Ippudo Launches Zero Ramen

Ippudo has been one of my favorite ramen joints in town. It has the right balance of flavors--umami yet not overwhelming. And to celebrate Ippudo's 33rd year anniversary and 4th year in the Philippines, it goes back to its roots and features its base ramen--Zero. 

Hello, Ippudo.

I was invited to Ippudo's anniversary celebration not knowing what to expect. So it was a big treat to be able to sample the ramen that started it all. 

Restaurant Love: Paradise Dynasty and its 4 New Dishes

Paradise Dynasty has been one of my favorite places to dine in ever since I had my first bite of its delectable xiao long bao in 2017. The picturesque restaurant paired with scrumptious and pocket friendly feast is so easy to love that I continue to brave the distance just to get hold of more. Needless to say, my heart skipped a beat (and a flip too) when it opened its second store at Podium Mall. And its newest dishes sure kept me wanting more!

Hello, Paradise Dynasty. 

Known for its Specialty Dynasty Xiao Long Bao, Paradise Dynasty launched four new dishes that would tickle your taste buds with glee.

Keep the Fire Burning: New Ways to Enjoy Samyang

You must be living under a rock if you haven't heard of Samyang or better known as the spicy noodle challenge. This popular Korean brand definitely piqued our interest after seeing several famous personalities giving it a go. But the hype eventually dwindled down as soon as the fire in one's mouth disappeared. This is not the last of Samyang though as it introduces new ways on how to make your pack of spicy noodles more interesting. 

Hello, Samyang.

This well-loved Korean brand has been around for quite some time delighting foodies, especially K-Drama fanatics. 

Fight of the Bulges: Stesso

Staying fit has been a challenging task for me ever since I've reached the stage when my metabolism started to slow down. What used to be a few days to lose a couple of pounds now take months paired with 100% dedication and effort. It is even harder now that I'm more active blogging about food and less active in being... well, active. I've considered availing of some slimming treatments and services but reading about how painful it could be and its adverse effects made me back out. It definitely took me a long time before going for it. 

Hello, Stesso.

Stesso has been in the market providing slimming and skin care services since 2012. Established by Lalaine Ambulo, M.D., the clinic gained popularity with its use of the latest non-invasive devices that do not just do the job but also make you feel good. 

First Bite: Katsu Sora

R's impeccable taste never fail me. Every single restaurant he mentioned to be great is indeed a haven for foodies. And when he mentioned that one of his favorite katsu restaurants is Katsu Sora, I was giddy to give it a try. But it felt like I have a curse with this place as all our planned visits to Katsu Sora gets cancelled. Then again, I guess 9th time's the charm. 

Hello, Katsu Sora. 

Known as a premium katsu restaurant offering four kinds of pork tonkatsu--Japanese Kurobuta, Spanish Shimofuri, Canadian Sakura Pork and Spanish Iberico, it has been a favorite by many. Unlike most katsu places that offer unlimited cabbage, Katsu Sora offers a bit more with its salad, soup and rice buffet bar filled with various kinds of greens, dressings, two types of miso soup and three kinds of rice. 

Christmas Hacks: Mr. Cochinillo

With Christmas just around the corner, most of us are starting to get busy working on having a stress-free holiday. But with traffic becoming impossible as early as now, we have to plan smarter. And with holiday equating to endless feasts, one of the daunting tasks we have to face is to prepare food which means constant trips to the supermarket. Thankfully, there are a lot of places to get scrumptious ready to eat dishes and one of my top picks this year is Mr. Cochinillo. 

Hello, Mr. Cochinillo. 

Cochinillo is known as a popular delicacy in Spain with its tradition of slow-roasting the suckling pig over wood fire in brick ovens. The result is crisp, succulent and juicy pork that would make any gathering or festivity memorable.

Cruising Around: Star Cruises Superstar Virgo

To travel around the world is every wanderlust's dream. It is always fun to see new places and experience different cultures. But one thing I absolutely hate when traveling is going through airport security. It's a pain to queue and to keep having your bag screened for security, especially when you have a laptop in your luggage. Thankfully, Star Cruises occasionally dock in Manila which gives us an opportunity to travel to different parts of Asia without having to deal with airport mayhem. And the best part... no luggage weight restrictions!

Hello, Star Cruises Superstar Virgo!

Star Cruises Superstar Virgo was back in Manila last March and with Taiwan and Japan as its destinations, R and I figured that we give this cruise another try. We boarded this cruise ship back in 2015 where its port was in Hong Kong with Sanya, China and Ha Long Bay, Vietnam as its destinations. Though our experience then was mediocre to terrible, we gave it another shot after hearing that some of R's relatives booked as well. 

First Bite: Manna & Golde

The crazy influx of new restaurants could be overwhelming for most of us. We'd often find it difficult to decide on which restaurant to try. And with most establishments heavily focusing on online marketing, those with more humble budgets are left to be discovered offline. One restaurant/café I've recently found was Manna & Golde. 

Hello, Manna & Golde.

Located along Kamuning Road, this café is rather away from the bustling streets packed with restaurants. However, one thing I loved right away here is that it has parking for guests.

More Than Just Gelato: Morelli's Gelato Caffé,

Summer may be over but the intense Manila heat is here to stay, rain or shine. And with the scorching heat draining my energy and perhaps even my positive outlook in life, I need a cold treat on a daily basis. One of my favorites is gelato as its creamy texture never fail to make me smile from ear to ear. Hence, when I found out that Morelli's Gelato has something new in store for us, I had to know what's up. 

Hello, Morelli's Gelato Caffé.

Morelli's has been in Manila for about five years now with its first store at Shangri-La Plaza Mall's East Wing. A brand known for gelato, it actually has an interesting story behind each scoop sold and it could be traced all the way back to 1907. 

First Bite: Tendon Kohaku

Most of us probably had tempura as our first Japanese dish when we were younger. The beautifully battered shrimp or prawn dipped in the light sweet sauce mixed with shredded radish brings back so many childhood memories, including when I had to fight with my sister for the last piece. Though I've grown to love other Japanese dishes like sashimi, teppanyaki, sukiyaki and a lot more, tempura always has a special place in my heart, or tummy. And when I found out that there's a new tempura place in town, I just have to try it. 

Hello, Tendon Kohaku. 

Foodies who frequent or have visited Singapore might have noticed Tendon Kohaku and its long queues. 

First Bite: Slabbers

I am a big fan of Hole in the Wall and most of the concepts in the first ever upscale food hall in Manila. However, I hardly visit Century City Mall as its location's a bit off from where I live. I make sure though that I pass by this picturesque dining hall every time I find myself in the area. And for my latest visit, I tried one of its newest stalls, Slabbers. 

Hello, Slabbers. 

This new concept in Hole in the Wall opened last July and has been firing up some mean ribs and wings since then. With its prime location near the entrance, it would be hard to miss Slabbers.