Pampanga Eats: Zenco Fusion Restaurant in Clark

Weekend is here!  One of the things I love doing on a weekend is go on food trips!  I love going to Angeles City and Clark Freeport Zone (which is probably around 25-30 kms from our city) because of the abundance of restaurants to try.  One of the restaurants my sister mentioned (she has yet to try it though) was ZENCO Fusion Restaurant (which she heard about from our cousin) located inside Clark.

Before trying a new restaurant, I go online and google about the place first!  So I am happy to have read good reviews about Zenco and I also learned that it is a Japanese restaurant owned by a Korean couple.  

A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to try this restaurant located at the Bertaphil Compound in Clark. Bertaphil is one of the commercial/business areas in Clark where you can find several offices and restaurants.  (You can also find the famous C's Italian Restaurant in this lot as well) 

Photo from www.clarkisit.com

The restaurant is not that big, has a no frills interior, clean and with a good air-conditioning system.  If you live in a place where temp can go up to 39C, this is a big plus!  Haha!   

Photo from www.clarkisit.com

We needed some time to order because we didn't know what to get, haha!  I was looking for the standard Japanese food items such as gyoza, agedashi tofu, kani salad, chicken teriyaki etc. which I didn't see in the menu.  (But then I thought, probably because this was a fusion restaurant)  

While they don't have some of my favorite items, there is more than enough items to choose from (they have tonkatsu so we were fine, hehe)  and have a filling (they have big servings) dining experience.  They also have a good number of noodle soups to choose from which I want to try next time.  

We ordered the following:

California Maki - just because I always order this in a Japanese restaurant, haha!

It was okay, it wasn't bad.  But my friend and I prefer the usual California Maki that we are used to which is "dry".  This has some kine of a sauce over it.

Salmon Sashimi Salad - I know my friend loves Sashimi so I told her to get some.  She chose this salad.  I haven't mastered the art of eating (and appreciating) Sashimi. . . but I know how a fresh fish looks like.  I was impressed with the freshness of the Salmon!  I did try this salad (just the lettuce leaves) and the dressing was good.  The salad was light and refreshing.  

How nice the color of the fish ano?

Tonkatsu Curry - the restaurant's popular item is actually Cheese Tonkatsu.  It is a tonkatsu filled with mozzarella cheese.  But we weren't in the mood to be more adventurous with our tonkatsu, so we just ordered the Tonkatsu Curry. 

Big serving!

And because we were on a food trip and it was a Japanese-Korean resto, we had to get something Korean, haha!  So, we ordered the Soy Garlic Chicken.  I find it quite expensive though (half chicken for Php 400) but we loved it and will come back for this!  ( I haven't tried Bon Chon so I guess I have to try that first to compare these two)  

If you are in Clark and you are looking for a place to eat and you feel like eating Japanese (or Korean), you might want to try Zenco restaurant. =)

Zenco Restaurant

Pavilion 6A, Bertaphil, Clark Center

Jose Abad Santos Ave.

Clark Freeport Zone

Pampanga

Tel. No. (045) 499 0171

*near Gold's Gym and Koko Buri Restaurant (if I remember it right, haha)

For more details, please visit their FB page.

Revisiting Kimpura in Greenhills

I am blessed to have not only one . . .but a few best friends who I've met at different points in my life. I met my first best friend when we were both First Grade in Elementary... so that means we are celebrating 34 years of friendship!  Whoa!  (And I just gave away my age, haha!)

We have different personalities and different interests but there's one thing we have in common, we share the same love. . . for food! Haha!

One of them is P whom I met when I was a Freshman in the University.  I got my love for coffee from her (it started when we were doing our thesis in Economics) and she (and her family!) introduced me to some of the finest food I have ever tried.   And one of the restaurants I remember we went to was Kimpura in Greenhills.  

Two of the things I remember which I enjoyed eating then were the sweet dilis (dried fish) appetizer that the restaurant gives to its diners for free . . .

and the Fried rice!  (I think we ordered Mixed Rice)

Guess what. . . I still love them as much as I did back then!  It still tastes the same!  The only missing in the table was my friend, haha!  The dilis were still the best and my picky eater loved the fried rice!

