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The First Slurp of IPPUDO Ramen Philippines

September 10, 2014 by Janey

IPPUDO known as one of the most popular Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen has finally opened in Manila, Philippines. It literally translates to “One Wind Hall,” Ramen King-awarded Shigemi Kawahara went against the wind in revolutionizing ramen in 1985, offering specially crafted bowls in a comfortable setting. IPPUDO Philippines first restaurant is located at 3/F Mega Fashion Hall. It is very spacious and can sit close to 80 guests.

The dining room is divided into the smaller area and the main dining area for bigger groups. There is also a bar fronting the kitchen for those who’d like to eat and run after the last drop of their ramen.

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With IPPUDO opening, it just reinforces that the ramen craze in Manila isn’t over and in fact, would likely to stay for good as Pinoys have given a space for it in the culinary landscape. Numerous folks were very excited with news that the same group behind the tremendously successful Yabu: House of Katsu, pioneer of the Tonkatsu craze in Manila, is bringing Ippudo to the local scene.

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At IPPUDO, each bowl must have a delicate balance of ingredients, broth and finely-crafted noodles. The ramen chef acts as the consummate story-teller in the kitchen, spawning art in every hot bowl. IPPUDO welcomes its patrons with much enthusiasm, knowing that every move from cooking to serving should be choreographed to perfect timing even down to the moment when the staff bids the customer, “…until we meet again.”

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Ippudo Ramen Hong Kong – Manila opening soon

September 3, 2014 by Janey

Ippudo hails from the ramen capital in Japan, Hakata (Fukuoka), and opened its doors in October 1985. Its popularity in Japan counting 65 branches all over the country made its founder Shigemi Kawahara the Ramen King of 2005. The restaurant has since then branched out to Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Australia and New York. This September, Philippines will be added to that list.

Excitement has been stirred up with news that the same group behind the tremendously successful Yabu: House of Katsu, pioneer of the Tonkatsu craze in Manila, is bringing Ippudo to the local scene. Ippudo will join the early starters Tim Ho Wan, Lugang Café, 8Cuts, Osaka Osho, Boqueria and newly opened Saint Marc’s Café in the SM Mega Fashion Hall.

RELATED POST:

FIRST SLURP OF IPPUDO RAMEN MANILA, PHILIPPINES

During a business trip in Hong Kong last year, I picked Ippudo as venue for a lunch meeting. We ordered deep fried oyster with wafu tartar sauce (HKD 38), Ippudo’s salmon cutlet (HKD 82), the Ippudo BBQ Pork Buns (HKD 28), Eel Rice in Stone Pot (HKD 68), Ippudo Karaka Ramen (HKD 78) and another ramen which name escapes me.

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More Dishes at Yabu, More to Love!

July 23, 2012 by Janey

You know how some kids pronounce “love” as “yab,” barely getting that right roll of the tongue for L. I tell you, I yab Yabu… and my tongue is rolling for more dishes. Since the first time I have gushed about Yabu here, Bubba and I have been back countless of times. We are not big mainstays of Megamall but because of Yabu, and Bubba’s total addiction to it, we’ve returned time and again.

READ MORE:

Yabu, House of Katsu

From its minimalist modern comfortable interiors that were only one spacious dining area before the renovation, they have expanded to take over the space from their neighbor. Still despite the expansion, people who have come to love Yabu like us have continued to grow and flow. Good thing, their host by the front door who helps guests be seated is quick and fast and arrange for available tables efficiently.

Last time we visited, we decided to peruse the menu and order new items, alongside our usual favorites. We couldn’t keep away from what they do best, that mmm-juicy inside pork cutlet with perfectly crunchy-flaky exterior. But, there was more to discover and now I think, I’m torn between that and a new favorite.

On the Table

Superior Potato and Egg Salad (any two appetizers for Php 195)

Chunks of potato and egg, tossed in creamy mayonnaise-mustard dressing

For any appetizers from their choices of 4 or 5, you can order two for only Php 195. I was interested to try their seaweed appetizer but it was unavailable.

Hiyayakko Tofu

Cold silken tofu cubes in ponzu sauce, sprinkled with bonito flakes

Clean tasting tofu cubes in semi sweet ponzu sauce is a good started to prime the palate.

Kurobota Pork Set Php 575 (120g)

Bubba decided that instead of ordering either the regular hire or rosu, he opted for the Kurobota Pork Set. This is a 3/4 inch cutlet made from rosu or pork with a trimming of fat. It is sometimes called the kobe beef of pork, due to its rich marbling, softness, and flavor. Kurobuta, also known as the Black Berkshire pig, is the world’s finest pork.

During that visit, we bumped into two friends, Ricky of Dulcelin-fame whose Wagyu Tri-Tip has made Bubba and me salivate endlessly and DeDet of Pepita’s Kitchen enjoying a Saturday lunch with her lovely girls. Tita DeDet swears by the Kurobota set, which was initially her daughter’s favorite, until she tried it and became a convert herself. It’s definitely tenderer and is packed with a little more flavor than a regular pork cutlet.

