Let's Eat October issue

Oct 2013

No. 5

Ramen Crazy

Bowl over Taisho’s great ramen selection

The AntiCupcake

Gigi’s Cupcake’s anti-trend dessert

Hipster Heritage

Slappy Cakes’s Portland roots

Bar Room Business

Oct 2013

No. 5

Publiko’s inventive gastropub

Let’s Eat Issue 5

WHAT'S INSIDE

Oct 2013

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SLAPPY CAKES gives us a taste of Portland

On the cover: Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen from TAISHO Cover Photo by GABBY CANTERO

p.15 PUBliko gives gastropubs a new look

FERNANDO MIGUEL BELMONTE Publisher DON JAUCIAN Managing Editor THYSZ ESTRADA Editorial Associate

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TAISHO: A masterclass on ramen

SPANKY HIZON ENRIQUEZ Contributing Writer GABBY CANTERO Contributing Photographer LUCIEN DY TIOCO Head of Sales & Marketing ALLAN PALOR Visualizer

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Lets Eat Sweets:

Gigi’s Cupcakes

p.19

COUPONS

ANNALYN DELGADO Editorial Assistant

Golden Letter Publishing, 1497 E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City For inquiries, call 5277901 local 132 or email letseat062013@gmail.com

A Hub for Local and International Flavors

By Abby Rebong

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aving developed a renewed vibrancy, Manila’s dining culture has grown in so many pleasantly exciting ways. From homegrown brands taking flight to international franchises finally setting up shop here in the country, everyone who has a fondness for good food can now delight in the ever-growing dining options that have been popping up in the Metro left and right. Not one to be left behind in this current boom in the restaurant service industry, TriNoma is eager to present a delicious mix of dining outlets like Wee Nam Kee, Mango Tree Bistro, and Vanilla Cupcake Bakery catering to all price points and palates for city dwellers. Coincidentally, all three have chosen TriNoma to be their first home up north.

Wee Nam Kee Enjoy the true taste of Singapore’s Chicken Rice through this renowned institution.

Wee Nam Kee entered the local food scene with a bang when it first opened in the Philippines as eager diners excitedly lined up to enjoy the Singaporean franchise’s famous chicken rice and other authentic Singaporean dishes.

Attracting diners young and old, locals and expats, Wee Nam Kee in TriNoma has enjoyed a loyal following thanks to the authenticity of its dishes, which include bestsellers like the Marmite Pork Ribs, Cereal Prawns, and of course, what everyone has been coming all the way to Wee Nam Kee for, the Chicken Rice, which is available in either steamed, roasted or combination and comes as a personal set and servings which are good for up to eight people.

Other mouthwatering Singaporean fare that the restaurant offers include rice toppings, soups, seafood dishes, vegetable dishes, noodle dishes, as well as desserts.

The generous portions are also a great come-on both for big groups as well as those with a big appetite. Wee Nam Kee is located at Level 4.

Combination Chicken Rice Meal (comes with Chicken soup and Chicken Rice)

Vanilla Cupcake Bakery Sweet and utterly charming, Vanilla Cupcake Bakery takes pride in taking serious attention to details, resulting to a beautiful mélange of dainty cutlery, fine tableware, and various items of interest, which perfectly complement its yummy selection of desserts, savory dishes and specialty drinks.

Diners can’t help but admire the lovely displays – from the chandeliers to the artisan furniture, and of course the seemingly endless rows of saccharine delights. Vanilla Cupcake Bakery boasts of having 108 cupcake flavors spread out in its different branches but for the TriNoma branch alone, cupcake lovers can expect to choose from a fine selection of 60 flavors. Take your pick from Coffee Walnut Salted Caramel, Valrhona Chocolate, Decadent, Carrot and Banana Butter Cream to other equally delicious desserts, which Vanilla Cupcake Bakery refers to as “cakes in a cup”, which ranges from Mango Panna Cotta, Milk Chocolate Mousse, Oreo White Chocolate Mousse, Banoffee and more.

Choose from Vanilla Cupcake Bakery’s more than 100 delicious cupcake flavors.

