BUTAMARU (2019)

THE YAPPY BUNCH went to Tagaytay for the weekend where we stayed in awesome ANYA RESORT. We had a heavy buffet breakfast that morning that we still didn't feel like having lunch while we were in there.

When we got to Manila however, our tummies all grumbled at the same time. With that, we thought of having a bite at our favorite stopover when we're coming from the South....

BUTAMARU!!!!

BUTAMARU was perfect that day because it was raining!

IPPUDO RAMEN (GREENBELT)

Believe it or not but between the two of us, it's the Yub whose food cravings we always follow.

Yep. You better believe it kapeng mainit.

The Yub kasi is a picky eater who has A MILLION specifications on the food that he'll eat (he's like Sally in When Harry Met Sally pero intsik... and a GUY!!!!). As for me, I'll eat anything that's why when we go on dates or making plans with friends, I'm always like "I'm fine wherever you guys like." Of course I have food cravings din but the Yub has MORE, and he's actually a bit annoying when he pushes for it. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

One night, he was REALLY craving for Ippudo. As in REALLY. Whatever I say to him, he'll answer in the name of Ramen:

Me: "Yub, labas tayo mamaya nila Mariane."
Yub: "San tayo? Sa Ramen?"

Me: "Yub Greenbelt tayo mamaya ha? 8pm"
Yub: "Tamang tama, may Ramen sa Greenbelt."

Me: "Yub, ang init ngayon no?"
Yub: "Buti na lang may aircon sa Ippudo."

SEE WHAT I MEAN???!!!

Hay naku sometimes I have these evil thoughts to intentionally go somewhere else just to spite him. Either that or sarap nya basta batukan. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Yup. Model wife di ba?

ANYWAY....

So one night, we'll be meeting with Manong Fred and the BGP Mariane. And, you guessed it, we went to IPPUDO RAMEN to answer Yub's insane craving. I know that normally, Ramen restaurants are not ideal when it comes to meeting up with friends because you have to eat and go. With IPPUDO however since they have many items in the menu, we were all able to join our cravings that night (ESPECIALLY THE YUB) and stay for more chika!

IPPUDO!!!

OMG ang cute ko dito. He he he he he!

OF JOHN WICK 3 AND UMA UMA RAMEN

It was a very busy Saturday for us but even though our schedule was jampacked, we still have the eye on the prize.

Yup! We have a date with JOHN WICK!!!!

We have been following the series of this loner ex-assassin ever since his Baddie Buddies came out (Robert Mccall "The Equalizer, Jack Reacher, Bryan Mills "Taken", Frank Castle "The Punisher", etc). Though I personally feel that the others could take him, I would still go for John Wick more because, well, I love Keanu Reeves!

I'm happy too that Master Mati is also obsessed with JOHN WICK because movie nights are more enjoyable with him.

So for that night, we turned down invites from friends, we three have a date with JOHN WICK!

And it's surely going to be a WOOOAHHH night!!!!

We'll be watching JOHN WICK later and it's just fitting that before that epic movie, we'll be attending Master Mati's KALI practice.

OF AVENGERS ENDGAME AND OOMA

Words cannot define how I am so thankful for Mr. Stan Lee and Robert Downey Jr.

To think ah, that I'm originally a DC girl whose first love is Christopher Reeve (aka the best Superman of all time).

I remembered before that if you loved comic books or super heroes, you would be considered as a geek or a weirdo. Well I sort of understand them because watching the rushes of old TV versions of Captain America, Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, etc., you would NEVER think that Marvel could create this giant franchise -- it was just too far off.  When I was in High School, I was a fanatic of Superman, Supergirl and that whole super hero cosmos when most my classmates were gushing about Beverly Hills 90210 and New Kids on the Block. I was actually alone in that world but I never minded because I enjoyed the ride. Yun lang, there were not a lot of people whom I talk to about it. So whatever excitement I had about the realism of Supergirl's flight or the hotness of Michael Keaton in that Batman suit, I'll save it when I get home to my family (he he he... we liked the same things).

