ONE SUNDAY IN TANAY (MIDORIYAMA AND PICO DE PINO)

One Sunday, when everyone made plans EXCEPT to be with us (TRAITORS), THE YAPPY BUNCH decided to... 

Wait, where did my family go you say???

Mommy - has a meeting with her relatives...
Kuya Jay and family - wasn't able to go down from their mountain
Kuya Jon and Andrei - in Japan
Ate Jit and hub - was supposed to have lunch at Mandaluyong but since we all had plans, they went somewhere. They didn't want to go with us! HMP!

ANYWAY....

THE YAPPY BUNCH (minus Andrei) decided to go to Tanay Rizal!!!!! I've been seeing A LOT of tiktok videos featuring the cafes and restaurants with breath-taking views of the mountain, that we decided to join the bandwagon. Alam mo naman kami... Gaya gaya punto maya...

Teee heee!

First stop is MIDORIYAMA!!!!

It was a Sunday and even if there was no traffic, I got a bit inip with the long drive (or maybe I was just hungry???)

A SUMO SAM HOLIDAY (2020)

Last December, THE YAPPY BUNCH went out for some family bonding bonding ekek because it was a holiday.

It may be so tempting to just stay at home and sleep the day away but going out with the boys and treating them to a nice lunch is something we'll not pass up.  Of course because of the present situation, we will still be extra careful and follow safety protocols imposed by the establishment. Yes, we all want to have fun BUT also be cautious at the same time.

With that, we decided to go to Edsa Shang because it's one of the malls I know that don't have many people. When we got there, the guard asked us questions and we answered honestly (we also called the restaurant beforehand).

So yay! Another fun family day. Even if there were a lot of extra things to do to ensure our safety, we all appreciated the caring measures and had an awesome day!  

WE'RE OUT!!!
(Can't buy me looooooveeee.... loooooove)

MENYA KOKORO BGC

For one Saturday family gimik, my guys and I decided to try out something different from our usual Bonifacio High Street lunch and coffee. Instead, we decided to go Uptown Mall...

..for some lunch and coffee!!! He he he he he he!

This time though, we wanted to try out MENYA KOKORO!

CRAVING FOR RAMEN NAGI AGAIN

Once again THE YAPPY BUNCH needed to go to St. Lukes in BGC so we left early morning. After the follow-up checkup, the boys got hungry so we decided to have lunch nearby. It was bad after all for them na "malipasan ng gutom."

So where to eat? 

The last time Mati, the Yub, and I were in BGC, we ate in RAMEN NAGI because this Japanese specialty just doesn't work well for delivery -- it really should be eaten at the restaurant. When we told Andrei about our lunch, he got so inggit that we promised him the next time we're out, we'll eat at RAMEN NAGI.

So then it is THAT day.

Dan... dan... DANNNNNNNNNN!!!!

We were initially worried that security won't allow little Andrei in the mall (where RAMEN NAGI was located). Fortunately, management let the bunso in as long as we follow safety measures. We noticed too that around BGC there were many kids and even babies going around with their families. I guess since the place is like one big open park, it is safer for people to go around. Yep. We were meant to go out today.

So yay! Cravings answered for little Andrei and for us too!!!!! It was another great day for THE YAPPY BUNCH!

RAMEN NAGI AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!

OUR NEW GENKI SUSHI EXPERIENCE

One weekend, the boys needed to go to St. Lukes hospital for a consultation. After their much needed check-up, the guys got hungry and asked for some lunch PRONTO.

We thought... hmmmm... where should we eat in BGC that we cannot have for delivery (since it might be a long while before we go out again)?

The bunsoy Andrei suggested GENKI SUSHI. It was after all one of their favorite restaurants and Japanese food was not the same if it was not dine-in. 

So to GENKIE SUSHI we go. We also realized that since the bunsoy NEVER goes out. His wish is our command this time.

And we're (sorta) glad that we did!!!

Find out why!!!!! 

GENKI SUSHI!!!!!!!

OUR NEW RAMEN NAGI EXPERIENCE

One morning, the Yub and I had this deep craving for ramen that we mustered up all our courage to go out. Though we understand and follow all rules with regards to the quarantine, we felt that this is the time to go out. We're just going to be extra careful and since some venues allowed in-store dining, we're going.

With our big guy Mati!

KIMPURA (2020)

Once upon a time before what's happening now, I CELEBRATED MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!

Now...

I don't care if we have done this here many times before...

I don't care that it may make me go over my budget...

