CHINESE Cravings...Try your Luck

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My previous trips to China has caused me a permanent ‘irrational cyclical’ craving I cannot explain.  More often that the other international cuisine, I experience this unexplainable want for Chinese food every so often.  I can almost liken it to my chocolate and cheese cravings which just pop up without warning.  This craving even led me to deciding and explore the streets of Binondo in Manila just so I can have my taste buds revisit the flavors that China offered me during those visits.  So what’s my quick fix when the craving comes?  I thank the heavens for Fortune Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant in Pampanga.

They currently have three (3) restaurants if I’m not mistaken and boy, do they satisfy my cravings.  And yes, one other reason for me liking them so much is that they do not unnecessarily kill my budget.  I can further qualify that for those who may be apprehensive on this price claim.  I happen to almost eat to the place twice or thrice a month so go figure.

I am a fan of their dimsum selections and appetizers.  They even made my ultimate favorite ‘MACHANG’ available ehe… although what the streets of Benavidez in Binondo offer are incomparable, I’d say, Fortune’s offering is my first aid remedy.

Spicy Shrimp Dimsum

Kutchay Dumplings ( i think, ehe)

I cannot remember -- Dumplings, tehee

Their Lauriat offerings also are superb.  Word of advice, if you guys intend to try the ‘fast food’ version, opt to go fine-dining, Fortune style instead.  With just a fraction more of the price, you’ll get better serving portions, better ambience and hey, complimentary teas, and my ultimate fave from this selection are the Sweet and Sour Lauriat and the Asado Lauriat.

Chinese restos have been famed for their delectable rice offerings; so far I’ve tried their Yangchow, Fortune special and the Seafood.  ALL of them are a meal in itself.

Yangchow Fried rice

 Now a separate note will be given on their Fortune Shabu-shabu.  Yes, slowly pull down those eyebrows for a minute.  Shabu-shabu is a Japanese word (I know my basics opchors, ehe) but Fortune Restaurant serves this as part of their menu and I would have to recommend it with both thumbs up.  It’s almost perfect for that rainy season.  

I have been known to take friends for a try of this meal and I haven’t have disappointed customers so far.  Hey, come to think of it, Fortune should sign me up as an official endorser already for all the direct referrals and press releases, eeheee…

Ninja Hometown - TOKYO TOKYO

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It has been a while since I wrote a fast food feature.  Not that I am a snob to these food fares, it’s just that in my quest to showcase the available and best kept secret food houses of Angeles City (and beyond), it has taken quite a ‘back seat’ so-to-speak.  But I think now is a good time to show to you one of my all time favorite.  I am even torn into putting them under this category because apart from the fact that they are located on malls and that they serve food ‘fast’, everything else (as far as my taste is concerned) is good food worthy of the non-traditional fast food group.  I am talking about Tokyo Tokyo.

 

Yes, for those who have been following me and my (mis)adventures, you know I have a soft spot for the international cuisine and I must say Japanese way / methods of cooking hits the right note for my taste buds.   The first time I ate in this resto was way back in my early working career and if I’m not mistaken it was either in Mega Mall or in SM North EDSA.  It was a rare treat for me back then since there was no Japanese fast food option back home.  In the past, to enjoy Japanese fares meant expensive restaurants. So having to have a chance to eat within the usual budget was already a triumph for us.  If my memory serves me right, I ordered the Tempura meal… and I was in cloud nine. Ehe….

Looking into their website (as of this writing), the site is undergoing renovation as it has this note (see left screen shot image), so I contended myself with information from the rest of the web so I can provide you a backgrounder of this great restaurant.  And it was through researching that I found out that this resto is not that young after all.  Some note that it was founded in April 7, 1985 and has its headquarters set in Pioneer Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.    They have about 50+ stores under their belt and as mentioned earlier, mostly are at the prime malls.  From my readings, I also found out that since its inception, they have already been heralded as a food nook that really does provide FREE RICE REFILL or aptly dubbed with a Filipino touch as their ‘EAT-ALL-YOU-KANIN’ (Kanin referring to rice for our non-Filipino readers).   

 

This is actually one of my reasons for stopping-by more often than not…tehee… But mostly, I visit Tokyo Tokyo for the variety and ‘break’ it is able to give me from the day-to-day food options I have.  

