Yakikai Japanese-Korean fusion Buffet Restaurant

In collaboration with Yakikai Japanese-Korean fusion Buffet Restaurant.

Tucked away from the busy flow of Quezon City's urban hustle, you can find the newly opened Japanese-Korean fusion restaurant, Yakikai Buffet Restaurant located at Scout Lascano St., a former dwelling that was renovated to seat 150 people dining, there’s also parking space for patrons with vehicles and a stone away from Starbucks if you’re up for palate wash or find a relaxed ambience & intimate conversation since Yakikai is a busy restaurant.

You can choose and mix your own serving from their eat-all-you-can or ala carte menu, and you’ll definitely enjoy the food because you can fill your plate as much as you can eat, and take trips back to the buffet section as you want. You can also cook your food right on your table!

The buffet section is frequently supplied, so even though the place looks small, the food doesn’t immediately run out. Yakikai also offers a birthday promo, perfect for people who are too busy to prepare and for those surprise birthday parties. You don’t have to go too far, Yakikai got you covered.

The service wasn’t as exceptional if you’re one demanding customer like me, because we had to ask to be served with soup, you will never be missed by the friendly attendants and they will always serve you with a smile. The ambience was decent, it’s not at all quite as spacious but it is well-lit and clean. They have a good variety of food, and if you’re looking for authentic Japanese and Korean cuisine, you can add this to your list of places to dine. Yakikai is a very good place to spend time with friends and family.

I just have to warn you though, since the seats are good for only 150 people, you need to be early to get in line, otherwise, at their peak time, the place is packed with people and you will have to wait in line for the next available table. They have a list they follow, so be sure to look for the lady who carries a notebook and pen. I guess I am only peeved about braving the Manila traffic to get to the restaurant, only to be greeted by a sea of people and the wait time is my worst enemy.

Overall, I truly enjoyed my food and I almost had indigestion with all the food I ate, then again, it was a good way to end 2019. Good food, great time with the people I like and the memories I keep and bring into the new year.

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Turning Japanese; Hodai Japanese-Korean fusion Restaurant and Eigasai at the EDSA Shangri-La Plaza Mall

 In collaboration with Hodai Japanese - Korean fusion Restaurant

I had a rather thematic day last Saturday and it was an eventful weekend for me that I immediately related the song Turning Japanese by The Vapors with the moment and had it playing in my head!

First on my plate was a food trip invite from one of my blogger friends. We had our lunch date at the Hodai Infused Japanese-Korean Restaurant located at Examiner St., followed by a back-to-back movie happening at the EDSA Shang-ri La Red Carpet, the Japanese Film Festival Eigasai (Eiga or film and sai for festival).

Itadakemasu!
Hodai is steadily gaining popularity among food enthusiast, and it didn’t surprise me because the Tempura alone is nothing like the ones I’ve tasted from the other Japanese themed restaurant I’ve dined with my family before. I could make out the difference with the taste because it’s not starchy and the shrimp is juicy.

Hodai which means "all you can" in Nihongo is basically an eat-all-you can Asian food, specifically Japanese & Korean cuisine.

They served us a generous and unlimited serving of each of their current offerings and I was about to burst! I basically focused my taste buds on their Tempura, Pork Tonkatsu and Sushi rolls!

I liked that the ambience is clean, with sufficient lighting and good amount of leg room. For me it’s important that the restaurant gives me that laidback atmosphere because it induces my appetite, and I get to enjoy not only the food, more importantly the company of my friends. This is of course, a no surprise because the restaurant used to be a residence that’s converted into this casual dining venue. They also have great wait staff, polite and they are attentive to the customers which I really appreciated. They know when to approach and ask if there’s anything else we need.

Great food and delightful company, is something that I always remember. It was an overall pleasant experience having our tea time at Hodai's. Will definitely return for more!

Trivia: The cat on Hodai's signage is strategically placed there because in Japan, they believe that cats (neko) bring good luck. Very similar to China's custom. Very interesting that as Asians we have that something that's only unique to us that we identify with. 

Promo: Weekday
1+1 Gold set Php 599.00 (for 2 pax)

Weekend and Holidays
Silver set Php349.00 and Gold set Php 419.00

Gold Set:

Teriyaki

Japchea or Rose Cream Pasta (Spicy)

Roll Tower

Korean Fried Chicken

Kani Salad

Kimchi Gyoza

Tonkatsu

Cheese Cream Spicy BBQ Bowl

Important Note: Now, I’m no way a food critic, though I have a bit of knowledge about food handling as I studied commercial cooking through TESDA, the theme of my blog is nothing about strict food rating. I only want to experience different cuisines and enjoy that gastronomic adventure with family & friends.