Offering more to its ever-growing clientele, Vanilla Cupcake Bakery’s branch in TriNoma also has a wide selection of savory dishes and specialty drinks that’ll make you crave for more. From salads to sandwiches to old-time favorites like the BBQ Ribs and Chicken Cordon Bleu, these will make you want to keep on coming back to this now very popular hangout. Vanilla Cupcake Bakery is located at Level 2 Garden Restaurants.

SOON TO OPEN:

As TriNoma’s selection of local and international dining outlets continue to grow, it’s proud to house four more exciting restaurants that northerners will soon be able to enjoy.

Ramen Santouka A popular Japanese franchise, Ramen Santouka comes hot from the heels of the current ramen craze that has invaded the local market.

The brand is known for being one of the best ramen restaurants to have come to the country and has already established a loyal following.

Shio Ramen

Now, diners residing in the north have their own branch of Ramen Santouka to patronize as soon as it opens in TriNoma and get to enjoy the delicious taste of authentic Hokkaido ramen. Brace yourself for popular variants, which include the Shio Ramen (Ramen Santouka’s signature ramen which is a mild and creamy soup seasoned with salt), Miso Ramen (Made from a mixture of pork broth and a rich and hearty miso paste. Ramen Santouka uses a different pork broth for to bring out the miso flavor), and the Shoyu Ramen (Made from a mixture of pork broth and soy sauce.

Dried seaweed is used as a topping for Shoyu Ramen to bring out its flavor. Ramen Santouka’s cha-shu is simmered in soy sauce, so its flavor will stand out in the Shoyu Ramen’s soup). Ramen Santouka is located at Level 4 Garden Restaurants

Mango Tree Bistro Authentic Thai dishes abound at this popular Thai franchise, which has branches all over the world. Treat your taste buds to a wonderful medley of flavors that has become synonymous with Thai cuisine. Salty, sweet, sour, and of course, spicy, Mango Tree Bistro takes pride in especially flying in authentic Thai spices and in making sure that it never scrimps on the quality of its ingredients as well as its staffs’ training in Thailand so that the local branches of the Mango Tree franchise remains true to that of the original.

From cold appetizers and salads, curries, soups, grilled items and drinks, Mango Tree Bistro’s menu will whet any foodie’s appetite.

Bestsellers include the Pad Thai Goong (Thai stir-fried rice noodles with prawns), Panang Nua (beef fillet in panang curry sauce with kaffir lime leaves), and the See Krong Moo Yang Nam Phung (grilled pork spare ribs with honey). But Mango Tree Bistro also doesn’t shy away from offering more unique specialties with a distinct Thai twist like the Spaghetti Salmon, Green Mango Cheese Cake, Tom Yum Fries, and Siam Sisig. Mango Tree Bistro is located at Level 3 Garden Restaurants.

Pad Thai Goong (Thai stir-fried rice noodles with prawns)

To better cater to the Filipino palate, Mango Tree Bistro also offers different levels of spiciness for its dishes, just make sure to inform your server upon ordering.

Q-Daddy

Grilled Steak Slab

For hearty dishes perfect for those with a big appetite, Q-Daddy gives diners a delicious spread of menu options. Must-tries include the succulent grilled steak slab and the BBQ pork ribs. Meat lovers residing north of the Metro shouldn’t miss out on Q-Daddy.

Q-Daddy is located at Level 2 Food Choices.

Red Velvet Vixen

Cupcakes by Sonja One of the most popular cupcake shops in the country, Cupcakes by Sonja has finally made its way north of the Metro and will soon delight everyone with a sweet tooth once it opens in TriNoma. From bestsellers like the Red Velvet Vixen and Vanilla Sunshine, enjoy a wonderful selection of flavors that are sure to catch your fancy.

Cupcakes by Sonja is located at Level 2.

Beef and Watermelon Sinigang

Manam Express Traditional Filipino fare with a twist is what this homegrown restaurant proudly offers. Take your pick from its interesting take on Pinoy dining through its specialties like the Beef and Watermelon Sinigang and House Sisig. Good for sharing or indulge to your heart’s content, Manam Express provides a wonderful array of dishes that are proudly Filipino. Manam Express is located at Level 2 Food Choices.

hipster heritage A taste of Portland’s finest at Slappy Cakes

By SPANKY HIZON ENRIQUEZ Photos by GABBY CANTERO

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Let’s talk about Portland, Oregon.