This is by the way, my curse.  Having a family of good cooks, who are Kapampangans (redundant, ehe), and who loves eating (and let me add a touch of some adventurous food tripping every now and then), makes it very difficult for me to appreciate other food.  Often, I have to pretend to like a food or find it amazing when it has been transformed as a ‘so-so-dish’ in our household.  The spaghetti is one of this.  Gone were the days that eating spag is something worth looking forward as it has become one of those dishes served just when the feeling of wanting one is there.  Pesto is another.  We make our own and stock our own pesto, just in case we want some.-

Tokyo Tokyo in Clark, Pampanga

 My loyal favorites are their Sumo Remix, primarily because it’s big enough to share; their Red tea, which we have been discussing as maybe having that certain ingredient that makes you feel full already; the California Maki and recently introduced variations (photo below of the American maki); their Kani Salad, which I must say is expensive the way I see it considering the serving volume, but it is fantastic; their Sushi treats, ehe…and last but not the least is their dessert options.  

Pork Tonkatsu and Beef Misono

Tempura Sumo Mix with Beef Misono

Chicken Karaage and Tempura Mix

Yakisoba

California Maki

Crab Salad

American Maki --- SPAM it is.

As a last note, I chanced upon www.munchpunch.com their Japanese burger options, my eyes are now set to get a hold of these burgers and write something about them VERY SOON.

A Taste of Siam

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In my quest for finding good restaurants for young professionals like me, I stumbled upon this old restaurant which has been serving the city of Angeles for many years now.  Actually, i've been hearing about this rustic place named SIAM HOUSE known for serving Thai dishes minus the fuss of fine dining.

This nook is comfortably situated in Fields Avenue, Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga.  One would not easily recognize this unless you really look into the array of establishments lining up Clark's 'perimeter road'.  To be more specific (I imagined that you will be sending them snail mail soon), the address is: 550 Don Juico Ave, Malabanias, Angeles City.  Their telephone numbers are: 045.892.1500 and 0920. 827.8276.

This is how the place looks in daytime... very quaint and simple

This is how it looks in night time... makes it harder to find...

Their sign board.. although I suggest you just go look for the 7-11 shop next to it

Simplistic interior.. no fuss, two straight lines for the customers

So for those looking for a five-star treatment for the ambiance, you are at the WRONG place.  This is your typical hole-in-a-wall foodie stop where you visit mainly for the food and nothing else.  Service is minimal and almost dormitory (read:  just like your land lady serving you with the other 100+ occupants, get the idea).

A map here shows the location:

What Siam house lack in venue and service luster they compensate BIG TIME on the food they are SERVING.  As in.  Their selection of curries are very good and their pad thai is great. For those who have been loyally following my blog, I have been known to be an advertiser of another Thai restaurant in Angeles City, and I am still a fan even with the Siam experience, it's just that I guess it is worth to be visiting this place too every so often.  From stories of friends who have tried the place, the menu did not change much from years back and they have really put so much into perfecting their dishes.


Similar internet articles also noted the chef being a real thailander but I had conflicting information as recent communication with the owner and the place where I work got information that majority of their food really comes from Manila and just transported here for the actual preparation and cooking.  Maybe i'll try to get in touch with the owner one of these days.

Anyway, go feast your eyes with these photos I have collected (too bad I lost my 'tomyum' photo) from my past visits.  Enjoy!

Thai iced tea --- mixed and just served ehe..

Pad Thai superb!!!

Pineapple Prawn Curry -- upclose

Curry madness!!!

Chicken Satay with Peanut butter sauce

Reese's --- My Sweet Indulgence

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One of my many indulgence are sweets... for those who have been following my blog, you may have encountered one or two posts related to sweets.  So for this installment I am featuring my ULTIMATE favorite dessert of all time (ehe, uber redundant much?).  Thank God for REESE'S!
I have searched every nook and cranny of the internet chocolate world to find all the information about these sweet treats and I was not disappointed.

From trivia (see right side, if did not distract you already) to nutritional facts, name it, the net has it! So for fellow Reese's or general chocolate lovers out there, here are some of the great information available:

HISTORY

Reese's peanut butter cups are milk chocolate candy cups filled with creamy peanut butter. Today they are distributed by Hershey Foods Corporation, but they were created in the early 1920s by a man named Harry Burnett Reese. Reese was born into a farming family in Frosty Hill, Pennsylvania in 1879. 

