Only a little more than two months before 2014 finally bid goodbye. Wow, how crazy and amazing is that? My high school cousins will soon become college students; the steamy hot winds of March and April seem like only yesterday; the rainy September afternoons had passed by; the sentiment of leaving work then meeting new people still feels like new.

So much things have happened, they all felt like a blur or is it just me feeling older as each day passes by?

For whatever purpose this post is, nonetheless, cheers to all the good and the bad

A graffiti taken along BGC road. See link here.

UPDATE: This entry was originally posted last 24Oct2014.

After a tiring 3 hours of shopping for Halloween needs (from BGC to SM Aura to Market Market then back to SM Aura again), a Ramen fix, we believed, would fit perfect to suit our dizzy heads. My colleague suggested his friend's restaurant, but had a hard time remembering the name. Luckily, right as we enter SM Aura we saw this cozy restaurant decorated with vertical wooden pillars with printed Japanese characters on it. Oh, there you go, Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen! (Isn't that a mouthful?)

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen is a brand made popular by Yamagoya Ramen - a famous Ramen restaurant from Japan since 1970. They specializes in thin, straight Chikuho noodles with creamy, thick Tonkotsu soup, which is a result of boiling pork bones for several hours to extract its flavor and aroma. Presently, Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen is now making its name internationally and in the country with their six branches around the metro.

As we enter, there were but a few people dining. The first thing I notice was how classy their interior is - bright red chairs, wooden tables, golden furnishes, ramen bar, small kiosks for a small or large group of people.

Wooden pillars with Japanese characters, personally painted by a Japanese contemporary artist

At Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen, they promote their Tonkotsu ramen to enjoy in an original way or what they say, the Japanese way. Once ramen is served, inhale the rich aroma of Tonkotsu soup, then gently scoop up the soup to take a first sip. Now fully dip the Chikuho noodles into the soup and slurp it up! They also recommend putting a little powdered sesame seeds and/or red ginger pickles.

Since we only have a little time to spare, I ordered their said best seller Ajitama Tonkotsu Ramen while my colleague ordered their best seller spicy ramen Yuzu-Tama Tonkotsu. Within less than 10 minutes, our orders came into our table, hot and steamy!

Ajitama Tonkotsu - topped with a special half-boiled egg that is fully marinated with a special blended soy sauce base. Php 380.00

YUZU-TAMA Tonkotsu - flavored with yuzukosyo, one of the spices that the kyushu region of Japan is known for. A spice experience in ramen like no other. Php 380.00

Most of their ingredients came all the way from Japan and the noodles are freshly prepared every day. The thin Chikuho noodles perfectly complemented the rich, creamy tonkotsu soup. I love the veracious saltiness and the thickness of the soup itself. The thinly sliced pork was also tender and succulent.

On the other hand, I also liked the spiciness of Yuzu-Tama Tonkotsu. I'm not a lover of spicy foods but this is one spicy ramen that I could surely eat. It tasted of spicy herbs, even by just tasting the soup. Turns out, Yuzu-Tama is made of yuzukosyo - a fermented Japanese seasoning made from green chili peppers, yuzu peel (citrus fruit) and salt.

Overall, I would recommend Ikkoryu for its flavorful ramen, though I think they're a little bit costly. Nevertheless, you would appreciate how other people have shared their culture into our soil by dining in at Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen.

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
Level 2, SM Aura Premier, 26th Street corner
McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Tel. No.: 478-8333
Monday to Sunday
10:00 am - 10:00 pm

With the lustrous and classy interiors of Lugang Cafe, one can be intimidated to enter and dine in there. Honestly, I wasn't interested in this restaurant before. For me, it was just another expensive, commonplace restaurant in town. And besides, their name doesn't sound so appetizing to the ear. (Please tell me you agree.) I didn't know until yesterday that they serve the BEST Xiao Long Bao ever at a very reasonable price. (The BEST that I tasted so far.)

We were actually supposed to dine in at Tim Ho Wan. But apparently, we have no time to wait in their very longggg queue, so my friend dragged us to Lugang Cafe instead.

The first basket that came to our table was their best selling Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao.

Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao, Php 248.00

Xiao long bao is also known as soup dumplings that typically contains pork. Other fillings would be vegetables and seafood. At Lugang Cafe, they also serve kimchi-filled and chocolate-filled xiao long baos.

Even by just sucking in the broth, you could taste how their xiao long bao is oozing with flavors. The wrapper was a little sticky though (or maybe it was because of the wooden chopstick) but it was dense enough to compliment the pork filling. We all can't help but say "Ang sarapppp!!". Other customers were probably laughing at us, but who cares anyway. LOL.