For many of us Filipinos, this city isn’t really part of our radar whenever we map out our itineraries when we visit the United States.

The average Pinoy knows of this city through its NBA team, the Trailblazers, its most famous player, Clyde the Glide, and Billy Ray Bates, who played one magnificent season in the city before crossing the Pacific to become the PBA’s epic Black Superman. That’s about it, really. Well, that, and Portland’s newly minted reputation as one of the cleanest and greenest places in America, and by far the hippest city on the western seaboard populated by hippies and hipsters, iconoclasts, and innovators.

That would explain Slappy Cakes, the slap-happy restaurant where customers get to DIY their own pancakes using a selection of premium homemade batters made from scratch every day. The concept is only four years old—Adam Fuderer and his friends thought of embedding griddles on tables and opened their first store in Portland only in 2009— but 2013 has been a blur for rapidly-growing chain. The first foreign branch opened in Tokyo in February, quickly followed by the first Philippine store in Eastwood in May; Maui in Hawaii in June; Singapore in July, almost simultaneous with the second one in the Philippines, at SM North. SM Aura in September, next up, at the Jazz residential and commercial complex on Jupiter St. in Makati this November, and before the year ends, in Ayala Center Cebu. Whew! These hipsters move fast.

There really must be something special in the fresh air they’re breathing up in Oregon.

The Slappy Cakes are pretty special too. The Food Network recognized them as “America’s Best”, and with good reason. The playful pancake batters are really, really pan-tastic. Remember how proud you were when you made your first pancake? For many foodies, that was the first thing they ever cooked—powdered mix out of a box, add eggs, some water, a little oil, mix until the lumps disappear, pour on the Teflon pan, flip when the bubbles turn into holes, and voila! An unforgettable, seminal moment.

That’s the childhood experience that’s blissfully recaptured at Slappy Cakes but this time amped up with a selection of flavored batters, conveniently stored in squeeze bottles for maximum efficiency and minimum mess. I naturally gravitate towards the peanut butter and chocolate flavors, but buttermilk is the bestseller locally. Whole grain and even vegan choices are also available daily.

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LET’S EAT OCT 2013 11

Embrace a world of flavors 13 gastronomical delights for an unforgettable dining experience!

By Camille Bersola

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obinsons Magnolia opens up a world of rich and festive culinary flavors from around the world under one roof. Whatever they’re craving for, diners can enjoy an extensive selection of exciting and delectable local and international cuisine. Name it, they have it all here. Let’s take a quick culinary world tour around Robinsons Magnolia.

The Clubhouse

Be it in the morning, afternoon, or evening, you can enjoy a delightful breakfast at The Clubhouse. Top choices in their menu is the Vigan Longganisa Hash, Vigan’s signature longganisa served with potato hash, garlic parsley rice, and pineapple salsa.

ClawDaddy's For the freshest catch, there is no other place to go but Clawdaddy’s. it serves the famous Seafood Boiling Bag, which is a mix of mud crabs, fish water prawns, South Pacific clams, green mussels, flavored with Andouille sausage, potatoes and sweet corn.

Tao Yuan Restaurant A popular Singaporean brand, Tao Yuan Restaurant serves Singapore’s classic Hainanese Chicken. Served with rice cooked in chicken broth, their Hainanese Chicken is delicately infused with garlic and leeks.

Buffet 101 Diners with big and bold appetites may feast on 300 international and local dishes at Buffet 101. Big enough to accommodate 400 individuals, this is the best place to celebrate special occasions with family and friends.

For more dining information, please call Robinsons Magnolia at 961-5278.

thai bristo The exotic and spicy flavors of Thai dishes are what foodies like at Thai Bistro. Owned by the “Chef in Stilettos,” Cecille Chang, Thai Bistro’s bestseller is the Pad Thai — stir fried rice noodles mixed with shrimp, pork, egg, and bean sprouts, all wrapped in an egg net.