I also ordered California Maki (I wish they came with Japanese Mayo but this Maki taste so fresh that I actually didn't mind)

Hubby and I shared three "T's" . . .

Tofu Steak - Bean curd with mushrooms and pork (love it!) 

Tori Karaage - they are actually chicken lollipops =)

and Tempura! (I wish the shrimps were bigger though, heehee)

We enjoyed our lunch!  The quality of food was consistent, fast and efficient service from the wait staff, a good dining experience.

We are definitely going back to Kimpura Greenhills (for some reason, food here tastes better than the other branches, hahaha!) and probably try another T. . . Teppanyaki!  They are actually famous for their Teppanyaki.

Seriously craving for some Japanese food. . .as in RIGHT NOW! Haha!

For more details about Kimpura and list of their branches, please visit their page.

My Ramen Fix in LA - Ramen Yamadaya

I love Ramen!  I knew where to get one back home in Philippines.  But now that I am in LA, I have some homework to do! =)  We just googled for Ramen places in LA and saw one (Ramen Yamadaya) which is near our place and is also rated well.

One weekend, we decided to go and try it.  It is situated near a freeway exit and sits in a lot which includes a laundromat, a couple of shops and a convenience store.  It was such an unassuming place that you wouldn't think that it is included in the 12 best noodle spots in LA (as listed by Zagat).  I was surprised to see how small the place was that I quickly told my husband (who was just about to park) to turn around, haha!

Okay, not that I am picky or snooty!  For the record, I love exploring the hole in the wall kind!  But if you have two toddlers in tows who are sleeping (and that means two strollers!), you need some space.  I think you will understand where I am coming from when you see the next photo.   

I knew we will come back. . .  when we only need to bring one stroller, haha!

And we did.  The Princess wanted to eat some noodles so we thought this would be our chance to go back to Ramen Yamadaya because our Prince is sleeping (again!).  

Welcome to Ramen Yamadaya!

Did I tell you that it was a small place?  Haha! (22-seater).

And yes, that's our table (by the corner) and stroller (lower left in the photo).

The Menu

We have been to this place twice already (after I said "No", hehe)

Here are the things we have ordered. . . everything we had was good!

Takoyaki Balls - my favorite =)

Tori Kara-age

Pork Tonkatsu-curry

Chicken Teriyaki

Tonkotsu Ramen

Goes without saying that Ramen Yamadaya has been our go-to place for our Ramen fix.  We always leave with happy and satisfied tummies! =)  

If there's one thing you can take away from this post is. . . . Don't judge a book by its cover!

Haha! =)

For more details about Ramen Yamadaya and their locations, please visit their website.

Turning Japanese!

I've always wondered what the waiters and waitresses yell when you enter a Japanese restaurant (and I noticed that they yell together too, haha!).  It sounds like "Ashamaysashe"???!  

Just in case you're wondering too, here's the answer! 

The word is "Irasshaimase!"  It means "Welcome to the store" or "Come In" (Source)

My sister and I tried NIJI Japanese Restaurant in Angeles City (near Clark).  You know that it's a good Japanese restaurant when you see Japanese people eating there, haha!  Before we went there, I googled for some restaurant reviews and I must say, I was satisfied with what I've read that I think the place is worth a visit.   

The restaurant has an extensive menu.  It was so wide that it was overwhelming.  I just gave up and asked our waitress for her suggestions, haha!

It's a big and heavy menu (literally!)

I think there were 12 pages!  See the picture?!

We had the following:

Seafood Croquette
It was okay.  The dip that went with this dish was the Tonkatsu sauce.
We prefer dipping it in Japanese Mayo.

Forgot the name of this Maki but it is one of their bestsellers.
It looks good  right?  But I'll order a California Maki next time, haha!
The Japanese Mayo wasn't just tasty and creamy enough for me.
(The Mayo just doesn't taste like Kewpie's to me)

I loved their Tempura!  If you like a crunchy batter, this is for you.I will definitely order this again!

