Kimchi

Food. Travel. Beauty. Fashion.

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Hey Brew: New Restaurant Alert!

There’s a new restobar in Greenhills you shouldn’t miss! Hey Brew is the newest restobar headed by Chefs Niño Laus and Kalel Demetrio. We were invited to their prelaunch to sample some of their dishes, and their menu is creative, fun, and delicious! Expect a very well-thought-out menu that can please even the pickiest eater!

For some appetizers, we had their baked mussels, foie gras chawanmushi, and granita oysters. (which I believe is a must-try if you’re going to try it here!) The blend of the sweet granita and the fresh oysters is truly a different mouth-feel experience. The creaminess of the chawanmushi and the uni together did not disappoint either! I love the balance of the creaminess with the caviar, and the presentation of all the dishes was a feast for the eyes as well!

For the main courses, we tried their Duck Leg Confit, and Braised Lamb Shank - both of which were crowd pleasers! Being a fan of duck, this dish really made my stomach (and heart) sing! The juiciness of the meat, the fruitiness and sourness of the cranberry sauce, really complements the overall dish. The lamb shank was a  winner too! The meat is fork-tender, and luscious; we can’t stop eating it even when we’re full.

What stood out to me was their beef tongue dishes! They had this amazing Beef Tongue sandwich, which I thought was really really good, because aside from the brioche bun, their pickled red cabbage cuts through the richness of the beef; they also have these tongue skewers which did not disappoint as well - softness, and richness, like a wagyu cube. Did I mention they braise their ox tongue for 72 hours for the full flavor?

We coupled the dishes with some bomb drinks too! I personally loved their cocktail drink, Hari ng Kanto, which features Chef Kalel’s salted caramel vodka - which is sweet, and rather interesting to drink. For non-alcoholics, they have milkshakes too, one of which is the Brown Sodium Milkshake, sweet and salty, and really pretty to look at! I mean, look at that drip!

Overall, what a great tasting experience! Would definitely recommend this to friends and family to try!

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Poblacion Night Crawl: The VBQ Experience

Poblacion has become the place where people go to when they want to bar hop, or grab a few drinks. However, it has also become one of the most gastronomical cities, with restaurants featuring different kinds of dishes and experiences. One of which is the newly opened VBQ Vietnamese BBQ Restaurant. VBQ adds a twist to your usual BBQ, with the establishment offering an all-in-one package from dining, drinking, and post-drinking dining, so you don’t have to go elsewhere.

Step One: VBQ Restaurant

Aside from your usual BBQ, their meat is marinated in Vietnamese spices. Like any other Vietnamese restaurant, they also offer the usual bahn xeo, vermicelli spring rolls, and the like. However, what sets them apart is their other fusion offerings, such as their Beef Pho Pot, a rendition of the Vietnamese Pho served in hotpot, and my favorite, The Obama Noodles, which is a mixture of vermicelli noodles, grilled pork, pickled vegetables, sausages, and herbs, topped with peanuts and their special sauce. Yum!

After the filling dinner, they have a secret bar on the second floor called - Bang Bang Bar, that offers drinks so beautiful, you’ll be tempted to snap photos all night long!

Step Two: Bang Bang Bar

Not only do they have an instagrammable ambiance, their drinks are to-die-for. Exhibit A: Do you know they have a cocktail disguised as milk-tea because packaging-wise looks exactly like the milk-tea you would get in shops!

I dare you to say, these drinks don’t pique your interest! The one above is called Pride and Tonic, a drink inspired by the LGBT community. I mean, look at those rainbow ice cubes.

After a night of happy drinking, and for those who need a quick hangover meal, look no further, as behind VBQ is the perfect place to have one of the best goto in Manila!

Step Three: Lugaw Manila

The Goto Fiesta is one of their signature dishes - goto with bagnet, chicharon bulaklak, egg, and tofu. This one is my favorite because the texture of the crispy bagnet, and chicharon, really complements the smooth lugaw. Their lumpia is really good too because they make their vinegar in-house, and it's sweet and sour at the same time, making it the perfect pairing for the goto. If that's not all, what makes this goto place unique is for those na naghahanap ng forever, dito meron. They have a menu item called goto forever, which, as the name implies, means unlimited goto and unlimited toppings from their choice of bagnet, chicharon bulaklak, laman, lumpia, and tofu, for just P245! Definitely the best ending to this Poblacion experience!

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Japan's Famous Soup-Less Ramen is Here in the PH!

Ramen has always been the ultimate comfort food for ages. So imagine our curiosity when Menya Kokoro entered the scene offering a different take to ramen - soup-less! Mazesoba, is what they call it, kind of like, yakisoba with different toppings.

