With the deluge of Japanese restaurants popping up around the metro, it is undoubtedly increasingly difficult to stand out amongst the competition. Shiro Shiro Japanese Restaurant has just recently opened its doors at the Boulevard Mansion Hotel along Roxas Boulevard with a concept designed by Radar Eco-Culinary Consultancy Inc. and a menu designed by Japanese Executive Chef Keitaro Kawasaki which features a exotic dish that is not available anywhere else! It is so aptly called the crunchy crocodile maki and was born from their internal Iron Chef competition and an excellent reason to visit.

Join us for the their Grand Opening as we walk you through this modern affordable Japanese restaurant and sample their assorted kushi-age, mixed tempura, tekka maki, gyoza, california maki, tori-karaage and so much more!

Roxas Boulevard is quite a drive from Makati so if we make the trip, it better be for a good reason. Shiro Shiro is located within the Boulevard Mansion Hotel which we had never even heard about, but to have a point of reference, the U.S. embassy would be a recognizable landmark.

By the time we arrived, Shiro Shiro was considerably packed with guests. We could not help but notice the calm green and white zen like interiors created from bamboo, stone and wood. Shiro Shiro translates to White Castle and the interiors had the majestic Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture as a touch stone and was designed by architect Calvin San Diego.

Party was well organized by Radar Eco-Culinary Consultancy who are also owners of the brand Shiro Shiro and are a restaurant consultancy company that helps clients conceptualize, design, build, manage and operate restaurants in the Philippines. The three partners are: Rudolf Domingo from the Philippines, Richard Backstrom from the U.S. and Dwight Ashton from New Zealand.

Where to start? A logical place for any occasion is at the bar to quench a parched throat! Complimentary drinks served were Shiro-Shiro ice tea, wine coolers red and white, house white, house red, draft San Miguel Beer and sake!

Assorted Kushi-age

We could not help but start with the assorted kushi-age which originated in Osaka and are essentially deep fried skewers of meat or vegetables. Our favorite was the onion for its juiciness and light batter.

Japanese Crackers with Salmon

These were a nice treat. Little Japanese crackers topped of with salmon, greens and black sesame.

Kani Salad

We are not big fans of kani in general as it is fake crab meat and heavily processed so passed on this.

Crunchy Crocodile Maki

Who would have thought this would have been possible? Local Philippine crocodile deep fried and rolled inside a maki with ebiko (shrimp eggs), seaweed and japanese mayo! It was crunchy and tasted a bit like you guessed it – chicken except has the chewiness of squid. Not our first time for crocodile but it always brings a bit of excitement to our day! The crocodiles are raised in farms by a local leather manufacturer, so the meat is a by-product and it is not cheap at PHP 600.00 per kilo straight from supplier! Apparently the best part is the legs as it has the most flavor vs. the tail which is a bet tougher. If you had to try one dish at Shiro Shiro this would undoubtedly have to be the one. As a bonus, some nutritionists have said that crocodile meat is healthier than chicken as it is low in saturated fats and cholesterol and high in protein.

Tori-Kaarage

This Japanese version of fried chicken coated with soy sauce ginger and potato starch is best served piping hot with a lemon wedge.

Mini-Tonkatsu Sandwiches

Being on a diet bastardized the bread and just had the tonkatsu, tender and moist meat, we liked the nice thick cut.

Ika Shiomai – Not one of our favorites

Oshinko Maki / Tamago Sushi - Hard to go wrong here

Mixed Tempura

They looked good from far, but were from good as it was already cold at the buffet table. Will give their tempura another stab on our next visit.

Gyoza

Their gyoza was a little bit horrible with a thick coating, not crispy bottom and most importantly the pork stuffing was bland. This needs a Naruto kick in the arse!

Yaki Soba

Standard fare, could satisfy you if you were really craving for it.

California Maki

California Maki is made Manila style as it has mangoes vs. the original version with avocados.

Tekkamaki and Kappamaki

Tuna was the only raw fish that was on offer at the buffet and was fine. Will have to order sushi on the next visit.