Lombardi's Chef Davide Lombardi offers authentic Italian fare at reasonable prices. Among the favorites here is the Fruitti di Mari or Seafood Pasta, which is served with the fresh seafood tossed with extra virgin olive oil, and a little pomodoro sauce.

at Robinsons Magnolia Arya Cafe

The fragrant and appetizing spices of Persian cuisine at Arya Café are enough to entice the appetite. What makes the Persian culinary experience here more delightful is the magnificent cooking, coupled with ornate and beautiful interiors. Arya serves the best Beef Kebab in the country, served with basmati rice and grilled mashed tomatoes.

Mesa Serving delightful Filipino dishes with a modern flair. Mesa features its bestselling item, the Boneless Crispy Pata, which is deep fried pork leg topped with crispy garlic and chili.

Ramen Bar Ramen Bar offers a variety of mouth-watering Japanese noodles. A must-try here is the Ramen Bar Special, which is a soy-infused Ramen topped with tamago, naruto, nori, negi, chasyu and kakuni.

Tully's Coffee

Tully’s Coffee is an ideal spot for a cozy cup of coffee. Try their Intense Dark Mocha, which is a mix of mini Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate steamed together with milk and poured with fresh espresso shot, topped with whipped cream.

Pasteleria La Terrazza Pasteleria La Terraza offers Italian classics, from appetizers to desserts. Their signature specialty, the Pizza La Terraza, is an original recipe made from fresh spinach, chorizo, mushroom, and mozzarella cheese.

Chef's Noodle Serves mouthwatering Korean dishes. Not to miss here is the Starking Fire Sushi — sushi topped with thinly sliced imported beef, which is cooked to your own preference using a handheld torch.

Gaucho Gaucho’s signature dish is Australian raised young lamb slow roasted from the fire pit. This dish is served with their Chimichurri sauce, assorted organic pickles and unlimited steamed or garlic rice.

GAUCHO FIRE PIT Gaucho serves authentic Argentine specialties that are bursting with savory flavors. Following traditional Argentinian cooking, their slow roasted meat is cooked in a glass encased fire pit.

Next up, pick some fixins, choose some toppings, and as the Portland people specifically instructed: “love your mom and have fun!” Round pancakes are delicious, but come on—at the very least, make it a Yin-Yang symbol using two differently colored batters! Spell your name, draw the Mona Lisa, the only limit is your imagination. The same goes for the combinations using the multitude of count ‘em: 28 sweet and savory fixins’ and toppings. My numero uno combo has a decidedly Filipino profile: shredded coconut, itlog na maalat, and kesong puti combine to form a Bibingka Slappy Cake! Pinoy Pancake Perfection is attained when this is drizzled with the mango syrup that’s exclusive to Slappy Cakes in the Philippines.

I’m more than happy with the slappies for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but there are a lot of entrees too: the chicken tenders are arguably the best I’ve had locally, and the chicken tocino eggs benedict, from the “Slappy Happynoy” selection, is delectably different. Fear not, non-hipsters, our traditional breakfast fare is also available: bongga longaniza, anyone?

And for dessert—Bananas Foster showered with caramel sauce or a spectacular banoffee sundae. Or even better, why not order what I usually have to end my meals here: another round of Slappy Cakes!

HEALTHY OPTIONS Ask for the vegan batter for the DIY pancake Mango Ponzu Salad Slappy Salad Cesar Salad

PRICE RANGES Soups and Salads — P290 (French Onion, Tomato and Potato Soup) to P350 (Mango Ponzu, Slappy, and Cesar Salad) Burgers and Sandwich — P290 (Pulled Pork Sandwich) to P350 (Slappy Burger, Maui Burger and Balsamic Burger) All Day Breakfast — P150 (Oatmeal) to P350 (Chicken Tocino Benedict and Pork Belly Benedict) Sides — P60 (Eggs and Steamed White Rice) to P100 (Mashed Potatoes and Breakfast Potatoes) Drinks — P80 (House Blend Iced Tea) to P150 (Orange Smoothie/Shake/Juice) Dessert — P130 (Mixed Fruit Plate) to P200 (Bananas Foster) Zero Proof — P190 (Cucumber Lime Aide, Cranberry Cooler and Kiddie Kremecycle) Entrees — P250 (Country Fried Bacon) to P390 (Pop’s Pot Roast) Pastas — P290 (Pesto Pasta with Anchovies, Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, and Spaghetti Carbonara)

TIPS

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Chicken Tocino Eggs Benedict Bananas Foster Southern Fried Chicken Tenders Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Bibingka Pancakes (DIY)

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1. The red blinker should stop before you cook on the pan.