We definitely loved the Japanese bar ambiance. There's also a way to eating their Mazesoba, and I appreciated that they provided an infographic standees on the tables - especially for first-timers like me.

Each order of their Mazesoba gets you complimentary bowl of rice to mix with the excess sauce afterwards - and soup to cleanse the palate. They offer their Mazesoba different ways, they have the classic Tokyo Mazesoba, Spicy Mazesoba, Cheese Mazesoba, Vegan Mazesoba, Curry Mazesoba, and Zenbu Mazesoba. They also have different Donburi options for those who want rice and appetizers.

We ordered their Cheese Gyoza to start, and the usual pork dumpling had a distinct creaminess in every bite because of the cheese.

On to the main courses:

Curry Mazesoba

Ordered this one because we're huge fans of Japanese curry and it's super flavorful! I even prefer this more than their signature Tokyo Mazesoba. Aside from their usual toppings of gindara, egg, minced pork, and the works, they have delicious Japanese curry coating the noodles.

Zenbu Mazesoba

The next thing we ordered is the Zenbu Mazesoba which means, everything in it. Aside from the fact that it has the most toppings with the addition of chasu, soft-boiled egg, and bamboo shoots, the flavors really come through together, especially when mixed with the Konbu Vinegar.

Tip: Make sure to follow the 4 steps to eating your Mazesoba to ensure the best eating experience.

Address: Uptown Mall, BGC, Manila

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Kimchi Eats (Level 12 | Connoisseur)

236 reviews | 604 followers | 1063 photos

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Ruby Jack’s Steakhouse

I'm that kind of person who will splurge when it comes to food. As a foodie, I am also always on the hunt for good food that doesn’t break my wallet. However, I am also a firm believer that there are some places you would spend for, for the ultimate gastronomical experience.

I’ve always wanted to dine here, but was skeptical for a while due to the higher price point. My curiosity got the better of me though - and I’m glad it did. I would admit, my dining experience here is one of the best.

First things first - the ambiance, I really love! It’s perfect for dates, but also nice to dine with friends and family. But if you want to dine here alone, that’s fine too, because it’s really quiet here. The staff are also friendly and really accommodating.They are willing to help first-timers like me in ordering.

Next. The food. They introduced their new menu last May 2019 and though, I am not a fan of fine dining, in general, because  some of the places I’ve dined, were overpriced with standard tasting food. But, no regrets paying for the bill afterwards in Ruby Jack’s.

Teppan Grilled Foie Gras

What a way to start the meal. The Japanese style soy sauce and daikon really complements the richness of the foie gras.

A3 Wagyu Steak w/ Cartlidge Browne Cabernet Sauvignon Pairing

They have a bunch of steak options, from their Wagyu selection with different grades, their 45-day dry-aged selection, and John Dee Super Gold Grain-Fed Steaks. So, we asked the waiter to recommend a steak and wine pairing for us, that suits our taste - since I don’t like too much marbling from the A5 in my steak. We had our steak medium, and it was soft, and marbled just right. Definitely one of the best steaks I’ve had. 

Wagyu Enhanced Steak Rice

For sides, we chose their rice, because we really wanted rice for our steak. And the rice was really flavorful, with real beef chunks.

Truffle Mac and Cheese

We also ordered their truffle mac, as recommended by our waiter, and it’s one of the best I’ve tried, because the truffle aroma and flavor is really strong, but doesn’t overpower the cheese. The panko crust on top gives the mac and cheese more texture and bite.

Dessert Plate for Two

To end the fantastic meal, we ordered the Dessert for Two plate that features three of their signature desserts:

Pandan Pavlova

Really good mix of the buko pandan sago, fruits, and kaya jam. Their buko ice cream is good too.

Cranberry Pomegranate Agar

Very refreshing to eat after the rich Pavlova, with fresh fruits and peach sorbet.

Double Baked Cheesecake with Rosemary Ice Cream - Passion Fruit Curd

Really love this one - the cheesecake tastes like creme brulee cheesecake. And the ice cream, like the one from the Pandan Pavlova is the bomb. They don’t melt easily, and have a bite to them. 

Overall, everything we ate was amazing, and I’m dreaming of the next time we get to visit and try their other steaks. Next on the list - will try their fresh oysters when I come back again.

Address: City of Dreams, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Parañaque, Metro Manila

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2019 #TreatYourSelf Restaurants

“Come on, guys, it’s 2019.” Yup, that’s right.

Gone are the days when we have our eating stereotypes. You don’t have to be with someone to enjoy the finer things in life.