Sorry, I wasn't able to get the name of this dish.
It has pork strips, tofu (I love tofu!) that has a savory and spicy sauce.
My sister and I loved this too!

Btw, they have good fried rice too!  My sister and I don't eat Sushi and Sashimi but I read from some reviews that their Sushi and Sashimi are fresh.

In case you are in Angeles City and feel like eating some good Japanese food, Niji Restaurant is a good place to satisfy your cravings.  It's located at Don Juico Avenue, Friendship, Angeles City.

By the way, they just opened a branch in San Fernando (along McArthur Highway, near St. Scholastica's Academy).   Good news is, it's near our place!  (Woohoo!)  This only means one thing. . . time to try the other dishes in their menu! Haha!

Hope you had a good weekend!

Sayonara and Goodnight =)

Ramen Sunday

There is a Ramen craze going on in Manila that I've lost count of the Ramen places that I've been reading in food blogs!  

Over the weekend, we were in Glorietta and were looking for a place to have  lunch a late lunch.  When you are with a toddler who loves soup and noodles, it's either you go Chinese or Japanese!  Then I remembered a new Ramen place in Glorietta which just opened early this year.  Actually, I had to ask Concierge what the the name was because I couldn't remember what it was!  Haha!  

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka (a franchise which originated from Hokkaido, Japan) is a fairly small restaurant.  It has a nice interior, proper lighting and a cool air-conditioning system!  (If you're a Filipino, a restaurant which has a good air-conditioning system earns an extra star! Haha!). . . love the place's ambiance and vibe.  =) 

Image from Ramen Santouka's FB page

Menu items include Ramen (of course, haha!), a few Rice Bowls, Salad, Side Dishes and Dessert.  I find the menu limited though.  I was hoping they would have some Japanese rolls or Makis. . . okay, I know, IT IS a Ramen place!  Haha!  But just saying. . . 

(If you want to see their menu, please click this link.)

I ordered Shio Ramen for Ate.  "Shio" means salt.  I always get this type of broth for Ramen.  I haven't tried Shoyu (soy sauce) or Miso though.    

I asked for a Bowl for Ate and when the staff learned that it was for her, they gave me this . . .

Cute noh?  How nice of them to think of their young diners!

My sister had Tonkatsu Curry Rice (sorry, wasn't able to take a picture of it) and for myself, I ordered a Small Ramen and Tonkatsu Meal Set which came with a small salad (it was a really small bowl, it was a cute bowl, haha!  Loved the sesame dressing!) , a fave of mine --- Chawan mushi (steamed egg) and tea. 

Such a beautiful, golden-fried Tonkatsu!  

The Tonkatsu sauce came in a jar and a serving of black and white sesame seeds which I believe should be crushed and then mix the sauce with it (just like what I've seen in other Tonkatsu places). But I didn't bother to ask the staff anymore about the sesame seeds simply because . . . I was really hungry starving!  Yes, I had a low EQ that moment, Haha!

When I saw that the pork cutlet was thick, my fear was it's going to be chewy.  This is one of the few times when I'm happy to say that I was wrong!  It was tender and I didn't have a problem cutting and chewing it.  

I loved everything we ordered.  The Ramen is really good (broth, noodles and all), the cutlet was tender and I like the sauce that came with it.  The food came in big portions---their small bowl of Ramen is filling already and their Set Meal can be easily shared by 2 people.

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is the first Ramen place in Manila I have tried and I know there are other Ramen places that I still need to check out.  But I had a nice meal in this place and loved everything about it.  The casual and relaxing ambiance of the place, nice staff and of course, food that is good and filling!

I will definitely come back . . . even if they don't have any Makis!  Haha! =)

For more details about Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Philippines, please visit their FB page.

Ramen Santouka

G/F Glorietta 4

Ayala Center, Makati City

(Across the Food Court entrance of SM Makati)