Firstly, let's increase our food vocabulary and know-how:
What is Chashu? An evolved, Chinese dish of barbecued pork called “Char Siu”, the Japanese took it and made it a perfection of its own. It’s simmered pork, which just simply melts in your mouth and disappears. | What is Tsukemen? It’s like a ‘deconstructed Ramen’, to quote a person I admire, which is possibly the best explanation for a Tsukemen. The soup is separate and is more flavorful than the soup in Ramen. It also has a darker color and a full bodied taste and texture. |
Discovering ‘Chashu’ I’ve always heard the phrase, “the meat just melts in your mouth!” But I have never really had it happen to me at all. It was a food experience that I honestly did not expect to happen as most of the time, I do get really tender steaks, chicken, seafood and what have you but it never really ‘melts’. Sure it's so soft it's wonderful, and you know the cook is perfect but this literally does softly and rather gracefully disappears from your mouth and you REALLY HAVE TO take another bite/piece. |
Aside from Chashu, I have also discovered an alternative to the classic Ramen.
Sure I’ve heard of it talked about from time to time, but I have never had my fill of tsukemen (Pronounced as 'Tskeh-men'). It’s one of the best things I've ever eaten and possibly one of the most dangerous to boot! I just kept eating until I finally realized, the whole thing was gone. And I finally stopped, and felt how full I was. It came as a huge surprise as the dish makes you just take more of it until you're done.
Sure I’ve heard of it talked about from time to time, but I have never had my fill of tsukemen (Pronounced as 'Tskeh-men'). It’s one of the best things I've ever eaten and possibly one of the most dangerous to boot! I just kept eating until I finally realized, the whole thing was gone. And I finally stopped, and felt how full I was. It came as a huge surprise as the dish makes you just take more of it until you're done.
Ambiance and Service: Customer service was decent to average, nothing grand and nothing really noteworthy. They were pretty full when we got there which was a good sign; because there were a lot of Japanese restaurants nearby and it still attracted a lot of clients. I enjoyed their lighting and had no real complaints (maybe just one: That they don’t have a branch in Makati yet, here’s to hoping though!) It wasn’t too overly decorated or as intimidating as Saboten or Ginza Bairin. It felt a little more ‘homey’ and that you could have a good warm meal without having to wear an outfit to match the place. |
Selection/Menu/Price:
Value for money is excellent, at 310 pesos I was really full and the tastes I experienced were absolutely beautiful. It was deep, and had a bit of heat in it as I even gulped down some of the broth that accompanied my meal. It was so easy to finish that my plates were absolutely empty. Which doesn’t happen with Ramen as I’m terrible with food mixed in huge containers, in this case I finished everything and felt energized after the meal instead of the usual sluggishness. I felt invigorated, not too exaggerate but I’m currently experiencing a really terrible schedule shift at work. This really helped ‘lift’ up the miserable feeling my body was in! Their drinks vary from 50 php onward which is one of the fairer pricing ranges I've seen.
Value for money is excellent, at 310 pesos I was really full and the tastes I experienced were absolutely beautiful. It was deep, and had a bit of heat in it as I even gulped down some of the broth that accompanied my meal. It was so easy to finish that my plates were absolutely empty. Which doesn’t happen with Ramen as I’m terrible with food mixed in huge containers, in this case I finished everything and felt energized after the meal instead of the usual sluggishness. I felt invigorated, not too exaggerate but I’m currently experiencing a really terrible schedule shift at work. This really helped ‘lift’ up the miserable feeling my body was in! Their drinks vary from 50 php onward which is one of the fairer pricing ranges I've seen.
Summary: Can't wait to go back!! I’m already planning my next trip, SM BF is already one of my favorite places to stay at due to the various coffee shops and food places, this is definitely anchoring me there!! Stay strong! Just offer more beverages maybe! And here's to hoping I see a branch in Makati soon! | Branches/Locations: SM BF Branch: 2/F SM City B.F. Parañaque, Dr A Santos Avenue B.F. Homes, Parañaque (02) 401-8762 The Podium Branch: 5/F The Podium, ADB Ave Wack Wack, Mandaluyong |