Eigasai at the EDSA Shangri-La Plaza Mall

 

At the EDSA Shangri-La Plaza Mall Red Carpet cinema was the Japanese Film Festival Eigasa. We saw two movies that are very witty and creative. It was dystopian at its best, I swear if there was twilight zones or alternate worlds, Japan seem to be a portal!

Kakegurui (Compulsive Gambler) is not your typical gambling story because the characters involved are high school students studying in an exclusive school for rich kids. If you're familiar or like to watch Manga like moi, you'll know the gist of this movie. The second movie was titled One Cut of The Dead. A horror-comedy film that enlightens viewers about the things involved in doing a horror movie.

With one of my favorite people in the world, Vance of Purple Plum Fairy (who coincidentally and cunningly wore purple on our movie date, LOL!)

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Kusina de Maria, your one-stop-food shop.

In collaboration with Kusina de Maria.

 

Kusina de Maria, is not just your usual hole-in-the-wall, one-stop food shop with their variety of mouthwatering meal offerings.

We had such a fun and delicious afternoon at Kusina de Maria last night. I came here with a group of friends, basically on the lookout for a new hangout to bond, and it's the perfect place to pass the afternoon by. The owner was friendly; add the combination of good food, personalized service, affordable prices, and the delightful company of my friends made the overall experience stand out for me.


We ordered their Hidden Wing variety which is their best seller, and they were all delicious. Something about their chicken is perfectly made; crispy fried in their sauces and dressings. What I liked about the Hidden Wing variety is that it’s not covered in flour or breading, so you’re really getting the real thing If you’re having trouble selecting from their variety of food and beverage, here’s what we basically ordered: 1. Sisig 2. Hidden Wings 3. Muchos Nachos 4. Red Lemon Juice 5. Nachos (not in picture) 6. Mais con Hielo
I guess when it comes to street food, affordability is not my only concern but I also look for how the food is handled. Kusina de Maria is basically home-cooked food, and the food is cooked as ordered. If you notice, the menu lists comfort food for most Pinoys.


Hidden Wings Buffalo: Just the right amount of mild spice, if served with rice, even a kid can tolerate its spicy sauce.

Hidden Wings Spicy Cheese: This was my first time to taste a combination of cheese with spice. Great concoction, the spice and cheese complement the taste and make the chicken more enticing with rice or just by itself.

Hidden Wings Garlic Parmesan: I liked that this one doesn’t have that strong salty taste. The balanced blend of sauce goes great with the chicken meat.

Hidden Wings Honey BBQ: If you’re looking for spicy and sweet, this blend is also good. The combination of the sauce complements each other well and it doesn’t overwhelm the taste of the other.

Hidden Wings Super spicy: If you’re someone who has a high tolerance for spicy food, this one speaks for itself.

Sisig: Crunchy meat and the sauce complement each other with the chilli. Good for mild social drinking with your buddies. Meat doesn’t go soggy even when mixed with the sauce. Other stand-out: Price: Very affordable. No matter if you’re working or a student, you can be sure to find their menu that is just right for your budget, you can split or chip in with your friends.

Portion: Refer to my photo and that’s how much food you get for your money’s worth. A serving of any Hidden Wing variety is good for sharing as well as the sisig and nachos.

Ambience: A hole-in-the-wall type of shop, great with friends with fun and interactive games while waiting for your food.

Kusina de Maria isn’t just a good place to pass the afternoon by; you can also enjoy their affordable meals when on the go; they also offer quick-serve breakfast & lunch meals. It’s also a nice place for dates and quick stops for busy individuals. Clean and well-lit.

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The Boy Kanin Experience.

In collaboration with Boy Kanin.

Kanin Get It! You can now start enjoying more of Boy Sisig, Sizzling Liempo and Chicken Pinoy Barbecue to your heart’s content with unlimited rice! Whether you’re out on a diet cheat, on a food binge with your friends and family, or you just want to enjoy a full serving of rice meal, Boy Kanin got you covered.

I am still so full! I just had a serving of a generous amount of 1 cup of rice and juicy meaty barbecued Chicken, Sizzling Liempo and Boy Sisig in one sitting! So I went to a fun event tonight with one of my dear friends, and she was right when she said that if I’m looking for a new food place to hang out with family and friends, Boy Kanin is the place. I couldn’t immediately get up from my seat when it was time to go because I really enjoyed my meal and I felt bloated, especially when they served us the Boy Suman with the sweet coco jam and latik, I think I died and went to food heaven when I had my hands on the Boy Suman sa Latik. I basically grew up with this glutinous rice cake which we usually have during snack time, commonly after nap time in the afternoon, my grandmother used to scold me whenever I’d pour a generous amount of coco jam and latik on my suman because sugar may make my teeth weak and sugar rush and me don’t mix well together, haha! I’d still do it anyway. I’m just so glad they thought of adding Boy Suman on their menu because this is one of my comfort foods.
Will definitely come back for this!