I don't care that I've made SEVERAL blogs about birthday celebrations here ordering the same food with the same people...

But we're having my birthday in my favorite KIMPURA and here's my post about it!!!

DAN DAN DANNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yohoo! We're in KIMPURA!!!!!!!!!!!

TSUKIJI MARKET FOOD TRIP (JAPAN 2020)

It was the day of our flight and normally we would just stay in the hotel to relax and make last minute preparations before going to the airport.

BUT NOOOOOH. This is JAPAN. We don't want to waste hours or even minutes of this beautiful country by just "waiting."

While my sister was planning for our "last hurrah" she thought of having tea-making classes, or costume "Kimono" wearing. I for one, suggested the team lab museum thing because it's in everyone's feed.

All were fine activities for us but then, our time was limited and we have to consider the distance. As for the team lab museum, after looking at the details, the thought of just going somewhere that doesn't really promote the true and old culture of Japan just didn't appeal to us. Good thing too that we were able to confirm with the Yub's brother (who was able to go before) that it was indeed MEH. So we all went back to the "drawing board" to decide where to go.

In the end, we all realized that we were in Japan not just for the sights but also to savor their food.

And where should we go that would give us a one-of-a-kind experience in tasting the "essence" of Japan?

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET!!!!!!!!!

Let's see what we could eat today!!!!!!!

TSUKIJI SUSHI-SEN AGAIN (JAPAN TRIP 2020)

When we decided to go to TSUKIJI MARKET during our Japan trip last year, our main goal was to eat sushi. LOTS OF IT.

Because really, why would you go to TSUKIJI MARKET if not to enjoy their ultra fresh seafood right???

The thought of eating sushi at the prime place in Japan all made us SO excited. And when we saw this hole in a wall restaurant, it just made us MORE excited-ER. Ha ha ha ha!

Heck, we didn't eat breakfast just for this!!!!

After our meal, we were all deliriously happy. There is truly something about having this Japanese delicacy at one of the best places in Tokyo!

After all, it is not called TSUKIJI FISH MARKET for nothing.

And we're so glad to make an acquaintance (again) with SUSHI SEN!!!

YIHIII!!! We're in SUSHI-SEN!!!!

LOCAL UDON RESTAURANT MT FUJI

When we were in JAPAN last 2019, the weather was soooo cold that we're always game to get a big bowl of hot noodles.

Luckily that during our trip to Mount Fuji, we saw this udon restaurant (don't care if it's a tourist trap) that satisfied us to the maximum!!!!

ENTER!!!

(Sorry but I really can't figure out the name. Ha ha ha ha!)

MORIICHI REVOLVING SUSHI, TOKYO (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

Ever since we set food on JAPAN, we were all super excited for  this one thing:

TO HAVE SUSHI.

Of course, we're also very excited to have Ramen, to go to DISNEYLAND, and to do some cultural sight-seeing, but we cannot be in JAPAN and NOT have sushi right?

I mean it's just going to be appetizingly sacrilegious!!!!

So that we did and to be honest, we have the little Androse to be thankful for.

He has been bugging the whole family to have sushi and although we're really planning to schedule a mealtime for that, we faked indifference to having any sort of raw fish.

Yep. Because that's just how we are in the family. Ha ha ha ha! If you're pikon, super talo ka.

For one outing though, my Mommers was especially impressed at how Andrei helped her out (SEE HERE) that amidst our jokes how we didn't want to have to do ANYTHING with the popular Japanese delicacy, she declared that we will have sushi for our next meal.

Auughhh.... Mommy is such a party pooper!!!

So Andrei rejoiced and got very excited. When we asked my Kuya where we should go for some good old quality sushi, he only had one thing on his mind....

MORIICHI SUSHI!!!!

IKINARI STEAK, TOKYO (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

One of the things that I pleaded for Kuya Jon to include in our itinerary is THIS:

IKINARI STEAK!!!

Because how can you not?

Fatty slabs of tender meat on a sizzling plate complete with sides at an affordable price -- you would be crazy not to!

And I'm sooooo thankful that my hungry fam agrees with me!

AT IKINARI STEAK!!!!!

YOSHINOYA, TOKYO (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

While planning our trip to JAPAN 2019, we were plotting many places to go for touring and eating.

Never in my wildest dreams would YOSHINOYA be one of our favorites!

We have YOSHINOYA in Manila but Kuya Jon and Ate Jit said that it's so different in JAPAN ("It tastes much better!"). They should know because a YOSHINOYA branch was situated near their hotel before, and it's the same one our family were staying in that 2019.