Ask the wait staff for assistance.

2. Wait for the batter to bubble before you add fixins.

3. Don’t tap the cake while cooking so it will remain soft and fluffy.

Slappy Cakes is located at Unit 1880-5, Ground Floor, New Eastwood Mall, Quezon City with other branches at SM Aura, SM North EDSA the Block and soon at SM Jazz Residences.

Call (02) 909 3501

SlappyCakesPH

14 LET’S EAT OCT 2013

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My first thought upon ascending the three flights of stairs to the main area of Publiko?

“Now this is a bar that understands my needs.”

bar room business PUBLIKO’s inventive gastropub

By SPANKY HIZON ENRIQUEZ Photos by GABBY CANTERO

You see, my requirements for a drinking destination are not too complicated. Quite simple, really. First, wide picture windows to view the world going by while I enjoy my libations. Second, walls of dark wood, and even better, built from bricks. I’m old school that way, influenced, no doubt, by the cool retro ambiance of my dear old dad’s preferred hideouts, where he occasionally brought his impressionable young son. Third, cozy private booths—the better to snuggle up to my dates once the attitude adjustments from the alcohol kicks in. Fourth, filling and hearty pub fare; which is why one of Publiko’s witty signs almost brought a tear to my eyes: “My favorite animal is steak!” Like I said before, I somehow know this bar knows me. And finally, fifth and foremost: the beers and the booze, of which I imbibe with impunity, must be very affordable.

On all counts, Publiko in Eastwood more than satisfies. With its vast selection of food and drinks, it’s actually quite reminiscent of another popular establishment, Draft. No surprise there, as both Gastro Pubs share the same owners. I enjoy both places immensely; but perhaps, Publiko even more, as it is friendlier to the public in terms of pricing, without sacrificing anything in terms of quality.

Barely three months old, it’s already considered a solid alternative to similar joints further south, in Makati and Taugig. A Bonifacio Global City feel in Quezon City—why not? It is definitely a surefire formula for success, tapping the substantial northern market of the metropolis.

And speaking of taps, Publiko has the most popular imported premium drafts—Hoegaarden, Beck’s, and Stella Artois—all available fresh from the barrel. Pints go for as low as P150! Seriously? I could spend whole afternoons here. And I actually have done so. The bar opens for business at 11:00 A.M., and doesn’t close until the wee small hours of the morning. It’s my secret place for when I just want to get away from it all during daytime. It’s quiet enough so I can actually boot up my laptop and get some work done, or more accurately, just catch up on the latest NBA games on Publiko’s seven wide screen televisions. Either activity, as appropriate to the ambiance, accompanied by freshly pulled mugs of beer.

LET’S EAT OCT 2013 15

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HEALTHY OPTIONS PUBliko Cesar Salad Asian Chopped Chicken Salad

But of course, the main draw for this gastropub is the gastro. That halfpound meatball delicately perched on a pile of al dente pasta, slathered in a tangy, chunky homemade tomato sauce is worthy of Don Corleone’s kitchen. The thick and rich smoked BBQ pork ribs, falling off the bone, served with a kick of a counterpoint: cilantro and lime coleslaw. And the star of the show, a meat Loaf recipe from Chef Carlo Miguel’s beloved mom. Her secret formula results in an unbelievably creamy and meaty loaf of warmth and comfort, embraced, with a mother’s tenderness, by generous strips of bacon! All this, given a sweet ending by one of the best new desserts of 2013: a generous slice of their addicting, authentic S’Mores Cake!

Publiko is an easygoing comfort zone that serves excellent comfort food.

Spending time there reminds me of one of the best books ever written about pubs and the people who love them: J.R. Moehringer’s “The Tender Bar”, an ode to the camaraderie and charm unique and universal to the best bars, the ones that people keep coming back to again and again.

Publiko holds true to that book’s spirit. It is my new tender bar.

