Ted's oldtimer Lapaz batchoy

Ted's Lapaz batchoy is said to be the authentic Lapaz batchoy, if we'll believe the write-up of their advert poster. Then again the owner is said to be one of these so called originator of this local noodle soup, whether that has any substance to it's claim is still debatable.

To those unfamiliar to the dish, La paz batchoy is a Pilipino noodle soup dish that had it's roots in Lapaz dist. Iloilo city, mid-south of  the Philipines. It's a bowl of pork and beef broth with fresh egg noodles, topped with chopped pork meat, liver, offals and crispy toasted garlic and pork cracklings.

I usually partake a small bowl of batchoy when I had a little hungry pang for some lite meal of noodle soup. I ate this one at SM Mega-mall's food court.
 
I've never consider Lapaz batchoy as a full dish in itself. I treat it as something between a snack and a lite meal. Comfort food that one partakes usually at street food stalls when one is on his way to school/work. A lot of us Filipinos also take it as a side soup dish along with a main entree.

Now Ted's Batchoy is not something spectacular or even memorable, but it has all the basic essentials of a bowl Lapaz Batchoy that we've grown to used. Reminds me of those really old fashion ramen bars in Tokyo, their bowls unadorned and basically simple.

Their soup hearty but not salty, unlike other Batchoys being sold around. The noodle is partly dry fresh egg noodle that suits the dish strangely well. Using fresh Cantonese style noodles like one used in ramen seems, to me, is not that suited to this fatty pork laden soup. The salt semi-dry noodle strength is in it's inability to absorb the soup into it, making it's taste separate and texture distinct from the soup. It's like having two meals at one. Such idea to a noodle soup bowl is blasphemy to true Ramen lover, but to La paz Batchoy it works unusually quite well. 



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Ukokkie ramen ron

Ukokkie Ramen ron at Pasay road Makati seems a like a very good place for some authentic ramen adventure. There is line of patrons lined up front and the atmosphere inside is like one can find at any ramen shops at Japan. Though I must stress that I said 'seems'...

The place is crowded but not too packed and yet the servers , attentive and pleasant they may be, are disorganized and lacks proper coordination. I've seen and heard costumers complaining about their late, missing order or getting the wrong one. Many a times they have gone back and forth with the wrong order to a costumer beside me in the counter. 

Anyway all can be forgiven just to a have a good bowl of ramen.

A rather unimpressive bowl I must say. Boring could easily describe it.

The soup is good, the noodles are fine and are cooked just right, the braised pork slices are passable. It has all the bells and whistles for a good Shoyu ramen, it's just that it's just too typical of a bowl for the price one has to pay and the hassle of driving into the place.

I also ordered a side of Gyoza.

I think the picture speaks for itself. Their much smaller in life than in the picture, if you're reading this in a I-pad, they're still much smaller. You wouldn't believe how much I paid for such a depressing plate. I was searching for the meat from the wrapper while eating it.

They have in their menu a side dish of grilled steak strips. It's delicious and I would recommend it over the gyoza.


Except for the gyoza, the shop do delivers with what it advertise. I just wish that there is a little excitement to their bowl or at the very least a much lower price for it's rather plain but decent one. 



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Menya Genki ramen

Menya Genki ramen is one of those places that you have to purposely go into try their menu.

Along Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., it's quite hidden by billboards and such, that you tend to not notice the shop if your cruising by the high-way

As you can see in the menu this is a Ramen specific kind of restaurant. You come here to order Ramen and just ramen, no sushi, thank you.

A rather Unimpressive looking bowl to say the least, but it a has the necessary requirements for a good bowl and a slight air of authenticity in it.

The soup is rather tepid but has indeed that substantial tonkatsu flavor that we're expecting. The Chasu pork is tender and juicy and has a delightful mild flavor.

The noodle is the thin and straight variety that is cooked just right. It absorbs the soup in it perfectly and is perfect to each other.

The toppings are boiled stewed eggs, slightly mushy raw, which is quite good. Some onion greens and black fungi and nori. Simple but direct in it's presentation.

There is a Bikkuri ramen challenge that they have. For 1000 pesos you can try one large order of their special ramen. Finish it in less than 20 mins and you get your picture up in their wall of fame. I think the record to beat is 14 minutes.

I might try it someday, if my tummy allows me to.

Genki ramen is in the same row of shops that has another Ramen shop that is more visible. but from the look of it, the other shop seems to be more into selling local sea food and beer than real ramen, I've yet to confirm my suspicions on it.