Deciding to get out of the family business, Reese moved out of Frosty Hill and ended up working for the owner of Hershey Foods as a dairy employee. His exposure to the candy industry encouraged him to quit his job and try making candy of his own. He created peanut butter cups, along with a few other candy bars, and marketed them as "a product that both the young and old alike can eat and enjoy." Reese's peanut butter cups become immensely popular, and in 1963, Reese sold his candy company to his former employer, Hershey Foods, for 23.5 million dollars.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS

Reese's candies contain both nutritional benefits and drawbacks. The classic milk chocolate Reese's peanut butter cup contains 210 calories and 13 grams of fat. The white chocolate version has the same fat content but checks in slightly higher with 220 calories. Reese's candies also have some healthy qualities, as both items contain 5g of protein. Additionally, both flavors of peanut butter cups have small amounts of both calcium and iron.

VARIATIONS

I have actually never seen such a variety of 'versions' of a chocolate brand than that of Reese's.  For quite some time I even had these moments where I though it would be impossible for me to get a hold of the WHITE REESE's variety.  Now my target has shifted.  I want that HALF POUND Version. hahahaa gluttony much!

Over the years, Hershey has developed several variations on the Reese's peanut butter cup. Perhaps the best known of these, Reese's pieces, debuted in 1978. These bite-sized candies consist of peanut butter coated in a chocolate shell. Hershey has also created white chocolate and dark chocolate versions of the peanut butter cup, as well as an "inside out" Reese's and the larger sized Big Cup. 

While most of these varieties are limited-time promotions, the white chocolate cup has become permanently available. Other popular variations on the Reese's theme include the Nutrageous bar and the Fast Break. Reese's peanut butter cups are available in different shapes during certain holidays, including pumpkins for Halloween, hearts for Valentine's Day and a tree for Christmastime.

^{From the internet (credits to owners), the following compilations are available:}

• Miniatures - bite-size versions available year round in bags. These chocolates come in a black paper cup wrapped in gold or colored foil.
• Dark Chocolate - peanut butter filling in a dark chocolate cup
• White Chocolate – peanut butter filling in a white chocolate cup
• Big Cups – an over-sized version of the traditional cup (also available in white chocolate, with peanuts, mixed nuts, and with a combination of nuts and caramel)
• Peanut Butter Lovers – a layered cup with top peanut butter layer, thin chocolate layer and peanut butter filling
• Chocolate Lovers – a thicker chocolate cup with a thinner layer of peanut butter
• Inside Out – chocolate filling in a peanut butter cup (a reversal of the traditional version)
• Caramel – the traditional cup with an added layer of caramel filling
• Marshmallow – the traditional cup with an added layer of marshmallow filling
• Peanut Butter & Banana Creme – a layered cup with a top chocolate layer, bottom banana creme layer, and peanut butter filling; released in summer 2007 in tribute to Elvis Presley. It was available in standard, Big Cups and Miniatures sizes
• Crunchy Cookie Cup – a layered cup with crushed chocolate cookies and peanut butter filling (discontinued in 1999, but was brought back in 2008 as a limited edition)

• Honey Roasted - a traditional cup substituting honey roasted peanut butter
• Fudge - a thicker, darker chocolate cup with peanut butter filling
• Double Chocolate - chocolate fudge filling instead of peanut butter. Limited edition.
• Hazelnut Cream - hazelnut cream instead of the standard peanut butter filling
• Double Crunch - a traditional cup with peanut filling similar to a Snickers bar, released in the fourth-quarter of 2010
• Minis - Unwrapped Mini Cups
• Crunchy - a traditional cup with crunchy peanut butter, as opposed to the smooth peanut butter in the original
• "'World's Largest'" - World's largest cups weighing in at 8oz each.
• Half-Pound Cup - a single cup weighing 226g; released in Canada in 2011

Take note, there are even some brands which have partnered with Reese's to capture its goodness on some new and delectable ways of experiencing it.  Below is Philippines' ice cream take on this heavenly treat.

There is also an official website dedicated to this brand. Here are some additional trivia from their site.  By the way, before I forgot, I am weirdly liking Reese in such a way that I like it so much but I do NOT like Peanut Butter in general...hmm.. weird.

God, i just love this product!

