Japan In A Nutshell (So Don't Expect Too Much)

So I recently came back from a 13-day trip in Japan. Like every other person I know who've also been there, I fell in love with the place. It might be a stretch, but landing back in Manila, counting in my head how many hours it would take me to get home (about 2 hours FYI)), was a little too dispiriting.

Manila's crappy public transportation is NOTHING compared to Japan. We are SO crushed in that category. Anyway, no sense in stating the obvious.

Japan is amazing, crazy, neat, rich, and too often, unbelievable. They've thought of everything. I mean EVERYTHING. There are days my friends and I can't get over how awesome and technologically advanced this country is.

Home to all the matcha you've been dreaming about (I mean, me), delicious Japanese cuisines, ultra-polite people, unnecessary but CUTE things one does not need in their life. A friendly reminder: leave your credit card in your hotel if you don't want to incur heavy debt! Seriously, Japan will screw you with all things kawaii.

Above all, it is a commuter's paradise. Well, once you get past the initial shock of 8-track trains serving aboveground train system and subway system with many levels deep underground, 200 exits in one station (Shinjuku stn). Such a complex network of mass and high-speed transportation system it's impossible not to get lost!

And don't get me started with their bike and pedestrian lanes! Japan is an absolute dream place for cyclists and avid walkers. Me.

The food, divine. But I'm biased with Japanese food so don't take my word on it. 

For reasons not unknown, I wished Philippines was somehow at par with whatever Japan has. That we are reaping the same benefits or nurturing the same beliefs towards progress.

Japan was a nice break, a much needed break, from the terrible Manila traffic (and pollution that entails it), crimes, corruption, work. Even if it put a huge dent on my savings, it was worth it and I'm super glad I did.

There are plenty of parks, temples, and museums in the 4 cities I went. I respect countries that put premium on open spaces, culture, and education. 

I promise to be back in Japan preferably during autumn. It would be sweet and really lovely to be surrounded with orange hues (the Cheese and I's favourite colour). 

There was not a day that I didn't go home without tired and aching feet. If my legs and feet could talk I'm sure they'd tell me I'm a maniac walker and that they hate me. Whereas I wouldn't apologise for it because that's how you get to know a place. A tired feet to me meant I covered a considerable amount of distance therefore I had a really good day.

I'll write a more coherent post when I get another free time, which is (almost) never. 

Ooma For Good Luck!

After submitting our Japan visa requirements, Mitch and I headed to Ooma Japanese Rice Bar to finally give it a try. 

We were ninth on the waiting list, luckily there were some groups not in the vicinity when their names were called so we got in earlier than expected. Their loss, our gain. :D

 Waiting game for Japan visa began that day.

Quite surprised that our orders came out pretty quick. Gutom na kasi kami talaga.

Salmon Skin Aburi Maki (P265). Torched salmon, crispy salmon skin, asparagus, cream cheese, wasabi aioli and teriyaki sauce.

From their menu:

Aburi, meaning to "burn something", is a traditional Japanese method of blowtorch - direct flame to burn. It can be destructive or tame and the art of aburi brings out amazing things - a different flavor and enticing aroma that fills the entire place.

It's kinda weird to have your gyoza covered with mozzarella cheese but it worked.

O-Gyoza (P235). Gratinated mozzarella and cheddar cheese, scallion, togarashi, and unagi sauce.

We had two servings of their Tuna Tataki because.

Tuna Tataki (P195). Sesame crusted tuna, pickled mushroom and its juices, fried shallots, pickled red radish and ginger garlic sauce. 

And the famous Hanger Steak.

Hanger Steak (P495). Sous-vide hanging tender, sauteed mushrooms, white truffle oil, sweet potato mash, crispy baby potato, pickle dressing, ponzu butter.

Would you believe I did not like it? Hahaha. What do you know, Mitch didn't like it too! Must be because of the strong truffle oil they poured on it. I mean I like me some truffle oil but I gues it was tad too much for me. Can't taste the mushroom and the tender beef.

The hype for the Aburis are real! Did not dig the Hanger Steak tho. But that's just me. Worth a try!

Awesome Triple Date on Crisp On 28th

I just had to rhyme it. #Sorrynotsorry

Locating Crisp on 28th involved quite an adventure for us three that Saturday. We took the long way when there could have been an easier and less complicated way LOL. 

Look at that personalized menu. So cute.

I'm glad we made it out here even without reservation. Although there were still plenty of vacant tables, a couple of them were reserved (eventually given to other customers when the party did not  arrive on time). 

We ordered Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Salad. For a salad it was really awesome!!!

Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Salad. PhP195.

Mitch ordered Roasted Sambal Chicken (brown dirty rice, pickled cucumbers, fried okra, 64 degree egg, tomatoes, and sambal sauce).

Roasted Sambal Chicken. PhP395.

JC had the Pork and Beans (slow cooked pork tenderloin, black eyed peas, lager beer sausages, root vegetables, and mashed potatoes).

