EAT FRESH - HONG KONG FAMOUS STREET FOOD

My husband is THE KING OF THE NORTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Said ala Game of Thrones).

But not in the way you think... Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

The Yub usually goes around the Northside for his work that's why he's the one always fetching me when I get out of work.

Oh don't you know? The Yubhub is an Electrolux Man!!!

"He's gonna knock your door...
Ring on your bell...
Tap on your window too...
Come on and open your door so he could show you more...
He's the handy electrolux man!!!"

TEE HEE!!!

If you know that ad, then you're old as me. (Sorry Millennials. You missed out on a potential LSS that will SO make your day. He he he he).

By the way, I typed that from memory. Bet you can't be a loser like that no? HA!!!

Anyway, I usually get out of work late (like 8:00pm) that we're too hungry for the long drive home. With that, we'd look for somewhere to eat, pronto. While going on our usual route, we saw this new establishment with bright lights. There were also a lot of cars parked which meant the place was popular. When we looked closely, we saw that it was the new EAT FRESH - HONG KONG FAMOUS STREET FOOD.

Wow! Business is indeed booming!!!!

We remember how it used to be like a small streetside eatery; now, the restaurant is in a mansion house! So if the reason for their success was indeed the food then we should really try it out, fast.

And that we did! Did we enjoy our dinner?

You'll see. YOU'LL ALL SEE! HA!

Dan... dan... dan!

EAT FRESH!!!

DIN TAI FUNG ( HONG KONG 2017 )

THE YAPPY BUNCH were in HONG KONG having an awesome time, but as much as we were fulfilling our kiddie wishes with DISNEYLAND we were somehow failing in the "food trip department". Don't get us wrong, we're loving the restaurants that we went to (ICHIRAN, MCDONALDS, DISNEYLAND, etc) but these were not the hole-in-the-wall hubs that we were craving for -- Foreign franchises pa sila!!!!

We had our last chance to redeem ourselves with the day of our departure. We were hoping that with our city tour, we could eat somewhere that was not a franchise and was exclusive only in Hong Kong.

With that, we ended up with DIN TAI FUNG!!!!

Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

OKAY FINE.

DIN TAI FUNG was not really what I had in mind especially that it was a popular franchise from Taiwan and all. But the Chinese Dimpol remembered how much I raved over it (from my HK trip with officemates) and how I would always claim it was much better than the Philippine counterpart, that when I asked him where we should have our late lunch, he didn't give any choice but DIN TAI FUNG.

HAY! Even if napaaaaaagod ako sa layo ng lakad, DIN TAI FUNG daw!!!!!

So we had our last official HONG KONG meal in DIN TAI FUNG and I'm sure, the "foodie gods" were laughing at us. But honestly, after our very delicious and super sulit meal, I didn't care. Sure we didn't try out local restaurants and went "full commercialized" but after our lunch at DIN TAI FUNG, I realized that this trip was after all more about enjoyment, fun, and happiness -- and we certainly made not just the Yub but everyone smile with their full tummies.

 

Enter!!!

BEST WESTERN HOTEL BUFFET BREAKFAST (HONG KONG 2017)

Our stay at BEST WESTERN HOTEL included 2 stubs for their breakfast buffet daily. The Chinese Dimpol and I decided that to be more practical, two of us will be using the complimentary breakfast, while the other two will have take out or the noodles that we packed (it was always option 2 because nobody wanted to get up early... he he he!)

So check out our simple breakfast at BEST WESTERN HOTEL and see if we made the right decision. At least you'll know your options when you stay here. :) 

BEST WESTERN HOTEL breakfast!!!

Hmmm... I wonder if it's worth the 98HKD (Php 640.00) for brekky!

Enter!

We were the only ones in the restaurant!

ICHIRAN AGAIN (FOR THE 2ND CONSECUTIVE DAY)

I know that I just made an ICHIRAN post recently...

I know that I could just include this in THAT said post...

I know that I have made several posts about Ramen already...And I know that we just ate in ICHIRAN the night before....

But ICHIRAN was just THAT mind-blowing and deliciously awesome, that if I had a choice, we'd eat there EVERYDAY!!

And I'm NEVER going to be sorry that we're indulging in their delicious Ramen when we should be having Hong Kong food!

Helloooo! Pagbigyan nyo na ang senior citizen no?

That's just a corny joke by the way.

:P 

(Ang saya saya ko o! Sarap batukan. Ha ha ha ha ha!)

And THE YAPPY BUNCH are back in ICHIRAN!!!!

To think that we were just here YESTERDAY! Yup!!!! We blame our bunsoy Andrei because he loved ICHIRAN so much that he didn't stop saying how he wanted to eat there the whole day. 

Even if we're not asking him! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

It's okay. Secretly, we're all happy that he insisted on going back because we all wanted to return to have that uber delicious bowl of noodles that we had the night before.

