Hungry Juan

I met Mikey Bustos during Blogapalooza and Ramon Bautista during the Google SoLoMo conference. During both events, both social media influencers were asked regarding their discretion with working with brands and both answered that they really protect their online integrity and credibility by working only with brands they believe in. Netizens are particular about authenticity. When they search for reviews or recommendations, they want it to be real and not just a paid advertisement.

Ramon gives Christmas tip to get the "Simbang Gababes" using Hungry Juan

(http://instagram.com/p/iRTMoaOR28/)

Having met them, we decided to send them our holiday season platter that showcased several products in our menu. I was the one who delivered it to them personally. Their sentiments were very positive and they even shared photos of our products on social media. I've talked to agencies who have briefed me on the costings of making influencers share your brand on social media and so for these guys to do it for free shows that there's really something inherently compelling about Hungry Juan products.

Mikey Bustos loves inviting guests over to share Hungry Juan with

(http://instagram.com/p/iGRfl4q8wH/)

For those of you who are not familiar with the brand, just imagine classic Filipino favorites: sisig, barbecue, roast chicken, even isaw (grilled chicken intestines), and many more! We actually launched a new product very recently that we're very excited about: really yummy 24-piece cut fried chicken we call Juanitos Pritos and the Team Kramer kids loved it:

"Thanks #HungryJuan for our fiesta dinner! Have to say, the BBQ, Roast chicken and especially the fried chicken was super good!" says Cheska Garcia (who is unbelievably beautiful, by the way) on their Facebook page.

Much like the influencers above, I value my integrity and credibility as a blogger as well. I even manage a politics and policy analysis blog (see HarryLeaks) which goes to show how important integrity and credibility is for me. And you know what, I really believe in our products and I'm most especially excited for the changes we have in store for the coming year. And I'm not just saying that because I work for the brand.

I feel that Hungry Juan is underrated and it's a shame because the products are really yummy. I personally love the barbecue and the isaw (you guys know I love street food). And all Hungry Juan products are made with Magnolia chicken and Monterey meats. The premium is in this guarantee by brands that our families have trusted for many years.

Try it for yourself and you too will see why Hungry Juan is worth sharing. Like our Facebook page below to see our menu and follow us on Instagram and Twitter for updates:

Menu: https://www.facebook.com/HungryJuan/app_350601835014779
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HungryJuan 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hungry_juan
Instagram: http://instagram.com/hungryjuan

Good Earth Roasts, Fort Strip, BGC

Are you in The Fort/BGC and not in the mood for the typical loud places where you can't even converse properly? Check out Good Earth Roasts in the Strip for some laid back drinking and awesome food tripping.

It doesn't matter if you're in shorts and slippers. It's also probably one of the cheapest in the area. They've got buckets of 6 at 390 (I understand it still seems pricey but this is good for this area). Also, they have classic pulutan choices like isaw, tenga, and bulaklak (more expensive than the streets, of course, but way cheaper than Mercato prices). And they're really good. They all dangerously taste like uric acid and a heart attack - perfect with some ice-cold beers. 

And they have an interesting selection of chinese delicacies as well. This is, from what I hear, the edgy modernist spin-off of Good Earth. I'll surely be back to try their roast duck.

Also, all their alcohol is hidden under the right-most corner bench by the TV. Something to keep in mind in case of a zombie apocalypse.

It's across Burger Avenue, in-between the cheesesteak place and the mexican place. Good stuff.

Bulgogi Brothers Alabang Town Center

Bulgogi Brothers in Alabang Town Center. Good stuff.

Unlimited Korean appetizers (seems customary in Korean culture) on the right; on the left, galbi tang or something like that (I once ate in this restaurant and ate this before watching The Great Gatsby and remembered calling the dish The Great Galbi. 

Beef is awesome. Tender as hell and the sauces are great. Freshly grilled meat is always awesome. Better to have lots of money though to get the prime meats. Above is their cheapest at around 400 pesos.

Every table has a text hotline where you can send comments and suggestions. I've gotten great feedback from there and appreciate the response.a

Luca's Corner Legit Deep-Dish Pizza!

Luca's Corner makes an absolutely addictive deep-dish pizza. It doesn't have that commercialized, mass-produced, fast-food taste and vibe of Sbarro. Instead, it comes with this comforting feel of home with every bite.

Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lucashomemadegoodness  or text/call 09065590357/09334364738 for inquires or deliveries. You may also follow them on Instagram: @LucasCorner.

  

The one above is one of my favorite flavors. Oozing cheese, meaty sauce, and pepperoni. I'm actually craving it right now.  Check out their Facebook page for more of the other flavors:

Orders must be placed at least 24 hours before delivery and/or pick up for assured quality.

Either for pick up in BF HOMES, Paranaque or
P40 delivery charge applies for Alabang and BF Homes area.
P50 for Paranaque
P80 for Makati and scheduled days only.

Ah, and don't forget the hot sauce. They also have other homemade goodies aside from their awesome deep-dish. Be sure to follow them on Instagram and like their page on Facebook :)

Poco Deli in Kapitolyo, Pasig

Aside from my office mates vouching for this place, I recently found out that your president Noynoy Aquino frequently dines in this place: Poco Deli in Kapitlyo (near Charlie's Burgers). This surely makes it worth the try (not that I give any bearing to PNoy's culinary preferences).

