ICHIBA JAPANESE MARKET AGAIN (2019)

Every year, our friend Gem treats our Bawal Panget Group to a weekend staycation in BELMONT HOTEL. This is something we all look forward to because not only do we get a a weekend of fun with good friends, but our families get to bond in the different activities that BELMONT has to offer.

Come night time, when we asked Gem where she wanted to have dinner, she asked for ICHIBA JAPANESE MARKET in Resorts World.

Again?? We all clarified. We have been there in the last two years of our her Belmont Birthday staycation.

But we understand her sentiment. In the few times that we've eaten at ICHIBA, we've always had an enjoyable meal. The food is good and the prices reasonable. Plus, it's really a different experience for all of us because of that market type setting.

Great thing too is that they take reservations even for our big group.

YAY!!!!

So ICHIBA it is!!!!!!!

ICHIBA JAPANESE MARKET (RESORT'S WORLD)

THE YAPPY BUNCH are having a staycation in BELMONT HOTEL, and for dinner, it was decided that we'll do a bit of travel for some delicious Japanese food!

Nooo... We're not actually in Osaka! He he he he he! But yes, we traveled (by foot!!!!) from our hotel to Resorts World for ICHIBA JAPANESE MARKET!!!

It was a Saturday night and we were all ready!

CHIBI'S KARAAGE

One rainy Tuesday, the Chinese Dimpol and I tried out the Fried Chicken that's already making raves in the Metro...

No it's not Chicken ni Joy....

No it's not Mamamacdo....

And most certainly it's not from the Colonel.

To be clear, we are going for some Japanese Fried Chicken, or Karaage. Honestly though, I was not really familiar before that there was such a thing in Japanese cuisine because I'm always too focused on sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki, teriyaki, etc etc. It's just when I married a very finicky eater who wouldn't eat the raw or weird stuff that I learned about the awesomeness of KARAAGE when he saw this lifesaving option in the menu.

And when we learned that there was a restaurant specializing in the juiciness and crispiness of KARAAGE, we just know that we have to instantly go for it!!!

Hence our arrival at CHIBI'S KARAAGE!!!!!  

CHIBI'S KARAAGE in SM LIGHT MALL in MANDALUYONG CITY!

FOOD STALLS IN KYOTO (JAPAN TRIP 2015)

I remember that when we went to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS in JAPAN with the kiddies, my brothers and sisters went to have a food trip in Osaka instead. They had such a great time filling themselves with Osaka's street foods that when we returned they cannot stop talking about it.

Hmp! They even got the breath to prove their point too!

Tee hee!!!! Just kidding!

Anyway, I got so jealous of their grubbing escapade that when I saw the stalls upon stalls of street food during our trip to the INARI SHRINE in KYOTO, I immediately went for it even if I was still full from our Ramen Breakfast.

And wow, when you do get a chance, PLEASE try out the street food of Japan!!! It may not be posh nor visually stimulating like in other Japanese restaurants, but all the food tasted oh-so-great! And THAT'S what matters right?

Plus, the food is superkaduper cheap too!

Believe me, you'll be so happy stuffing yourselves with the chomps in Kyoto that you wouldn't mind having barbecue breath!

Ha ha ha ha! Like us!!!!!

Hmmm... I should have given a very big HHEEEELOOOOO to my sister when I saw her.

So. There. 

INARI SHRINE in KYOTO!!!!

When you get to the shrine, look the left and you'll see a street where it's filled with stalls selling street food!!!

OSAKA STREET FOOD (JAPAN TRIP 2015)

When we were planning our trip to OSAKA CASTLE, I was immediately concerned about one thing:

No, it's not the weather...
No it's not the crowds...
No it's not the probability of seeing my crush Hiroyuki Sanada...
And NO, it's not even the fact that our flight is later that afternoon!

Going to OSAKA CASTLE, I was deeply thinking about where to eat because I don't know of any restaurants in the vicinity.

OH YES! That's a serious matter for us!!!

I was looking at THE YAPPY BUNCH being out the whole morning and we should have a bite somewhere. And since it's OSAKA CASTLE (not Disneyland), themed restaurants just doesn't fit in the popular tourist site.

Great thing that we pleasantly discovered the food that will comfort and care for us on our full morning walk around the castle.

OSAKA STREET FOOD!

Never mind going to an air-conditioned themed restaurant, THIS is where we'll get our foodie fix for our last day in Japan!

TAMAYAKI

There was a time in my life when everything I think about was food.

I was not yet finished with breakfast, I would already ask what is for lunch.

While having lunch I will dream of what is for "merienda"

Then... before dinner, coffee...

Then dinner...

After dinner coffee...

Then snacks....

I remembered long ago that I would never set foot at my home unless I get something in my mouth other than the carbo heavy meal I had for supper.

And THAT was how we came upon TAMAYAKI!

From what I remember, my husband and I already had a great meal somewhere. My tummy was bulging and I was looking forward to snoozing my gluttony to bed. 

But then, I felt a certain urge brainwashing me that the night is not over yet. 

I just HAVE to get some munchies! And my foodie angel smiled then led us to TAMAYAKI.

I'm sure that even if you are not as a loser like me, you would still be hypnotized into passing by TAMAYAKI because of its inviting pink lights along the dark streets of  P. Guevarra :)

Somebody seems to have made himself at home!

You would too if the staff welcomed you like crazy even if it was about 5 minutes till closing time. 

Now that's service!

And that made my Chinese stalker more happy! He will be able to relax at a comfortable and cool place while I gobble things up!

I love their interiors and how everything transports you to anime-world! I bet you could not tell that TAMAYAKI is a franchise from China!

Time to order!

I love TAKOYAKI or octopus balls. There is something about the play of flavors encased in a sweetish ball then doused with a healthy dollop of their mayonnaise. It's cloud 9 in a bite! ARIGOTO!!

However, upon seeing their menu, I was in a dilemma... what to order? Everything seemed to good and I want to order more than 2 viands but my husband, a very "sensitive" eater, abandoned me by declaring he does not eat octopus balls.

Boo!

So I just ordered the basic... TAMAYAKI'S Seasoned Octopus (P105.00).

They asked what sauce I would like on m Takoyaki and I requested to have one half to be regular while the other half is spicy!

Boy was I excited with what was laid down before me. I got not just 3 but 4 big Takoyaki balls heaping with bonito flakes and nori strips. 

I am so ready to dig in!

GROOWLLLL!

I tried my darnest to act like a lady but I failed. Since I was not able to pop the whole thing inside my mouth, I just took a huge bite then let the other half dangle down to my fork.

I was pleasantly surprised that unlike other Takoyaki balls, TAMAYAKI's had that slight crunch. Once you munch on a morsel what surprises you are the glorious fillings all meshed together but still identifiable!

I got a big chunk of meat there and veggies! YUM!!! I loved mopping it up my plate for more mayonnaise!

By the way, I have a high tolerance for spicy grub but I found myself chugging down glasses of water with their hot sauce which is mostly curry based. I still liked it though and was worthy for a secondary visit from my gnarling teeth... 

Just a thing of beauty!

I 

It is a shame that I was not able to try their other balls and milk teas but it made us look forward MORE to coming back to TAMAYAKI!

And this time we'll not only be guided by their bright lights, but we'll follow the calling of our taste senses as well!

LET'S EAT!

Tamayaki

453 P. Guevarra St.,

San Juan City

570-7789