PANDA EXPRESS PHILIPPINES

Once upon a time nearing the pandemic...

When we learned that PANDA EXPRESS was going to open in the Philippines, we got so excited because it's one of our favorite restaurants in the US. Even if we should be savoring burgers, steaks, pies, etc, there, we would always make room for this fast-food Chinese giant because not only were the prices affordable but the food was really good! It's a big plus too that it was everywhere! Ha ha ha ha ha!

After it opened, we were not able to go to PANDA EXPRESS in SM Megamall yet because we saw the torturous long lines. Normally we're fine with lining up, but these days, we're just not in the mood. Ha ha ha ha ha! Doesn't help too that there's that covid-19 looming about.

For one weekend however, we got word that classes were suspended that Monday (as schools were disinfecting their rooms). The Yub and I then thought of going to SM Mega to finally have a taste of PANDA EXPRESS here in the Philippines. And even if it somehow tasted different from its US counterpart, we still enjoyed our Sunday family outing to savor one of our favorites!!!!

(Little did we know that our gimik days were "numbered" with the upcoming virus!)

PANDA EXPRESS PHILIPPINES!!!!!

TONGYANG SHABU SHABU EXPRESS

Once upon a time before the pandemic...

My little family are such fans of Shabu Shabu that we cannot stay away from it for a long time. Fried Chicken, Pizza, Burgers, etc etc are fine when we're out but there's something deeply comforting about slurping on boiling hot soup, devouring the chewy noodles, and crunchy vegetables, then dipping it all on my spicy and "umami" filled sauce. We just gotta have it at least once a month in our mundane lives!

One night while the Yub and I were doing groceries, we came upon TONGYANG SHABU SHABU EXPRESS. We have already been to their mothership TONGYANG buffet many years before but since we're watching our diets and our wallets, the "express version" would be perfect!

And we were right. TONGYANG SHABU SHABU EXPRESS was just what we needed.  I think we'll be here A HUNDRED TIMES more.

(That's what you think... ha ha ha ha-- Jaz from the future)

TONGYANG SHABU SHABU EXPRESS!!!!!

GILIGAN'S RESTAURANT (2019)

The Yub and I have been long familiar with GILIGAN'S RESTAURANT way before pa because they catered our wedding (meh) when they was just starting up. From what I remember, the food was okay and it was more on the casual side. During that time their menu was limited and I had no choice but to pick from what was offered because it was requested by the future in-laws (they're friends with the owner and prices were very reasonable).

Fast forward to the present and GILIGAN'S RESTAURANT now have MANY branches across the metro and in the provinces. You could never fail with their extensive menu of Filipino specialties that are very affordable. That's why click na click!!!!

We have dined many times already at GILIGAN's but the last time we did so as a family left such a bad taste in our kiddies' mouth because well, maybe the branch was having a syesta. The Yub and I also had another experience in it on one date night that we said it would be a loooooooooooooooong time before we go back there.

But "back there" we always did. Maybe because of sentimental reasons. Good thing that in our latest meals there, service and their food improved that we would now become happy regular customers.

Syempre, when you're always eating out it's a steal to find restaurants that service delicious yet cheap food!
 

GILIGANS!

OF SPIDERMAN AND BONCHON

One of Master Mati's close friends, Johans, is sleeping over for the weekend and we told them that they could do anything EXCEPT play PS3!

HUWAAAAAAAAT??? Suddenly they wanted to cancel. Ha ha ha ha!

Kidding! They know that I cannot resist them and their cuteness.

Truth be told, they really didn't mind TOO much that they were not allowed to play PS3 because they bought new Gundam sets which they agreed to assemble at our house.

After about 2 or 3 hours of working, look what they finished! Yay!

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!!!!!

ROSANJIN WITH MY GUYS

Usually when it's the school year, my perfect parent self would wait for the last minute to do some shopping. This year, the Yub and I promised to do our school shopping early. 

We bought their affordable shoes because they would always outgrow it in a year. That is, if it survives the torture it will receive when they run around and play.

SNOWBING (SM CITY NORTH EDSA)

It's very rare that the Chinese Dimpol and I find ourselves in SM City North Edsa because it's quite far from our lurrrv nest. (He he he). But when we do it's probably because of (Ding! Ding! Ding!), you guessed it, to try something out with my fellow foodie friends. And this time, we were happy that we ventured this far to taste something so cool from this side of the Metro....

SNOWBING!!!!

SNOWBING is actually a Philippine franchise that whips up popular Korean favorites that tastes oh so right for our palate! 