So okay! I remember loving YOSHINOYA before (especially that it's one of Daddy's favorites) but the quality in some Manila branches have gone downhill that we have never returned for so many years.

Hopefully we'll become a convert once we get a taste again in JAPAN!

In the end, you know what? Nope! I am still hesitant to go to YOSHINOYA Manila.

Read on and see why!

YOSHINOYA!!!!

WHAT WE ATE IN TOKYO (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

We're in JAPAN and besides the sights, the weather, and family togetherness, we're also here for one thing...

TO EAT!!!!

Japanese food is one of the family's favorite cuisines so saying that we're excited about it is an understatement. That's why we're all really looking forward to savor our favorites in its homeland.

Sharing with you the bites that we had in TOKYO, JAPAN. Restaurants will be featured in separate blogs.

Enjoyyyyyy! I know we did! Ha ha ha ha ha!

LET'S EAT OUR WAY IN JAPAN!!!!!!

ICHIRAN, TOKYO (JAPAN TRIP 2019)

I don't care that it has been commercialized, triviliazed, or "touristized," (he he he he), but when you're in JAPAN, you should have a meal in ICHIRAN!

Hey, you deserve to have at least one bowl of their piping hot delicious rich ramen in your lifetime right?

Never mind that almost EVERYONE in the world has been there and posted about their experience in social media. You may think it lessened its value by being so popular but it shouldn't bother you because it didn't affect the taste. You still need to go there. Hip or not, it's the food that you're going for anyway.

And THAT was exactly how I felt about it.

That's why for our JAPAN 2019 trip, I asked my Mommy if we could go to ICHIRAN. The only ICHIRAN that I've been to was in Hong Kong and I would really like to try it in its motherland JAPAN.

I wanted to eat in ICHIRAN so much that I offered to pay!!!

HALA!

Oh well! It was so worth it. I'm sure the others felt the same (yun lang takas sila sa bayad). Ha ha ha ha ha! Kidding! I really don't mind paying as long as I get to eat my favorite ICHIRAN! I'm so glad that I was able to share this experience again with my boys, and most especially, my Mommers!

And that's the truth. :)

ICHIRAN!!!!!!!

WHAT WE ATE IN TOKYO DISNEYLAND (JAPAN 2019)

When we went to TOKYO DISNEYLAND, we were all so excited to go on the rides, see the sights, and take loads of pictures. Now who would have thought that the last thing on our minds was doing our usual favorite thing?

EATING!!!!! Seems impossible right???

But yeah, when you're in the wonderful land of DISNEY, eating may not be the ultimo priority. To be honest, I even considered it as a disturbance especially that theme park food is known to be very expensive.

Still, we indulged in what TOKYO DISNEYLAND had to offer that day -- since we're already there, it doesn't make sense to deprive ourselves. If we saw something interesting, we went for it (besides, we have to sustain ourselves while having the time of our lives in TOKYO DISNEYLAND). We do need the strength after all to line up and enjoy their rides.

Check out the food we ate in TOKYO DISNEYLAND! I don't know if it's just because we're in Japan (who are known for their high quality dishes) or that we're just super hungry, but the food added to our ultimo enjoyment.

Wohooo!!!!! 

We're in DISNEYLAND!!!!!

OUR FIRST MEAL IN TOKYO (JAPAN 2019)

We just arrived in JAPAN and naturally the first thing we wanted to do besides resting and unpacking is this:

EATING!!!

Well we're not in JAPAN for our health. Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Besides the sights, we are definitely in the Land of the Orient to get loads of Japanese foods in our bellies. That's why we're excited to have our first real taste of authentic Japanese food for that trip.

And the first order of the day???

RAMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

HARU SUSHI BAR AND RESTAURANT

My old friend from High School, Wendy, was in the country visiting from the US and we planned a getogether to catch up.

We asked her what she was craving for that night. And when she said she was in the mood for some Japanese food, we had the place just for her...

HARU SUSHI BAR AND RESTAURANT!

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!

MARUGAME UDON

ERICJAZ FOODIES have a new favorite these days...

MARUGAME UDON!!!

Could you blame us? The place serves delicious Japanese food at affordable prices. At the same time, they have this efficient system ensuring fast service and seating. So yeah, it's pretty understandable why this would be our current favorite.

And when I say current favorite it means we'll be eating here as much as we can!

Tee to the HEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MARUGAME UDON!!!