I am not that of an expert in terms of taste and other features of a Ramen dish but based on my previous experiences during my trips at various Ramen restos in Manila and Cebu, I seemed to have developed a set of standards. It is sort of my preferred taste and comparing it to the ones I’ve tasted at restos like Ramenagi and Ippudo. That is why with the news of the opening of the latest Ramen shop in Iloilo City, Akamon Ramen Bar, I decided to experience it firsthand.

Akamon Ramen Bar is located on the ground floor of SM Strata, just across SM City and they announced to open last Friday, January 31, 2020, at 5:00 pm. I understand that people were getting hyped to taste their Ramen and Don dishes and so I went there with Dolly and Mel John right after our office that afternoon.

We arrived at around 5:35 pm and the place is already full and stacked with people lining outside. I listed our name to the reservation list provided with our contact number wherein they can message us if there is already a table available. While we waited we decided to check on the supermarket nearby to spend the time.

After about an hour, there is a long waiting line outside so I decided to check on their list if which number was currently accommodated. There were still about 6 reservations ahead of us so we decided to just have a drinking session first at Muenchen Brewery at Plazuela 2. We came back at around 9:30 in the evening and saw that there were lesser people outside and after a while, we were then given a place to dine inside the resto.

I initially checked their menu published online at their Facebook page so I knew what to order. I ordered one Premium Miso Tonkotsu Ramen while Dolly had one bowl of the Premium Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen. We didn’t order any side dishes as we felt full already because of the beers that we drank earlier.

Each premium bowls cost only P250 and the Pepsi drink was P25. The total amount paid: P525. It was pretty cheap as compared to those Ramens in well-known restos in Manila but the taste and texture were very much satisfying.

Here below is my rating for each of their Ramen component:
Broth: 4.5/5
Noodles 4.5/5
Pork Chasyu: 5/5
Aji-Tama: 4/5

Overall I can say that this is the best Ramen I have tasted here in Iloilo City. They have really lived up the hype.

I might try their other items on the menu, particularly their Don Rice Bowl toppings, Karaagea and Gyoza dumplings. I might come back again next week with my buddies. I’d suggest visiting them around past 9:00 pm as it is usually fully packed during its opening hours at 5:00 pm. Also, you can contact them for reservations and to secure your dining spot ahead.

You can check their complete menu and also their updates and latest happening at their Facebook page.

I was recently frequent in doing local food trips because of the posts I saw on the Facebook group Kaon Ta Iloilo. This group seemed to be an online food magazine as each day is updated and kept me drooling with pics of various dishes and posts of new food establishments and destinations in Iloilo City, the province and nearby towns.

However, I was seemingly reluctant to post my food trips on the new spots here in the city. This is mainly because my phone camera could not capture the actual colors and vibrant of the dish, unlike what I see at the KTI Facebook group. I do some edits using the phone app before posting but it does not seem to define the natural appearance and is more on the goal of being attractive.

Anyways, there were two food places I went to recently and I will just be brief on the info of each one. First off is Pancit Pancit, located on the second floor of Robinsons GT Plaza Mall in Molo district near the plaza. I went there last June 1 and ordered a basic Beef Noodles soup but I forgot about the toppings that you can have as add-ons. Here below is the pic of the menu and the bowl of Beef noodles soup.

Second is Dakoba, a food stand that serves various sausages and French fries. They are mainly located in Festivewalk Parade in Megaworld but they can also be found in conventions such as the recent pop and geek culture event CONQuest 2019. Their prices range from P60 up to P200+ but I can attest that it is worth the price. Their sausage bun sandwiches are very huge. I ordered a sausage platter the last time I went there to pair to my ice-cold San Mig Lights

Lastly, I am sharing this eatery that is near my office and a street across the Iloilo City Hall. They serve various lutong bahay dishes but I think their specialty was the Tinolang Bisaya na manok, which costs P50 per serving. I will try to take a picture of that dish next time. For now, I will recommend their other menu, the Pochero, which looks to be a simplified version but is very delicious. One serving for only P35.

The local food trip in Iloilo City can be done by budget and preference, from a famous restaurant to a simple food stand or eatery. The important thing is that each menu and dish is scrumptiously prepared and the right flavors are maintained. I personally would prefer to eat at a cheaper stall but I am open to spending a little extra if the new dish is suited to my liking.

