Maki/Mandarin Orange Monday

“I've long believed that good food, good eating, is all about risk. Whether we're talking about unpasteurized Stilton, raw oysters or working for organized crime 'associates,' food, for me, has always been an adventure.” ~ Anthony Bourdain

Linking to Mandarin Orange-Monday

Tuna Maki

One of my favorites at Rai Rai Ken---Tuna Maki.  A snack while waiting for my mom's dental appointment.

Linking to Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Crazy about Maki

 Crunchy Salmon Roll

Not all taste bud-satiating foods are rich in bad cholesterol.  Try these Crazy Maki treats and satisfy your craving, guilt-free.  I believe I have posted  makis many moons ago.  I was back at Rai Rai Ken recently with two friends who share my love for sushi and other Japanese dishes.  Enjoy!

 Jurassic Maki

Linking to Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Tempura and rice

@ mirandablue

It was a crowded Saturday evening at the Mall of Asia when I met my friend G.  Restaurants and fast-food joints were full.  We walked around a little bit looking for a place that would serve food fast.

@ mirandablue

G had been to a kiddie party,  while I skipped lunch and drove all the way from Pasig to Filinvest-Alabang then MoA.  

I was almost hallucinating when we finally got a table at Tokyo Cafe.

G and I shared a mango-chicken salad and  I got my hot and creamy corn soup.  I needed rice--and fast! But I couldn't concentrate on the menu and ordered the first thing that came to mind---tempura and rice. Good thing the service was efficient--or H-U-N-G-R-Y was written all over my face. I wolfed down the tempura and rice like there was no tomorrow!

@ mirandablue

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Spicy Maguro Roll

@ mirandablue

A soup is a must for me especially when I'm hungry.  I need to start with soup--in this case, Miso Soup, to "cushion"  the stomach, so to speak.  I posted  the not-so-pleasant experience with Asparagus Bacon Tempura at Kimono Ken last week.  But Kimono Ken was totally redeemed by this scrumptious, savory Spicy Maguro Roll.  The texture, freshness of subtly spiced tuna and ikura (salmon roe) were unforgettable.  Will be returning soon.

@ mirandablue

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Asparagus Bacon Tempura

@ mirandablue

I was faint from hunger when I got to MoA one Saturday afternoon after an extended meeting in Pasay City.  With lots of restaurants to choose from, I decided on Kimono Ken because I haven't tried them before.  Red Kimono is one of my favorite haunts at The Fort, and I don't know if both "Kens" are related.

I love asparagus and I love bacon--and a combination of both balanced out my conscience.:p I like the concept of a bacon-wrapped asparagus, problem is, the tough stems were included.  When I bit into the roll, it was like fighting with the stringy fiber--not a pleasant experience.

@ mirandablue

The overall taste was OK...if only the succulent, tender part of asparagus was included in this dish.

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Sashimi and other cravings

@ mirandablue
Tempura

Lunch with my partner-in-crime at Teriyaki Boy in MoA a few weeks ago.  We were both craving for sashimi---salmon sashimi for me, tamago sashimi for him. Teriyaki Boy is not my usual choice but we were both tired and hungry and it was the first Japanese resto we saw upon emerging from the department store.  On top of the flavors, I love looking at sushi and how Japanese food is presented. It's always an artful, unique dining experience.

@ mirandablue
California Maki

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Gyoza

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Salmon sashimi

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Tamago Sashimi

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Tofu all the way

Tofu @ Pho Hoa

Call it tofu, or bean curd, it's made from soybeans which are considered a "complete" protein---it's a powerhouse of nutrition, an adaptable friend to cooks, the treasure of the health conscious and those who are perpetually on diet. These are the tofu dishes I've shared with my friend---she is on diet. I "think" I am on diet, therefore, I am.:p

I am not crazy about tofu but I know it is an excellent source of vegetarian protein, and really good for me, but sometimes the taste buds rule the mind. Need to remind myself when I'm face to face with tofu that it's cholesterol-free as all plant-based foods are, low in calories and a good source of B-vitamins and iron. Lacking pronounced flavors of its own, tofu picks up the flavors around it as evident from these three tofu dishes in different flavors--above is a tofu dish from Pho Hoa, a Vietnamese restaurant; below is tofu with vegetables from MyThai, and the last one is batter fried tofu with agedashi sauce from Red Kimono, a Japanese resto.

Tofu was invented centuries ago in China.

Tofu with vegetables @ MyThai

Batter fried tofu with agedashi sauce @ Red Kimono

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Hot Shot Roll

I am drooling and craving for a maki right now. These Hot Shot Rolls are scrumptious and addictive! It's a spicy Mexican-inspired roll filled with tuna, jalapeno, cream cheese, avocado and spring onions. I should go back to Red Kimono at The Fort Strip soon and indulge. For now, I am doing simple breathing exercises to curb my cravings for their maki masterpieces.

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Jurassic Roll

Why this special sushi dish is named after an American movie was not clear to me. At least it's not some unpronounceable assortment of raw fish, and yes, it tastes good. This Jurassic Roll is from Sushi-Ya, a sushi roll made of crunchy shrimp, cream cheese, avocado and raw eel. It's rolled in rice and nori (a sheet of pressed, dried seaweed), and topped with masago (smelt fish roe). The green paste is wasabi, a Japanese horseradish paste that is mixed into the soy sauce where you dip your sushi.

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Sizzling Tofu

Happy New Year, fellow foodies! It's been a year of delectable virtual feast and I am looking forward to a New Year for a new start of old habits such as this Friday food post.

This mouthwatering sizzler is made of tofu (bean curd) and ground pork with spicy chili sauce, lots of garlic and onion, and sprinkled with fresh leeks. A delightful appetizer and flavorful pulutan.

More scrumptious chow at Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Crazy Maki

Definitely an eye-candy, this crazy maki treat---the sushi chef's special of Salmon Skin Roll with Shrimp Salad and ikura (salmon roe) on top, is one of the best maki I've tasted. It's fresh and tasty, and the crunchy flakes add an interesting twist on every bite. The wasabi, mayo and tenzy sauces are heavenly. I had this maki at Rai Rai Ken-Harbor Square.

Enjoy more delicious concoctions at Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Itadakimasu [Let's eat!]

I've been feeling a bit under the weather since Monday---this endless rain rattles my bones. Even my taste buds are on strike. So I got myself a bowl of hot Miso soup and Gyoza the other night. Low calorie, protein-rich Miso soup is my elixir when I'm not feeling well. I'm not a big fan of tofu but I love Miso soup.

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup consisting of a stock called "dashi" into which softened miso paste is mixed. Miso, on the other hand, is a Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and a fungus called kojikin.

My bowl of Miso soup has tofu, spinach leaves, cilantro and spring onions.

pan-fried Gyoza and dipping sauce

Pork-stuffed, garlic-flavored, and pan-fried Gyoza (my friend S calls it Dyosa to annoy me) was my side dish. I was actually hoping the dipping sauce would awaken my sleeping taste buds, and it did!

Manpuku desu.

I'm full.

Posted for Food Friday and Food Trip Friday