LE PETIT SOUFFLE FOR MY 42ND BIRTHDAY (2017)

Many times I've seen LE PETIT SOUFFLE invade my Facebook and Instagram feed with its mouth-watering pictures of their dishes. And many times, I would mentally schedule dinner there with the Chinese Dimpol. Good thing that for my birthday season, my mareng Gail asked me where I wanted to go for her dinner treat. Without batting an eyelash (but with pa-cute efforts), I immediately chose LE PETIT SOUFFLE because well, the timing was JUUUUUST right.

YAY! I was able to discover what those picture-perfect Facebook and IG posts were all about. And yep, it was SO perfect for my birthday dinner date with Team Campo!

LE PETIT SOUFFLE!!!

LE PETIT SOUFFLE is located at the second floor of SM Megamall's Fashion Hall. You'd never miss the sign with the bright canary yellow colors!

GRINGO (SM MEGAMALL)

Sometime last year, I got a taste of GRINGO'S juicy barbecued Chicken and Ribs when we were sent boxes of their hot meat and sides. THE YAPPY BUNCH loved the food and found ourselves licking the bones and chops after wolfing it all down in seconds. Since then, we have craved for GRINGO but we were not able to drop by the actual restaurant because it was too far from where we lived.

Luckily, GRINGO recently opened in SM Megamall and it was so timely for us because we were having Mati's birthday staycation in MARCO POLO HOTEL. I asked my dear son where he wanted to eat that Saturday night and upon learning that GRINGO was already open there, he heaved a long sigh and said "FINALLY!!!!"

So it's no question where we'll be having our weekend dinner for my dearest's birthday staycation. Possibly the foodie gods arranged it because they knew how much we wanted to eat again at GRINGO but were too lazy to make the trek. And to think that it is something that my birthday boy really, really, as in REALLLY, want to eat in!!!!!

See? Everything was meant to be!   

GRINGO!!!!!

Chicken, Ribs, FRIENDS!!!

Like I said, the restaurant was still in their soft opening so I was not expecting everything to be smooth sailing. The food anyway is the one that's important!

The restaurant was packed but nobody was waiting in line. Me guess is that the staff is doing a fine job at efficiently serving and seating the guests!

LINGUINI FINI WITH MY FAVORITE COUSINS

My peyborit cousins are here from Las Vegas and we are loving every minute that they are with us. And of course, part of anyone's vacation is shopping. That's why the Chinese Dimpol took them to SM Megamall!

When it was time to eat, I asked them what they're in the mood for. My Ate Sheila was okay with anything. As for little Mikee, he was suddenly craving for some Italian food. And with that, "Ding! Ding! Ding!", I instantly thought of our new favorite, LINGUINE FINI!

Usually, the Chinese Dimpol and I are so used to going to IPPUDO whenever we're at SM Mega Fashion Hall. However, one restaurant broke our "foodie spell" the first time we sunk our teeth into their cheesy goodness. And naturally, we would love to have our peyborit cousins to have a taste of it too!!!

Because that's what loving relatives/foodies do, SHARING THE GOODNESS! He he he he!

Either THAT, or the Yub and I want to have some of it into our system as well. He he he he he he he!

And so LINGUINI FINI it is!!!!

LINGUINI FINI!!!

Now, what should we get????

Oh my poor diet!

ROSANJIN JAPANESE RESTAURANT (SM MEGA FASHION HALL)

Because my friends and family got wind that I have this silly little foodie blog, I am now always tasked to think of where to eat when there's a getogether.

Yup! Much to my utter dislike.

I mean, come on! My brain is already so busy as it is! Just recently I had to comprehend that there are female carabaos. Honestly, I really thought they were all males like how roosters and lions are. But, ding! Ding! Ding! I was wrong. At least now, I'm not that grossed out anymore with carabao milk!

Wait. Carabaos..... with milk? (Getting it) Ah yeaaaah.

OH I'M KIDDING! DUH! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Or am I???

Anyway, that's just one of the reasons why I LOVE hanging out with my High School friend, Hershey. Since she loves food as much as I do, she is also very aware of the popular and delicious restaurants in the Metro.

In fact, I think she is MORE aware of the popular and delicious restaurants in the metro than me. Ha ha ha ha ha! That's why it's indeed a breath of fresh air that whenever plan to meet, I don't need to rack my brain up for anything. She is a woman with a plan. And she knows already where our yappy AND hungry group of two are meant to go for our early lunch that Saturday.