Potato Salad

With all the other tempting dishes available, the reclusive potato salad was hardly touched!

Assorted Fruits

After all this food, it was time for the ceremonies to begin!

A few words by Executive Chef Keitaro Kawasaki were said – unfortunately in Japanese. He designed the menu to be contemporary and authentic and assisted in the hiring of the Head Chef Jun Ocampo.

The cake was cut by the restaurant owner Jedric Lim. Jed is a graduate of Ateneo University and majored in Management and Economics. He is also the co-owner of Attica bar in A-Venue. He is a bright and talented businessman who was featured this year in Metro Society Magazine “Men in Suits” issue. He is flanked by Radar Eco-Culinary Consultancy’s Rudolf Domingo, Dwight Ashton and Richard Backstrom.

We would like to thank Dwight Ashton for the kind invitation and look forward to more crocodile!

Shiro Shiro Japanese Restaurant
Boulevard Mansion Hotel
1440 Roxas Boulevard
Tel: +632-353-1179
shiroshirores@yahoo.com.ph

Dwight Ashton
Owner/Consultant
Radar Eco-Culinary Consultancy Inc.
cityland herrera Tower
Suite 2402
98 V.A. Ruffino cor. Valero Street
Salcedo Village
Makati
Tel: +632-798-2789

Shiro Shiro Map

Mercedes SL 63 AMG

In our next post we bring you European Motors Philippines Corporation in Makati City. This auto parts and service shop specializes in European cars like Mercedes and BMW and will save you up to 70% against the dealers. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Yumemiya Japanese Cafe is the Japanese Café brand and subsidiary of Italian Tomato Co. Ltd with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Italian Tomato is a Japanese Italian restaurant and bakery. Their concept is Japanese-Italian fusion and now have over 250 branches in Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and China. Mr. Nelson Ong and Mr. Jerry Lao own the Philippine franchise of Yumemiya and have launched their first branch at Northeast Square, Connecticut Ave. Greenhills where they serve donburi, risotto, shabu shabu, udon, curry, pasta and pizza, green tea shakes and “Italian Tomato” cakes.

Just a few hundred meters down the road from Ortigas Center is the recently developed Northeast Square building which conveniently has basement parking for clients.

Yumemiya is located on the upper level and the frontage looks non-surprisingly similar to restaurants in Japan showcasing intricately glistening custom made replica food which are works of art in themselves and cost a minimum of $US 50.00 each.

Upon entering, you will be immediately engulfed by the aromatic scent of roasted coffee beans which is scientifically proven to sooth the nerves. Key Coffee was founded in 1920 and is the majority shareholder of Italian Tomato parent company of Yumemiya and is the #1 coffee brand in Japan.

We found Yumemiya to be zennishly cozy with the yellow, tan and dark wood color tones and leatherette couches. We however had a table for six for just the two of us and this provided ample amount of comfort.

The kitchen was quite small and borderline claustrophobic but amazingly they managed to fit in all that equipment!

Yumemiya Kitchen

After taking the tour and meeting Mr. Koji Asami, Executive Chef of Italian Tomato Limited based in Tokyo and learning more about the brand and its everlasting joust against UCC Cafe we were given the opportunity to dive into their recommended dishes.

Chicken Salad with Mixed Greens – PHP 198.00 ($US 4.75)

We started with the chicken salad. What makes this salad stand out is the crushed sesame seed dressing which reminds us of a similar salad during our food trip to Osaka.

Spaghetti with Cod’s Roe and Japanese Pickles in Cream Sauce – PHP 278.00+ ($US 7.00)

The spaghettini was cooked perfectly al dente with a nice bite to it. The cod roe topping and cream sauce was extremely delightful. The mild fish explosions combined with the creamy parmesan and wasabi sauce provided unique sensations on our palette. We love this dish and will be back for more!