I'm not an avid fan of Chinese food, but did you know that there's a proper way of eating Xiao Long Bao or any dumpling soup there is? Yeah, you read it right! You can't just put it in your mouth wholly or have it bit by bit. If you would really want to savor the taste of this famous delicacy, then I highly recommend for you to follow the steps below (as taught by an ever reliable friend):

Tadaaa! The above steps will definitely give you a delicious and delectable experience on eating xiao long bao, saving you from staining your shirt or scalding your tongue with the hot broth.

Then came the second basket, Shrimp and Pork Siomai! I am a seafood lover so I really like how the siomai was presented with the shrimp at the top. I was also surprised that it has broth in it just like the xiao long bao. But I think it was a little pricy for 288.00.

Pork Wantons in Spicy Chili Oil came next. The slightly sweet and spicy oil complimented the pork wantons. Honestly, it reminds me of the sweet & spicy taste of that well known Filipino instant pancit canton. LOL For my friend, this is her second best among the four viands that we ordered, but I would choose the siomai as the second best.

The final dish was the Pan-fried Pork Dumplings. Upon seeing it first, I didn't know that it was another dumpling until it was flipped over. Turned out that the seven pieces dumplings were bound together and fried as one. They actually were bigger than average dumplings. Another "ang sarap" moment! It was perfect with the red vinegar and a little chili.

Pan-fried Pork Dumplings, Php 220.00

Aside from their delicious meals, I'm also pleased with how the staff was accommodating. But apparently, the Megamall branch only has one common restroom, thus long lines for customers.

Awarded as one of the best restaurants in the Philippines last year, you should really try Lugang Cafe if you're looking for dainty gastronomic treats for your palate.

Lugang Café
3rd Level, Mega Fashion Hall
SM Megamall
Mandaluyong City

Other branches are in Greenhills, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, SM North Edsa and Glorietta 2.

Aside from being dubbed as the surfing capital of the Northern Philippines, one reason why I keep coming back to La Union is this food haven located in the midst of the city capital - Halo Halo de Iloko Balay.

The Place

From the outside, the place looks like a two-storey residential place turned into a restaurant. The first time I stepped in, I was amazed by the very homy and relaxed setting. Though, it's a little bit humid inside, especially during summer season. The whole interior is decorated with wood crafts, vintage items, colorful details, old paintings, photos, and many more!

It doesn't look like a restaurant from the outside and it isn't located along the main, busy road so you can have your food far from the city noises.

The last time I went here was a month before Christmas so they have this Christmas tree made from a stack of vinegrette bottles and a star made from bamboo sticks. Very creative.

Even their restrooms were designed to be cozy and canny.

Vintage art crafts and display can be found everywhere inside the restaurant.

My favorite part of the place is the ceiling made of original vinyls. Then there's this wall/window made of old capiz that displays messages from popular celebrities who dined at Halo Halo de Iloko.

Upstairs are some porcelain display

Some tables has its own name like this one - St. Gabriel's table

The overall cozy and artistic ambience of the place really adds charm to the whole atmosphere of the facade. It could make everyone's dining experience at its finest.

The Food

Halo Halo de Iloko Balay boasts to serve authentic Ilocano cuisines where everything is a must try. And of course, their Halo Halo specialties that you won't find anywhere else in the country. Theirs is made from Carabao's milk, mixed with a bit of corn flakes, nata de coco, cheese slices, sago, sweetened coconut, candy gelatin, ice cream then topped with another La Union's specialty - the ube halaya (purple jelly).

Fiesta Halo Halo at Php99.00

Buko Halo Halo for Php 175.00

My personal favorite is the Buko Halo Halo, served in a buko that comes with a glass of fresh buko juice. Very refreshing!

Apart from their very refreshing halo halo varieties, I was able to try some of the Filipino food they serve. Another personal favorite is the Pork Binagoongan perfect match with garlic rice. (Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a picture of it as we were already famished when the food was served.)

Ensaladang Mangga

Sinampalukang Baka for Php 325.00 (Good for 2-3 persons)

Pork Iloko Sisig for Php 395.00 (Good for 3-4 persons)

This post made me hungry. I suddenly craved for those foods just by looking at them! So next time you're at La Union, pay a visit to this great Filipino restaurant and you'll surely don't regret a thing!

#12 Zandueta St., San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines
(072) 700 2030
09193883145/09178527919
10:00 AM - 10:00 pm