01 Spaghetti and Meatballs 02 Beef Pot Roast 03 S’Mores Cake

PRICE RANGES PUBliko Munchies — P120 (Chips and Salsa)to P245 (Chili Cheese Fries) Lunch Sets — P165 (Chili Rice Carne) to P195 (Mom’s Meatloaf and Pork Shoulder Steak Rice) Soups and Salads — P125 (Soup of the Day) to P225 (Asian Chopped Chicken Salad) Pasta — P235 (Mac and Cheese) to P285 (Spaghetti Bolognese) Pizzas — P345 (Pepperoni) to P385 (PUBliko Supreme) Beverages — P55 (Brewed Iced Tea) to P300 (Pint of Paulaner Munchen Beer) Burgers and Dogs — P165 (Cheeseburger) to P235 (Double Cheeseburger and Bacon Cheeseburger) Desserts — P175 (Bread and Butter Pudding) to P196 (S’Mores Cake and Sundae)

TIPS 1. Compared to its popular south side brother, Draft that serves European-style pub food, PUBliko offers the American counterpart; lots of comfort food in all its humongous and flavorful goodness.

2. Funfact: PUBliko is the only place in Eastwood that serves imported beer from tap. Currently available are Hoegaarden and Becks in all their foamy goodness with Stella Artois soon to be added.

3. The place used to be a popular club but while the sweaty dancers left the music stayed. Alt-rock favorites stream from its speakers during weekdays while dance hits blast from the DJ booth during Friday nights.

PUBLIKO Eat + Drink is located inside Eastwood Citywalk, Quezon City.

Call 0922 817 4301.Opens 5:00 to 3:00 A.M. (MON-SUNDAY).

Publikopub

16 LET’S EAT OCT 2013

ramen crazy

It’s hard to make Ramen. The real kind, mind you, not the instant versions in plastic cups that college students worldwide slurp up in the tens of millions every single year.

Real ramen is artisanal in every respect: it takes skilled chefs years to develop their own perfect noodle recipe, and it takes even longer for them to develop a broth that’s uniquely theirs, yet conforms to the steadfast ramen traditions. It’s extremely difficult to make authentic ramen, true; but it’s absurdly easy to love authentic ramen.

Which is why I’m often puzzled why, in the Philippines at least, ramen’s recent surge in popularity has been partly due to its “snob appeal” among Filipino foodies, and not to its proletarian roots as the affordable, accessible everyday hot meal of Japanese “salarymen”. One of the most famous, some would say notorious, ramen restaurants in the country has a stern-looking chef who seems to delight in “intimidating” his loyal patrons with implied threats of “No soup for you!”, just like Seinfeld’s legendary “Soup Nazi”. Other top Ramen restaurants do not provide Western dining utensils, which result in chopstick acrobatics for the uninitiated.

Taisho, which recently opened its first branch on the SM North Sky Garden, enthusiastically jumps into the fray with a mission to make the average local diner fall in love with ramen by offering low-price yet high-quality genuine specialties from Hakata in the Fukuoka province.

Myra Isono, originally from Nueva Ecija, has been living in that part of Japan for 25 years, and with her husband, runs a successful group of restaurants there, including Tonia’s Grill, specializing in the cuisine of her homeland. Two years ago, she decided to reverse directions, so to speak, and developed the concept for an affordable Japanese Ramen and Teppanyaki restaurant for the Philippine market.

The word “Taisho” translates best to “master”, and it’s an apt name for a new venture that draws on the experience of its owners and chef, Kenichi Maemura. The restaurant’s menu is thick and wideranging, a crowd pleasing line-up prepared for one of the most crowded malls in the country. The offerings are satisfying, no question there: ramen cooked with miso, char siu, kimchi, and a dense, collagen-sticky tonkotsu boiled for twelve hours; a variety of pork and beef teppan meal sets, gyoza, ebi tempura, wafu hamburgers and the house special, tebasaki: Taisho’s take on the popular Korean-style spicy and crispy fried chicken wings.

Bowl over Taisho’s ramen selection

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By SPANKY HIZON ENRIQUEZ Photos by GABBY CANTERO

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But even more than the main dishes, it’s the little touches that make dining in Taisho such an enjoyable experience. I love the fact that fresh cloves of garlic are available on every table. Servers teach the guests how to use a nutcracker-like device that slowly crushes and squeezes the garlic, thus allowing its concentrated oils to be dropped on the bowls of ramen, enhancing the broth with a zesty new dimension of flavor. This essence of garlic completes the complexity of flavors of one of the most unique ramens in all of Metro Manila: an unabashedly fiery, flaming red bowl of karamen infused with kochijan—that ultra spicy condiment made from chillies and fermented soybeans. It’s called, not surprisingly, “deadly spicy”. It is really to die for.