Smoked Salmon and Egg Pizza, Wasabi Sauce – PHP 318.00+ ($US 7.50)

The smoked salmon pizza was probably one of the best pizzas we have ever eaten. The thin crusted dough was crispy on the bottom yet light and fluffy. The saltiness of the smoked salmon combined with the wasabi, mozzarella cheese and wetness of the half cooked egg made our tastebuds do cartwheels. This is another must try dish!

Mushroom Pizza Japanese Style – PHP 268.00+ ($US 6.50)

This pizza had three kinds of mushrooms – enoki, semiji and button mushrooms and was topped with bonito fish flakes making it quite flavorful with interesting textures from the mushrooms but was a bit dry compared to the salmon pizza.

Yumemiya Original Coffee – PHP 109.00+ ($US 2.25)

The Yumemiya coffee had a strong flavor and is accompanied by milk and two kinds of sugars. Take note that if you order the iced coffee it is stronger to compensate for the ice watering down the coffee.

Japanese Rock Sugar

The Japanese Rock Sugar was a novelty, but difficult to isolate and distinguish its true flavor as sugar tasted like well… sugar.

Yumemiya also offers the Italian Tomato cakes and desserts which we also had a chance to fork into. Signature desserts include Tarte Aux Berries, Tarte Aux Marrons and Gateau Aux Fraises.

Overall, the cakes we sampled were gentle and not prominently sweet. The chocolate pie and the mango tart were exceptional.

Chocolate Pie - This was buttery and velvety.

Mango Tart - Moist with the refreshing taste of cool mango.

Last but not least are the milk, chocolate and green tea custards served in the cute mini milk bottles and the cream puff. The method to eating the custards, are first using a spoon and eating the top layer, then mixing up all the syrup at the bottom and then drink. The green tea had the most flavor and was worth a stab.

The “Shu Cream” puff reminded us of Ebisubashi in Osaka.  Yumemiya only offers the original custard cream flavor and it was filled all throughout.  Great job!

Mr and Mrs. Jerry Lao, Niko Ong - Yumemiya Philippines Franchise Owners

What did you like best at Yumemiya?

Yumemiya Japanese Cafe
Northeast Square
Connecticut Ave.
Greenhills
Open Daily – 7:00AM – 10:00PM
Website: http://www.italiantomato.co.jp/

We would also like to thank Mr. Varick Ong, General Manager of Clear Channels for the invitation.

Aksana Kalinich and Natasha Chystsiakova @ Salon De Ning

On our next post we attend the birthday party of Mary Laguardia at Salon De Ning, Peninsula Hotel! This is the trendiest lounge bar in the Philippines. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Ryuma Restaurant offers the best Japanese Lunch set in the Sta. Rosa area on Saturdays. You may want to consider this as a lunch option before checking into your hotel in Tagaytay. There are also numerous factory/outlet stores in the area to build an appetite.

Even though it occupies a massive space at the newest section of the Paseo de Sta. Rosa development by Greenfield, it manages to fill to capacity with their tasty offerings.

The colorful Ryuma Restaurant feels like walking into a video game arcade in Shibuya with the multiple LCD screens, lifesize samurai armors, ornamental swords, and kimonoed service staff.

Take note that 80% of the restaurant is a smoking area as it is not part of the Makati no-smoking ordinance and is frequented by Japanese, a tribute to the authenticity of the food.

Japanese style seating

Saturday Special Lunch Menu

The Special Lunch menu is only available during the weekend. We prefer the Saturday menu than the Sunday menu as they have Unagi – grilled fresh water eel!

The Paseo de Sta. Rosa entertainment complex is growing steadily with new outlets such as Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Nine West, Timberland, Samsonite, etc.

Slipper Lobster Sashimi – PHP 250.00 Net ($US 6.00)

For starters we had the slipper lobster sashimi. It was served alive and fresh from their fish aquarium. The raw meat is slightly sweet and very similar to its close relative the spiny lobster. For first timers, this may be unnerving as the lobsters eyes move in their socket as you eat the flesh of its body with gusto.

