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:

 

Little Tokyo: Nihonjin Desu!

In this day and age of Food Trucks and Food Parks, it is quite a challenge finding something out of the ordinary. However, it is such a sweet comfort knowing that we can always return to where it all began. That’s right, folks. Before Maginhawa, Xavierville, and Fairview, there’s Little Tokyo at Legaspi Village, Makati.

No, this is not your traditional food park where everything goes. The place is exclusive for the palette of those who seek the oriental taste: everything is authentically Japanese! From the set-up to the ingredients, it’s like a portal that will bring you to the Land of the Rising Sun.

It’s such a sad lot that we went there early. According to one of the staff, life usually begins at 6:00 P.M. What we can do for the meantime is watch one of the chefs clean his blades. The chef is an elderly Japanese man  who wore a traditional kimono. He was very meticulous and I can definitely tell that he takes his craft seriously. Just like the other restaurant owners, they’re mostly Japanese who migrated to the Philippines.

We went about, snapping away and hoping we’re not that much of a bother. It was too early for beer and too humid for a Ramen. I guess this blog post is just an introduction to our next visit. Not all foodies get their way all the time. Hahaha! Of course, I’ll give you directions to the place and hopefully, we get to meet there! A useful tip: food starts at 200.00 Php. To enjoy Little Tokyo, please bring a loaded budget! ♪~♪ d(⌒o⌒)b♪~♪

How to go to Little Tokyo:

1. Take the MRT and alight at Magallanes Station. From Cubao Station, fare is 24.00 Php

2. Exit at the Northbound side and head to the Jeepney terminal near Home Depot.

3. Take any Jeepney with the signage PRC, Washington, or Ayala and ask the driver to disembark you at Little Tokyo. (7.00 Php)

4. You are not to miss the place! Look for the ever-famous Little Tokyo Arch!

Budget of a Typical Wanderlust (Public Transpo + Tipid Tips):

MRT – 24.00 x 2

Jeepney fare – 7.00 x 2

Miso Ramen at Yamazaki Bento – 206.00

Gyoza – 106.00

Coke – 55.00

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Total: 429.00 Php

**Little Tokyo is located at 2277 Chino Roces Ave, Pasong Tamo Corner Amorsolo Street, Makati, Legazpi Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines