Monday, December 9, 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Tampopo: The new Ramen-Katsu Craze
Singapore-based Tampopo Restaurant finally agreed to branch out to Manila! Tampopo's known as the Japanese restaurant serving ramen, tonkatsu, Sushi and Kurobuta dishes which I think was named after the Dandelion flower, seen on their logo.
Mr Takagi “Father of Tonkatsu” the man who turned simple foods to unusual ones.
Lucky to try out the said resto located at Promenade Greenhills and to have been invited by one of the franchise owners. =)
Well, if you know Yabu, I would strongly recommend Tampopo!! Aside from having a better taste of tonkatsu which uses only high-quality breadcrumbs from Hokkaido and well recognized for its juiciness, flavour and ternderness... There's their R-A-M-E-N, I should say, is award winning!!
Let me share with you my Tampopo experience...
Even though it hasn’t fully opened, Tampopo has already attracted diners by their luminous and natively-sophisticated ambiance using a "bamboo themed" wallings and handrails. Upon entering, staff happily welcomes guests with a Japanese greetings.
You will surely not be intimidated of the place since it’s for Casual dining.
The menu is quite extensive so we found it hard to decide what to order since everything seemed uniquely yummy.
**click here for the Menu**
So, what do we got? :)
Mini Pork Rice 150php
Don't under estimate this Mini Pork Rice, it might be mini on looks but deliciously heavy on the stomach
Deluxe Tampopo Black Pig Shabu Ramen 420php
Served with tampopo, corns, bamboo shoots, slices of black pig and lettuce. Topped with lots of chilli powder and sliced onions spring. Since I am no fan of chilli, I requested to lessen it..hehe. Though, the spiciness lessens it's still tasty and flavourful. The ramen was well cooked. And what I really enjoyed was the taste of the offbeat egg in it. I asked the staff what kind of egg was it, then he told me that it was a "Golden Egg"
Served with tampopo, corns, bamboo shoots, slices of black pig and lettuce. Topped with lots of chilli powder and sliced onions spring. Since I am no fan of chilli, I requested to lessen it..hehe. Though, the spiciness lessens it's still tasty and flavourful. The ramen was well cooked. And what I really enjoyed was the taste of the offbeat egg in it. I asked the staff what kind of egg was it, then he told me that it was a "Golden Egg"
The Tamago (Japanese half boiled egg) was excellent. A firm and nice consistent dark brown colour on the outside. And soft inner runny egg yolk. I swear, I super liked it! HAHA.
Oh, by the way...you can add Tamago by ordering just the egg itself (separately served). If you too liked it just what I did.
Hakodate Original Ramen 370php
A must try for soup lovers! In my opinion is milk-savory and enticing. Perfect for cold weather and a good alternative if you're not in the mood for black pig shabu ramen
Premium Loin Katsu Set 390php
When the Premium Loin Katsu set arrived, might be ordinary on looks and won'trealize any difference unless you take a bite! Crisp outer covering that melts in your tongue while eating, tender pork fillet, with just the right amount of marbling to make it tasty without being fatty and oily.
As for the deserts, Red Mango's present! From yogurt, waffles to healthy fruits and parfait green tea.
So, great job to the "masterminds" of bringing Tampopo in Manila. More branches and ventures to come!!
When the Premium Loin Katsu set arrived, might be ordinary on looks and won'trealize any difference unless you take a bite! Crisp outer covering that melts in your tongue while eating, tender pork fillet, with just the right amount of marbling to make it tasty without being fatty and oily.
Overall, I enjoyed our Tampopo experience, especially their scrumptious ramen and succulent tonkatsu with unique Japanese dishes on sides.
Will be back to try the wide-ranging array of Katsu! It definitely has one of the best vibes among Japanese restaurants in the Metro.
The ever hands-on boss of the day, Chris Tiu
Waaaaay to go Chris and co! =)
Tampopo Greenhills
Unit 115 Ground Level, Greenhills Promenade 3
Greenhills San Juan City 1502
Contact No, 0917-854-7440
Visit their website: http://tampopo.ph/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/tampopo_ph
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tampopo_ph
----------------------
Singapore Outlets:
Tampopo (Liang Court) 177 River Valley Road, #01-23/24, Liang Court, Singapore 179030
Tel: (65) 6338-3186 Operating Hours: 1130-2230
Tampopo (Takashimaya S.C.) 391B Orchard Road, #B2-33, Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872
Tel: (65)6235-2318 Operating Hours: 1100-2200
Sunday, May 12, 2013
PBA ALLSTAR 2013 / DAVAO TRIP
Day1
05.03.2013 – This was the second time to travel just to watch basketball. (one of my major reason why I booked a flight here). Davao City, don’t know much about it aside from their popular Durian. Plus it’s the home town of my fave san mig coffee player PJ Simon. (So, I really need to love Davao! hehe) I’m travelling with my family and 2 of my basketball lover-friends Anna and Sherwin, though they’re not on the same flight with us.
