MUNCHSTER BITES: Wok Inn

Don’t be fooled by the restaurant’s exterior. It may look like a typical restaurant that you wouldn't think of dining into. Jai and I have always been curious about this restaurant, passing by it numerous times and all.

So earlier today I thought of surprising Jai after his football game. I knew that he’ll be hungry and it seemed the perfect time for a carbo loaded meal. 

We met at Edsa Central Mall in Crossing and rode a jeep bound to Pasig Palengke. I asked the driver to drop us off at Jade Palace (you’ll see a green lighted sign) along shaw boulevard right after China  Bank, on the opposite street in front of China Bank you’ll see Wok Inn restaurant.

We arrived around 7:30pm and there were only a few people dining. The waitress attended to us after we were seated and handed us the menu. I find the waitress a bit rude; it seemed that she was in a hurry and can’t wait for us to decide on the food we want.

Now, enough about her, let’s talk about the food. We ordered their bestseller sipa and stuffed squid.

Sipa-fried wonton stuffed with meat and veggies. This dish is yummy! The meat was tasty and soft and blended well with the sauce. A must try for first time diners.

Stuffed Squid- for this past week I’ve been craving for Kangkong and luckily the squid we ordered was stuffed with it. Jai didn’t like this so much, he said that he couldn’t taste the squid but only the kangkong. I, on the other hand disagreed. I like the way the squid was cooked and was really satisfied with it.

Crab Rice- Needs a little more flavor, I didn't taste the crab at all. 

 

I highly recommend this restaurant to those who have a limited budget but love to eat Chinese food.

Total food cost: Sipa- P110 + Stuffed squid- P154 + Crab Rice- P105 = P369.00 

Walker Map: From MRT Shaw Boulevard/Edsa Central

1. Ride a jeep going to Pasig Palengke.

2. Tell the driver to drop you off Jade Palace or China Bank at Shaw Blvd. 

3. Just cross the street opposite to China Bank and you're there. 

4. Jeep fare - P8.00/passenger

Bite Cost: P200/meal

Munch Worthy: 10 bites

Walker repeat: Yes. Must try their pancit and buttered chicken. 

Located at Pelbel Bldg. 2019 Shaw Blvd. Pasig City

MUNCH MONSTER raid: Ice Cream Store sa Caruncho

A cool treat for less than P100!

Ice cream store sa Caruncho is a perfect for budget conscious daters and barkadas. They serve ice cream, shakes and pizza. Food prices start at P4.00 to P135.00 only.

Piggy and I stumbled upon this place last year. I read a good review of this place from fellow blogger Ninyo together with his girlfriend Kirsten(budgetdates.blogspot.com) and  decided to surprise Piggy and bought him a treat at the Ice cream store sa Caruncho branch.

Last Thursday- January 19, 2012 while patiently waiting in Pasig City Hall for our business permits to be processed we decided to go out for a while and grab a quick snack. Piggy suggested that we go to Ice cream store, being in the vicinity and all. Luckily I brought my camera this time.

Nothing spectacular about the place, no ambiance or romantic feel for dates, it’s more of a simple hangout place reminiscent of the 90’s. We ordered one solo Beefy Sausage Pizza (P35.00),Tiramisu Magic (P65.00) and 1 Ays Drop (P6.00). He said that the pizza was better than other low priced pizzas sold in the market. The bread was soft enough to bite through. Our Tiramisu Magic consisted of 3 scoops of ice cream, double dutch, chocolate and cheese topped with 2 choco wafer bars and chocolate. I loved the double dutch and chocolate ice cream but not a fan of the cheese flavor; anyway it was good enough for the price, too bad they ran out of cherries and whip cream.

Overall, we were satisfied with the food and service and wouldn’t mind going back.

Total food cost: Solo Beefy Sausage Pizza-P35.00 + Tiramisu Magic-P65.00 +1 Ays Drop-P6.00 = P106.00

happyZ thoughts: Desserts are sweeter when shared

Walker Map: From MRT Shaw Boulevard/Edsa Crossing

1. Ride a jeep going to Pasig Palengke.

2. Tell the driver to drop you off Ice Cream Storem you'll be dropped off at the opposite direction.

3. Just cross the street and you're there.

4. Jeep fare - P8.00/passenger

Bite Cost: P4.00 – P135.00

Munch Worthy: Yes. 9 bites!

