Ukokkei: The Best Ramen in Town?

Nissin Cup Noodles Seafood Flavor. That's the closest we got to ramen before. Admit it, that's how most of us knew about Japanese ramen. It is only now that we get a plethora of choices when it comes to authentic Japanese ramen. And while Japanese restos have been offering such, real, thick-souped ramen has yet to become popular...until now.  

Ramen Cool, Ramen Bar, Shinjuku...these are just some of the ramen places known to Filipinos. But whenever you Google "best ramen in the Philippines", one restaurant always comes on top: Ukokkei. I (Glutton Girl) have been hearing about this restaurant for quite some time now, but I've never had the chance to really dine there because of its proximity from my place of comfort (aka Fort) and because it seemed so hole-in-the-wall. And when I think of hole-in-the-wall restos, I suddenly worry about parking. (And she was right. - Glutton Guy)

Nomnomnomnomnom

Who would forget the famous sound that Cookie Monster makes whenever he eats his favorite snack? Coooookies!!! Om nom nom nom...Yes, this popular munching sound has now become a viral internet meme that people use (i.e., "Eating my favorite chips! Nomnomnom..."). Point is, we apply the meme when we eat something we enjoy. And by enjoy we mean delicious food that's affordable at the same time. This is something Nomnomnom Happy Food at Tomas Morato can offer.

A quaint hole-in-the-wall restaurant, Nomnomnom has been creating a buzz to people who are looking for a unique and memorable dining experience. The place is quite hidden since the entrance is located in a small 'eskinita'. Hungry foodies like us, however, know where to find good food, and Nomnomnom is not an exception. 

Over The Moon with Moonleaf

Milk tea. This might be the most popular word nowadays (Anne Curtis being the second one). If you don’t know what it is and the craze it’s been causing Metro Manila, then it’s safe to assume you’ve been living inside a cave. With the plethora of choices where one can have their milk tea fix (see our Happy Lemon and Serenitea review here), differentiation can be very difficult for milk tea entrepreneurs.

Not for Moonleaf Tea Shop.

Starting in Maginhawa Street, UP Village, this once humble tea shop gained fame from college students who frequented the place and has become one of, if not, the fastest growing milk tea place in the country. It is also the first one to have ventured outside Manila (they have stores in Pampanga and Naga). Moonleaf also diversified its offerings; aside from teas, they now have their own planner which sold like hotcakes last Christmas season.

Charlie's: A Yummy Burger & Chicken Wings Combo

Manila is rapidly becoming more receptive of “hole-in-the-wall” restaurants, and this next foodie place is no exception. Imagine a diner beside a carwash...how hole-in-the-wall can you get? There’s no need for fancy introduction or build-ups because if you’re a foodie like us, you’d definitely know what place we’re talking about: Charlie’s Grind & Grill.

Internet-famous for their Black Angus burger and chicken wings, Charlie’s has become one of the most visited (and populated) food places in Kapitolyo, Pasig . That says a lot especially when the place is filled with lots of equally good dining places. Hello Mad Mark’s, Thai Dara, RUB (which we will review soon!), Milky and Sunny...the list could go on and on. Charlie’s has grown a fan base especially among the working people around the Ortigas area, so much so that people are willing to wait for “parking space” just to be able to grab a bite of Charlie’s famed burgers. And you know what? So did we.

Siopao, Mami, and the Giant Siomai

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI! GONG XI FA CAI! XIN NIAN KUAI LE!

 

No matter how you want to say it, we at The Glutton Guide would like to greet you HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! :) And because we like following themes, why not a review of a Chinese restaurant, yes? I'm sure the water dragon will approve.

Masuki can be considered a hole-in-a-wall restaurant. More popular to the Chinese residents of Greenhills, Masuki has now grown to be known by Filipinos outside Greenhills, mainly through blogs like this. But, even before they established their branch at San Juan, they started at a place where Chinese food would be best - Binondo, Manila. Yes, they are one of the food places you can find along the busy streets of Chinatown. Not everyone knows this, but Masuki is the younger (and hipper) son of Ma Mon Luk. Yes, that really old restaurant in Quezon Avenue. Before it was named Masuki, we believed the food place was called Ma Kong Mami. If you're in the Binondo branch, try looking for the somewhat hidden engraved 'Ma Kong Mami' signage inside.