Ebi Tama Don – PHP 200.00 Net ($US 4.75)

Four deep fried breaded prawns, egg, vegetables and a special sweet soy mirin sauce on a bed of steamed rice. As it was a lunch set it was served with two side salads and miso soup. While the miso soup was a bit watered down and the side salads were not spectacular the ebi tama was delicious.

Una Don – PHP 200.00 Net ($US 4.75)

This Una Don is the best deal for fresh water eel as similar dishes at other Japanese restaurants would easily cost PHP 350.00++ and up. Unagi is considered a delicacy in Japan and the dish originated in Osaka the culinary capital. This is one of our favorite Japanese dishes of all time due to the rich pate like flavor, crunchy exterior combined with moist and succulent meat. Also served with two side salads and miso soup. Make sure to ask for the Japanese S&B special pepper which is in a green colored bottle, it goes perfectly with this dish!

Did you know that Unagi is traditionally eaten during the hottest day of Summer as it has legendary stamina giving properties?

Baked Salmon with Shitake - PHP 200.00 Net ($US 4.75)

The baked salmon was moist but a bit bland. The Ebi Tama and Una Don were a lot better.

Takoyaki – PHP 40.00 Net ($US 0.90)

This was flavorful with chunks of octopus and a generous serving of bonito fish flakes, but still not as satisfying as the takoyaki at the New Haatchin Japanese Grocery.

What are your favorite dishes at Ryuma Restaurant?

Ryuma Restaurant
2/F Paseo de Sta. Rosa
Commercial Center 4
Sta. Rosa City
Laguna
Tel: 049-502-8401-02
Website: www.ryumapsf.com

Visiting Sta. Rosa is conveniently faster with the newly completed six (6) lane toll gate. Our record from Makati to Sta. Rosa exit – 20 Minutes via Skyway.

Related Tagaytay Posts:

Tagaytay Itinerary (2 Days | 1 Night) Romance in the Sky
Tagaytay Day 1 – Ryuma Ramen | Summit Ridge Hotel (Part 1 of 4)
Tagaytay Day 1 – Summit Ridge Hotel |Taaleña | (Part 2 of 4)
Tagaytay Day 1 – Buon Giorno | Fling Yoghurt (Part 3 of 4)
Tagaytay Day 2 – Breakfast at Antonio’s (Part 4 of 4)
Ryuma Restaurant Saturday Lunch Specials
Chateau Hestia Wine and Deli Shop
Amoroma Ristorante Italiano, Tagaytay
Bulalo at Josephine Restaurant, Tagaytay
Antonio’s Breakfast Revisited
Green ATS Bulalohan and Restaurant, Tagaytay

On our next post we stop by to pick up Ottinger German beer at Chateau Hestia Wine and Deli Shop! Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Where is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Manila? You don’t have to search far as it is in the heart of Makati, within the luxurious Shangri-La hotel. We have also chosen it as the proving grounds for the much anticipated battle between American Wagyu and Japanese Wagyu. Who will emerge victorious?

Inagiku is an elegant and modern Japanese restaurant that first opened its doors in 2003 and serves a diverse selection of Japanese food including sashimi, sushi, yakimono, tempura, agemono, kabuto ryori, and teppan-yaki that will meet your every desire. If you have any doubts leave it to the Master Sushi Chef, Wataru Hikawa to tickle your senses!

Walking through the pillared and carpeted entrance you will be in awe at the shimmering gold weaved kimono and ceremonial drums on display. It brings a piece of Japan’s Shogun history to the stylishly warm contemporary interiors. Being a tactile being it would have been nice to touch how a gold silk weave feels like and to beat on the drum for our timely arrival, but the red ropes seemed to reverberate a do not touch signal in our heads.

The main dining area offers comfortable seating on the brushed back sofa. Take note Inagiku also have private room for intimate gatherings of ten people.

We opted for the custom made circular teppan-yaki table instead as we intended to order a few teppan-yaki dishes including their house specialty Tajima Wagyu. Tajima is the name of the specific bloodline of black Wagyu and they are known to have the most consistent marbling and quality. In case you are wondering there is also the red Wagyu bloodline but are noted to be of lesser quality.

