Wagyu Japanese Beef ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 

I discovered this wagyu heaven through Joanna, my fellow Japanese beef, sashimi,
Brown Butter cakes lover

 

 

Wagyu Japanese Beef is a tiny shop that sells premium Japanese beef and organic pork.  

 

 

This place is serious about its meat. Look at this beauty that is Japanese A5 Wagyu Sirloin.
I've never seen such sultry beef in Manila before. 

 

 

 Meat prices

 

 

 They pack it in nice boxes, too, making it perfect for gifts to carnivorous friends. AHEM!!!

 

 

Best part is, you can enjoy the dope right inside the shop. There are about 20 seats only 
so I highly recommend calling ahead to book a table. 

 

 

Situation on a Saturday night. There were quite a few walk-ins, too.

 

 

I do not know about Mr. Uy, but this was one of the best meals I've had in Manila this 2014.

There was nothing fancy about the preparation or the presentation, just premium ingredients cooked simply to let the quality shine.

And boy, did the Japanese beef shine brighter than a freakin' shooting star!

 

 

But first, you MUST also order this Pork Cold Syabu Salad with sesame dressing and real
sesame seeds! It's no Kewpie. Do not get me wrong, I love Kewpie dressings and mayo,
but this sesame sauce is the real deal. A great starter which can also double as a
side dish when all that beef becomes too rich to handle (if there is even such a case).

 

 

The Wagyu Sashimi was good, but I prefer it cooked

  

 

This basket of Steamed Sirloin was incredibly tender. I hate to use "melt-in-your-mouth"
but there really is no other way to describe these melt-in-your-mouth slices. They really
melted in my mouth! Hahaha! JUST TRUST ME AND ORDER THIS!!! 

 

 

AND THIS STONE GRILLED RIB EYE, TOO!!!

 

 

As tender as a newborn baby

 

 

Sprinkle with citrus salt, plum salt, or pepper salt to further enhance this out-of-body experience.

 

 

Stone Grilled Karubi

 

 

 I realize I prefer chunky cubes instead of rectangles

 

 

Wagyu Japanese Beef can be little a bit pricey, but it is certainly much more economical
than flying all the way to Japan. I can attest to the quality of the beef.

 

 

The trick, really, is to eat faster than your friend.

 

"Miss, pahingi nalang nga ng cha-a" 

 

 

He did finish all the Wagyu Croquettes.

Bahahahahahaha!!!!!!

 

 

I think someone needs a drink.

 

 

Wagyu Japanese Beef: Sunvar Plaza, Amorsolo Street corner Pasay Road, Makati
Tel: +632 808 9508, +63919 9970711 

Wagyu Japanese Beef Facebook Page

Instagram: @wagyujapanesebeef 

 

Rogue x Pepper Reality Bites and Ultimate Eats

 

As a year-ender, Rogue and Pepper have teamed up to come out with a major 2014 best of the best list. And because they are Rogue and Pepper, they did it differently from everybody else. 

 

 

Photo stolen from Pepper.ph

  

"Everyone makes a list to recap the year, with best restaurants and best eats. Instead, Pepper has paired up with Rogue Magazine to create a 2014 eats inventory like you've never seen before, a funny, ridiculous take on everyone's best of list that shows you where it's straight up good to eat. We've got everything from where you should impress your Chinese in-laws, to a full 6 pages in Rogue's December issue which tells you where to eat 2014's best meal, which trend must die, and more…" - Pepper.ph

 

Photo stolen again from Pepper.ph 

 

You see, I have no Chinese in-laws to impress (okay, I have no in-laws, PERIOD) but I do have 40+ Chinese uncles and aunties in my family who are very difficult to please. Heck, I am also not the easiest to deal with when it comes to Chinese food. I am not a huge fan of the cuisine (I am just huge, lol!) until this restaurant came along… 

If it impressed me, I know my future in-laws will be raving about it. Ha ha ha! :D

See my little contribution and Rogue x Pepper's full article here: 
http://www.pepper.ph/roguexpepper-year-end-ultimate-eats-list/#realitybites

Make sure to download Reality Bites!