A Divine Murray & D'Vine

If you are new in the area, Serendra can be very intimidating. You scan the row of restaurants and you see unfamiliar names like Gaudi, Abe, Chelsea and the likes. We wouldn’t blame you if you’d hurriedly walk (with poise) to either Bonifacio High Street or Market! Market! The sight of McDonald’s or Krispy Kreme eases your tensed body (and pocket). We, however, didn’t let the foreign-sounding names scare us; instead we braved through the place and looked for the resto-pub we were looking for: Murray & D’vine.

Okay, we have to admit: Serendra is not something new to us. We’ve blogged about Sonja’s uber delicious cupcakes before, and to be honest, it was love at first sight. It felt good to know that we can dine somewhere in Metro Manila without being confined inside a mall. It also helps that there are less stores with the word SALE on it. Money will be spent somewhere else, aka good food.

It's A Coca-Cola Wonderland!

It's not uncommon to taste dishes with a splash of Sprite or a hint of cola. Restaurant chefs use these carbonated drinks as marinade or as an ingredient for their specialties. Some might find it vaguely intriguing, others insanely weird. There are, of course, the curious type who find it rather unique and amusing. While sodas add flavor to certain types of dishes, we are more comfortable seeing it with ice inside a glass. The fact that we grew up in a country where Coca-Cola is predominant in every meal table proves this. But, if you really want to taste good food with cola in it, we suggest going to a food place at Tomas Morato.

Located at the second floor of Il Terrazzo is a diner known as The Real Thing. The name of the place might sound familiar, it being a former tagline of a popular cola brand. Yes, The Real Thing is what we would call a Coca-Cola wonderland. The place is full of Coke memorabilia and Coca-Cola items that every collector would want. From stuffed toys, to glasses, to Coca-Cola cans and miniature bottles, The Real Thing has all of these in display for customers to admire. If that doesn't make you awe in amazement, try looking at their menu. Most dishes here at The Real Thing is inspired by Coke or any product of the company. Where else would you see Eight O'Clock Chicken or Royal Tru-Orange Prokchop on the menu?

Breakfast's In The Bag!

Pandesal would always be associated to breakfast. This small, round bread, which has been present since the Spanish times, is a Filipino favorite in every breakfast table. Despite the rise in prices of bread today, people still manage to buy some of this delicious bread at their local bakeshops. If there's one question that we would like to know about this yummy breakfast treat, it's this: "What would be the future of our very own pandesal?"

In the very unassuming road of Julia Vargas lies a food haven most people wouldn’t think of. Popularly known as “Home Depot”, this place has become one of the go-to places for foodies who want to try something new, or corporate slaves who just want to have a good fun night. The place comes alive during night time, but little do we know that during the morning, there’s a quaint bread place that offers hearty breakfast sets everyone ought to try.

A Burger-filled Boulevard

What makes a great burger? Oftentimes, people say it's all about the patty. Others say it's the cheese that makes it work. Others say it's the sauce that brings it all together. While most burgers have all these, it all boils down to which burger offers the best flavor at the most affordable price. There are already a handful of notable burger places in the Metro. No, we're not talking about Jollibee or McDonald's, or even Burger King. We're talking about unique burger places that serve mouth-watering burgers. One's just along Xavierville Avenue.

If you're the type who wants twists to your burgers, then Boulevard Diner is the perfect place for you. Located within the Katipunan/Loyola Heights area, this burger place has been fulfilling burger cravings since October of 2010. With unique burger concepts, Boulevard Diner has created a big market for die-hard burger fans who are looking for something better than the usual hamburger or cheeseburger. Mind you, these burgers aren't for the faint of heart. Boulevard Diner's burgers are packed with flavors that will surely give you an unforgettable burger dining experience.

Sonja Does It Best

Cupcakes can be an obsession. Just like ice cream and candy bars, if they are not taken lightly, they can be addictive. But, you shouldn't try to resist them. They are in fact, for some people, comfort food. Usual cupcakes would consist of frosting and cake decorations, such as fondant, syrup, or candy sprinkles. Regardless of what they place on top, cupcakes can be a delight to eat, especially when they're perfectly baked. There are a lot of notable cupcake shops around the Metro. But, if you haven’t tried Sonja’s cupcakes, then you've been missing out.

