Munchbuckz: Definitely a Must-Try in Laguna

Munchbuckz, located at F. Reyes St. Brgy. Balibago, Santa Rosa, Laguna || Contact: 0905 338 1203

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Heads up, Manila people (or basically everyone haha)! Planning to go to Enchanted Kingdom for some barkada fun? If you’re nodding your head right now, then I recommend a good place for a quick merienda or dinner after spending the whole day trying out all of EK’s cool rides and screaming your lungs out. Haha.

But before that, here’s a brief story (lol): after our perfect EK date, Mark and I started choosing an equally-perfect place for dinner. We checked out two restos before our feet led us to Munchbuckz. While scanning their menu outside, we noticed that the place was empty— not even a single soul eating there— that alone gave us the notion that maybe the food there isn’t good. And because we have a lot of trust issues regarding some restos that are not worth it for the price, we were a bit hesitant to go inside and give it a try. Fortunately, our curiosity got the best of us and we decided to check the place out.

Aaaaand our trust issues were gone… at least for now. Haha!

(Yes, feel free to write on their wall… if you see any space left. Haha. Or just ask for a post-it note!)

Munchbuckz is actually easy to see— it’s located right by Balibago Road and quite adjacent to Caltex gas station and Waltermart (your drop off point if you’re travelling by bus). The area is a bit small— it can seat up to roughly 20 people only— but it’s actually an ideal place for people who just want to enjoy their food and relax… just like their slogan, “Chill. Eat. Repeat.”

(They also have rice meals and other grub, if you don’t fancy a burger)

Okay, so for the main reason I’m blogging about Munchbuckz: their food. We ordered their two best-selling burgers, the Fili Cheeze Steak (Filipino-style Philly cheesesteak, with veggies and mushroom my love) and Muncheeze Burger (thick, double-burger patty with veggies and bacon my love also lol). I also tried their Choco Fudge Milkshake cos, for some reason, I was hankering for milkshake at that time. Haha.

(Muncheeze Burger – P140 with fries)

(Fili Cheeze Steak – P100 with fries)

(Choco Fudge Milkshake – P75)

And our verdict is… “PIGGIES APPROVED!” *insert a pig thumbs up badge here*

I personally love the Muncheeze Burger— super tasty and worth the price! Actually, they’re all worth it (including the milkshake which satisfied my hankering haha), but the Muncheeze is my favorite. ❤  The burgers were big enough to fill our tummies (and souls) for a long journey back home. For two piggies who’ve tried Zark’s (the home of greatest and greasiest burgers ever), this little gem in Laguna comes pretty close to that. 😉

My only complain? Not enough fries! Haha. Mark and I are big on fries, so it would be nice to double the quantity of your fries. But other than that, we are sooo going back for more!

For more information about Munchbuckz, please like their Facebook page and pay them a visit! You won’t regret it, I swear. 😉  (Guys at Munchbuckz, please make an Instagram account— your business might pick up)

Happy blogging (and eating!)

 

Food Quickie: Plato Wraps’ Beef Gyros

With my weight skyrocketing to a number I won’t mention (haha) in just a span of 2 months, I’ve imposed a “strictly no rice for dinner” policy on myself. So last week, when my food buddy and I were hankering for something delicious inside Alphaland Southgate Mall in Magallanes, our feet led us to Plato Wraps.

I’ve decided to try their new (I’m not sure if it’s really new, but it’s not included in their default menu so I figured it is) wrap, the Beef Gyros.

In fairness, I liked it! You can really taste the seasoned beef just on the first bite. It’s so flavorful and really beefy. The crunchy cucumber gave a great contrast to the softness of the beef. The sauce was a bit runny, but I didn’t mind, as long as the food’s worth the price (P65.00). 😉

Surely recommended! Try their Beef Gyros and tell me your thoughts!

Happy blogging (and eating!)
Jane

101 Hawker Food House: Eat Heavy, Pay Light!

101 Hawker Food House, located at Unit 102 Campos Rueda Building; 101 Urban Ave., near corner Buendia and Ayala Ave., Makati City. Phone: 886-7329

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I’ve been meaning to blog about this place since last year, but I haven’t got any good pictures… until now. Haha.

