Tempura Ishikawa – Malate’s Hole In The Wall Restaurant

April 8, 2016May 20, 20161 Comment

Pandie Rating: 👍👍👍👍

***UPDATE***

May 19, 2016 – As of this day, the head chef of Tempura Ishikawa resigned and is moving to a different restaurant. 🙁 Waiting to hear where he’s going! This is such sad news as we’ve become regulars to this place already

***END***

Only 6 more days until my Tokyo trip and I still haven’t packed! OH DEAR ME. I should start this weekend haha! Anybody seen this photo from The Oatmeal? It’s totally me.

Haha okay so going back to food, it’s like the universe is throwing hints of Japanese stuff in my way before my trip. I found some great articles on what I could do in Tokyo and also neat places on where to eat. Unfortunately my master plan to eat at Kurogi seems like a bust (I listed my top food places to try here) but it’s my first trip anyway. I can always go back and plan months in advance next time. Yes, that is exactly what I’m going to do!

And now my dad found this little hole in the wall restaurant in Malate near Korean Village. I was having dinner with a friend there and my dad ventured off to the side street of Bocobo and he literally saw this tiny neon sign with a tiny door. It’s like the restaurant is only known by some VIP or exclusive patrons. If you’re driving in a car, you’ll surely miss it but good thing my dad just walked pass by it.

Outside with tiny neon sign

Inside!

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For Your Consideration: To Airbnb Or Not Airbnb

April 5, 2016April 7, 20169 Comments

My favorite part about planning trips is looking for accommodation. Triggered by my longing desire to have my own home, I am positively ecstatic when I see the beautiful homes and interior designs of other people’s homes in Airbnb and hotels. Since I can’t have my own pad yet, might as well stay somewhere nice and be inspired.

For those who don’t know what Airbnb is, it’s a whole new way to travel. You know about Uber right? Well this is kind of like that where Airbnb as a website and app is the mediator between hosts can rent out their rooms/houses to anybody in the world. You don’t need to stay in a traditional hotel anymore and can just stay in someone’s home. Airbnb makes sure to verify listings so it is a bit safe since guests can also review the place. Now a traveler has TONS of choices to choose from which is unthinkable before.

Okay baack to choosing accommodations.

Some though may think it’s the least priority in their list. I can understand that because basically when you’re on a trip, you just sleep in the accommodation. Probably all you need is a good bed and working toilet, then you’re good to go! So if you’re that kind of traveler, maybe this post isn’t for you.

I’m talking to you guys who love the daunting task of choosing a temporary home (there are so many choices!) and the first question we ask is, do I stay in an Airbnb or hotel/hostel? I won’t delve in to hotels or hostels now (in a later post) but I will talk about the pros and cons of Airbnb.

Airbnb is awesome because we have more choices and we get a different kind of experience when going to different places. We all don’t want to be “just a tourist” so Airbnb is yes, great. I’m sure you’re hesitant if you’ve never tried it but let me break it down for you.

Also, if you do plan to sign up, use this link or click the photo to get INSTANT 34usd credit! 😀

PROS of Airbnb:

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Finally, Authentic Vietnamese Food in Manila Tra Vinh – Banawe

March 31, 2016March 31, 20168 Comments

Pandie Rating: 👍👍👍👍

When you go to the Philippines, you probably won’t see a lot of restaurants from our Southeast Asian neighbors well maybe except for Thai. As for Vietnamese food? It’s the least represented and there isn’t even a category for it in Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secret Awards. There hasn’t been a good authentic Vietnamese restaurant (Didn’t like Pho Hoa or Zao because of their ingredients and frankly, it was Filipinized) in the whole of Metro Manila, except for now.

Introducing Tra Vinh Restaurant, an Australian franchise that finally came to the Philippines. I am wary about franchises so I was a bit hesitant to try this. It was only due to the clamor of my brother did I go eat here and I wanna say, thanks bro!