Cupcakes by Sonja has been occupying that quaint spot in Serendra ever since the mall-residence hybrid opened, and it has gained popularity proportional to what Serendra is now. From being a mere hobby of a lady living in Serendra, the store has become the go-to cupcake place for celebrations and special occasions, or even when you just feel like rewarding yourself with royal cupcake goodness. There’s no surprise to this though; one bite in their cupcakes and you’ll understand the craze.

Singaporean Breakfast at the Heart of Ortigas

Breakfast, as they say, is the most important part of the day. This is because breakfast gives you that boost of energy that will make you ready for school or for work. A Pinoy breakfast would usually consist of eggs, hot dogs, hot pandesal, and a cup of coffee. Sometimes there would be tocino, tuyo, tapa, or sardines. Most Filipinos who have the colonial mentality would go for foreign-inspired breakfasts such as waffles, pancakes, bagels, and the like. There are a lot of good food places that offer those kinds of food. But, when you're looking for a place that’s open as early as 7am but not as full as Starbucks or Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, then head over to Escriva Drive and grab a fix of your light Singaporean breakfast fare.

Ya Kun Kaya Toast is a franchise from Singapore and has numerous branches in Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. It offers a variety of toasts and drinks, most famous of which are the Kaya Toast and the Milo Dinosaur. And because they are the most-loved items in the menu, we decided to try those, along with others we’d like to try. Maybe this Singaporean treat is something new to you. If you haven't heard of it, Kaya Toast is a  notable snack amongst people at Singapore and Malaysia. It's bread (or toast, or 'tasty', as our locals would call it) with a spread of coconut milk, eggs, butter, and other flavorings. Because it's so good, it's not surprising that it made all this way to the Philippines for Pinoys to try out.

Bar Dolci: Making Life Sweeter

The gelato craze has been going on for quite a while. With the emergence of Cara Mia, Gelatissimo and Cafe Ti Amo, Filipinos are getting more acquainted with the difference that gelato offers. Gelato is basically ice cream in Italian, but what makes it different is that it has lesser fat content (about 5-7%) compared to the normal ice cream (about 10%). This is because the whole milk-cream ratio is higher in gelato than that of the normal ice cream. So yes, you who's on a diet, you can eat gelato because it's "healthier". Haha! Despite the influx of gelaterias in the metro, there's one that stood out amongst everyone: BAR DOLCI.

Situated in the posh area called Burgos Circle, Bar Dolci offers to-die-for gelato, heavenly macaroons, and other tasty pastries. For our visit though, we just tried their gelato (a lot of flavors at that!). We'll try the macaroons and pastries next time. :) The place gives that chic ambiance which gives a 'sophisticated' gelato dining experience. It's comfy enough for people who want to have long chats and discussions in the place. 

Having the Best of 'Both Worlds'

It's rare that you find history in food places around Metro Manila. Well, we still have food places such as the Aristocrat and Savory, not to mention food places around the Walled City. Most of the time, however, it's the fast-food chains that are being given attention because of their affordable price, accessible location, and speedy service. As a result, we seldom get the chance to eat food that's well prepared and has a touch of history in it. The world is becoming fast-paced, and the city is not an exception. It's not too late to try and discover what the Metro can REALLY offer, though. So, if you have the time, head on over to Manila, specifically to Recto.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of Recto is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant named Ambos Mundos. If you're unfamiliar with it, Ambos Mundos is a food place located at Florentino Torres Street in Manila that serves Spanish and Filipino delicacies worthy to feed your hungry appetite. It's quite difficult to find, and honestly, it took us a while before we found the place. Despite the location, Ambos Mundos offers delicious dishes that would make you fall in love with Spanish-Filipino food. In fact, the delicious food is not the only thing Ambos Mundos can boast about. This food place has actually served hungry Filipino tummies since 1888! Now that's a feat to beat! Ambos Mundos is a Spanish term that translates to "Both Worlds" in English. According to our research, it was named as such because the owners wanted to show the fusion of Filipino and Spanish culture through the dishes they offered. This is apparent, as the place was established during the Spanish occupation. From then until now, Ambos Mundos continues to affirm in this standard in every dish they serve to their customers.