 

My Twelve Favorite Cakes ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 

Published on Manila Bulletin Sunday Lifestyle, December 14, 2014

Have Your Cakes and Eat Them, Too

 

I cringe every time I see a red velvet cake. Do you even know how much food coloring goes into that bloody thing? Also with red velvet cupcakes, cookies, pancakes, shakes… The list of additive-infested treats goes on and on.

It is, this, such a breath of fresh air to see someone bake something unique and special, like the Mango Black Sesame Cake I discovered recently. I am always on the lookout for unique, delicious cakes as my family consumes truckloads of them. It is our tradition to celebrate each and every special occasion with a dessert buffet that consists of, at the very least, five different cakes. We celebrate 32 birthdays, five anniversaries, a few graduations, a few despididas, and some homecomings in a year. In short, I've eaten a hell lot of cakes!

Unfortunately, not all are worth the added inches on my waistline. Some are so bad they taste like an ugly breakup, and some so boring I almost fell asleep once on salted caramel icing. But this should not be the case when we eat sweets. Desserts are supposed to bring joyful feelings, feed our souls, and give us a little taste of heaven on earth.

And so here is my Christmas gift to all of you - a list of my all-time favorite cakes for a holiday spread that I guarantee is 100% happiness-inducing and 150% worth the calories!

In no particular order...

 

 

Prince Albert Cake by Roshan
Absolutely rich and moist old-fashioned chocolate cake with caramel custard filling
and smothered generously with coffee cream, this is my ultimate comfort food.
P1,600
Where to pick up: Bel-Air or Ortigas. Tel: 631 7786, 0917 833 6286
www.homemadebyroshan.com

 

 

Key Lime Pie by Mamou
Smooth and tangy, zesty and refreshing, this is the perfect ending to a very rich meal.
Truly, this is the best there is in the city.
P1,645
Where to buy: Mamou in Serendra or Mamou Too in Rockwell. Tel: 856 3569
Mamou Facebook Page

 

 

Cuatro Leches by Grace Park
If you love milk like I do, this cake with, not just three, but four kinds of milk, will win your
lactose-loving heart. Sweet, wet, and sitting on a puddle of yumminess, this immaculate
Latin American cake is my dream come true.
P1,200
Where to buy: G/F, One Rockwell, Makati. Tel: 843 7275
Grace Park Facebook Page

 

  

Manchego Curada Cheesecake by The Delightful Miss Joyce
The use of aged Spanish cheese is quite delightful given how unexpected it is. Light yet creamy,
it leaves you with an ever-so-slightly salty cheese aftertaste. I pair this with fig jam and it is the
most wonderful thing in the world.
P2,500
Where to pick up: Magallanes Village, Makati. Tel: 0917 577 8365
The Delightful Miss Joyce Facebook Page

 

 

Black Sesame Cheesecake by Gregory Guy
Dramatic, sexy and nutty, this rich and indulgent cheesecake is not for the faint-hearted
but the long list of black sesame's health benefits (go on, check the internet) is more than
enough icing on the cake.
P1,200
Where to buy: 2/F Eastwood Mall, Libis. Tel: 584 3372, 0917 898 8396
Cheesecakes by Guy Facebook Page

 

 

Chocolate Five Textures Cake by Brown Butter
Chocolate sponge, chocolate crumble, chocolate crisps, chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache -
all in one truly decadent cake. There is really nothing more a chocolate addict can ask for.
P1,800
Where to pick up: Concorde Village, Paranaque. Tel: 975 7085, 0917 862 2625
Brown Butter Facebook Page

 

 

Creme Brûlée Cake by Camille Ocampo
Layers of soft chiffon cake with light and sweet cream at the center, and a crown of beautifully
caramelized custard glory - I fell in love with this at first bite. I know you will, too.
P880
Where to pick up: Valle Verde, Pasig. Tel: 0916 745 7729

 

  

Mango Torte by Dulcelin
These perfect balls of luscious, sweet mango on crisp and chewy nougatine - sometimes I
enjoy them frozen, sometimes I enjoy them thawed. Whichever way I eat them,
they remain an oldie but forever a goodie!
P720 for 9" cake; P1,050 for 12" cake
Where to buy: Outlets in Quezon City, Tiendesitas, Glorietta, Ayala Alabang, BF Homes,
Market Market, UP Town Center. Tel: 374 2165, 0917535 2592
www.dulcelin.com

 

 

