and Chips

Lasagna

Another chicken wings variant, the Buffallo Wild West Wings. Goes well with SML.

Although it was not possible to sample all of the menu in just one sitting (hehehe, the prices are so affordable that we couldn't help ordering one after another) we can always come back for more.

Indeed the food was incredibly satisfying. Thinking of going back there soon.

PROS:

Affordable price

Yummy menu selection

Staff are nice

CONS:

Parking space (although there is a pay parking available nearby if you don mind the short walk)

No airconditioning (looking forward to one soon:)

Ribpublic Diner ia located at

Gov. M. Roa Street

Across Fuente Oro Business Suite

Cebu City

http://geekymomskitchenlab.blogspot.com/p/disclaimer.html

Ribpublic Diner now offers 5% discount on meals to selected BPO companies.

Terms and Conditions apply.

Promo until August 31, 2015 only.

Ramen and Gyoza...Oishīdesu! at Naruto Tukumen Tokyo Ramen

I happen to pass by this place several times whenever I go to Kusina Uno for their Bulalo. My hubby and I tried to visit there once after our weekend date night but was discouraged to go in because there we're couple of drunk Japanese inside. Until my cousin mentioned their ramen is really good. So last week, I took my son there for a lunch treat.

The place looks like a typical kanto or a sidewalk ramen house in Japan. Extremely simple no fuss interior design with simple plastic furnitures. Don't expect a high end Japanese minimalist resto here. Hand written poster promos on the wall and extra announcement in hand written scribbles on their menu added a homey and laid back ambience as I would describe it. My son, who reads Japanese noted that the owner or the cook must be an authentic Japanese, based on the menu description which was well translated if you know what I mean. But lo and behold, they serve big bowls of authentic piping hot ramen with rich tasty broth and firm fresh noodles. Not only that, they come with FREE four pieces of large Gyoza for every bowl ordered. I'm in Gyoza heaven! Every juicy bite was so good and when I say large, it's big. About twice the size of the regular Gyoza you'll find in other Japanese restos. And they make it fresh right before your eyes. A note though, they don't have drinks or beverages in their menu so you need to ask them to buy some in the convenience store next door. Try their Takuyaki Balls too. They say it's the best in town. And they don't fall apart when you pick them up with chopsticks. Plus it has real octopus meat inside. Best eaten hot off the pan. Based on my observation, the ingredients are all locally sourced but cooked in a japanese way. Except for some nori and bonito flakes.

Price ranges P200 up for a bowl of noodles and about P100 up for the Takuyaki. A bit pricey but worth the bite.

Facade

Interior

Furniture

Cute chopstick stand

Shoyu Based Ramen

Pork Broth Ramen

Gyoza ( I wasn't able to take the 12 pcs of free Gyoza because it was instantly devoured...nomnom )

Tukumen Ramen was also good. It's a dish where the cold noodles and the hot broth are served in separate bowls. No photos though. We were starving when we got there. Till the next food trip adventure!

PROS:

FREE Gyoza! (large gyozas)
Good average ramen cooked before your eyes
Ample Parking Space

CONS:

Food takes time to arrive especially when there are several customers due to minimal cooking space.
No drinks or beverages on the menu. But they can buy one for you across the parking lot at Pan de Manila.
A bit pricey for a ramen with local ingredients.

WOULD I GO BACK? At their Rustan's branch probably since I find the GND Complex branch lacks air circulation inside.

Naruto Tukumen Tokyo Noodle is located

GND Complex, Mabolo

Cebu City

Food Stall at Rustan's Fresh Banawa

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Buddy Burger, Taco, Hotdogs, Burritos

Picture me in a car with two hungry kids, lunchtime, heavy traffic with pouring rain. It was a weekend with no carpool service so I have to drive my son to and from school which was quite far from our house. My little daughter wanted a McDonalds drive thru meal but with the slow traffic pace, I estimated we would be there in an hour or so. Not good for grumbling tummies.

So along the road, we agreed to settle at the first restaurant we could spot at Piazza Elisea arcade which was Buddies Burger, Taco, Hotdogs, Burritos . Anything to fill me and my kids' hunger. We were famished. My son ordered a Double Buddy Burger (P150.00), my picky little daughter had Baconsilog (P75.00) and Spicy Sizzling Squid (P125.00) for me.

We had French Fries (P45.00) and some Onion Rings (P45.00) served ahead while waiting for our main course. Within fifteen minutes, we got our food and the serving portions aren't bad.

The burger's double patties were juicy, cooked and seasoned just right for people (especially kids) who aren't keen to overly spiced meat. It had the usual lettuce, tomato and onion with no dressing which is a good thing. I like it when food such as a basic burger is prepared simply with basic ingredients. Uncomplicated. When you to need to add an extra zing, just add your choice of dressing. Chili anyone?