A 'Seductive' Twist to Scrumptious Dishes

Seduction isn't always bad. There are times when all you can do is to just give in. Sometimes, it can bring something good, something different. And when it's different, it's bound to intrigue foodies like us. Food that's unique and out-of-the-box are the ones we always want to try. Let us make it simpler for you - yes, food can offer seduction. Have you guys ever heard of the term "aphrodisiac"? Well, the word applies to dishes that can stimulate sexual desires from both men and women. Although it's not scientifically proven, aphrodisiac dishes have made a reputation of making sex more reachable and pleasurable. Wanna know what dishes can stimulate your sexual urges? Tell you what, you could get a hint at this food place.

Gayuma ni Maria isn't an amateur in the food business. This out-of-the-box restaurant has found a new spot at V. Luna Extension at Sikatuna Village in Quezon City. It was previously located at Esteban Abada Street at Katipunan (it was then known simply as Gayuma), then at Granada Street near Gilmore (it then changed its name to Cucina Gayuma). With the many change of locations, you might think that it's not the Gayuma that people have come to love. But, in all honesty, we can say that it still offers the same delicious food with the same unique concept.

Gobble Up Some Gorky's!

With the plethora of Italian restaurants here in the metro, it's difficult to distinguish the taste of the food these restaurants offer. The most that we can classify them is high-end, middle-class, and low-end. You've got the affordable Italian food chains like Greenwich and Sbarro, then you have the so-so priced but really good Italian food like Amici and A Veneto. Then you have the likes of Italianni's and California Pizza Kitchen which charge for what the level of goodness they offer. Our newest find, Gorky's, falls in the middle-class section because of price and a little bit in the flavor, but not so much in the aesthetics department. Here's why.

Gorky's Pizzeria is just a small place located along Pasong Tamo Extension. Based on our estimate, it can seat around 25 people max. Good thing we got there around 2 in the afternoon so we avoided the lunch hour. We can't imagine eating in the place with so many people; we won't be able to breathe (not to mention the heat nowadays hahaha). Another bad thing: the air-con was not turned on. They claimed it was, but we knew it wasn't. The place is so small that a normal air-conditioning would easily keep the room cold. But no, it was bordering to humid inside. We even asked the waitress to turn the fan/cooler towards our direction and let it stay there.

Serving Only The Finest: Kitchen's Best

They say you have to end everything with a sweet note, and that also applies in eating. Dessert is one of the must-haves every after meal, and cakes are one of the most common ones we have. One slice of sweet goodness will surely erase the bad memory of a bad meal, or heighten the satisfaction of an already great meal. While cakes are generally good (making them a safe bet for desserts), not all can be called "the best". Luckily, we stumbled upon a quaint but apparently very known cake place along Pasong Tamo Extension: Kitchen's Best, and they sure have the right to claim "good" in its superlative form.

The place is very regal. The seats were a combination of huge, comfortable sofas and those high, wooden chairs (painted white) with cushions fit for royalty. Huge crystal chandeliers were hanging above the customers, giving the restaurant the dim but yellow-ish light feel. Magazines were spread on the coffee tables, making the customers feel like they're in a coffee shop, only better. Prototypes of their best-selling and award-winning cakes were displayed near the entrance, showcased alongside the actual trophies they received. Several write-ups and features from numerous magazines were also posted on the walls. If a lot of people gave this cake place recognition, then it must be really good.

Happy Drinks? Happy Lemon. Happy You!

Move over soda. Tea is the new 'in' thing. In a matter of months tea stores have been emerging all over Metro Manila. More and more people are patronizing this wondrous drink (which, by the way has versions from China, Japan, and Thailand) not only because it is a perfect drink for a hot day, but also because of its refreshing taste and the health benefit it gives. Just imagine a serving of milk tea - you have the good things you get from tea, plus the good things you get from milk all combined in one glass. Rather than drinking softdrinks, the health conscious nowadays would opt to drink a glass of tea. It is so good that people aren't just contented with tea alone. Because people love to experiment, tea places today add delicious ingredients such as chocolate flavor and could you believe it, even Yakult, to the products they sell so that it becomes a bit different without compromising on the perks tea provides. With all the different tea stores out there, we bet you're kinda confused on which tea place to try out first. Well, we already tried Serenitea (you could find our review on our previous posts hahaha). But, it wouldn't hurt to give you guys a choice. So, here's another tea place that you could try out.

