Old-New: Rai Rai Ken's Surprises

I had this resolution late this year. After resigning from a relatively stable job, I promised myself to do the best as I can to take a new challenge everyday and discover things. New places, new tastes-read a book, develop my skills and indulge in things that I never normally do before. In short, just be a adventurous.
Like what Bourdain said in his last episode, MOVE. May it be travelling outside or re-discovering the neighborhood, just everyday new.
On a limited budget (yes dude, I don't earn the those digits anymore), might as well start with something like eating something I won't normally pick on the menu. I'm sure you've heard of me ranting on previous blog posts for people to try more new things and not the usual stuff they order.
So for the past 2 weeks, I'd tried "new" things.
To start off, I decided to give Rai Rai Ken in Blue Wave a chance. I know? Pretending wannabes who eat at "hole-in-the whole" restaurants and you tell me you just ate at a fastfood chain and God-forbid, some pseudo-Japanese restaurant. And gasp, I had to swallow my words of not supporting this ramen fad. I digress a bit, but honestly I never had anything against ramen. It's just that I don't get the point of paying for more than Php200 for a bowl of noodles. Man, i get the same kick from eating Jyampong for 40 bucks.
Let me clarify, before the ramen wave, Rai Rai Ken was already serving these things. Normally I would dismiss this restaurant, imagining it as another second-rate Teriyaki Boy. Not saying much because I've always been cheap, so I'd often get my Japanese fix at Bentoya at almost 1/2 the price. Plus, I fool myself into thinking that people actually cook those things in Bentoya instead of being prepared in a commissary. I know, I eventually had to eat my words.

The second question that probably bogged you, why on earth would you go to Blue Wave just to eat at Rai Rai Ken? Well, they don't have parking fee when you eat there for lunch (till 3 pm), plus this branch serves 50% ooff on their ramen. So a bowl of ramen for 290 is just 145. It can feed two people I tell you (unless, bwakaw ka lang talaga). Did I mention that they have a Php280 per bucket with free pulutan of salmon skin (I know Im such a sucker for these things)? Anyway, my favorites are the following (I've eaten at this branch twice a week already for the last month)
Tantanmen (145, 50% off- you can order this with their gyoza)- this spciy concoction is worth it. You'll find yourself sweating afterwards
Gyoza (3 pcs)- 75
Bucket (280- you can mix it up like Pilsen and Tanduay Ice)
Crunchy Roll (8 pcs for 195)- Lately, I found myself gravitating towards rolls. My recent discovery is this same crunchy combo roll in Omakase, which is cheaper than most rolls they have but equally good). This piece is really good for its price, better than the usual California maki you order :D Just lay-off the soysauce.

Plus their staff is really friendly and thoughtful. They even had this smiley thing going on with my sauce. :)) Although, I find it awkward that ate has to wear this really short shorts at night. Then again, it might be a plus for guys. harhar. 

Marikina: Back with a Vengeance

Remember my old post about Marikina? I'm always wary of eating in Marikina because I never had any memorable food there. Mostly, it was the usual home-cooked meal done fast food style.

Qizia is quite known. Tucked behind SDS Hospital, you'll surely miss this because it has no sign from outside. The place is INSIDE the hospital's grounds, more like its parking area. Nothing really special. Rex's hates its customer service. We even found plastic in the service water they gave us. Since we already had lunch, we decided to have dessert here. It was an unimpressive piece of cake. As Rex would say, no one can fuck up a banoffee. Even if I detest Banapple so much, I have to admit that this piece of cake is my usual order instead of chocolate cake. Their banoffee had HUGE banana slices to the point that its hard to eat it together with its other parts. I find it also a tad bit too sweet.
We left the place quite disappointed.

TAMAGOYA: your affordable Ramen

So when we went around Marikina this Saturday, I was adamant to try any restaurant. Rex and I had that deal that we'd order one meal tops, just to try a place out. Since Tamagoya would be in the list of "must try" in Marikina, I agreed to have dinner here. I was wary at first, because I was never into the whole ramen craze. After eating at Ukkokei, I felt that I'd never pay so much for noodles and toppings. It's good to note that most items on their menu are really affordable. Although, the place is a bit small.

 

We ordered gyoza (Php99 for6 pcs) and Stamina Ramen for P175.

With 1/3 the price of Ukkokei, this ramen gives you value for your money. While Ukkokei's broth is better, you got to give it to Tamagoya for coming up with a dish that has hefty servings and a decent broth (we found most noodle places to have bland broths) and they are very generous with their toppings. You can also opt to add more (if you want eggs, etc).

We always believe that if its Japanese chef actually mans the kitchen and takes care of the meals, you are in for "quality" food. Even Japanese dine here.

CAFE LIDIA: a better cake shop

Cafe Lidia, it was hard finding this place. First thought that occurred to me, "effort pa talaga ang tita ko to go all over F. Calderon just to dine in some old place that has a loud carinderia nearby that has endless off-pitch  wannabe singers. So much for "ambiance". Luckily, a) you don't get to hear all the noise when you are inside b) the place reminds me of a lesser kitschy version of Cafe Juanita (old house, old paintings, "sort" of quirky lights, etc) c) its really spacious so its ideal for events/parties/what have yous. Did I mention that food is really affordable??

I actually fear restaurants of this kind. When I saw the menu it had everything. Pizza, pulutan, salisbury steak, rice meal. It even had desserts, porchetta, pasta, buffalo wings. Throw in everything- Filipino, Italian, Western, etc. Luckily, the food did not disappoint for its price.

Cafe Lidia Pizza For P225 you can get yourself a decent pizza (yes they actually use "mozarella", just cause it had that stetchability factor in the cheese). 

 For dessert, you can get yourself the Grandma's Chocolate Cake (P75) and cafe latte (P90).

At least I have two reasons to dine in Marikina again.

64 Calderon St., Kalumpang, Marikina City

If you are coming from Ateneo, take flyover (going to Riverbanks). After the bridge, take a right (You'll see a JP Rizal sign). Just follow the "JP Rizal street sign". Its after Kapitan Moy and loads of resto so don't worry if it gets a bit shaddy and dark in some areas. Just follow the jeep. :)) On your left, you'll see F Calderon. The place has a huge sign (and parking) so you won't miss it. Or else, just follow the videoke sounds. The neighbors had a hack of it.