If you’re looking for a resto that serves hefty meals without breaking the bank, head over to Urban Avenue (in the middle of Gil Puyat Ave. (Buendia) and Dela Rosa st.) and look for this Singaporean food joint!

101 Hawker Food House (or simply Hawker for me and my officemates) is a simple-looking restaurant that is patterned after food stalls in Singapore, and serves hearty and affordable Asian meals such as Nasi Goreng, Hainanese Chicken, Roast Chicken, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Beef Hofan, Laksa and many more.

So, to cap our tiring week off, my forever food buddy and I decided to dine here for the third time. Haha. I ordered the Hainanese Chicken meal (with rice, soup and cold tea), while my partner opted to satisfy his fried rice cravings with Yang Chow Fried Rice (again, with rice, soup and cold tea).

(Hainanese Chicken)

(Yang Chow Fried Rice)

As usual, Hawker had us hollering in our minds. Haha! In fact, we barely talked for the whole duration of the dinner, prompting me to joke “So, galit-galit tayo?” (So, are we mad at each other? – rough translation). The food was that good! I was satisfied with my Hainanese Chicken— very subtle and tasty, and tastes more awesome with its special sauce! I also liked the Yang Chow Fried Rice (huge serving of rice mixed with veggies PLUS three pieces of tangy fried chicken)— you’ll be needing lots of room in your stomach for this.

(Props to my boyfriend for having a good eye for this shot— and a clear phone camera to match!)

All in all, we were more than satisfied. This won’t be our last time here… I’m sure. Haha. Visit their website at www.101hawkerfoodhouse.com for more information!

Happy blogging (and eating lol!)
Jane

Food Quickie: KFC’s Pillow Puffs

Earlier this evening, my boyfriend and I were thinking of a “sorta” new place to have dinner in Waltermart Makati, where we did some Christmas costume shopping. It was kinda tough for us, considering that we’ve already tried all the affordable ones there. Haha.

Then we saw a newly-opened KFC on the other side of the mall… and I was like, “It’s not really new, but…” and he said, “But it’s newly opened!” HAHAHA. Oh, what the hell.

Good thing there was something new to try at KFC— Pillow Puffs. It was included in our Duo Meal (which was super sulit, by the way!), as a dessert. It consists of nugget-like bread pieces dusted with powdered sugar, and served with chocolate dip.

And the verdict is… surprisingly good!

It’s actually like Auntie Anne’s pretzels, except they’re not actually pretzels. Haha. It tastes good, especially with the thick chocolate dip. It’s also a perfect dessert for people on-the-go, too!

Try it now and let me know! 🙂

Happy blogging (and eating!)
Jane

Food Quickie: Mang Inasal’s Palabok

Mang Inasal is best known for its delicious chicken served with unlimited rice and toyo-mansi (and chicken oil, just sayin’ haha). But, just recently, I decided to order something different for a change.

I tried their palabok to, well, see if it’s worth coming back for. Prior to ordering, my friends warned me that it’s not that good, but I ordered it anyway.

(Okay, I should elaborate: palabok is a traditional Filipino dish, which consists of clear, thin noodles covered by thick shrimp sauce and topped with slices of egg, green onions, fried garlic, beancurd, bits of pork crackling, prawns, pork, and flaked smoke fish. Not complete without calamansi.)

Anyway… and the verdict is: good enough! 🙂

It’s actually yummy, but to be honest, it’s quite saucy. There’s just too much of the sauce going on in the plate. But I like the fact that Mang Inasal didn’t hold back on the ingredients (I don’t eat shrimp, but I appreciate the number of shrimps in my plate). I guess the only thing I don’t like about this dish is that it can be unappetizing in the end. Just the end. Haha.

