Tokyo for Happy Palates (part 1)

Tokyo and its consolidated metropolitan area is home to almost 30 million people. It is the world's largest city in terms of population, and also is the world's richest. This city is just remarkable, beating with an energy and drive so palpable and restless. And the fennel bulbs definitely love this beautiful and dynamic city. 


With its position as one of the planet's most global of cities, the dining scene in Tokyo is one that a lot of other cities also look up to. The best of Japanese cuisine can be had in Tokyo, and some of Europe's best chefs have opened up restaurants in the city whipping up the best of international cuisine. 

The best of Japanese ramen in Tokyo is served in Ippudo. This restaurant chain has dozens of stores in Tokyo, and has achieved much renown for the savory broth and its noodles which are hand-pulled inside the restaurant's kitchens (separated by glass, one can just watch how the best ramen is spurned). Ippudo already has branches in New York and Singapore. 

The picture above is a bowl of luscious Akamaru Ramen (赤丸ラーメン). It literally means "red bowl ramen" and is tastier and the broth is denser than its white bowl counterpart. A rich mixture of possibly boiled pork and duck bones and miso characterize the soup. Light soy is added as a contrast to the light colour of the miso, and a rich paste of sesame adds a dimension of nuttiness to the dish. 

Accompanying the ramen are 10 pieces of Hakata-style dumplings, also known as gyoza. These gyozas are a bit smaller than the usual ones you'd find in normal Japanese restaurants, but the filling is just bursting with flavour. Together with the ramen, an unforgettable meal at Ippudo that would most likely fill the belly costs around Y1100, and not pricey at all. 

A popular Japanese food that has enamored people around the world and has become almost synonymously associated with Japanese cuisine is tempura. Affordable tempura with high quality ingredients can be had at Tenya (てにゃ). This restaurant chain has a lot of stores within the Tokyo Metropolitan area. 

On the picture above is a tempura rice bowl with the addition of lotus and moriatake mushrooms. One set comprises the bowl with a smaller bowl of miso soup. At Y680, it is reasonable enough. And the freshness of the ingredients just reveals itself within the deep-fried layers of batter which are crisp and delicious. 

(to be continued...)

Hong Kong Sampler (Part 1)

Hong Kong is just less than two hours away from Manila by plane and is very much a global and cosmopolitan city. It is not only a commercial hub, but it is also a centre for culture and the arts. And obviously one aspect of culture is gastronomy. A lot of people would agree that the best Chinese cuisine comes from Hong Kong. Hong Kong cuisine is just the same as Cantonese cuisine, which is Chinese haute cuisine, as it were. It is, in fact, the most popular of the Chinese cuisines that it often becomes equated with the notion of Chinese food, when there still is a plethora of regional cuisines that can be had in the vastness of the Middle Kingdom. 


The fennelbulbs' experience of Hong Kong is honestly, quite limited, being tourists as they were. But they would certainly love to share and recommend some great eats to experience fine local fare that would be quite a waste to miss. 


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First in the list is Tai Hing Restaurant which has several branches in Hong Kong. The fennelbulbs' tried the branch in Causeway Bay along Jaffe Road. Tai Hing is known for their roasts - be it roast duck, roasted suckling pig, and mouth-watering sausages. Tai Hing is also known for their baked rice toppings - another Cantonese speciality which incorporates baking, a predominantly Western influence. Tai Hing basically is a very affordable eatery serving honest-to-goodness delicious local food. 

The roast goose and duck is served over a bowl of Jasmine rice with generous servings of bok choy and kai lan vegetables on the side. The roasts are crunchy on the skin and the meat is tender and the blend of the meat's juices and the oil is very satiating to the palate. It is comfort food at its finest. 

The baked rice toppings are also a delectable treat. On the picture is a hefty plate of baked wasabi pork chop. The wasabi is incorporated into the cream sauce which is poured over the pork and the rice and then baked. The texture is gratinated and very filling. The dish is made more delicious with the addition of mushrooms. 

The price at Tai Hing is by all means affordable. Roast toppings fall under the HK$35 - HK$45 range, while the baked rice toppings fall under the HK$40 - HK$50 range. Also a variety of Western style breakfasts can be had till 10 or 11 in the morning and various equally tempting snacks such as the one below: 

Baked potatoes with a topping of pork floss and mayonnaise and a garnish of raisin which provides a breather from the richness of the two previous ingredients mentioned. 

All in all, Tai Hing probably is the kind of restaurant you may want to go to after a tiring day of shopping and sightseeing in one of Asia's premier cities. 

(...to be continued)