Onto the food:

Chicken Pinoy Barbecue: Among Boy Kanin’s menu, Chicken Pinoy Barbecue is one of their newest additions which I really liked because even though grilled, the meat is still tender and juicy; it’s not too charred and doesn’t taste like burnt wood, you can still find a little crunch to the bite there, which means that they take a lot of care in preparation and cooking of food. You can go with Catsup for sauce or dip, but I enjoyed Chicken Pinoy Barbecue with their specially fermented vinegar.

Sizzling Liempo: Speaking of specially fermented vinegar, this concoction is basically paired with their Boy Kanin Sizzling Liempo, the way this food is prepared is not too greasy, and it has a rich taste that’s not overwhelmingly tangy, which means your taste buds will not be sated, especially when dipped in their specially fermented vinegar, you may find yourself ordering for another round.

Boy Sisig: What’s a pinoy meal with the infamous sisig? Boy Sisig is unlike the usual that I’ve tasted because it doesn’t overwhelm the palate with too much grease, so it’s not messy to eat. The combination of the sisig’s rich flavour and crunch will definitely make you want more rice to pair it with, so while you’re it, looking for your sisig fix and unlimited rice, Boy Kanin got you covered! The sisig is a combination of both meat and pork, so you’re getting the real deal, unlike the ones I’ve tasted that seems like it was a smorgasbord of discarded scraps.

Boy Kanin Salabat: One of the things I like about Boy Kanin is that they also serve a non-carbonated drink, ginger juice with a twist. There’s something about the taste that I can’t put my finger on, but it’s definitely rich, and refreshing. This is definitely great for those of you who need to cut down on carbonated beverages, cold ginger brew tea is definitely a good option because it’s not just healthy for you, but it also improves digestion and food absorption. Apart from that, Ginger brew tea is a good palate wash from food grease.
Trivia: Boy Kanin ginger brew tea is sourced from the Aetas who grow them, so for every order of the Boy Kanin Salabat, you are also helping out our local farmers.

Boy Kanin Pork Barbecue: Dubbed as the Pinoy staple on every occasion, Boy Kanin is not far behind. Tasty, juicy and not too greasy, you can’t resist but pair it up with a cup of steamed rice.

Boy Suman sa Latik & Kapeng Barako: Suman and Kapeng Barako are just two of the Pinoy comfort foods and a staple on every Filipino table especially for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Both are very good for palate wash to break from the meat grease. One serving includes two small blocks of suman with a small pack of coco jam & latik, paired with Kapeng Barako. This part of the event, I think is my favourite, I got myself salivating while I carefully spread the right amount of the coconut jam and sprinkled on top of the glutinous rice, while I examined the bite I was about to take. Heaven!

Filipinos not only enjoy good company, but we also look for affordable prices and awesome service with a smile. The ambience of the place is perfect for people who want to experience good food, the company of dear friends and people, the venue and the fun that comes with everything. Boy Kanin seeks to do just that; cater not only to the Filipino taste buds but also extend the overall experience of the local Pinoy lifestyle to everyone.

Background: Dubbed the "Filipino’s favourite kaninderya", Boy Kanin is celebrating its 6th year in the food industry. Aside from the budget-friendly meals they offer, they also gave an upraised definition to the usual local hole-in-the-wall eatery we’re used to; clean food, clean store, and the menu is carefully picked by the founder himself. By offering authentic Filipino cuisine in a menu that is also comfort food to the majority of the Pinoy populace, on a more modernistic approach, every Juan & Juana will surely love going back for more of what Boy Kanin will offer. It’s no wonder the business stayed strong and thriving in six years of being in the food business, they simply defined loving our own.

6-Years na Pinoy Sarap!
In celebration of Boy Kanin’s 6th year in the food business, the CEO, President and proprietor, Mr Ronald Callao has opened the door for anyone who wants to take part in this successful venture with their different packages. To get more and comprehensive information on how to take advantage of this chance to get your own franchise, you can visit their website at www.boykanin.com, or follow them on social media: Facebook & Instagram. You can also call them at (PLDT) 6323528130, (Globe) 6327450771, (Mobile, SUN) 639236831409

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