Walker repeat: Yes

The Ice Cream Store has numerous branches throughout Metro Manila so it wouldn't be a challenge going to one :D

For menu photos click here

MUNCH MONSTER raid: Antz Bread Factory

Today is the day I do my grocery. I've been dieting for the past two days and evading excess intake of carbohydrates. Going to the grocery is a challenge because I see all of my favorite chocolates and pastries but somehow I gained the discipline of letting go of these treats- or so I thought.

Upon entering the premises of Pioneer Center I saw a giant bee on top of a toaster shaped kiosk on the rotonda. At first I thought it was Jollibee and that the company changed his look and was presenting a new concept but it was actually Antz Bread Factory. The giant bee wasn’t actually a bee but an ant. Being a curious person I went over took a look. I was ready to leave when this guy, (I guess he’s the owner) approached me and let me try some baked goodies and it wasn’t bad. The bread was baked just right and it wasn’t the typical pastries you buy in a community bakery. I think its safe to call it the price friendly version of Bread Talk (but of course Bread Talk is better).  

So the inevitable happened, I gave in to my cravings and bought their lasagna bread (P35/piece) and cheese muffin (P30/piece) and consumed it both on that same day. Why? Because it tastes so effin’ good!

Total food cost: Lasagna Bread-P35.00 + Cheese Muffin-P30.00 = P65.00

They have a competitive price range for the quality of their baked goodies. I want to try their coffee bun and choco peppermint muffin next time :D

Other baked goodies are you can try-

Strawberry Muffin

Cinnamon

Ensaymada with Macapuno/ Ube Ensaymada

Tuna Bread

Bread with the Floss thingy

Bite Cost: P24.00 to P35.00

Munch Worthy: Yes, perfectly baked. 7 bites!

Walker repeat: Yes


Are from Kapitolyo? Have you tried Antz? Share your story with us :D 


Located at the rotonda of Pioneer Center, Kapitolyo Pasig

MUNCH MONSTER raid: Wham Burgers

 

Almost the same size as my cellphone :D 

So, Last Tuesday night I decided to drop by SM Megamall and use my WHAM Burger voucher which I bought from Beeconomic. It’s a Brekkie Burger set meal worth P314.00.

What is a Brekkie Burger?

It’s a grilled 1/3 lb. beef patty topped with cheese, bacon and fried egg.

All I can say is, WHAM! This burger is sooo good! The patty is so juicy and every bite is tastefully satisfying and not to mention big bacon strips, egg and cheese that made me really happy.

I had a hard time finishing it all by myself because of the fries (real POTATO fries) and bottomless drink that came with it. One burger can be shared by two persons. It was huge!

The regular price of a Brekkie burger is P182.00, not too bad for a 1/3lb burger with 3 toppings on it. You can add fries for P66.00 and bottomless drink (choice of coca-cola products, del monte four seasons or lipton iced tea) for P66.00.

This was surely a great treat I bought for myself. I was feeling lonely that day because my piggy Jai was out of town :( Pigging-out without my piggy is not the same. Aww :( 

But anyway, I recommend WHAM to burger lovers out there. Its definitely worth the price. 

Take Home: 1/2 of my burger

Bite Cost: P155.00 (discount voucher from Beeconomic)

Munch Worthy: Definitely! 10 bites! 

Walker repeat: Yes. Must eat here with Jai

Show off your grill - Visit WHAM today! 

Located at the Lower Ground Floor, SM Megamall A 

Business Hours: Monday to Sunday
10:00am - 10:00pm 

Munch Monster raid: Nodasho, Little Tokyo

A quick trip to Tokyo. Well I’m not talking about the real Tokyo Japan but Little Tokyo in Makati City. A hole in the wall group of authentic Japanese restaurants.

I was hesitant to visit the place before because I had the impression that dining there was expensive. Luckily I was able to buy a voucher from Groupon Philippines, P1,000 worth of food & drinks from Nodasho Japanese Restaurant. Finally we can visit Little Tokyo without going beyond our budget for special dates.

*Special Dates definition: monthsary, anniversary or birthday. Estimated budget P500.00. 