I launched this blog to debunk the idea of having to eat in a group, and so I am sharing with you my top solo-friendly restaurants this year!

1) Mendokoro Ramenba

Besides the fact that they serve one of the best ramen (in my opinion) in Manila, their concept of a Japanese ramen bar facing the chefs, screams “solo-dining.” We’re just glad they brought the concept to the PH, when all we wanted was to focus on our ramen and nothing else.

Address: 26th Street, BGC, Manila

2) Shake Shack

With the location being so close and walking distance to corporate offices, you can expect a lot of solo-diners who grab a bite during lunchtime then going back to the office. Not to mention, their cheese fries are awesome.

Address: Central Square, BGC, Manila

3) Little Flour

Wildflour’s little sister is upping their game with some of the best rice bowls (good for one) ever made! Their sisig rice bowl is to die for, and perfect for solo-diners.

Address: 31st Street, BGC, Manila

4) Hawker Chan

We’ve been blessed by a lot of gastronomical treats this year, and one of those blessings is the arrival of the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant famed for their soy chicken. Don’t be  intimidated by the swarms of families and friends dining here, as they offer a lot of solo meals similar to what you would get in a hawker stall in Singapore.

Address: Entertainment Mall, Mall of Asia, Pasay City

Bonus Round: If you really want to splurge and celebrate by yourself, this is the place.

5) Black Bird

Though this establishment is known for being a date place, don’t wait on someone to take you out if you really want to dine here. They have the best dry-aged wagyu steak, so if you’re really craving, then go for it! Get a glass of wine, and just enjoy your alone time - you deserve it.

Address: Ayala Triangle Gardens, Salcedo Village, Makati

It is both a privilege and a luxury to treat yourself so date yourself before the year ends.

All rights reserved. Author owns all the photos in this blog post.

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HK Edition: The Hunt for Concept Cafes and Restaurants

It’s not the first time I’ve been to HongKong, and we all have an idea or image of the city as a place where everything is quick paced. But in its strong, and very modern facade, hides a treasure of hole-in-the-wall instagram-worthy cafes and restaurants. And so, I made it my mission to uncover the cutest, weirdest, and most unique gems where we can chill and relax.

1) Hello Kitty Secret Garden

To all hello kitty lovers out there, this might be the place of your dreams. Grab your cameras ready, ‘cause aside from the hello kitty themed food and desserts, this place also has a collection of hello kitty items (from toys to kitchenware) you can purchase for yourself. The name stays true to itself though, we got lost two times trying to find this place ~ definitely a secret.

Address:  19 Ormsby St, Tai Hang, Hong Kong

2) Dimsum Icon

Dimsum lovers will definitely love this place. Let your inner child roam free and dine in this character-themed dimsum restaurant. They change their characters every month so you won’t get tired of their ever-changing menu items. I forgot the names of these characters but they’re super cute so it’s fine! I heard they put Sanrio characters, sometimes. However, there’s no clear schedule for the characters, all of which are random, so you wouldn’t really know what to expect when you go there.

Address: The One, Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, Nathan Rd, 100號L308

3) Littlescoool

Ever wondered what it would be like to go to school again? If yes, this place is definitely the spot for you! Seriously, though, this place is giving me trips to memory lane as I reminisce my old high school days. The setting of the restaurant is just like a school, complete with a blackboard, and book shelves. My drinks are even served in beakers! Anyone missing their chemistry subject?

Address:  Shop 206, 2/F, Mira Place One, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

4) Givres

Two words. Rose gelato.

I’m not talking about just the flavor, but the whole aesthetic of a rose is in this ice cream shop! Very instagram-worthy, and too pretty to eat. They have classic flavors, as well as unique flower tea flavors ~ I’m not even kidding. If you’re in the mood for eating rose petals and butterfly pea tea, then this is your jam.

Address:  Shop G38 200 Queens Road, Lee Tung St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

4) Duddeell Street Starbucks

If you’re looking for a more familiar place, then there’s only one spot we can think of when we think coffee - Starbucks. However, in Hong Kong, there is a really popular Starbucks spot that is hit with the locals – Duddell Street Starbucks. This is the first Starbucks chain that incorporates retro style with contemporary coffeehouse design. The place itself is a piece of Hong Kong’s culture that you’ve got to see for yourself.

Address: Starbucks, Duddell St, Central, Hong Kong

Concept cafes and restaurants are a hit nowadays, not just in Hong Kong, but across the globe.

These places try to hit every possible sense we have, as humans, and appeal to them. This is why presentation is important when serving food. Ambiance and atmosphere have become important factors to diners. However, it is still important to find the balance of providing quality food, service, alongside creative concepts.

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