Their Baconsilog is served with hefty portions of bacon. Judging by the photo above for P75.00 tab. Surprisingly, it was well drained of the oil so it wasn't that greasy. Served with perfectly poached egg and choice of plain or garlic rice.

My Sizzling Spicy Squid was a surprise as well because I didn't expect that in the menu of a burger joint. But it wasn't bad at all. It had tender squid rings stir fried with jalapeño peppers in a sweet spicy sauce served with veggies and choice of plain or garlic rice. Simply good!

Would I go back there again? Definitely yes. I'd like to try their Burritos, Quesadilla and Tacos.

Pros: Good food, clean place, has parking space.

Cons: I wish their milkshake was in a bigger size. Other than this, none.

Check out their Ultimate Burger Challenge. If you get to eat their four-patty Ultimate Burger within five minutes, you get to have it for free. Plus an Ultimate Burger Shirt and your photo in their Wall of Fame. Mind you, the Ultimate Burger is at P270.00 a pop.
And no, my burgaholic (pardon my term) son although voraciously starving at that time wasn't up to it.
But maybe soon... (I always advise my children to chew their food properly to avoid indigestion. Haha. )

The counter and some close up shots of the menu. Sorry it's a bit blurry.

Buddies Burger, Taco, Hotdogs and Burritos is located at

Piazza Elisea

Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City.

http://geekymomskitchenlab.blogspot.com/p/disclaimer.html

The Pantry

Once in a while, there is this little place where my husband and I like to catch up and enjoy light meals in between work and kids (aka quick date!) situated at The Gallery called The Pantry. It's near Ayala access road at Juan Luna Avenue formerly San Jose dela Montaña Avenue, Mabolo. If you don't like the crowd and redundancy of staple mall restaurants but want to enjoy light and healthy meal with a good conversation, this is the place for you.
They serve deli meals and dessert. They have an array of assorted gourmet meats, pastries, cakes, salads ice cream, coffee and of course, rice meals.

For lunch, we had tomato and pumpkin soups, and a big serving of ham sandwich with mango chutney.

Their Pumpkin Soup is excellent with just the right amount of spices and seasoning. Served with a slice of crusty bread.
Php 80.00

Tomato soup is light with just a right tang and seasoned with herbs. Served with a slice of crusty bread.

Php 80.00

A single order of sandwich can serve 2 people. Their generous ham filling is from their deli and is sliced right before your very eyes. This one has 2 kinds of ham, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and home made mango chutney. Php185.00

Facade

Deli counter

Assorted gourmet meats and cold cuts.

The Pantry

A Deli-Dessert Place

The Gallery

St John Paul II Avenue, Cebu City

Update: This restaurant is already closed, :(

Old spaghetti House

Recent visit to Old Spaghetti House at the ground floor of SM City Cebu.

My favorite dishes to order:

Janine's fave, Chicken Fingers.

With honey mustard dip.

Lance's fave, Steak and Pasta.

USDA steak with gravy and spaghetti with garlic and olive oil.

Braised Pork Ribs.

With rice and salad.

I ordered Beef Salpicao.

USDA beef tips with lots of garlic served on top with rice.

Food is superb. Will visit again soon.

Old Spaghetti House

Upper Ground Level near Gelatissimo

SM City Cebu

Kakanin cravings at the mall

A typical chinese like me who happens to live in the Philippines also happens to love Filipino kakanin dishes. Kakanin is a dish which the main ingredient is the glutinous or sticky rice. Some are made from whole grains and others pounded or grounded, oftentimes cooked as sweet or savory fare.

Taken from the word, "Kanin" which in Filipino, means rice, it is also our main staple ingredient in a typical the Pinoy kitchen as well as in a Chinese kitchen (eg. rice toppings, congee, masi, tikoy, kimkoyke, chaitaoke etc). The most popular kind is the regular non sticky version like my favorite Ganador which pairs very well with all kinds of viands. I confess I'm a big rice eater. I can't possibly get a satisfying meal without any rice. That's why I fail doing the Atkins diet plan. Just eat moderately, about a cup for each meal. Except for the recent holidays with loads of Lechon everywhere! Lol.

Seriously, this blog isn't about a new kakanin recipe which I regret not learning how to cook it. But a small place in a mall whenever I crave for a palitaw, budbud and puto. It's a stall between BDO and Surplus Shop in SM called KUBÔ, Pinoy Merienda. As the shop says, they have some of the most popular pinoy snack fare like Binignit, a warm halo-halo version of camote, plantain bananas, ube, sago, landang (local tapioca) and langka in sweet creamy coconut milk; Palitaw, Budbud with Mangga at Tsokolate, Batchoy, Dinuguan at Puto and Arroz Caldo to name a few. I believe Kape Barako (native brewed coffee) is also available if you're an avid coffee drinker.

Below are snapshots of my recent visit to that place.