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Kenji Tei - ramen house

Kenji Tei ramen house is one of those new hip place that caters to the burgeoning interest for some real Japanese ramen. Located at the 3rd floor of Greenbelt 5 it is conveniently placed to sate the appetite of businessmen, shoppers and tourists that goes around at the country's premier shopping district and business center.

 I ordered their Miso w/ Chasu ramen since it's been recommended by the friendly staff . The soup is rich and very tasty. You can really taste the miso in. I've also tried their regular Shoyu style ramen to get a better feel for their plain broth and I must say it has the right clean flavour that is hallmark for a good ramen. Adding and cooking the broth with miso really enhance it even more, giving it hearty and fuller body. Really great for these wet season we're experiencing these days.

The topping consist of, besides the standard miso stewed ground pork with leeks and onions, are a hard boiled egg, green spinach and 2 slices of thin braised pork belly, very tasty, but to those who find it quite short, you can order an extra order of chasu, like I did. You may also order extra noodles for a small price.

My complaint is that they tend to overcook the noodles. Still firm and chewy it is, but I prefer my noodles with a little bite. It's a pity though their noodles tastes really good. Better tell your waiter to instruct the cook you want them hard if you're like me.

I also find the wooden spoon that come along with your bowl rather ridiculous and impractical in savoring the delicious soup. Go ask a ceramic or a metal spoon. Kids might find it fun though.

The place itself is pleasant and convenient. The arrangement of tables and seats plus their utilitarian but comfortable wood designs makes it an ideal setting to focus on one's ramen eating pleasure. Being in the prime location of Greenbelt one expect to be a little pricey, but compared to the other restaurants within the area, it is very reasonably priced and very filling and very good eats.

The next time you're on the area, I definitely recommend you try going for some joyful ramen  with your friends.




map

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Jipan's - curry rice

 Jipan's bread store is one of the first store here in the country that sells totally organic breads and cakes for decades.
It is also famous for serving various authentic Japanese dishes like ramen and donburi food.

When they first opened their Megamall outlet, which is right besides the main Asian Development Bank in Mandaluyong city, they've been catering to the banks many Japanese executives during lunch time. Their most popular item is their beef curry rice.





Their curry rice is probably my favorite. the quintessential Indian dish by way of Japan is quite popular comfort food for many Japanese and it is something that we Filipino's might find rather familiar. One could say that Jipan's curry rice is like thick sauced version of our beef Caldereta. This is quite evident with shops cut of meat which tend to be chunkier than most Japanese curry rice, but is still tender with a good bite. The sauce is the just the right spiciness and the proper savory flavor without being too masked by the use of spices.
You only need a spoon to eat this stew which is laden in a heart bed of rice. It also come with a side salad of shredded cabbage and corn. I would recommend you try the curry rice with a spoonful of the salad's mayo dressing. Gives it a good creaminess to the dish.

The place at Megamall had just been renovated. It is more like a casual Cafe than fine dinning. It may not look like it, but here you can savor authentic popular Japanese home cook meals in the country that any Japanese salaryman would recognize.





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Kanzhu hand-pulled noodles

 

The present Kanzhu restaurant, near Wilson's ave. San Juan, Used to be a similar looking Hand-pulled noodle restaurant. For Whatever reason, the old restaurant was absorbed by the Kanzhu hand-pulled noodles restaurant group found in Timog ave. Q.C.They both serve Lanzhou-style lamian. I was a little disappointed when the old one closed since they do serve very excellent Lamian noodles, plus the place is close to where I work. I haven't tried out Kanzhu yet, so I was bit apprehensive when they took It's place. Fortunately, my fears are unfounded when I fish they're dishes quite as good.

As you can see I ordered stir-fried noodles with beef and vegetables, my usual order here. You can see it is quite a hefty amount. One order can satisfy 3 people, and for 160 Pesos per order it is a real bargain.

Despite it's oily and starchy appearance, I can finish a whole serving of these and not feel bloated that one get's from eating Chinese food. Those are good sign of a well made fresh natural Chinese noodles.

The original restaurant is manned by a Chinese chef from the mainland, and he makes superb smooth and really chewy noodles. Recently, most of the hand-pulling are now made by highly trained Filipino chefs. The quality of their noodles is quite equal in quality. Like any authentic Lanzhou-style lamian, they only make and pull the noodles upon order. You can guaranty in it's freshness. The soup broth are not that strong in the Mutton taste than in the past but are still equally tasty. It has that clean and refreshing taste that are different to the fatty broth that one gets from chicken and pork.