Day2 –Samal Island, Paradise Island
Hopped on the last trip back to the city at 5pm. All of us were hungry knowing we only ate brunch at the hotel that time. Stop over at Penongs! Barbestque native food I ever tasted at Davao! :D
Big Beau texted and looked for us so we shook and hurried back, I mean fast! Dropped of things at our hotel then gone straight to Marco Polo to meet him up. After fun stories, he left us and we’re supposed to leave too but I texted JVee to give him a food I bought. Then, Jvee arrived at the lobby together with Kuya Luis who invited us for dinner at their place. Yes, we’re with the aces team that night. No dull moments on the road. Pero mukhang ako yung napagtripan nilang asarin!
Tired but fun. Bloated but enjoyed. It was a day to remember!!!
Yes, it is a Sunday. Put God first, went to church with family. Afterwards, off to Gaisano mall to eat at pepper lunch again with Anna and Sherwin, Happy Lemon store check-up next.
Caught up at the coliseum while Jvee’s having his shooting-with-the-star portion. He won! :D
The game itself, craziest last shot by kuya Jeff! Amused and he got to bring home the AllStar MVP trophy sharing it with Arwind Santos.
Rode PBA Allstar bus back to Davao city, thanks to Beau for making it possible.
This day’s awesome!! Thanks kuya Jeff Chan for the tickets. And Beau for the hitch.
Last stay at DVO, check out day. Woke up early to buy pasalubong of fruits and souvenirs again. Left the hotel after brunch for a noon flight bound Manila.
That’s a warp!
05.03.2013 – This was the second time to travel just to watch basketball. (one of my major reason why I booked a flight here). Davao City, don’t know much about it aside from their popular Durian. Plus it’s the home town of my fave san mig coffee player PJ Simon. (So, I really need to love Davao! hehe) I’m travelling with my family and 2 of my basketball lover-friends Anna and Sherwin, though they’re not on the same flight with us.
Boarding MNL-DVO flight via PR. Yey! Flight was smooth and on
time! :D
First things first, checked in at our hotel. Hotel Uno, the
nearest place we’ve got from Marco Polo hotel with just 3mins walk and of
course affordable rates.
Felt hungry coz we haven’t eaten any from an early flight so we’ve
decided to eat breakfast out at Gaisano mall which is very near our place. Sad
thing was Gaisano’s still closed!!. :/ So,we've chosen to eat at KFC nearby.
We’ve roamed around the mall for 3hrs just to kill time while waiting for my
friends (who got their flight delayed).
Lunch time and an invite for lunch thru sms came. Whew~ Lucky us! We were on the right time and on the right place. It was lolo!! wanted to treat us for lunch at Pepper Lunch Gaisano Davao who just did his store (Happy Lemon) rounds. Actually, that treat was meant for my friend Sherwin, the birthday boy. He introduces me to his friend and business partner “RJ”. At the same time, I introduced my parents to him. Quite hesitant on the invite coz my friends are not yet around, but my good lolo insisted. I was too shy that time and forgot to utter words in front of him! #epicfail He’s the one who picked out our orders. He’s very accommodating as he kept on checking the place, the service, the ventilation and how we’re eating. My mom’s very kilig on that moment on…
After lunch, he handed us the tickets for all-star game stalwarts vs greats then hurried back at the hotel.
Lunch time and an invite for lunch thru sms came. Whew~ Lucky us! We were on the right time and on the right place. It was lolo!! wanted to treat us for lunch at Pepper Lunch Gaisano Davao who just did his store (Happy Lemon) rounds. Actually, that treat was meant for my friend Sherwin, the birthday boy. He introduces me to his friend and business partner “RJ”. At the same time, I introduced my parents to him. Quite hesitant on the invite coz my friends are not yet around, but my good lolo insisted. I was too shy that time and forgot to utter words in front of him! #epicfail He’s the one who picked out our orders. He’s very accommodating as he kept on checking the place, the service, the ventilation and how we’re eating. My mom’s very kilig on that moment on…
After lunch, he handed us the tickets for all-star game stalwarts vs greats then hurried back at the hotel.