FU DOO RESTAURANT ( OUR DINNER IN HONG KONG 2017 )

After a tiring but very fun day at DISNEYLAND, it was time to go back to our hotel. When deciding where to eat, the Chinese Dimpol and I were first thinking of the restaurants recommended online. But since our feet were aching and we wanted nothing more than to lie down on our beds, we thought of just having dinner in the restaurant we saw near our hotel.

We initially chose FU DOO because it was the most convenient restaurant at that time. But after a delicious meal, that was somewhat disastrous (you'll see why later), we were glad that we went for this Chinese restaurant because it had that authentic Hong Kong flavors we were craving for.

Now THAT and the mini-disaster that happened, our meal at FU DOO was something that we will NEVER forget!! 

FU DOO!!!!!

FU DOO was located a street away from our hotel and we often pass by it in the morning.

OUR LUNCH IN HONG KONG DISNEYLAND (2017)

THE YAPPY BUNCH were having the "bestest", "superest", and "awesomest" time (tee hee) in DISNEYLAND RESORT that we were all running non-stop from one place to the next.

Did we feel tired?

HELL no!

Did we get hungry??

Of course we DID!!!!!

With THE YAPPY BUNCH, of course eating is part of the fun. And that we did in DISNEYLAND!

We're in the happiest place on earth! But even if we're all having a awesome time, we cannot ignore the growls of our needy tummies!

We had several snacks and munchies all through out the theme park. But when it was time for lunch, we came upon THIS place -- Clopin's Festival of Foods!

ICHIRAN HONG KONG (2017)

For our Hong Kong trip, the little lords were our bosses and we centered our vacation with their happiness and fun in mind. However, I had one request that I deemed superkaduper important when we go to Hong Kong:

We should eat in ICHIRAN. Period.

I know it was not the same as what they had in Japan but I saw how this popular Ramen joint was featured and raved by many youtubers that I was kicking myself why we didn't try it when we were in the Land of the Rising Sun. At least, Hong Kong would be the next best thing and it important was for us to have one meal there. True enough, the Chinese Adonis planned and plotted when and where we'll be going. Even if it was SO far from our hotel, we'll travel far and wide to get a taste of that famous hot bowl of noodles.

And that we did. With delicious and unexpected results!!!!!! 

We are in Causeway Bay and we're going to eat in ICHIRAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

My bunsoy was a very picky eater and just wanted to stay in our hotel. But he was a good sport in our long travel to look for ICHIRAN!

DISNEY EXPLORER'S LODGE BUFFET BREAKFAST (2017)

THE YAPPY BUNCH had a staycation in DISNEY EXPLORER'S LODGE, and included in our room package is a buffet breakfast for 2 in their restaurant, DRAGON WIND.

Of course, we cannot just have breakfast by our lonesome. The little lords SHOULD be with us! So for that morning, it's going to be ERICJAZ FOODIES with the boys. Yay!

We were all looking forward for the breakfast buffet because one: we were hungry, and two: the little lords wanted to see some DISNEY characters! And, DISNEY being DISNEY we had a delicious hot meal, plus a side of Mickey. It was no surprise though because after all, it IS the place where dreams come true!

Yup! No matter how mababaw it is! He he he!

Our DISNEY EXPLORER'S LODGE breakfast!

MCDONALD'S HONG KONG (2017)

THE YAPPY BUNCH are in HONG KONG and like what we always do when we're in another country, we check out their local MCDONALD'S because we want to see how different it would be from Manila.

We already put a space for MCDONALD'S HONG KONG in our itinerary on our second or third day -- it was our aim to have our fill of delicious Chinese food after all. BUT, lucky us we ended up in a mall because our bus going to the hotel was stationed there. And, even if we have been going around and around the place, we can't find the type of Chinese food we enjoyed before.

After about an hour of going around, the boys saw the familiar golden arches of MCDONALD'S. Immediately they asked if we could have our lunch there because they were in the mood for some fries and chicken.

NGIKS! Ha ha ha ha ha!

Oh well. I never thought that our first official meal in HONG KONG would be in an American franchise but we gave in -- we were tired and we were planning to eat here anyway. Napaaga lang! Ha ha ha! And wow, we're so glad that we did because there was something so comforting biting into hot sandwiches and drinking cold soda after a long morning. Plus, we were able to find out how deliciously different MCDONALD'S HONG KONG was from Manila.

Yup! So even in HONG KONG, we would profess our love for MCDONALD'S. And like their ad declares, "Love namin to!"  

The place with the golden arches!

HONG KONG TRIP 2017 (PART TWO)

THE YAPPY BUNCH are in Hong Kong, and even if we've been here before, we were still having an uber great time! I guess a big part why this trip was another epic one for us was because our only goal was to have as much family time as we can in DISNEYLAND and just having fun with the kids (meaning no shopping {where they get bored ha ha}, no going to tourist places they wouldn't enjoy, no exotic food-tripping, etc., etc.,). This family getaway really proved to us that seeing your kiddies laughing and having a great time would give you a different kind of happiness.

