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:

 

Tori Chizu: Say Chizu!!!

Cheese is making it big in the food scene today! With the increase of social media pages showcasing how to infuse it to various traditional meals, the cult following of cheese has dramatically increased. However, finding an affordable fastfood that serves such meals has been a surprising struggle. For this, we are thankful for the launch of Tori Chizu.

packed!

Tori Chizu opened its doors to Filipinos with its flagship store in Megamall last December 11, 2017. Serving their famous dishes such as Tori Chizu Original Chicken Baked Rice, Spicy Tomato Shrimp Baked Rice, Mazemen (no broth ramen) and their promising dessert Milk Chiz Soft Serve, their everyday is filled with mozzarella-loving crowd demanding to be served.

mozzarella-loving crowd!

We had the chance to dine here last March 3, 2018. We were welcomed warmly by their manager and added that personal touch of finding us a seat and giving us a flier to save us from our indecisiveness.

CHIZUU~~~!!

My siblings and I ordered Kani Takoyaki, Umami Style Fried Chicken, and Spicy Tomato Shrimp. Imagine our delight when this was served to us. The rich cheese was bubbling as the delightful aroma teased our olfactory nerves. The presentation is simple but beautiful–usually when a dish is served in a sizzling plate, it is on the sloppy end but here at Tori Chizu, it was neat!

Clockwise: Umami Style Fried Chicken, Spicy Tomato Shrimp, and Kani Takoyaki

My sister’s Kani Takoyaki is to die for!!!

Your fried chicken with a twist!

I started to dig in my Spicy Tomato Shrimp. The spice is moderate but satisfying. Nothing too strong but it pleasantly compliments the cheese. The rice may look quaint at first glance but believe me when I tell you that I had a hard time finishing it because it was heavy to the stomach!

Customer service is great too! Aside from the very welcoming manager, one of the waiters (refused kindly to give his name because he was shy) shined. The klutz that I am, I accidentally spilled my glass of iced tea. He assisted me by cleaning our table and providing us a pack of tissue paper. He even gave me a new glass of iced tea even though I was at fault! That touched me deeply! Thank you so much kuya!

It all made sense! The theme of the restaurant is “Inside the Oven”!

The experience at Tori Chizu was short as all fast food experience is. However, it was everything BUT fleeting. The food is as cheesy as it can get! Forget the overpriced raclette and head down to this place! I assure you that your gastronomic cravings will be satisfied!

***Tori Chizu is located at Upper Ground Floor, Bldg. A SM Megamall and is open everyday from 10AM to 10PM. Check their Facebook Page for more info!