Poco Deli in Kapitolyo

I'm sure he loves to go here because of the bacon slab. It really goes to show as it's apparent in his love for the pork barrel. Anyway, I should be talking about food. Check out my musings on political philosophy and public policy over at HarryLeaks instead.

Poco Deli Bacon Slab and Wagyu Sausages

It was such a delight to find out that this place was open very early in the morning as I was able to indulge in their delicacies before heading to work.

The bacon slab, well, is self-explanatory. It is as delicious as it is allegedly unhealthy. The same goes for the wagyu sausage we ordered. I'm surely going to come back for more as the dishes are perfect pairings for beer and wine and it was too early and I had work so I couldn't really order some drinks.

Insider information tells me that there used to be this really popular deli in Jupiter but then the head chef and owner passed away and so his assistant chef was able to continue the legacy by creating Poco Deli.

A Heretic Verdict on Ramen?

I love Japanese food but I was never a big fan of ramen. It was just noodles and a lot of soup to me and that was it. I'm telling you straight up: I was wrong.

Ramen Yushoken in Molito (beside Omakase)

When we got there, there was a queue. We entered and got a menu and I noticed right away that their menu had no pictures. I found this very intriguing. What I then realized was that this is their brilliant way of capturing your imagination. Instead of seeing the photos, reading the menu, the descriptions, and the instructions for eating while waiting was a complete delight. Instead of aggravating my impatience for queuing, it made me hungry even more. Whoever wrote the copy for that menu is brilliant.

The first that arrived was the gyoza. And can I just say, without exaggeration, it's probably one of the best I've ever tried. It was like xiao long bao in the sense that it was so juicy and soupy on the inside.

Then came our ramen. Tantanmen (the photo above on the lower left frame) and some sort of dipping ramen (I forgot the name haha what a useless food blogger, huh?). The broth of the Tantanmen was breathtaking. To think that this is the first time I really got into the concept of eating ramen. It was epic. They say this broth has been cooking for 24 hours or so before being served. It was unbelievable and it changed the way I look at ramen and eating in general.

Ramen Cool in Kapitolyo (near Uncle Moe's and Charlie's)

A few days later, still craving ramen, I ate in a restaurant near my work. It was decent and very affordable and the serving portions were great. I've just been so blinded by my bias for Yushoken. And so I moved on and kept searching for what I now dub as The Greater Ramen.

Ukokkei Ramen Ron in Pasay Road (right below Cable Car)

The internet is not shy about claiming Ukokkei ramen as the number one ramen place in Manila. Food bloggers and top ten lists all put this at number one. Even friends and co-workers who love ramen swear by this place. I went there for lunch last Thursday and guess what: I didn't like it! But wait, the story does not end there!

A lot of it was circumstantial: the traffic going there, then the queuing, then the bias to the Yushoken place (Ukokkei's interior is not as appealing). We had to wait outside for almost an hour and the lady at their reception wasn't being so nice. Again, all circumstantial and probably isolated and has nothing to do with their ramen.

Cold Ramen, Shoyu Chashu, and Gyoza

Straight up, I'll tell you now that I like the gyoza in  Ramen Yushoken more. Their cold ramen is absolutely epic though. I used to eat this cold ramen in some Japanese restaurant near my college before but it was only after Ukokkei that I realized what real cold ramen is or its potential for that matter. Every bite was like eating sushi.

The broth was great. You can really tell what they talk about when they say that this broth is cooked for 48 hours or so. It was really really good ramen but I can't say that it is better than Yushoken.

And so the next day I approached one of my bosses who's an absolute foodie to share my disappointment. He knows almost everything there is to know about eating out from high-end places like The Steak Room to the motels that have the best canton (haha!). [he was actually the one who suggested The Farm to me]

Did you try their Tantanmen?

In my head, I was like what Tantanmen? They didn't even have it in their menu. Turns out, they only serve the Tantanmen during dinner time and you have to go super early cause they only serve like 20 bowls or something like that. I actually had a blog post composed and ready to be posted but I had to rewrite everything when I found out about this.

I'm definitely coming back. The curiosity is killing me. Is it just an illusion of scarcity that will lead to my heretic verdict or will Ukokkei be able to redeem itself? I'll be coming back there and will be blogging about my experience! Follow me on Twitter (@harryinitiative) to get updates regarding this very important matter. :)

SEE ALSO: Why Do We Tax Ramen?

Tapeo Restaurant in the Fort Strip

Tapeo in the Fort Strip in BGC provide some really awesome wines and tapas. I got a chance to some of the selections in their menu during a Rotary Club talk I attended a few days ago.

 

Upon checking their menu, I ordered the jamón serrano right away. This dry-cured Spanish ham has such a lovely complex story to tell. You just really have to listen with your taste buds. It's really so rich and savory. It came with grapes some bread and really awesome cheese. It's a really well-balanced and thoughtfully arranged platter. Something that goes well with a lot of the wines they offer. 

It would be a perfect place for you and your friends to wine and dine before going out around the BGC area most especially since they now have an offer of unlimited tapas Monday to Saturday 2 pm to 9pm.

Above are just some of the amazing selection of  tapas I got to try. I don't even know what they are exactly. Goes to show how you don't have to be a fancy wine or cheese connoisseur to appreciate their dishes.

Their place is right across the NBC tent area of The Fort. Check out their Facebook page: Facebook.com/Tapeo.ph or email them at tapeo.manila@gmail.com.

McDonald's Breakfast Haiku

 

Sasuage McMuffin

Karamay ko sa traffic

Meron pang kape