Call it “The Democratization of Ramen” or “Demystifying Ramen”—either way, I’m all for it. This most compelling of noodle dishes, at once so simple and so complex, deserves a larger fan base among our countrymen. And with its friendly prices and original recipes, I have no 01 Kimuchi Ramen 02 Tofu Salad 03 Karamen

HEALTHY OPTIONS Aojiru Wheatgrass (P75) & Rokucha Green Tea (P50) Tofu Salad (P155), Wafu Salad (P145) & Cesar Salad (P155)

PRICE RANGES Ramen — P199 (Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen) to P295 (Chashu Ramen) Ramen Toppings — P45 (Fresh Boiled Egg) to P50 (Plain Rice and Chashu) Gyoza — P95 (4 pcs)to P155 (8 pcs) Chahan — P155 (rice) Teppanyaki Set — P210 (Pork with Miso Sauce) to P499 (Dice Beef Steak) Ala Carte — P160 (Pork Teppanyaki and Pork Steak) to P449 (Dice Beef Steak) Salads — P145 (Wafu Salad) to P155 (Tofu Salad and Cesar Salad) Fry — P295 (Ebi Fry and Mix Fry) to P335 (Mix Tempura) Kids Meal — P175

TIPS 1. It is best to eat the ramen while it’s hot 2. Adding garlic does wonders to every dish.

3. Portions are large for some dishes so Taisho is good for dates or group dinners.

Taisho Ramen and Teppanyaki House is located at 2/F Sky Garden, SM North EDSA. Call (02) 955 6234. Opens 10A.M. to 10P.M. taisho.ramenhouse

18 LET’S EAT OCT 2013

LET’S EAT SWEETS

THE ANTICUPCAKE GIGI’s CUPCAKES

By SPANKY HIZON ENRIQUEZ Photo by GABBY CANTERO

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upcakes for Grown-ups. With none of the over-the-top cutesiness of other shops, GIGI’s Coffee & Cupcakes has more of a sophisticated New York feel, and the cupcakes reflect this same vibe: moist cakes topped with just the right amount of sweetness and a bright splash of color from the densely flavored buttercream-based frostings that don’t topple over. The 18 variants in rotation are perfect to-go, and even better at the store, paired with Gigi’s special Iberica blend coffees. Their sea salt chocolate, cinnamon, peppermint, and peanut butter cupcakes are simply irresistible—even for adults.

LET’S EAT OCT 2013 21

Usher in the holidays at

By Razel Estrella

Cibo Penne al telefono is a vegetarian bestseller that even meat lovers can indulge in. A little trivia: when cheese melts, it stretches and curls like a telephone cord, thus the name ‘al telefono’.

Gloria Maris Chinese cuisine specialists at Gloria Maris bring new twists to old favorites. The taro basket, usually served with seafood, may now be ordered with duck meat dipped in Hoisin sauce.

Pizza Hut Crab salad rolls for appetizer, fettuccine a la king for the main course, and a glass of orange juice — sounds delicious… and maybe a bit pricey. Pizza Hut, however, offers all these for only P129. With its ‘super panalo’ sets, you can have a complete meal for less.

Taco Bell

Flavors

Taco Bell celebrates its ninth anniversary. The small food joint satisfies huge appetites with its special platters. Try the rice meal which includes ground beef, potato bites with cheese dip, and a fiesta salad salsa.

The adventurous with a taste for the night life will find a home in Flavors located at the Gateway Park. Open on the weekends from 5pm until the wee hours, guests can sample delicious fares from around 20 food stalls while enjoying live musical performances.

After the Gateway Christmas tree lighting, Flavors will be open every day.

Oasis The open yet air-conditioned space is a garden right smack in the middle of the shopping center. Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of the mall and dine in tranquility with food from SumoSam, Cibo, CafĂŠ Adriatico, Sachi, and Pizza Hut.