Food Etiquette AROUND the WORLD

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I am not as well traveled as most may be but I have had my own share of escapades outside of Philippines, and I tell you, every experience is a UNIQUE one.  I have been to China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore (Although my taste buds have traveled farther than my feet I'd say, ehe). But a recent reading I encountered prompted me to research and share with you the different eating netiquettes and practices observed around the globe.

You do not necessary have to find your way to these destinations but knowing these information will give you a better appreciation of the cultures of the world.  And, who knows, one of these days you may find yourself enjoying in these places.

References: 

http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/food-etiquette-rules-that-might-surprise-you.html 

http://www.sideroad.com/Cross_Cultural_Communication/dining-etiquette.html

http://EzineArticles.com/2303834 

When drinking coffee with Bedouins in the Middle East, shake the cup at the end (that is if you want to stop them from refilling your cup).
Typically, anyone Bedouin—or Bedouin-related—will continue to pour you more coffee once you've finished unless you shake the cup, meaning tilting the cup two or three times, when you hand it back.

Never mix—or turn down—vodka in Russia
With Vodka as their 'national drink' ehe this is me just generalizing ok.  But they take on their drink seriously.  So serious actually that it should be drank CLEAN as in pure not even with ice.  But a more critical thing I think we should all know is that it is never polite to turn down an offer to drink.  Russian culture pegs offering a drink as a sign of trust and goodwill so one should never turn it down.

In Korea, if an older person offers you a drink, lift your glass to receive it with both hands.

Korean culture can be considered as one that is highly conservative and is founded by strong family ties (as I was told by Grace Lee, ehe. Joke.).  When you receive a drink with both hands, you are expected to turn your head away and take a discreet sip.  It is viewed impolite to start eating until the eldest male has started.  Lastly, one should never leave the table until the eldest male do so or is finished.




Don't eat anything, even fries, with your hands at a meal in Chile.
Talk about strict manners, the knife and fork are fully utilized in this side of the world.  May be due to the strong European influence, it is a no-no to eat using bare hands.  Even for finger foods such as fries. ehe...
Better step-up with

In Italy, don't ask for Parmesan for your pizza—or any other time it's not explicitly offered.
The basic rule (in almost all parts of the world) is that if a condiment or a typical add-on in your place is not offered, chances are you don't ask for it (or they don't really offer it up).  From the article, an analogy is given to give a better preview of what this item meant.  "Putting Parmesan on pizza may be viewed as a SIN, like putting Jell-O on a fine chocolate mousse".  In Italy, most pasta dishes aren't meant for Parmesan.  There is the traditional cheese PECORINO which is usually paired with pasta dishes.

In Thailand, do not put food in your mouth with fork.
Instead, when eating a dish with cooked rice, use your fork only to push food into your spoon.

In Japan, never stick your chopsticks upright in your rice.
While doing anything else but using your chopsticks, they should be placed together in front of you, parallel to the edge of the table.  If there are chopstick rest, use them with the tips you've been eating with on the rest.  Sticking them upright in a bowl of rice is likened to putting incense during a funeral.


In Middle Eastern countries, India and part of Africa, don't eat with your left hand.
Specifically in South India, you shouldn't even touch your plate with your left hand while eating as this part of the body is commonly associated with cleaning after doing 'your stuff' ehe.  So it is considered dirty.  So how is it for the left hand people?  It's ok to use left, just use all these rules and don't use any of your right hand.




Don't eat your tacos with a fork and a knife --- IN MEXICO!
Mexicans view eating tacos with a fork and knife looks rather silly and worse, snobby.  Think of it as eating a burger with silverware (and napkin ehe).  So be polite, and tadaa... eat with your hands.


Bread is part of MEAL not an APPETIZER, welcome to France

In France, breads are eaten as an accompaniment to your food or, especially, to the cheese course at the end of the meal.  Thus, what might be weird on other places, placing bread directly on the table and not on a plate, is acceptable if not preferred in France.


Flip NOT the fish please in China

Although much of the rest of the world is accustomed to flipping the fish whole once you've finished one side, DO NOT do this when you dine in China (of which they have the best fish dishes), most especially in Southern China and the beautiful city of Hong Kong.  Flipping the fish is viewed as dao yue or bad luck.  It is also viewed as if saying that the fisherman's boat is going to capsize.  Some overly superstitious will even leave the bottom part untouched, but for me, i'd rather just remove the bone to finish that bottom. ehe.....