So enter the success of Iron Man followed by the other Marvel movies that were box-office hits as well. That truly cemented the status of superheroes in this generation and dominated todays movie genre.

Suddenly, it's cool to be a comic book and super hero geek. Now, everywhere I look people are gushing about the new marvel trailer and attending comicons in colorful outfits -- wow, I'm not "alone" anymore. I could post about the life lessons derived from Iron Man and get likes and comments.  Though I didn't really mind my solitary superhero universe, it's just more fun to have more people share my fanaticism with and see more entertaining movies because of it.

Then AVENGERS ENDGAME arrived and ruled everything. I'm sure that with my lengthy intro, getting excited for this is an understatement. I'm very thankful too that now, besides the general public and my family, I have 3 pogi guys to share my superhero euphoria with. We held our breaths and monitored online when they would start ticket selling. Of course, the eager beavers that we were, we also kept on calling the movie theaters to confirm if tickets were already available.

And finally we were able to buy and we were all just so happy (I swear we were, no dramatics here). This is definitely IT. After all those end credit scenes, the build-up, and the major cliffhanger that AVENGERS INFINITY WAR gave, here comes AVENGERS ENDGAME to "finish the job." You might also say that AVENGERS ENDGAME, culminated my love for all things "superheroey."

And yep. It was as glorious as we all hoped it would be. My inner geek and weirdness are proud. 

Thanks again Stan Lee and to the RDJ! You made all of this possible. We all love you both 3000!!!!

Now check out our AVENGERS ENDGAME night!!!

Tonight's the night.... We're going to watch AVENGERS ENDGAME!!!!

THE YAPPY BUNCH ASSEMBLE!!!!

RAMEN NAGI GALLERIA AGAIN (2019)

As part of our wedding anniversary celebrations, we thought of having a special day with the little lords and have them join our fun. After all, our Anniversary also signified the official start of our family that's why the boys should always be included in the "party".

For today we went to Robinson's Galleria and had another shopping day (aka use up the GCs that I won in our last Christmas Party... he he he he) where the boys and I got a LOT of Avengers shirts (ENDGAME! WOHOO!). After shopping up a storm, I asked the little lords where they wanted to go for lunch and their cravings were unanimous: they liked bowls of piping hot rich soup with chewy noodles. With that, I know what they were going to say next:

RAMEN NAGI.

Dang! I was planning on not having carbs today!!!

Oh well! I really wanted to make the little lords happy during our anniversary. So yes, RAMEN NAGI it is. Guess I'll be having extra inches again (probably the amount as our anniversary years... he he he he).

That's okay. It's our Anniversary anyways. Time to party hardy....with RAMEN!! He he he he he!

WOHOOO!!!

OF CAPTAIN MARVEL AND GANSO SHABUWAY

Call me childish...
Call me bratty...
Call me sexy (tee hee)...
Call me OA...
or call me maybe (sorry I cannot resist.. ha ha ha!)

But yeah, birthday celebrations are done when I say it's done.

As they say, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings."

Now wait a minute....

For my birthday celebrations early this year, I was happy to have spent it with family and friends over delicious food and wonderful company.

However, like all losers, I needed some "closure" or finality from all that birthday celebrations (otherwise, I wouldn't stop and use it to make the Yub treat me everyday!!!). So with that, I eyed a particular Saturday where my favorite dinner and a movie routine would be accomplished.

Because yeah, the perfect date is a dinner and movie don't you think?

GANSO SHABUWAY!!!!

OHAYO RAMEN BAR WITH MY FAMILY

When the Yub and I had a date in OHAYO RAMEN BAR, we made several posts and raves about our delicious dinner that I received several messages from my family asking where that restaurant was.

"It's just in San Juan" I said. To which my sister instantly replied "Then that's where we'll eat after Sunday mass."

"Ay ok po. Sige po ate po."

See how nice and meek I am when it comes to food???

But really, deep inside I was going like "YIPEEEEKIYAYMADAPAKAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!" He he he he he he! Free lunch nga naman in our favorite new restaurant e bakit ba???!!! Tee hee!