But that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth a try (at least once)! Don’t take my word for it! 😉

Happy blogging (and eating!)
Jane

Food Quickie: Bon Chon’s Seoul Fried Rice

Starting today, I’ll be doing this “Food Quickie” whenever I come across new food in town. Though I’m not a food critic and really don’t have full rights to review food, I think this activity is going to be fun… and helpful to other people. Heehee. 🙂

So anyway, I just tried Bon Chon’s newest offering: the Seoul Fried Rice, which consists of ground beef, Korean spices and a bit of kimchi, topped with leeks, egg strips and toasted sesame seeds. I know most Korean dishes are spicy (and the fried rice looks a bit spicy in the ads), but I decided to go for it. What am I to lose, right?

Verdict: I enjoyed it. 🙂 In fairness, it tastes really good! I thought it was just another commercial deception, but it’s real delicious. I ordered the 1-pc soy garlic fried chicken and upgraded the rice to Seoul Fried Rice, so my dinner experience was even better. 😉

Oh, and the best part is… it’s not spicy at all!

I love Bon Chon’s fried chicken (it’s the only fast food chicken I like even without gravy haha), but now, I have more reasons to enjoy it. Don’t take my word for it— try it yourself!

Happy blogging (and eating)!
Jane

Yamazaki: The Only Ramen (and Gyoza) I Need

Yamazaki (Hoka Hoka Ramen House & Japanese Grocery), located at Little Tokyo, 2277 Chino Roces Avenue (formerly Pasong Tamo), Legaspi Village, Makati

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Honestly, I’ve been meaning to blog about this place ever since my first visit, but I never really got the chance to do so. I don’t know why, so don’t ask. Haha. Anyway here I am, posting about one of my favorite restaurants in the whole world (and my favorite Japanese resto ever)!

If you happen to pass by Makati Cinema Square, go further to the left and you will see this oriental haven that I would like to call “Japanese Food Heaven,” because there are a lot of Japanese restaurants erected side by side in that area. If you’re hankering for a Japanese food fix, then go here and play a little “where-to-eat” game. Lol. 🙂

However, there’s one restaurant that doesn’t really stand out because of its exterior. But trust me, the food makes up for the whole “I’m-just-a-simple-eatery-and-grocery” setup on the outside. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to my favorite ramen place: Yamazaki!

(Sorry I wasn’t able to get a good interior shot)

Yamazaki is squeezed in between two other Japanese restaurants, so it’s a little hard to notice at first. But once inside, be ready for an amazing Jap lunch (or dinner). Their menu is actually just simple— ramen, rice meals, bento, you get the idea— but what makes Yamazaki so likeable is the taste AND price of their food. The place itself may look too rugged or too simple (or too homey, which is good, in my opinion) unlike its posh and super-decorated neighbors, but you won’t be disappointed with the grub. You have my word. *wink*

I noticed that I’ve been bragging about their food from the start of this post, so I won’t blab any longer. I highly recommend their Yamazaki Special Ramen (P218); it’s my personal favorite. It’s already good for 2-3 persons, so you can really save a lot of money in exchange of a super good ramen (and by super good, I mean you won’t need another ramen in your life!). With six slices of pork, firm noodles, fresh veggies and a delicious soup broth, you’ll feel super satisfied and heavy. It’s delicious, comforting, and so affordable!

(Yamazaki Special Ramen)

It’s also a MUST to try their gyoza (P84 for 5 pieces). I’ve tasted other gyoza in various Japanese restos (expensive ones at that, thanks to my money sponsor lol), but Yamazaki’s is my favorite. Tip: soak each one in soy sauce before eating and you’ll be sent to Gyoza Wonderland. 🙂

(Gyoza)

When I go here, that’s the only thing I usually order: ramen and gyoza. But do try their other offerings! I love their Pork Tonkatsu (P125) and Ebi Furai (P207), which are served with steamy rice, fresh shredded lettuce, white pasta (I don’t know what it’s called, but it’s yummy), and other side dishes. For below P500, you can already eat here with your family or friends. 😉

(Ebi Furai)

I can go on and on about how amazing this place is for me, but I don’t think you’ll want to read a novel-like blog post. Haha. I super recommend Yamazaki. It’s a proof that a Japanese restaurant can have sumptuous food that’s inexpensive and satisfying in the belly. 🙂  Ten thumbs up!

