Where to Eat Tidbits: Rai Rai Ken Cubao

If you haven’t heard of Rai Rai Ken yet, I don’t think we’re living in the same planet! Kidding aside, Rai Rai Ken is the forefather of Ramen restaurants here in the country. I have been dining at Rai Rai Ken ever since I was 9! Through the years, the chain has maintained its authentic taste without being distant from the average purchasing foodies! Their equation to  success? Quality Ramen + affordable price = a reign of more than 20 years!

My thoughts:

🍜🥢🍚 Rai Rai Ken’s Ramen is one of the best in town! Their Miso Ramen is so on-point that the richness of the taste is undoubtedly satisfying. Like all their Tonkotsu-based soup, the pork bones broth base amplifies the flavor of the dish…and OMG the size of the serving! You can actually share this with a friend! Not bad for a Ramen ranging from 250 to 400 Php!

🍜🥢🍚 If you are fond of challenges, you ought to try their Garlic Chili Ramen. This is best eaten during cold weather. It has ox tripe and shrimp which are the ideal grubs to pair with hot Ramen!

🍜🥢🍚 Rai Rai Ken is not only all about Ramen. They also serve Bentos (Japanese lunch box consisting of rice, vegetables, and meat) and Donburis (Japanese rice bowl dish with fish, meat, and vegetables). They are all promising and sumptuous!

🍜🥢🍚 What is a Japanese Restaurant without sushi and maki? They have it here! Just don’t expect the exotic ones, of course. But if you’re looking for the timeless classics like salmon, kani, and tuna, you will not be disappointed!

Rai Rai Ken can still be found in several locations in Metro Manila. I am very to lucky to be living so near it in Cubao! Try their Ramen today and find out why they are standing strong in the market for more than 2 decades!

🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜🥢🍚 🍜

You can find Rai Rai Ken at the Second Floor, Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City! They are open from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. Here’s how you find it:

 

Tanjung Aru: Filipino Hospitality Abroad

“I quit my job to enjoy better sunsets.”

This is what our Uber driver, Baloo, said as we were heading to Tanjung Aru. It was just sad, though, because we were too late to experience the Kota Kinabalu sunset. My partner and I were too lazy.

This is what you get when you’re lazy!

Tanjung Aru Beach got its name from the Aru trees that adorns its shoreline. The 2-km-long beach is celebrated by the locals as one of the treasures of Kota Kinabalu because of the charm it has that brings families and loved ones together. The place is a little bit similar to our very own Manila Bay, only cleaner. The shore is wider too, giving people a place to fly their and kites or for children to roll and play with the sand.

Since we arrived too late, we just contained ourselves to a hearty dinner. We were taken aback by how the locals would invite us to eat using Tagalog. One man caught our attention when he said, “Kuya, kain kayo dito.” I couldn’t hide my smile in appreciation. He sounded a legit Pinoy! When we talked to him though, he didn’t know any Tagalog words which confirmed that he isn’t Filipino. I find the gesture nice. For me, that’s good customer service–knowing your market.

We decided to dine at the stall that which served the most colorful shake I’ve seen in my life. They call it 3-Layer-Juice and it’s made of mango, avocado, and dragon fruit. It was as delicious as it looks! The woman who served us was a real kababayan and she gave us an epic discount. She disclosed that here in Kota Kinabalu, locals try and learn Tagalog because a Filipino’s brand loyalty is unparalleled. Filipinos tend to patronize a fellow Filipino’s business. This was nice to hear! Finally, no shade against Filipino tourists!

My partner and I ordered rice toppings with egg and we were given soup because Ate knows how Pinoys adore sabaw. The rice they served was generous too!

Before we left Tanjung Aru, I stumbled upon a stall selling corn kernels sprinkled with cheese powder–just like what we have in the Philippines. This one’s with a twist, though. They put mayo on it!!! Curious, I bought a glass and it tasted glorious! You can never go wrong with mayo, cheese, and butter! LOL!

As we were leaving Tanjung Aru,  realized Baloo wasn’t exaggerating. Places like these are precious and best visited with your family. Work is essential but there are finer things in life like moments spent with your loved ones. Baloo found better sunsets in Tanjung Aru while I found good food and Filipino hospitality in a foreign country.

Here’s how to go to Tanjung Aru Beach in Kota Kinabalu:

Home-Based 101 Workshop: Blogging Made Easy

Writing has been a way of life for me since I can remember. I have kept a journal since I was in Elementary school and have always remained amazed by the sight of fancy notebooks, notepads, and pens. When blogging became a thing back in college, I created one for my angst-ridden intellectual pursuits. I guess the skill was innate.

It was just recently that I have decided to present myself in public as a full-pledged blogger. Now when I say “full-pledged”, I meant mustering the courage to repost my entries to various social media platforms such as Facebook pages, Twitter, Instagram, and the like. I was finally ready to put a face on the pseudonym.

However, exposing myself to numerous bloggers made me realize that I still have a long way to go. I needed guidance–and as if on queue, I was very fortunate to have won a free blogging workshop from Pinay Investor!

The event was held last November 26, 2016 at the Ortigas Foundation Library under the wing of Manila Workshops. This was facilitated by 2 deeply adept speakers in their crafts, Ms. Jane Maghanoy and Ms. Janice Sabitsana.

Jane was very enthusiastic when she discussed her piece about home-based earning opportunities.  She also discussed the fundamentals of becoming a Virtual Assistant. A discussion about Upwork, which is the most popular freelancing platform today, was also presented. What I like most about Jane’s part was that she had managed to tie her piece with her strong faith with the Man above. This is something most successful people forget.

Janice, on the other hand, talked through the basics of creating a blog. It was methodical and so easy to understand. I had a lot of “aha” moments and was deeply inspired to make something more out of this leisure!

The workshop made me realize that I have to up my game. Blogging is really a good venue to express yourself but you can definitely make something more out of it. I started creating a draft in my trusty notebook on how I need to go about my plan in being a better blogger and definitely set a tangible deadline for myself.

 

Through this event, I have also met amazing people who aspires to be awesome in this field. I have an accountability partner now to remind myself that I need to keep the ball rolling (Hiya Easter!!!).

Photo from Lani Noceja

Overall, here are my key takeaways:

1. Blogging can be monetized so earning while doing what you love is possible.
2. Monetizing your blog entails hard work and extreme resourcefulness. As Janice mentioned, do not put all your eggs in one basket.
3. Creating a blog is like creating a house and that it is imperative that I get my act together in this pattern ASAP!

Thank you Pinay Investor (Janice) for this opportunity. The whole seminar was very informative and motivating!

**If you would like to learn more and attend the workshops facilitated by Manila Workshops, please visit their website by clicking THIS LINK. Also, work your way through financial freedom by following the tips and thoughts of Pinay Investor. Check her Facebook Page and make sure to click that Like button!