I'm so weird.

Yihiii!!!! We're in OHAYO RAMEN BAR!!!!

OHAYO RAMEN BAR AGAIN AND AGAIN

When the Yub and I recently had a date in OHAYO MAKI X SUSHI, we loved the food so much that we predicted that it will be the "start of beautiful ramen-ship."

But.... we were wrong. Dan... dan... DANNNN!

Well sorta.

While at the stall in OHAYO MAKI X SUSHI, the server informed us that they also had a branch that had a real restaurant setting near Gilmore. The yub, being snooty all of a sudden, wanted to try out that branch when we can.

And when we did, we truly enjoyed the whole experience: we loved the food, the place, the airconditioning,  the parking spots, etc. Kaya ayan na talaga.... "The start of a beautiful ramen-ship!"

If the weather's cold and chilly, or if you want to avoid us, just bear in mind that we'll be in OHAYO RAMEN BAR -- our new favorite when it comes to ramen!!!!! 

 

We're in OHAYO RAMEN BAR!!!

OHAYO had limited space that's why seating could be a problem when the place gets packed. Good thing they have these bar stools that suited hungry us just fine.

OHAYO MAKI X SUSHI

I think it's no secret already how much the Yub and I love Ramen because many times you'll hear (or read) our raves on our usual favorites like RAMEN NAGI, IPPUDO, MENDOKORO RAMENBA, ICHIRAN, etc. etc.

As in paulit ulit!!!! OMAYGASH!!!!!!!!!!!

One stormy night however, the Yub and I got stuck extra late at my office because it got flooded real bad (I'll share at the end what it looked like). With that, we were naturally craving for something piping hot to get in our tummies to warm us up real fast.

Good thing while I was scrolling my Instagram account, I came upon the post of my favorite MASARAP BA where she shared this Ramen stall she discovered in Quezon City which served quality Japanese food at very cheap prices.

So of course, when the Yub heard "noodles" and "cheap" in one sentence, his ugly face went DING! DING! DING!!! "ABA AY! PUMUNTA AGAD TAYO DON!!!!"  He said.

And so we did.

The great thing too was that when we got there, the rains stopped and we had a parking spot right in front of the humble ramen stall. So it was REALLY meant to be!

And THAT was the start of a beautiful friendship....

Or FOODship for that matter.

:P

The Yub and I are in OHAYO MAKI AND RAMEN BAR!!!!!!

MASARAP BA was not kidding when she said this was a simple stall because what we got was a "carinderia-like" kiosk by the road.

MENDOKORO RAMENBA (MAKATI CITY)

I think it's no secret how much I love Ramen -- the lure of chewy noodles in a fatty and rich broth is just too irresistible!!! I don't care if the weather is chilly or sunny. As long as I'm craving for the piping hot bowl of ramen, I will do what I can to have it. If I wasn't watching my carb intake, I'll have it everyday... with rice!!! He he he he he!

That's why when my kumareng Gail strongly recommended MENDOKORO RAMENBA, I made a mental note that the Yub and I will try it VERY soon. We have actually tried its sister company YUSHOKEN in Molito, Alabang, but we were still uber curious about this branch in Makati City.

One night, the Yub and I were finally able to make our way to Makati to have a taste of this popular Ramen joint.

Now were we happy or was it all just a waste of time?

Read on and find out!!!!

Dan... dan... DAN!

MENDOKORO RAMENBA!!!!

It was a Thursday night when we decided to go to MENDOKORO RAMENBA thinking that since it's a weekday, the diners would not be as many.

IPPUDO ON A FAM NIGHT

I'm sure you know by now how THE YAPPY BUNCH should always have ramen in our system; it's almost like a body necessity that when we don't slurp on piping hot soup and noodles, we'll become weak and useless.

Yes. Ramen is somehow like life support but in a delicious way. He he he he he he! And since we had a deep need for it one night, we asked my Mom and Kuya to join us!!!! 