And we definitely had a lot of that -- many, many, many times over.

Yup! This trip was really for you Master Mati and bunsoy Andrei. Mommy and Daddy love you both so much!

Now here's part TWO of our HONG KONG Yappy trip! 

Good morning!!! It's day 3 for us in HONG KONG and THE YAPPY BUNCH are in BEST WESTERN HOTEL for the rest of our stay.

BUTAO RAMEN (Hong Kong)

Hello! Hello! Sorry if I have been quiet for a period of time but I was out somewhere food tripping with my EAT BULAGA buddies and seeing the sights of uber wonderful Binondo, este, Hong Kong....

(Oh yeah... 4 days since my last entry is indeed a period of time because... because.... I just miss you.... (aw shuckers)...

AND, we were not really there to food trip... I think I was the lone ranger in that aspect because I was the only woman with a mission to eat at the restaurant I have been fantasizing about since I read it in a blog.

... which brings me to..... (drum roll with an extra ting at the end)...

BUTAO RAMEN!!

BUTAO RAMEN is one of the most popular Ramen Houses in Hong Kong. If you check other foodie blogs, you'll see a loooong line of hungry foodies who are all patient enough to have some of the best bowl in town. 

We dropped by the restaurant at about 2:00pm on a Saturday. Thankfully, the line has ceased down... 

Well maybe just for our group because food gods were smiling my way... He he he he he he!

I know! I know! My little silly foodie blog IS entitled ERICJAZ foodies... But try as I might to shove him in my luggage, this was only an all girl trip for the Admin girls of TAPE INC., Don't worry, he's with me in spirit.

BECAUSE even if he does not really fancy ramen... I ate for him since that IS the title of our blog... ERICJAZ FOODIES.

By the way,  having lunch at BUTAO RAMEN was not really part of the itinerary since it was sorta out of the way from our hotel, but I'm really grateful my officemates agreed to go here for lunch. Well maybe because of the following reasons:

a: They found me cute and lovable....

b:  Their ears got tired of me begging every single day... 

c: They will do anything to shut me up (related to B)

OR

d: They got curious of what BUTAO RAMEN has to offer.

So I guess it's ALL OF THE ABOVE????

Wait a minute..... ... moving on.... ha ha ha ha ha!

The meynuh (could anyone translate for me word per word??)

Welcome to BUTAO! 

You would be assured of the good food of a restaurant when they confidently offer only a few dishes to their menu but still manage to fill up the whole space. So BUTAO RAMEN only has 4 choices for you... the BUTAO KING... BLACK KING... RED KING... and GREEN KING.

If some of you wise guys suggest WHITE KING, I'm walking outta here. 

Everything is so simple in BUTAO RAMEN. While waiting, they give you a piece of pad paper for your order. 

By the way, if you're questioning the neatness and legibility of the penmanship here, I let a 5 year old kid do the writing for me. Yup that's what I did for sure because... because... I was busy taking pictures... (yeah riiiight).

If you're wondering why I did not have Chasiu pork on my ramen it is because I am on a diet. But I truly recommend you to add that protein in your bowl since it was very tender and tasty! So worth the extra fat!

See their small space? I still found it homey....

The young chefs of BUTAO RAMEN very busy with their noodles! It was nice of them to let me click away. That guy with the bandana is was also cute. TEE HEE!

The Chasiu Pork all tender and ready to be dipped into their boiling tonkatsu soup!

Condiments....

Yup! BUTAO RAMEN is multi-awarded and everything! They proudly displayed this on their window.

Yey! We're finally seated. The waitress took note of where I sat for easy matching my ramen.

After settling what was needed to be settled, I checked their plate of condiments....

I think this is spicy pickled pechay while the other one was bean sprouts. It really depends on you if you want to add these extras in your ramen but I loved my bowl as it is!

Of course, all of it are worth a try though....

He he he he! We got seats and you don't!

Like I said, BUTAO RAMEN's place was kinda small compared to the number of hungry foodies who want to eat their noodles.  But what is an hour wait to get the best ramen in Hong Kong? If there is a line the next time I'm there, I would suck it out!

But still, all I can say is...

Har de har har! We got seats and you dont! ha ha ha ha ha!

Me with Mam Josie and Ate Yogie! We are all excited to eat our Ramens!!!! I'm so grateful to them that they understood my obsession to having a meal in BUTAO RAMEN that they agreed to having our late lunch there.

Even this little kid was gobbling up her noodles.... after this pic was taken! He he he he!