Stay tuned for Part 3.

Batchoy has been one of the Ilonggo’s signature dishes and there has been a competition of which one serves the most delicious Batchoy dish. We have known of other unique versions like the one with the Coconut meat but still, nothing beats the original.

One afternoon after office work, I decided to pass by the Iloilo Central Market for a late Batchoy snack. The urge and crave that time was somewhat enhanced by the gloomy cold weather. The market is just two blocks away from the Iloilo City Hall so it was just a small walkathon. As I entered the market, there were a lot of people around looking busy buying goods and other items. I then quickly went to the stall where Popoys is located and found a line of people occupying a long bench and enjoying their hot bowl of Batchoy. That scene somewhat got me excited to order mine. I then asked the lady who was taking the orders to serve me one bowl of Super Special Miki Batchoy. That time though I forgot the add one fresh egg for the topping. I was situated near the area where the batchoy are made. I see their cook chopped up the ingredients along with the noodles into the bowl and filled it with broth taken from a large cooking steel pot. It was a beautiful sight to see. Again, I forgot to take a picture of that part.

Here is the bowl served after a few minutes of waiting.

That heavy chicharon topping made it looked more delicious. I sprinkled soy sauce and pepper before mixing the soup with the noodles and toppings and took my first sip. It was a very satisfying taste. See below the close up as I took a spoonful of the meat and liver toppings with the noodles.

Popoy’s Super Special Miki Batchoy costs about P60php and the add-on fresh egg at P10. You can also order Pan De Leche bread for another P10 and soft drinks for P15. All in all, the Batchoy cravings will only cost you P95. That is a lot cheaper than eating in branches located inside malls and I have noticed that the servings are also larger.

Be sure to add Popoys Batchoy in your food trip list the next time you drop by Iloilo City in particular, in the city proper area.

Until the next blog post.

*header pic grabbed from Foursquare.

I have decided that starting Monday I will spend at a maximum of 50 for each of the three meals; that is breakfast, lunch and dinner. The primary reason is to control my food intake, given that I am already eating red rice and veggies every lunch at the City Hall canteen. I may have to stock food at the bhaus so I can have options to eat for dinner like wheat bread sandwiches and banana.

I usually start the day with a breakfast at a nearby carinderia that costs 20 pesos only, which includes rice, chorizo and fried egg. That is still an unhealthy option at the moment but I could also choose to have my breakfast at the City Hall canteen where they have boiled eggs and banana (priced at a total of 30 pesos).

My sample food combinations for lunch are:

1 red rice, small bowl of laswa
1 tortang talong, 1 red rice, 1 vegetable salad
1 slice paksiw bangus, 1 red rice

Another reason is of course to regulate my expenses so I could allocate more of my money on my savings. That is also if I can also control my urge to buy unnecessary stuff on Lazada and on Magic cards.

I guess I needed to write a diet plan so as to act as a guide and reference. I just then needed to be strict to myself to avoid other foods even if it’s for free. We’ll see how it goes.

Update: Bought lunch today for only 40 php. The price breakdown below:

1 red rice – P10
1 small bowl laswa – P15
1 ginisang talong – P15

I had been having food trips lately, from a simple adobo meal to a Mongolian buffet at Centennial hotel. Recently, Raoul invited me to a taste test of the menu of Pares Kag Mami Haus Ni Jimburg. It is a small 24/7 restaurant that is located near Molo Church, along San Pedro street. He held a seminar with the resto staff on how to market their specialty menu to the customers and also accommodating them better.

Their two main specialty dishes are the Beef Pares and the Souper Mami. They also have regular silog meals such as Tapsilog and Tocilog as well as other variance mami noodles. Another menu which we haven’t tried yet is the Sisig Noodles which is surely not for the faint of the heart.

Here is the pic of the Souper Mami. Look how delicious it is.

The Souper Mami costs at 130 pesos and the serving is good for two, given its huge bowl. The other food we ordered that time were Longsilog and Beef Pares. The silogs are priced at P60 and the pares at P75.

Pares Kag Mami Haus Ni Jimburg also offers Sizzling plate meals at affordable prices. I forgot to note down their complete menu list and might check them all on my next visit.

Pares Kag Mami Haus Ni Jimburg is located in Golden Star Building, San Pedro Street, Molo. Iloilo City.