For that night, we were craving for hot bowls of ramen in IPPUDO!!!!!

MY RAMEN NAGI SATURDATE WITH MATI

Remember how Master Mati cancelled our Fridate plans the last minute that little Andrei took me out instead? Well he got guilty when he discovered that I was going to be lonely on Saturday. He then remembered how his Daddy told him to take care of me while he was away for a business trip in Indonesia.

Chinese Dimpol (mahangin hangin pa): "Mati.... tek ker op your Mommy....."

My first born declared that we would go out for a Saturdate and I was so happy.  Besides my husband, I cannot imagine going out with anyone else! And his choice venue for tonight? Greenbelt!

Where in Greenbelt? RAMEN NAGI!

Because we were both craving for some noodles!!!

IPPUDO RAMEN (UPTOWN PLACE MALL)

One Sunday, THE YAPPY BUNCH forgot that it was a school night the next day and just proceeded to have a family night out. We reasoned, we all had a loooong nap that afternoon, so we could stay up late a little bit longer.

And we thought of having our favorite IPPUDO RAMEN but this time at the new UPTOWN PLACE MALL in BGC!

We are starting to love UPTOWN PLACE MALL in BGC because it is is great place to hang out with the kids besides Rockwell.

The first time I saw the big and colorful fountain, I knew that my little bunsoy would fall in love with it. He just LOVES fountains with a capital EL!

Tee hee!

HORIBATA JAPANESE KITCHEN (LUCENA CITY)

One weekend when we were in my husband's hometown in Lucena City, Quezon Province, we wanted to try out something new besides our usual favorites PALAISDAAN, PEKING, CAFE ANTIQUA, BUBBLES, etc etc.

And with that, we came to HORIBATA JAPANESE KITCHEN!

HORIBATA JAPANESE KITCHEN recently opened in a gasoline station near Diversion road.

This new restaurant in Lucena City specializes in serving authentic Japanese food. Although they don't have my usual favorites of sushi and sashimi, I feel that this is still something to check out on a hungry day!  

MITSUYADO SEI-MEN BLUEBAY WALK

It's been a while since we ate in MITSUYADO SEI MEN, considering that it was one of the restaurants that fattened me up via their carb seduction. Even before RAMEN NAGI or IPPUDO, MITSUYADO tempted me endlessly with their fatty broth and slippery "slurpable" Ramen. I'm not sure why but we took a hiatus from this early favorite. Probably because we ate so much there in the past years that we needed to get a MITSUYADO detox? He he he he he!

I never knew how much we missed my old noodle haven until I saw its familiar sign when we had lunch before our ASIAPOP COMICON DAY. For some reason I thought that MITSUYADO SEI MEN only set base in Jupiter Street. Sorta like how there is only Hall of Justice in the DC World (tee hee). Imagine my surprise that when we parked in Blue Bay Walk, my old favorite greeted us. Wohoo!

Such a wonderful surprise to start our family Sundate! We are sure to fill up our hungry tummies with MITSUYADO goodies today!

MITSUYADO SEI-MEN in BLUE BAY WALK!

It was about 11:00am and we thought of having an early lunch at MITSUYADO SEI-MEN to catch one of the talents that Mati wanted to see in the ASIAPOP COMICON panel.

HIRUGAO RAMEN in TOKYO RAMEN STREET (JAPAN TRIP 2015)

When we were plotting our itinerary for our Japan trip, my brothers and sisters were all so busy listing up the famous tourist sites or historical places to go in our short 6-day stay.  Being the youngest (and cutest) in the group, I really had no say but to just go along to where they all planned to go.  I think that's really the burden of being so young and so cute, you'll just go with the flow of where the oldies will go.

Har de har har!

Don't worry. My brothers and sisters don't read my blog... So whatever... Tee hee...

Anywho, it's a good thing though that my siblings have the same taste as I do, and we all share the same love in exploring Japanese food, most specifically, Ramen! So imagine my pleasant surprise when, after dutifully just following the "always final" itinerary that we had in Japan, we suddenly landed in the famous TOKYO RAMEN STREET!