First bowl on our table was the BUTAO KING ($80)! I was able to take a sip of the soup and found it so milky and flavorful! It was obvious that the pork bones was indeed boiled for about millions of hours to get the ultra taste!!! If I was not curious with my Squid Ramen, I would have ordered this too!!!

When will the other bowls come??? When???

It was nice of my officemate Tonette to let me a taste. It would have been nicer if she gave the whole bowl to me afterwards.

Kidding!

Chris and Sheryl said they loved their BUTAO KING ramen too. But, they did not let me take a taste.

Yup! One should take a sip from every bowl to ensure the quality of ALL of their ramens. It is just my duty to do so.

The GREEN KING ramen (hkd 90) is rich soup consisting of basil, cheese, and everything creamy. If I was not curious of my BLACK KING ramen, I would have this too!

It's great that Ate Yogie ordered this and kindly let me have a spoonful. She did offer to give me more of her ramen when I was salivating and drooling like crazy after a taste. But I tried to be a lady and declined. 

(I'll just hope she has leftovers... Then, I'll just swipe it when she's not looking)

Unfortunately that did not happen. She said she loved her ramen and finished everything. Boohoo me.

Nobody ordered the RED KING ramen because our waitress (see below) warned that it was very spicy! If you have tried this hot bowl, how did you find it?

I said it once and I'll say it again... If I was not curious of my Black King Ramen I would have tried that Red King as well... tee hee!

BUTAO RAMEN has a filipina waitress named Mabel who loved having her picture taken with us. Here she is with Larlene and Sunshine.

..... then with the whole group (clockwise - Mam Josie, Waitress Mabel, ME, Ate Yogie, Ate Dalden, Chris, Sheryl, Larlene, Sunshine, and Tonette). Maybe she wants to join Pinoy Henyo, I don't know. Ha ha ha ha ha! Still, she gave us exceptional service and our meal was more enjoyable with her caring and fussing! 

Oh please where's MY order BUTAO RAMEN???? Save a hungry lady here please!!!

... and finally my BLACK KING RAMEN (hkd 90)! Oh it was as beautiful as I dreamed it would be!

As soon as it was laid down in front of me, I took a looooong  and nasal free whiff of all that BLACK KING goodness! Everything just smelled so glorious and wonderful that I can't WAIT to slurp my way to BLACK KING ramen heaven!

Happy... happy me! Finally! One of my foodie wishes came true!!!!!!!!!!

I specified on my order paper that I wanted my noodles to be thick and super hard. I loved getting a chewy bite from my ramen and if you want the same firmness that you have probably enjoyed in other ramen houses, then request for SUPER HARD noodles in BUTAO RAMEN as well!

Oh yeah I will slurp you to kingdom come!

With my first slurp and bite of their ramen noodles, I was deliriously happy! The soup was so tasty and divine that I wanted wolf down everything in one bite!

But like I said, I was trying to act like a lady here... so I controlled myself.

Yup... the lady DID get black "tinga' in her teeth afterwards but I DON'T CARE!

This big spoon? Yup, I put it all inside my mouth!

He he he he! I wanted to do the same thing but I was not yet finished with my own bowl....

As much as I wanted to slurp everything away, we were going shopping afterwards in Granville and my tummy somehow has an aversion to squid ink and tenga ng daga.

... Yup Squid Ink... and that's what I ordered. Anything for food. I hope I won't suffer later. Ha ha ha ha ha! 

My tummy DID grumble like crazy while we were buying I LOVE HONG KONG magnets but I just daydreamed of happy thoughts....

Like me eating there again... he he he he!

In the meantime... I was savoring the goodness of my BLACK KING ramen and Larlene's leftover soup.

I don't care if I will get black squiddy or greeny things lodged between my teeth. It is my duty to take these all down. Like all Mom's would say... "Dami kaya nagugutom sa (insert country)!!!"

When we stepped out there was indeed a LOOOOONG LINE of foodies hungry for some BUTAO RAMEN! If only I had wide lenses, you would see the line almost at the edge of your monitors! And I don't blame them...Because...

Even if I got United of Colors "thingies" between my teeth...

Even if there will be a long wait the next time I go there...

Even if my tummy will grumble and diss me like crazy after the meal because of the squid ink...

Even if I encounter another waitress who would like to take pictures with us since we are popular (tee hee)...

AND MOST OF ALL

Even if from 130lbs my weight shot up to 142lbs after our Hong Kong trip.

I WILL STILL GO BACK HERE by hook or by crook!!!  Yes it is THAT good! Believe it or not, a meal in BUTAO RAMEN is an item out of my bucket list.

I hope I will be able to cross out item number 24: "EAT AT BUTAO RAMEN 10 TIMES".

LET'S EAT!!!!

Butao Ramen

G/F, Kam Wing Commercial Building, 28 Minden Ave, Tsim Sha Tsui

G/F, 40 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay

G/F, Wo On Building, 8-13 On Lane Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central

telephone: 2530-0600