Mango Black Sesame Cake by Brown Butter
The lightest, fluffiest chiffon cake with nutty black sesame Chantilly cream studded with
mango cubes. The creation made me feel like I'm an angel eating sesame-flavored clouds.
P1,650
Where to pick up: Concorde Village, Paranaque. Tel: 975 7085, 0917 862 2625
Brown Butter Facebook Page

 

 

Strawberry Shortcake by Love Cakes by Ann and Gan
Cotton-soft chiffon with strawberry cream filling and a super light and addicting whipping cream
that surrounds the whole cake - I have no other word to describe this beauty but "heavenly."
P2,500
Where to pick up: Valle Verde, Pasig. Tel: 0998 998 1726
Love Cakes by Ann and Gan Facebook Page

 

 

Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie by Wildflour Bakery + Cafe
It took me only three minutes to finish a slice of this creamy, dreamy pie. I've had a few versions
of this elsewhere, but Wildflour's banana, peanut butter and cream medley is the most divine.
P1,520
Where to buy: 4th Avenue corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City. Tel: 856 7600
Wildflour Bakery + Cafe Facebook Page

 

 

Green Tea Belgian White Chocolate Torte by Roshan
Its green tea flavor is not shy and marries perfectly with high quality white chocolate
for a sweet and grassy treat that even hardcore match lovers will enjoy.
P1,650
Where to pick up: Bel-Air or Ortigas. Tel: 631 7786, 0917 833 6286
www.homemadebyroshan.com

 

 

Jin Loves to Eat on Pepper.ph

 

I love Pepper.ph and I love the people behind Pepper.ph.

So imagine my surprise when they asked to feature me! 

It's like being on the front cover of Kinfolk! Hahaha! 

Kidding aside, I enjoyed the interview and I hope you enjoy reading it, too. :)

 

 

Here's the link:

http://www.pepper.ph/makes-jin-love-eat/

 

Mendokoro Ramenba ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 

And just before the year ends, one of my food wishes finally came true. Yushoken, Manila's best ramen and tsukemen place for me, finally opened in Makati!!!

 

And what a beautiful space Mendokoro Ramenba is!

 

The idea is to replicate the true ramen experience in Japan, where there is no fried rice or tempura - just you and your ramen. 

In my case, just me and my ramen and my cute ramen chef. Hee hee hee. Read about my Fuunji experience here.

 

 

Soft opening menu. There will be gyoza as soon as the machine arrives.

 

 

1. Proceed to cashier station to order, pay, and receive your order slip. 
I am Guest # 9. 

 

 

2. When a seat becomes available, your number will be called. 
Please keep in mind that if you have companions, you might not be seated together.

 

 

3. Once seated, hand your order slip to the ramen dispatcher behind the bar

 

 

Watch the live kitchen action while waiting for your bowl

 

 

4. Enjoy your delicious ramen 

Rox and I did this with flying colors!!!

 

 

Between the two of us, we shared...

 

Karai Tokusei Tsukemen

 

 

Check out the firm and chewy noodles

 

 

That you dip into this extremely tasty and mild spicy broth that clung to every strand. 
The chasiu was so thick and tender. It was gone in 60 seconds!

 

 

 Miso Ramen

 

 

Perfectly cooked Aji Tamago

 

 

While we were finishing up, Elbert came by and suggested we have a third bowl of ramen.
We protested just a little bit, but he insisted. 

 

 

Boy, was I glad he did!! Mendokoro's Shio Ramen is LIFE-CHANGING.
The broth is rich, thick and creamy with so many layers of flavor.
I was so stuffed yet I blissfully slurped away.

 

 

Look at Elbert's "I told you so" smirk  :P

 

 

Cyrene's "I just had my favorite Shoyu Ramen" beam

 

 

Karen, Mini Andre, Tahnee and Leo's happy ramen smiles 

 

 

Congratulations, Elbert and Mendokoro partners! You guys did it again! 
(Insert three thumbs-up emojis here) 

 

See my Ramen Yushoken posts:
Yushoken
Yushoken, Revisited

 

Mendokoro Ramenba: V Corporate Center, Soliman Street, Salcedo Village, Makati. Same building as Wildflour and Toby's Estate but at the back entrance.
Tel: +632 215 1751 

Mendokoro Ramenba Facebook Page