Inangkupu! This is like paradise for a Ramen lover like me!

Who would have thought that Japan would have rows upon rows of their famous Ramen restaurants to answer our every craving?

Well my siblings knew about this and for that, I will give them my heartfelt gratitude and love in my blog....

For now...

Tee to the hee!

HIRUGAO in TOKYO RAMEN STREET!

We may have had a light breakfast in TOKYU STAY HOTEL, but we were all raring to go to my tummy's very own "Disneyland."

BUTAMARU RAMEN

If you regularly read my silly little foodie blog (oh woe is you) you would probably know by now that I absolutely love noodles -- Japanese Ramen to be precise. In fact, it is one of the many (probably million) reasons why I ballooned into a size XL. But will I stop eating it?

NO!!!!!

To add to the haba-haba list of Ramen restaurants that I conquered is BUTAMARU. Now I have heard about this humble contender among the giant Ramen franchises and I was curious how it would fare up. As much as I wanted to try it though, it was geographically undesirable to me as it was located far off in the wonderful land of Westgate, Muntinlupa City.

What to do to get THE YAPPY BUNCH out of our lazy butts go to Westgate? Call reinforcements of course to make the trip more fun! So with that we invited BGP Marian, and Manong Fred plus Mike and Donna to join us. And we were so happy to experience a delicious Ramen night courtesy of BUTAMARU!

BUTAMARU!!!!!

Manong Fred chose to enter before the others just to make this sign. Too bad his arm did not get squished by the glass doors. He he he he he he!

YUSHOKEN

Ever since I can remember whenever I hear the words "delicious ramen", it is always synonymous to the two noodle big wigs: UKOKKEI RAMEN RON and YUSHOKEN. It never fails! If I try to rave about my favorite UKOKKEI, somebody would always try to interrupt and say "You should try the one in Molito called YUSHOKEN. It's much better than that!"

REALLY now?

Besides the awesomeness of the noodles in YUSHOKEN, I also heard about the strict rules when dining in the restaurant that sounded like commandments:

-- You should never take home the Ramen.
-- You should never share your Ramen.

-- You should only use chopsticks and never use fork when eating your Ramen.

Now THAT just got me more intrigued. However, I still have one more gripe: YUSHOKEN is so far! Would a sip of their rich broth enough for the long drive to Muntinlupa?

Be that as it may, even if it could become another "Ramen Nazi" haven and that the distance was VERY undesirable, I was still curious of YUSHOKEN. My all time favorite has always been the Tan Tan Mien of UKOKKEI RAMEN RON and they said that YUSHOKEN could cook up another mean bowl of this spicy noodles.

So it was finally settled. We will be going to YUSHOKEN. Finally I will be crossing that name out in my Ramen bucket list (yes I have such thing). How did it fare up to us? Did it live up to the hype?

Read down and see if you'll agree!

YUSHOKEN!!

It was a full house that Saturday night in YUSHOKEN! I was not able to check if they accepted reservations but usually restaurants don't have it during weekends.

YUSHOKEN has a looooong space that was more like a model's runway for the booth and counter. 

IKKORYU FUKUOKA (AGAIN)

For some reason, the food gods are making it my fate to have Japanese food for many times in a row that I am already sneezing out the word "HAI... chew". I don't really mind because next to my usual flavor of the month, Japanese cuisine is always the next in line for my appetite...

I cannot live without Sushi...
I cannot live without Ramen...
I cannot live without Teppanyaki....
I cannot live without Bioman...

este...

I just cannot live without JAPANESE FOOD let's just leave it at that...

Whew!

So even if my husband and I already ate at the very popular IKKORYU FUKUOKA (see HERE!!!!) many times, we were still looking forward to dinner with our foodie family. Well for one I always believe that my tummy could never have enough ramen and second, who am I really to question my fate with the food gods?

And all I could say too is that those food gods REALLY know how to do their job!!!!

IKKORYU FUKUOKA RAMEN!