Sashimi Moriawase 5 Kinds – PHP 1,200.00++ (USD 25.00)

Why do we love Japanese food? Aside from wanting to live forever as Japanese statistically have one of the longest average lifespans (81.25 Years) nothing else seems to compare with the flavors, textures and richness in styles of cooking. The two main themes in Japanese cooking are seasonality by only using the freshest ingredients and colorful presentation.

The sashimi moriawase perfectly embodies these ideals and just by staring at it whetted our appetite. In case you are wondering, moriawase simply means the chef’s selection of the day. The fresh cuts of salmon, tuna, mackerel, white snapper and sea urchin were meticulously placed on a carved boat of dark wood and garnished with radish and the bright green shisho leaf. Most people believe that the shisho leaf is purely decorative but it is in fact edible and is rich in iron and calcium aside from being an expensive addition to any sashimi presentation. We thoroughly enjoyed this dish as the sashimi was fresh off the fishing boat!

Tokusei Chawan Mushi – PHP 380.00++ (USD 8.00)

The chawan mushi is one of Askana’s favorites as it has such an interesting combination of flavors and textures, including the miniature explosions of saltiness from the generous dollop of salmon roe. We have not experienced another restaurant in Manila that prepares a better chawan mushi! Essentially it is an egg custard enhanced with miso, mirin, and soy and a good appetizer before any meal. Alas it is a shame we cannot survive on appetizers alone. Or can we?

Ebi Tempura Moriawase – PHP 750.00++ (USD 17.00)

Who is not a fan of tempura? You may think that this is an easy dish to prepare as it is just deep fried shrimp in a special Japanese flour batter. But then all Japanese restaurants would make the perfectly light and crunchy batter and there would be no point of comparison. We have experienced all kinds of tempura from perfectly light and crunchy to overcooked and even limp and soggy. We dare to say that Inagiku makes one of the finest tempura’s in the country! Additionally we like that they do not use ordinary vegetables like onion and beans, but instead broccoli, asparagus, and eggplant.

Agedashi Tofu – PHP 200.00 ++ (USD 4.50)

The deep fried bean curd with tempura sauce is served with sophistication as instead of chunks of tofu on a plate, it has been cut, layered, and sprinkled with bonito flakes and green onions. This tasted as good as it looks.

Soft Shell Crab – PHP 380.00++ (USD 9.00)

This was the best deep fried soft shell crab we have ever eaten in our entire lives! First make sure to squeeze the huge slice of lemon all over and then take the first bite without the ponzu sauce. Friends, this is the closest you can get to CRAB HEAVEN! The first bite will be the best as it will just make your taste buds have an orgasm from the powerful crab essence crunch. The next few bites will not get you as high but hey you can only lose your virginity once after all. Be warned that it is very difficult to share considering how scrumptious it is! The good news is that this is the easiest kind of crab to eat because the shell is completely edible!

Wagyu Sizzling – Can you smell the tantalizing aromas?

Up next is the showdown between American Wagyu Vs. Japanese Wagyu. What is Wagyu (和牛) anyway? Literally it means Japanese cattle and is a term for a specific breed of cattle that was used to cultivate rice in Japan during the 17th century. During this period the Shogun prohibited eating beef and this lasted until 1838. Can you believe that during this period of isolation that there was no beef for two centuries? The cattle were then fed with sake and/or beer to stimulate appetite and massaged to prevent cramping. In some farms they even went as far as playing classical music to relax the cattle and reduce stress. Apparently stress makes the meat tougher. This regimen has resulted in an intense marbling of the meat or fat within the muscle fibers. In Japan they have a beef marbling score from grades 1 – 5 with grade 5 having the most marbling or fat. Interestingly the most expensive Wagyu is from Matsuzaka , not Kobe, because of higher marbling it may cost as much as USD 1,000.00 per kilo.

