jin loves to eat at home, September 6-12, 2010

Currently working on my blog’s new look and it’s proving to be such a BIG, difficult task!

I know, I know, there are ready templates and widget codes that you can copy and paste, but you know, a computer moron is a computer moron.

But see, I’ve got “pages” now. Woohoo!

And I’ve compiled a list of my favorites. Ooooohhhh…

Have you even noticed?

Tsk…

Morons. =P

 

September 6, 1:15pm

Shrimps, celery and mushrooms, garlic fish fillet, rice

Mango, pomelo, melon, plum, dragon fruit

 

September 6, 7:28pm

Chicken adobo, sautéed squash, boiled spinach and mushrooms, rice

Pineapple

 

September 7, 12:22pm

Chicken pesto, sautéed herbed potatoes, black mushrooms, rice

Dragon fruit, apple, kiwi, plum, pomelo

 

September 8, 12:23pm

Chicken soup with mushrooms, radish, carrots, pechay and Chinese pechay

Banana, pear, apple, plum, dragon fruit, kiwi

Costa Brava Caramel Cake

 

September 9, 1:07pm

Chicken tocino, omelet, eggplant hash, broccoli

Dragon fruit, pomelo, kiwi, plum, guava, apple, pear, banana

 

September 9, 8:24pm

Chicken curry, sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers, stir-fried baby choi sum

 Nathaniel’s Buko Pandan. Thank you, Auntie Teresita and Uncle Bon! :)

 

September 10, 12:25pm

Garlic milkfish belly, sweet and sour lapu-lapu, pork and beans

Melon, dragon fruit, plum, apple

 

September 11, 12:26pm

Grilled bream, five spice beef, chayote with ginger, rice 

Peach, dragon fruit, pear, pomelo

Soybean milk

 

September 12, 11:29am

“Happy Birthday, Jr” miswa

Orange, pomelo, pear, guava, dragon fruit, peach

Hong Kong Emperor Seafood Restaurant ♥ ♥

We are at it again. Being so GI (Genuine Instik) and wearing too much red when there is a birthday.

Old dogs and new tricks, they just don’t jive.

We even take it a notch higher by celebrating at where else? A Chinese restaurant!

And the name? Hong Kong Emperor!

*Gong sound effects*

 

But hey, we are celebrating for not one, but two Chinese peoples here, so this GI act is somewhat justifiable.

 

Relax! This is not an MTR station and we are not in Hong Kong SAR. The restaurant is in MOA, and our “North Point” room offers stunning view of the beautiful Manila Bay.

 

It is simply breathtaking. That’s my dad capturing the magnificence.

 

And he just can’t get over how mesmerizing it is. DAD!!!!!!!

 

FINALLY!!!
Front row: Me, Benjie, Jamie, Mom, Kim, Diane, Auntie Teresita, Uncle Bon
Back row: Dad, Jr, Jerwin

 

Emperor BBQ Cuts Combination – can’t compare to Hong Kong’s but this is actually quite ok

 

Braised Shark's Fin Soup with Chicken Strips

 

This is really just chicken strips in chicken soup. I don’t see and taste no sharks fin here, so easy on the hate comments, okay?

 

Steamed Prawns with Garlic – quite ordinary

 

Braised Abalone with Mushroom and Conch – did they replace the conch with lettuce?
Yes, I think they did.

 

Sorry, Peking Ducky!

 

Beautiful, crisp, and glistening Ducky skins. Delicious!

 

What happened to the rest of Ducky - Minced Duck Meat with Lettuce Leaf  

 

Steamed Twin Lapu-Lapu – slightly overcooked

 

Hong Kong Famous Sautéed Crab with Pepper and Spices – overly fried and overly dry

 

 Birthday Noodles – too soft and soggy

 

Chilled Mango Sago – refreshing mango soup with sago pieces that need more thawing

 

 Coffee Jelly – strong coffee taste. Yum.

 

Coconut Jelly – rich coconut flavors. I love it.

 

Buchi – served hot and fresh. Glutinous rice is soft and the filling not to sweet.

 

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JR AND JAMIE” Cakes!
Big chocolate cake by Chocolat, assorted mini cakes by UCC
Cake arrangement by me! Hihihi!

 

Singing waiters and waitresses

 

Happy Birthday, Kiddos!!!

 

 

On another occasion,

Abalone and Goose Web in Superior Sauce – rather average

 

Black Pepper Beef on Sizzling Plate – I don’t like!

 

Hot Lapu Lapu Salad – sorry, but this tastes as fugly as it looks

 

I love the restaurant’s swanky chandeliers!

 

Hong Kong Emperor Seafood Restaurant: 2/F, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Ocean Drive, Pasay, Philippines. Tel: +632-556-9520 to 22

Makchang Korean Restaurant ♥ ♥ ♥

I am not sure I want to tell you about this restaurant. Sometimes I am just greedy like that. It’s such a small place and it fills up so quickly. I don’t want to have to wait for all of you to finish eating and drinking before I get seated.

I have no patience.

Good things just cannot wait.

I do not know how men manage to find these hole-in-the-wall places. Probably after a night of heavy hanky-pankying, when their wallets are drained and libidos satisfied (for the next 11 minutes at least), a different kind of hunger consumes them and leads them to the wonderful smell of meats grilling on hot charcoal. I wouldn’t be surprised. After all, Makchang is open until 4AM.

So how do I come to know of this place?

My e…

Umm… On second thought, I think I am going to keep it to myself. In the name of world peace. 

    

Makchang’s complete menu

Korean barbeque essentials, counterclockwise from top left: lettuce leaves, green chili, sesame oil with salt and pepper, barbeque sauce, fresh garlic, hot bean paste and, of course, a shot of Soju!

Fresh camote – eat it raw or eat it grilled, up to you.

Just a note. Unlike other Korean restaurants, Makchang does not give you the traditional banchan and the whole nine yards. It gives you 2 things only. And these 2 things are all you ever need.

Kimchi – as authentic as it gets

 

Green onions and bean sprouts tossed in sesame oil and chili powder –
THE VERY VERY BEST!!!

Galbisal – this marinated beef short rib is very tasty. Not the best quality but the flavor 

more than makes up for it.

Beef Galbi – boneless and no-marinade version of the galbi

Samkyupsal – to get the best experience, grill the pork belly until crisp and a bit burnt on the edges.

This is how you do it

On a lettuce leaf, put mounds of that insanely delicious green onion-bean sprout mix, top with your meat of choice, fresh garlic and kimchi, then pause to admire the beauty of your creation, teasing and enticing your every sense. And only when the wait becomes too excruciating, roll it, dip it, and wrap your mouth around it, taking in as much of it as you can. Then chew ever so gently, appreciating every texture, every sweetness, tanginess, saltiness, spiciness. And then, swallow.

Ooorgasssmic!!!

Miso Soup – and when things get too hot, cool down with this delicious soup

Or with some Soju or some beer.

Ton, Donna, Me, Jaine

Makchang Korean Restaurant: 1812 Maria Orosa St., Malate, Manila City, Philippines