The great thing is, whatever restaurant she chooses, the food is always awesome!!!! At least I have another place to add to my list to eat with my family.

And her latest recommendation that I loved was ROSANJIN!

ROSANJIN!!!

ROSANJIN JAPANESE RESTAURANT is located in SM Mega Fashion Hall. And even if I frequent the place, this is the first time I'm going to eat there.

I was there for our early lunch but there were already people enjoying their Japanese fixes. 

LINGUINI FINI (YUB'S BIRTHDAY)

Last March, the Chinese Dimpol celebrated his birthday by treating some of our AF (Awesome Friends) in our new favorite Italian Restaurant, LINGUINI FINI!!!!

The Chinese Adonis had our valentimes date before in LINGUINI FINI and we enjoyed our dinner so much that we thought of sharing the love with our friends!

This Italian restaurant is located in SM Fashion Hall amidst the long walk way of restaurants. 

GRINGO (CHICKEN / RIBS / FRIENDS)

The Chinese Dimpol and I just had a date where we had a very heavy dinner.  But when we got home, THIS greeted us!

GRINGO!!!!!!!!!

Wait a minute. I see air holes. I hope it's not a cat or doggie named GRINGO. 

Tee hee!

Whew! Now that's a sigh of relief!

Believe me when I say that...

THIS IS EXCITING!!!

Yes! Other people may be giddy with shopping or subscription deliveries. As for me, I always get so hyped up when there's an "unannounced" food waiting for me at the table.

WOHOO!

LINGUINI FINI (OUR VALENTINE'S DATE 2016)

For our VALENTIME'S DATE this 2016 the Chinese Adonis and I celebrated it differently from how we do it in other years. But of course, one thing remains true to our date and that is engorging ourselves not on each other but with SUPERKADUPER OMAYGASH delicious food....

And for this year, our happy discovery was.... 

LINGUINI FINI!

DIN TAI FUNG (PHILIPPINES)

Whenever the Chinese Adonis and I are in SM Megamall, the only restaurant for us would always be IPPUDO RAMEN. But for one date night, we decided to snap out of our addiction and try out something new.

Now what restaurant is worthy enough to get our ramen obsession out of our system???

DIN TAI FUNG!

It will be the Chinese Adonis' first time to eat at DIN TAI FUNG in the fashion mall of SM Mega. As for me, I was able to pig out here during a company trip in Hong Kong and loved it. I'm sure the yub will enjoy his meal here as well. 

DIN TAI FUNG just opened when we dropped by for dinner and I was expecting the lines to be horrendous (as I've so in many instagram posts). Good thing that there were not as many people as I thought it would be but we were still told to wait for a table to be available.

NIU BY VIKINGS

Last Sunday, THE YAPPY BUNCH went to NIU BY VIKINGS to have our weekend family dinner. Would you believe that it's our first time to eat at NIU even after it has been raved so much about by foodies? I don't know why but of course, we've been meaning to go there several times with my family or with friends, but somehow it wouldn't push through. But that day was finally the day. I guess you could also say that it was such a great coincidence how our first dinner there also fell on Anniversary month of NIU BY VIKINGS.  So yes, it was really meant to be.

You might even say it was "Ang Tamang Panahon."

Tee hee!!!

Sorry, can't help but mention the the current rage of Aldub right now. He he he he he he he!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY NIU BY VIKINGS!

(Pabebe wave).

NIU!!!!

I have heard many great things about NIU as the affordable restaurant that is another level compared to the competition. 

Besides constant great reviews from my fellow KTG bloggers, I have a foodie friend (itago natin sa pangalan na Albert) who swears on the enjoyment quotient of NIU over some of the famous hotel buffets!

RYU RAMEN AND CURRY

I know it's the start of summer and the weather is just absolutely scorching. But let me add more to the heat by featuring yet again ANOTHER RAMEN POST!

Yeah! Yeah! You should know by now that when there is RAMEN, ERICJAZ FOODIES will come KNOCKIN'!

I'm sorry. It must be the heat. I'm getting cornier than usual.

Anywho, one Sunday many, many, weeks ago, the Chinese Adonis and I were curious at trying out a ramen house we've seen in SM JAZZ, Makati City. We have actually heard about RYU a long time ago but its branches were not geographically desirable for me and the hub that's why we'll only be able to try it when the restaurant is now nearer to our "looove abode" (peeyew).  We asked the little lords if they wanted to join us and only Mati was interested since he shared my love for noodles. As for Andrei? Forget about him. We certainly did.

Oh I'm joking! He went with his grandparents.