U.S. Tenderloin Steak 150 Grams (American Wagyu) – PHP 1,500++ (USD 35.00)

We had the U.S. Wagyu first and it tasted like an Angus tenderloin steak. Soft and extremely tender but there was no Wagyu shouting in our ears and telling us it was different. It tasted like a regular tenderloin probably because this was not 100% Wagyu and instead a mixed breed with the domestic Angus population. In the U.S. beef may be called Wagyu as long as there as the original Japanese Wagyu was in the bloodline.

Wagyu Sirloin Steak 200 Grams (Japanese Wagyu)- PHP 5,200++ (USD 120.00)

After the Tajima Wagyu was plated we popped a cube in our mouth and immediately noticed a huge difference in taste. The Japanese Wagyu had a creamier and softer texture as it probably had a higher marbling grade than the American Wagyu. The fat simply dissolved and added to this creamy effect that made the beef melt in your mouth like butter. This was definitely an authentic Wagyu experience and hands down the Japanese to win this particular battle at Inagiku. It may have cost almost four times the American but was well worth it at close to USD 600.00 per kilo.

Did you know that Wagyu beef is healthier than regular beef because it contains a higher percentage of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as less saturated fats?

We should all thank the Shogun who issued the decree about not eating four legged animals, because without the cattle being treated so well, Japanese Wagyu would not be as uniquely enjoyable as it is today!

Now that is one sexy apron!

So what did we learn from this experience? Stress leads to harder meat as demonstrated by the outcome of our Wagyu showdown, so as human beings we need to de-stress and pamper ourselves more often, maybe a massage is in order after a hard days work with a nice cold beer?

Inagiku also offers set lunches during the week and a special buffets during the weekend. How was your Inagiku experience?

Inagiku
Level 2, Shangri-La Hotel Makati,
Ayala Ave. cor. Makati Ave.
Makati, Metro Manila

Tel: 813-8888

On our next post we go old school Indian at the only fine dining Indian restaurant in Manila, Kashmir located at Arnaiz Avenue, Makati. Please click here!

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Shabu-Shabu is the Japanese version of Chinese hot pot which originated more than a thousand years ago. Shabu-Shabu literally translates to “swish swishing” as fresh raw meats, crustaceans, or fish combined with vegetable are cooked in a light broth based upon your preferences. Thousand Cranes specializes in this style of cooking and provides a comfortable dining experience within their contemporary zen interiors and built in recessed electric burners.

It is not difficult to locate this quaint little restaurant in Greenbelt 3, Makati. After breezing through their simple yet extensive menu, we ordered the Australian lamb and fish fillet sets to share.

Fish Fillet Set – PHP 380.00+ ($US 9.00)

They were both accompanied with a platter of mixed vegetables, fish balls, lobster balls, squid cakes and their special house sauce of fresh garlic, chili and peanut sauce as well as a bowl of light soy and a egg.

Assorted Vegetables

To start, the server would fill the individual hotpots built into the tables with their house chicken broth. Half of the garlic and peanut sauce was added to the pot and the remainder into the bowl of light soy sauce. The large egg was then cracked open and separated, with the egg white added to the soup mixture while the yolk into the light soy mixture. The fun part of shabu-shabu would then be the diner’s hands on experience of adding the remaining ingredients such as the fish balls and vegetables to the simmering pot of broth with the lamb and fish last as this cooks the fastest to make it a worthwhile individual experience.

Shabu-Shabu Cooking

After a brief five minutes of stewing all the fresh ingredients together until it reached a boil, we turned the electric burner to a minimum level. We started with tasting the richness of the soup and it was delicious! The combination of the garlic peanut sauce, chili’s and assorted ingredients including the various fish and lobster balls provided a savory and delightful soup broth.

The lamb was extremely soft, tender and flavorful while the white fish did not have much flavor on its own but went well with the dipping sauce. Their lobster balls and noodles are worth mentioning with a nice texture to it.

This is already our third visit and we would definitely come back as the food has been consistently fresh. Good for small groups not greater than four as there are no large joined tables. Did you know that back in the day the Mongolians used to cook these meat stews with their helmet?