Happy blogging (and eating!) Jane

Mad Mark’s Part II: Cos We Just Can Get Enough

Wow! I’ve been gone for a long time! I’m so sorry; I’ll try to get back on track. 🙂

In line with this, I would like to share my 2nd Mad Mark’s experience— this time, with the resto’s trademark ice cream!

The last time we were there, my food buddy and I had an amazing time (read all about it here). And this 2nd time? Well, let me tell you one thing: Mad Mark’s doesn’t disappoint. Mad Mark’s always impress.

For dinner, we ordered Steak & Frites (USDA steak with mushroom sauce, fresh salad, and herb fries, P265) and Yamazaki Steak (Osakan-flavored steak with fries, P265).

(His, the Yamazaki steak)

(Aaand hers, the Steak and Frites)

We didn’t order Patatas Bravas anymore because, as you can see, we already got that covered. Haha. Anyway, as usual, I looove the food! I asked for my steak to be well done, and they did it right. I didn’t regret my decision to order mushroom sauce— it went well with the steak. The herb fries is good too, but I’d prefer the regular patatas over that.

Now join me as we journey to the “dessert moon…”

We were excited to try the ice cream, but since we’re on a tight budget (as always!), we just agreed to share on one cup of  ice cream. We had a slightly hard time choosing the flavor, but fortunately, Mad Mark’s have flavor combinations up on their board, and the waiter suggested Madagascar Vanilla Bean with Javan Hot Chocolate.

The result? Amazing!

Both flavors were neither too sweet nor too plain. They have their own attitudes. 😉 But if I were to choose, I like the Javan Hot Chocolate better. Why? Because it’s dark chocolate! I’m a sucker for dark chocos, and this ice cream hits the spot. The fact that every Mad Mark’s ice cream is homemade, well, made our experience more awesome.

We still have A LOT to try on that resto. Mark loves it, I love it… and we’re definitely going back soon! (Maybe after 3 months again… or less. Lol.)

Happy blogging (and eating!)
Jane

Cuptails: Cupcakes for “Adults”

Cuptails, located at 3rd Level, Dela Rosa Carpark 1, Dela Rosa St., Legaspi Village, Makati. Contact: 8233335 or 09178173362

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Cupcakes with booze? Why not?

Recently, I discovered an awesome cupcake spot near my workplace: Cuptails. Thanks to Munchpunch, I got the chance to try out not one, not two, but FOUR of their flavors! (Thank you Munchpunch!)

Cuptails are, simply, cupcakes + cocktails. These alcohol-infused cupcakes are so new to me that I got excited when I saw their buy 1 get 1 promo on Munchpunch. I just had to experience the magic myself— immediately!

First, quick info: Cuptails and Dreams is originally a homebased business, but eventually, owner Reena Francisco and her husband had the chance to turn it into a little shop in Dela Rosa. They serve not only cuptails, but also non-alcoholic cupcakes and meals as well.

My food buddy and I ordered the Choco Martini (P95), Piña Colada (P90), Blue Hawaiian (P90), and Margarita (P90). In fairness, they actually taste like real cocktails, but of course they’re not in liquid form, so there are some differences. My personal favorites are Choco Martini and Margarita— if you’re not yet ready for a full cocktail experience, then these cuptails are good substitutes! Hahaha.

(L-R: Choco Martini – chocolate, cherry, vodka, crème de cacao),; Blue Hawaiian – pineapple, lime, orange, rum, blue curacao; Margarita – lime, tequila, triple sec; and Piña Colada – pineapple, lemon, coconut rum)

Overall, I liked all of them, though they are sweeter than I expected. For me, the cakes are too soft too, causing them to fall apart easily with just one pinch. But as far as the taste and look are concerned, they’re great! Eye-candies and absolutely delicious!

I will definitely go back here. I have yet to try some of the flavors, especially the Screaming O (chocolate, coffee liquor, vodka, Irish cream). I’ll blog about it again, don’t worry. Lol.

For more information, check out their menu on Munchpunch aaaand their Facebook page. Cheers! *raises glass… err, I mean cuptails*

(Disclaimer: I did NOT eat all of them… at least not entirely. Hahaha.)

Happy blogging (and eating)!
Jane