I think.

Tee Hee!

So we headed out to RYU that night armed with our desire to try out some Ramen other than our usual noodle favorites. How did it fare up? Read on and find out.

I told you I'm cornier than usual today. :P

RYU RAMEN AND CURRY!!

We tried out the RYU branch in the new SM JAZZ Mall and upon hearing a familiar name, Mati joked that I owned the place. He he he he he!

HATTENDO JAPANESE CREAM BUNS (PHILIPPINES)

If I didn't know any better, there is a good chance that I was Japanese in my former life. Because if I WAS somebody from the Land of the Rising Sun, it would surely explain a lot of things:

My love for Sushi...
My love for Sashimi....
My love for Ramen...
My love for Japanese fried rice....
My love for Ramen....

PLUS... I have these recurring dreams that I am this blond girl with big black twinkling eyes often serenaded by another blondie with a bagpipe... I wonder who could she be? Tee Heee.....

"She's a girl... A pretty Girl... With ribbons on her hair..."

OKAY. Okay. I'm kidding about the dreams and yes I noticed that most of my "concerns" were mainly about food. But it's clear though that I'm such a fanatic about Japanese specialties that sometimes I wish I WAS born in Japan so that growing up I could enjoy my favorites every single day.

(Also, so that I could watch the full series of CANDY CANDY without a dictator cutting its run on Philippine TV. {#cannotmoveon} But that's another story He he he he).

Anywho, I'm so happy these days that our shores have been invaded by famous Japanese restaurant franchises. In fact, I feel that we are being spoiled by the availability of all things delicious from Japan that there is no need to ship myself there every time I have a craving.

And just when we thought that we already have everything that is enough to make us go "arigoto" everyday, another delicious Japanese creation make its way to our tables.... 

HATTENDO JAPANESE CREAM BUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VIKINGS (SM JAZZ)

We were still groaning from the TONS of food that we ate over the holidays that even if we swore to go on a strict "water only" diet, we broke all promises when we discovered there was a new VIKINGS branch in SM JAZZ.

The restaurant that somehow revolutionized buffet dining in the Philippines just blasted its "beingness" in this quiet SM branch in Makati last December 19, 2014. And, even if we were already dragging ourselves from the extra pounds we accumulated during our Christmas vacation plus the fact that we were just in VIKINGS SM Marikina last Wednesday, we were so determined to EAT there AGAIN. And we cannot be more excited about it!!

Yup! That's us! While we were listing our New Year's resolutions, we forgot to cross out GLUTTONY. It was something we decided to reserve for the NEXT New Year. He he he he he! So, here we are! Ready to EAT LIKE VIKINGS!

YEHESSS!!!

Our venue for today.... SM JAZZ!

Hmmm... that name sounds BEAUTIFULLY familiar.

And here's something to rejoice about! Yep! VIKINGS just opened their 6th branch here in SM JAZZ MALL. 

I wonder how it would fare up compared to the other buffet battallion?

KOUIGN AMANN "KA" BY CICOU

Christmas is upon us once again and as much as we want to revel in the beauty of the holidays, there is that incessant need to make a dash for the most suitable gift to give to our loved ones, friends, relatives, office mates, and uh, people you just want to look good to.

Now normally, NORMALLY (I'm stressing ala Chandler Bing here), you would order up on the usual default gifts like ashtrays, T-shirts, mugs (I know I did... Ha ha ha ha ha!), but I think it's high time to up the ante a bit and give something that your recipients will ACTUALLY love.

Oh yes. I'm so confident in declaring that because it was REALLY love at first sight for ERICJAZ FOODIES and these delightful KOUIGN AMANN from CICOU. We didn't expect to like it as much (since we were TRYING to go on a diet) but one bite made our mouths do the "Jingle Bell Rock"!

There will be Christmas gifts and there will be REAL SPECIAL Christmas gifts! Try out these nummy yummy KOUIGN AMANNS (or whatever the plural is) and you will really feel (and taste) the joy of this season!

By the way, if you're hoping to receive some KOUIGN AMANN from me, I'm sorry but the mugs have already been purchased. ALSO, even if I did buy myself boxes of these heavenly pastries, I'm not sharing. Yup. Simple as that.

:P

KOUIGN AMANNS (pronounced as "queen a-mahn") from "KA" BY CICOU!

These lovely KOUIGN AMANNS were created by the genius Chef Cyrille Soenen of BRASSERIE CICOU and he has whipped up new flavors for everyone via "KA" BY CICOU.