Yummy foods at Pepper Lunch. Healthy and delicious. Overloaded. Big thanks to lolo, for the lunch treat and for the tickets...d'best ka talaga!! :D
On our way to Digos (where the PBA AllStar events were held) took
us 1hr and 45mins road travel to reach the Digos Coliseum. Man, told you that
was a bumpy ride!!! Can’t afford to fall asleep due to overexcitement!
Event started, Chris Tiu won and crowned as the new 3pt king. He banked
21pts for the record and for the win!! Crazy heart-attacked! Jonas for the obstacle and Ellis for the slam-dunk contest.
Main event, Stalwarts vs Greats. Yea I know, it’s Chris Tiu vs PJ
Simon again. Though, cheered for them (both) hahaha. Stalwarts won!
Back to Davao city proper, can’t believe we did
rode the bus, the same bus of the players!! WAAAAAH We never planned that but
that’s the only way we can drive down the city, safe.
Day2 –Samal Island, Paradise Island
Our vacation day, day off from basketball. Headed
to Paradise Island Park and beach resort, Samal. An eight-peso multi-cab ride
from our place to the ‘pier’ or drop off place for a water adventure ‘cruise-ferry’
haha.
Indeed, Paradise it is! Availed a day tour trip
at the island. We’ve got no baons at all. We only have instant noodles and biscuits
for snacks. What we did was just swim-all-we-can. Clear blue water, white
sands, no waves, just a bunch of people. Nothing more to ask! A perfect place
to relax and unwind! A place to recommend for…
Hopped on the last trip back to the city at 5pm. All of us were hungry knowing we only ate brunch at the hotel that time. Stop over at Penongs! Barbestque native food I ever tasted at Davao! :D
Across the street is SM Lanang, we really
planned to go there just to visit the Happy Lemon branch! HAHAHAHA.
Big Beau texted and looked for us so we shook and hurried back, I mean fast! Dropped of things at our hotel then gone straight to Marco Polo to meet him up. After fun stories, he left us and we’re supposed to leave too but I texted JVee to give him a food I bought. Then, Jvee arrived at the lobby together with Kuya Luis who invited us for dinner at their place. Yes, we’re with the aces team that night. No dull moments on the road. Pero mukhang ako yung napagtripan nilang asarin!
Whoa~ didn’t expect those plenty foods awaiting
us. I’m so full!! A lot of stories while eating, stories happening on and off
the court….kasama na ang pang aalaska sakin ni Jvee na.. I’m booing him daw
everytime si Chris Tiu ang kalaban nya. Na hindi naman daw talaga sya ang
pinapanood ko kundi si Tiu. Blah Blah Blah. So hot seat and peg.
Tired but fun. Bloated but enjoyed. It was a day to remember!!!
Day3 – PBA All-Star vs Smart Gilas.
Yes, it is a Sunday. Put God first, went to church with family. Afterwards, off to Gaisano mall to eat at pepper lunch again with Anna and Sherwin, Happy Lemon store check-up next.
We were taking advantage of the time and
patching things up since we know don’t have tickets for PBA All-Star vs Smart
Gilas game so we decided and planned to buy pasalubongs instead and take a city
tour. Not until, we’re dumb founded to a message from kuya Jeff and we began to
startle that he got us tickets na! Panic attacked, bought pasalubongs for an
hour and kicked off to Digos city. This time, a laid-back travel… I was able to
sleep at the van with no worries.
Caught up at the coliseum while Jvee’s having his shooting-with-the-star portion. He won! :D
Head to head dance battle between the PBA All
Star against Smart Gilas National Team. Laughed out loud!! Nice to see
basketball players dance and doing NOT their thing. Gilas did Psy’s gentleman with
cha-cha wearing cool shades while PBA Stars gangnam style. PBA Allstar nips the dance trophy.
The game itself, craziest last shot by kuya Jeff! Amused and he got to bring home the AllStar MVP trophy sharing it with Arwind Santos.
Rode PBA Allstar bus back to Davao city, thanks to Beau for making it possible.
This day’s awesome!! Thanks kuya Jeff Chan for the tickets. And Beau for the hitch.
Day4 –Last day!
Last stay at DVO, check out day. Woke up early to buy pasalubong of fruits and souvenirs again. Left the hotel after brunch for a noon flight bound Manila.
That’s a warp!
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