What is your favorite kind of Shabu-Shabu?

Thousand Cranes
2nd Floor Greenbelt 3
Ayala Center, Makati
Tel: 729-8640

On our next post we take a break at one of our favorite hotels in Manila, Sofitel Philippine Plaza located at the CCP Complex, along Manila Bay. This is the first in a three part special. Please click here.

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.

Tagaytay is at the top of our list for a weekend getaway from Manila due to the fresh mountain air, spectacular views, short travel time, choice of restaurants, and activities. If you are heading up why not consider the Summit Ridge Hotel? The Summit Ridge Hotel opened its doors in June 2009 and is a modern and conveniently located hotel on the ridge. We simply reserved a room the night before, packed a few essentials and were on the way at 9:00AM the following morning!


Debenhams Outlet Store & Ryuma Ramen on the 2nd Floor @ Paseo Greenfield City (Sta. Rosa Exit on the SLEX)

Our first stop on the way to Tagaytay was the Debenham’s Outlet Store at Paseo Greenfield City, they have discounts up to 70% and a new supply of garments every week. We noticed that the 2nd floor of the building had been completely developed to house the Ryuma Group of companies including:

Ryuma Grocery
Ryuma Kids
Ryuma Restaurant
Ryuma Ramen

They were setup to cater to the Japanese community within the Greenfield Technopark.

Ryuma Grocery was clean and tidy offering a well stocked wide variety of Japanese and foreign snacks and treats.

After meandering through the grocery we decided to load up on a few alcoholic beverages that caught our eye, the most interesting of which was the Bizan Special Shochu with Gold Leaf for PHP 650.00 ($US 17.00).

Ryuma Ramen and Ryuma Restaurant are two separate units but offer the same Japanese menu.

Ryuma Noodle Machine

It was too early for lunch, so the restaurant was still closed and we decided to grab a quick snack at Ryuma Ramen with their authentic and functional noodle machine and Japanese Head Chef.

After browsing through their Lenovo touch screen menu and asking the staff for their best sellers and recommendations we decided to share the Chashu Men, which is essentially a ramen with Chashu style pork.

Chashu Men- PHP 280.00 Net ($US 7.00)

Chashu is normally made from the fattier cuts of pork that have been braised over low heat for an extremely long time. When done properly it will render the fat out while converting the collagen into a gelatinous consistency that literally would melt in your mouth like butter.

The broth was truly exquisite and flavorful, the pork was savory and the freshly made noodles hit the spot. It was a great start to a great day that lay ahead. Have you been to Ryuma?

Aside from ramen they also offer sushi, sashimi, domburi, udon etc. What dishes did you like?

Ryuma Restaurant

Ryuma Ramen
2nd Floor
Paseo de Sta. Rosa
Com. Ctr. 4, Greenfield City
Brgy. Don Jose, Sta. Rosa City
Laguna
Tel: +(63)49-502-8401/02

In our next post we check into the Summit Ridge Hotel. Please click here.

Related Tagaytay Posts:

Tagaytay Itinerary (2 Days | 1 Night) Romance in the Sky
Tagaytay Day 1 – Ryuma Ramen | Summit Ridge Hotel (Part 1 of 4)
Tagaytay Day 1 – Summit Ridge Hotel |Taaleña | (Part 2 of 4)
Tagaytay Day 1 – Buon Giorno | Fling Yoghurt (Part 3 of 4)
Tagaytay Day 2 – Breakfast at Antonio’s (Part 4 of 4)
Ryuma Restaurant Saturday Lunch Specials
Chateau Hestia Wine and Deli Shop
Amoroma Ristorante Italiano, Tagaytay
Bulalo at Josephine Restaurant, Tagaytay
Antonio’s Breakfast Revisited
Green ATS Bulalohan and Restaurant, Tagaytay

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
HOURPHILIPPINES.COM
FOOD | TRAVEL | LIFESTYLE
All content is the sole property of HourPhilippines.com, any reproduction in whole or in part shall be subject to prosecution.