Lanzhou-style lamian are hand-pulled noodles as famously seen in various culinary documentaries discussing Chinese Cuisine. In fact Hand-pulled or Lamian noodles are just one from various types of noodles. There are Hand-Shave, Hand-cut, extruded type.. just to name a few, but the most common are the Machine-cut type. One can never tell which one is more superior since each one have their own faults and virtues.

There are even different style of hand pulled noodles and each one stems from what region in China it came. Lanzhou-style lamian came from the north-west part of china. Depending on the what they favor there are the Thin kind to a more thicker version of the noodle, with a slight different technique in pulling and twisting to achieved it.

Since Lanzhou is heavily populated by Chinese of Islamic faith, the food tend to be Halal, with the meat and soup broth are of Beef and Mutton. The Mutton smell and flavor is very evident especially to new costumers who are more used to the common Canton style noodles one finds in the Philippines. Unlike it's predecessor that limit itself to just noodles and dumplings, Kanzhu also serves regular Chinese fare for those who wanted a little more variety. Some people might be put-off by the Lanzhou taste, but I would certainly urge them to try it for themselves, and who knows you might get to grow to like it. I sure did.

The Kanzhu restaurant in San Juan is located rather in out away place than the various, more popular eateries that dotted nearby area along Wilson's ave. I would definitely recommend this place, not only to Noodles aficionados, but to any one who wants to have a superb dinning experience with friends and family. You'll be surprised in finding this little gem among roughs. 

This is were you'll find this map handy.

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Kanzhu hand-pulled noodles

8001 Jose Abad Santos, San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines

Ramen Bar - ramen restaurant

Ramen Bar in Eastwood mall Libis is one these new chic' looking place that tries to cater to the local populace with authentic Ramen experience.

I've eaten there a couple times and I must say they do serve a very decent bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen. When I first tried it is rather of flavorful and yet subtle in it's taste. More recently though their Shoyu ramen (it say shoyu flavor but it is more tonkotsu style) taste a little tepid and lacks character. The pork slices is tender and very tasty. They use too much of the green part of the leeks, giving it a little bitter taste that is rather too cumbersome.

The serving is slightly adequate, if you get my meaning, and the price is higher than average. Not that surprising for the location it is in. There is also a service charge that I should note, besides the menu price.

I also ordered a plate of their Fried Rice. It is good companion with the Ramen or their Gyoza, except they use too much garlic, making it more fitting for a Tapsilog companion than to a standalone Japanese meal of Chahan.

Ramen Bar is a very easy and comfortable place. The place is not that big so it could get crowded easily. It is is a cool place to have a good bowl and a cozy ambiance to sit to in a very convenient place to walk about, probably enough to make up for the price.


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Ramen Bar

Eastwood mall, Eastwood City, Barangay Libis Quezon City, Philippines.

Ramen Cool - ramen restaurant

I was driving from Pioneer st. Mandaluyong on my to Ortigas center when I noticed this brightly lit, well furnished new Ramen style restaurant called Ramen Cool. It looks like a nice place, so I got try it.

I checked their menu and It's very reasonably priced. It's a good place to take your friends or your girl to for some nice Japanese meal without blowing your budget.


I ordered Shoyu Ramen as a trial base. The serving is of the Japanese standard portion. You can order extra toppings and noodles.



It is a filling and hearty meal, something you can find in some standard Japanese shops in Tokyo, Nothing special. The Chasu barbeque pork is of the lean meat variety, its more boiled than roasted, lacks the layers of fat to make it tender and flavorful.

The noodles, though not home made, is smooth and has a nice texture. The pork base soup lacks punch and owes a lot to the soy sauce than the base broth for flavor. Wish it could come much hotter also.

I also ordered an order of pork fried rice. Definitely much better than most fast-food Japanese restaurants. Very filling with lots of meat in it. It's tastes is not diluted like your standard fried rice and it can be eaten by itself without any added entree.




Overall, Ramen Cool is a good place to try out some authentic Japanese fare. The price is cheap and portions are good and the service is prompt. I'll most definitely come back to check out on how the place's progress will turn out.


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Ramen Cool
#25 East Capitol Drive
Kapitolyo, Pasig city, M.M.