 Pork and Beans. PhP565.

While I chose that week's special, Beef Ragu Pasta (slow cooked shredded beef ragu, smoked tomato gravy fettuccine, crumbled cheese).

Beef Ragu Pasta.PhP 480.

EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS OMG I KID YOU NOT. Hands down the biggest winner for us three that night was the Pork and Beans. I wish it wasn't too expensive so we could have it almost everyday.

After that satisfying dinner, we hung out at Fullybooked until before it closed. Grabe, so many books to read/want to take home it's painful.

Read Station Eleven ebook version. It was good! I thought it was a little bit bitin nga lang. omg ang coño. XD

I finally got to read this gem. It's hilarious but SAD.

The stash I wish my friend Mitch and I could've taken home. I already read Dash & Lily's Book of Dares and Station Eleven. Currently reading ebook version of Look Who's Back (I find the plot really interesting and can't wait how it plays out). A couple of weeks ago, was able to score a hardbound copy of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl for 145 pesos. Awesome riiight!

Okay end of rant.

Nope, I Didn't Buy Anything in Lego Store Philippines

Which required an enormous self-restraint on my part. But yes, I am happy to report that I did it. 

My friend Mitch and I were surprised to see that the store wasn't as big as we'd expected. It was bigger than regular stores but it wasn't as big as I imagined it/ Masyado ko yatang nakumpara sa Legoland stores sa Malaysia.

Here are the 3 DIY minifigs we built. The options are very limited so it was easier for us not to buy it for ourselves.

Oh Star Wars, I could only dream of owning one. One day when I'm less kuripot.

We made do of this section of the store where you can create whatever design you wish. Ang kaso, wala talaga kong talent sa ganito ever.

This diorama of familiar Pinoy fastfood chain, stores, bank, even a salon is so spot on! Eyelovet!

Because I can relate to Emmet. Amen.

That's all folks!

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Lego Store Philippines
Park Triange, 11th Avenue corner Rizal Drive,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Don Andres: A Peruvian Kitchen

Like in Puñta restaurant, I tried out of curiosity but mainly because of the Peruvian on their name. Hmm, let's see how they will fare on the authenticity bit. For fear of sounding obnoxious - which I do think I am not - I want to emphasize that I ate mainly foods sold in the streets when we were in Peru. Like 75% of the time. The remaining 25% were spent in nice and almost fancy restaurants. 

Plus, I am such a horrible food critic. My interpretation of gastronomic experiences is limited to amazing, awesome, tasty, delicious, OK, not so bad, starchy, and, like 5 or 6 more adjectives. Hee. Everything here is of my own opinion, therefore should not be taken against Don Andres.

So there we were on a Monday night. Despite being a weekday, a reservation is must do. Especially since we were gonna pay for it with coupons and there really were tons of people dropping by.

First bust of the night: Inca Kola that came from Jersey and not Peru. I understand, Peru is such a faaaar place to be importing these fruity and loved soda. Baka nga naman mas cost-effective if it came from the US. Besides, if they taste the same what's the big deal right?

Liked the sangria I ordered! I felt so, um, mature. I could feel my cheeks burning though after chugging it all down (not in one go).

Peruvian Sangria, PhP 150/glass

Loved the Aji-green sauce and spicy-orange mayonnaise but the chimichurri sauce lacked that fresh herb-y flavour and zest. I hope I'm making sense here. Señor Pollo's chimichurri is still the best for me.

The raw fish has the exact citrus flavour I always associate ceviches (or kinilaw locally) with. The raw talakitok chunks are huge, prepare to share this with someone else! As for the corn, I don't remember seeing corn in Peruvian ceviches, maybe this was a personalized touch from the chef or something? It's funny though how it was sliced hehe.

Ceviche de Pescado, PhP 240.

The canchas or corn nuts brought me memories of our time in Peru. I LOVED munching on these much to JC's annoyance haha. It is made from a special kind of maiz that pops without puffing out.

We chose the half-sized chicken cos we thought a quarter may not be enough for us two. It was, but the ceviche was heavier on the tummy than we originally thought (probably cos only 2 persons shared it!?!).

Chicken tastes good but frankly just like any other grilled chicken I had here in Philippines. They're not exactly the same, but you know, the chicken formulas are similar. Sa sauce and marinate lang talaga nagkakatalo. :) I loved their mashed potato though!

Pollos a la Brasa (1/2 Pollo). PhP320.

 For dessert, we tried their version of Tres Leches. I'm not a fan of milk but I do get my needed fix or better yet body calcium nutrition from time to time. This is one of the few calcium sources I allow myself have. :))

Tres Leches. PhP165.

There's still so much dishes to try in Don Andres, gotta come back for their Lomo Saltado (usually ordered this when we were in Peru and Bolivia but decided not to order it in Don Andres)!

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Don Andres Peruvian Kitchen
Courtyard Building, 26 Sergeant Esguerra Street, QC
364-4145