Happy Lemon is a talked about tea place at Greenhills. No wonder this place is getting a lot of great reviews. Every drink here is a must-try! Based on our research, Happy Lemon in Greenhills is a franchise of the Happy Lemon in Hong Kong owned by no other than Chris Tiu and some of his buddies. What makes the place even more interesting is the lemon-haired mascot enticing you to try the place out. She has a wink that looks like a 'less than' sign and her face can be found on almost every corner of the place and on every cup of Happy Lemon products.  Based on our personal experience, we really had a hard time choosing which drink to order. This is because every drink we saw seemed delicious. Being fans of tea (milk tea to be exact), we just couldn't let the opportunity to have a try at the delicious Happy Lemon drinks pass. 

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A Bucketful of Sunrise, A Pocketful of Sunshine

Mouthwatering and irresistible Buffalo wings. That's what we always expect whenever we visit a food place that claims they have the best chicken wings in town. We gotta admit, most of what we tried aren't kidding at all. With the unique taste of their wings, they're bound to bring more customers to their place. If you ask us what the perfect chicken wing would taste like, we might not be able to answer you. Each chicken wings place we tried has that uniqueness that stands out from the others. What we can tell you, though, is what to expect at a chicken wings place, that is, if the chicken is tasty, if the sauce is delicious, if the skin is crispy, and if the dip goes well with the chicken. That's our job as food bloggers in the first place. To give you an example, we'll feature a chicken wings place that we think you might just love.

Just along Ortigas Avenue near Greenhills is a chicken wings place known as Sunrise Buckets. From it's name you wouldn't quite realize that it offers chicken wings. But, it already has attracted some loyal customers from nearby schools and establishments. Sunrise Buckets offers affordable and delicious chicken wings that you will surely add to your chicken wings list. The food place made sure that their wings would be close to the taste of the authentic Buffalo wings abroad. Sunrise Buckets actually categorizes their chicken wings into 3 - Awesome, Wipeout, and Cloud 9.  Included in the Awesome list are those that are suited for the Pinoy taste. Wipeout flavors are those that are similar to the American flavors. Cloud 9 are original flavors of Sunrise Buckets. Whichever flavor you choose, you won't regret it because every category has a best-seller. In fact, most of the flavors are must-tries. Aside from chicken wings, Sunrise Buckets also has burgers, shakes, and floats to satisfy every hungry customer. There absolutely is no excuse for you not to try this place out.

This Ain't Your Average Burger Place

Nothing beats a good ol' burger for a snack. You'd be lying when you say that you haven't craved for that delicious beef patty with the crunchy lettuce and the yummy burger sauce sandwiched in a bun. It wouldn't be surprising to note that because of its delicious taste and convenience, burger places can be seen almost anywhere. Some even offer buy 1 take 1 burgers for as low as 20 pesos. Of course, there are the burger stalls such as BurMa (this is the 'sosyal' way of calling Burger Machine hahahaha) and Minute Burger. Oh, and let's not take the Burger McDo's and the Regular Yum's out of the long list. But, what makes a delicious burger? We've seen, and probably tried, a lot of burgers out there. And to tell you honestly, it has become a bit overrated. At the end of the day, no matter which burger place you choose, a burger won't be a burger without the usual patty, the usual stuff inside the burger such as the tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese (more commonly known as TLC), and the usual sesame seed bun. So, what else can a burger offer? Well, a burger place at Makati can tell you just that.

Located at A Venue Mall at Makati Avenue is a burger place named Burger Avenue. Don't underestimate this food place, because despite its small size it already has acquired quite a number of followers. Burger Avenue actually capitalized on one aspect other burger joints in the Metro are having a hard time doing - being unique. Burger Avenue does its very best in serving delicious and affordable food while making sure that every burger will not just be a burger, but a Burger Avenue burger.