December 12, 2011- It was a rainy morning and I was craving for hot soup, it was the perfect time to use our voucher. Jai called Nodasho to reserve a table for 2, the hostess told him that we were only allowed to sit at the sushi bar which was ok with me at least I could see the chefs in action but it was kind of discriminating because we were using a discount voucher.

Now off to Nodasho for our early monthsary celebration. Jai printed a map going to Little Tokyo but he got the wrong directions, the map led us to Tokyo Health Link. Now in solution mode I asked the guard on duty for directions. He told us to go to Makati Cinema Square and right beside it was Little Tokyo.

It was hard finding a parking space in the open parking area so we decided to park in the mall. We had a little accident where Jai hit the fender of a car parked behind us luckily the owner was not there were no cctv cameras - no damage was done really.

Now at Little Tokyo…

Konnichiwa!

The restaurant looks closed because you can’t really see from the outside so we had to knock, a Filipina waitress greeted us and ushered us to our seat. We were surprised to see a table reserved for us because we thought we were only allowed to sit at the sushi bar. Lucky us!

As part of the Japanese tradition, you have to take your shoes off, Jai didn’t like this haha (hmm…bakit kaya?) 

 

There were real Japanese people dinning. It was cool to see them there. Chefs were Japanese as well but we saw one Filipino chef who was in charge of the sushi bar and Filipina waitresses, not sure if they can converse in Japanese though.

You can avail their lunch menus, but we opted for their ala carte offerings…

 

Our orders: 

Free Appetizer

Shoyu Ramen- P280.00/order

Shoyu Ramen (soy sauce based) this is the basic ramen according to Jai. We decided to order this to gauge how good their ramen is- not influenced by different variations of flavors.

Yummy! This is value for money ramen. You can taste the authenticity and use of fresh ingredients. This is how ramen should be. One bowl can be split into two. Good for sharing.

Kani Koroke - P190.00/ 2 pcs.

Kani Koroke (Crab Croquettes) my favorite dish! Delicious and worth every peso.  You can taste real crab not mere flavorings or extenders. The coating is crunchy while the inside is so soft and delicate that it literally melts in your mouth. The salad goes with the dish perfectly, it takes care of the “umay” feel by eating too much.

Okonomiyaki - P290.00/order

Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancake) I personally ordered this and it was huge! This dish came last and we were both full already so we weren’t able to finish it. It tasted like takoyaki but with pork and overflowing fish flakes which I love. Kei (Jai's sister) liked it too (we gave her the rest of the take-out). Good for sharing, 2-4 persons. 

El Hire (Ray’s Fin) Our exotic dish. Jai and I decided to order this because it was unusual to us. It was an expensive dish but very unique. It might look thin and crispy but actually you have to bite through. It was flavorful, best when dipped in Japanese mayo.

Togarashi in the house

 

Over all it was a great experience. We’ll definitely go back for the shoyu ramen (Jai’s pick) and Kani Koroke (my pick).

We’ll try Hana on our next visit :D

 

Over all it was a great experience. We’ll definitely go back for the shoyu ramen (Jai’s pick) and Kani Koroke (my pick).

Total Food Cost: Shoyu Ramen- P280.00 + Kani Koroke (2pcs./order)- P190.00 + El Hire- P220.00 + Okonomiyaki- P290.00 + House water-Free = P980.00 plus 12% vat = P1,097.60

The restaurant has no service charge.

Our total cash out – P500.00 (voucher) + P97.60 + 20.00 tip = P617.60.00 

Walker Map: From Edsa-Crossing

1. Ride a bus via LRT Leveriza.

2. Get off at BPI Bank Pasong Tamo- you'll see Mcdonalds on the opposite street. 

3. Go to Mcdonalds, cross the street going to Exportbank Building.

4. Ride a jeep going to MRT Taft and ask the driver to drop you off at Makati Cinema Square. 

5. Little Tokyo touchdown!


Bite Cost: P200.00/meal
Munch Worthy: Yes. 10 bites!
Walker repeat: Yes

Have been to Little Tokyo? Share your experiences on the comment section below :D 


Visit Nodasho Japanese Restaurant
Located near Makati Cinema Square Legaspi Village, Makati City
Business Hours: 
Monday to Sunday
11:00 am - 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm - 1:00 am