To add a little more body and kick, Bubba in the last 2-3 visits have been ordering the chili-garlic sauce on the side. I get the exhilarating flavorful kick from the mustard splotch Yabu serves on the side but this was a good differentiating taste.

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Yabu House of Katsu

November 16, 2011 by Janey

When I attended CASBAA in Hong Kong in 2010, I always looked forward to dining with Pebbles because she knows where the good eats are and is a full-pledged foodie at heart too. I remember that I bumped into her at Cibo in Shangri-la one time with Michelle Lim (better half of Chef Bruce) and she told me about her friend inviting her out to a restaurant because he saw it in Between Bites blog. What a small world the world is eh?

What’s even fantastic, other than Pebs working for Asian Food Channel (AFC) and food being part of her territory, is the fact that she knows Hong Kong and Singapore like the back of her hand traveling back and forth in both countries when she was still based in SG. She brought us to this place called Tonkichi in HK and I absolutely loved the Tonkatsu and Katsudon there especially with freshly pounded-sesame sauce and unlimited cabbage salad dressed in this lip-smacking cream-based dressing that’s light and peppery…

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7 Comments Filed Under: Inside Dish: A BITE of Food Tagged With: 2010, 2011, address, authentic katsudon, best, best food blog in Philippines, best Japanese, best lifestyle blog, Between Bites, blogger, contact number, date, deal coupon, deals, directions, discount, exclusive, Filipino, Filipino food blogger, food, food blog, food blogger, food review, Fort, House of Katsu, House of Katsu in Megamall, how much, Japanese rice, Katsu Don, katsudon, latest, launch, list, location, Makati, Manila, Map, Mega Atrium, menu, Metro Manila, new opened, newest, Philippines, Photo, photos, pinoy, price, Promo, promos, promotion, restaurant, Restaurants, review, service, soft opening, Taste Manila, tonkat-su, tonkatsu, top 2011 newly opened restaurants in Philippines, torikatsu, where, www.janedchua.com, Yabu, Yabu authentic katsu, Yabu Facebook Page, Yabu food review, Yabu good reviews, Yabu House of Katsu, Yabu House of Katsu restaurant, Yabu Japanese katsudon, Yabu Katsu, Yabu Katsu menu, Yabu Katsudon, Yabu mega, Yabu Megamall, Yabu menu, Yabu new branch, Yabu owners, Yabu price, Yabu review, Yabu Tonkatsu, Yabu unlimited, Yaku

Foodie Club Series: Yabba Dabba Yoggle!

August 3, 2010 by Janey

Last Tuesday night, Richard invited the “club” to the newest Yogurt parlor to hit San Juan, Yoggle. It’s located at the new RONAC building along Ortigas Avenue near the corner of Santolan Road. If you need a landmark, it’s rubbing elbows with the new branch of Charlie’s Grind and Grill.

Frozen Yogurt has been the latest food craze that hit Manila’s pop culture. It’s probably in its sophomore year but I guess I’m one of the few who haven’t joined the yogurt bandwagon. My old school self still sticks to the yogurt/brand that has become a favorite that I can easily buy off the grocery shelves. I have only tried two brands at this time and have eaten frozen yogurt or soft-served yogurt three times.

But I might just have to add to that count.

Yoggle, pronounced as yaggle since the “o” there stands for a German letter, started opening its doors about three weeks ago. Their yogurt supplies/mixes come from the US which translates to really high quality yogurt –and Yoggle gives much importance to quality assurance that they guarantee their customers fresh yogurt every single day. Leftover yogurts are disposed of each night.

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There are 8 flavors available to its patrons at any given time and they change the variety of the flavors on a 2 week basis to keep the Yogurt fanatics interested. The flavors available that time include plain tart (which is a staple flavor), strawberry, kiwi, banana, taro, watermelon, vanilla and mocha cappuccino.

What makes Yoggle fun and interesting for me is it gives me the power of choice. I can choose just one yogurt flavor for my base or mix different variants in one cup. At the display counter, there are several choices for toppings that include fresh fruit slices (for the healthy buff), cookie chunks, tiny colorful marshmallows (my favorite), white and dark chocolate chips, wafer sticks, various nuts and graham powder.

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The choice is definitely yours what trinkets you want in your yogurt. Pricing will depend on the weight in ounce of your order, regardless if its yogurt filled or topping filled or both. The price per ounce is PHP20.

Bubba finished 2 cups of different Yoggle yogurt flavors with assorted toppings but he very much preferred his Taro yogurt cup. I got the Vanilla variant and was happy with the right balance of tart and vanilla.

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Lauren is sooo adorable! 🙂

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Have you tried Yoggle yogurt? Well, be one of the firsts to get the dibs of Yabba Dabba Yoggle fun and head over Ortigas Avenue. It’s open at 11am and closes at 11pm. I’m sure you’d also want to stop by the diner next door and grab a delicious burger or wings 😉

Yoggle Frozen Yogurt Bar

RONAC Bldg. Ortigas Ave.,

San Juan, Philippines

*Thanks to Richard Co of TalesfromtheTummy.blogspot.com for the invite!

Photo Credit:

Richard Co of www.talesfromthetummy.blogspot.com

Yoggle Album