Nonki’s Sukiyaki

Nonki’s Sukiyaki Set is perfect for sharing for two person. Or for one very hungry diner. It is composed of one full Sukiyaki dish plus this one…

Nonki’s Sushi Platter with the Sukiyaki Set

Yup, that’s an entire platter of assorted sushi: Salmon, Tuna, White Marlin, and Yellowtail Sushi. The Sushi Platter is, of course, served before the Sukiyaki. The fresh, succulent sushi pieces is the perfect way to start the meal.

It is then followed by a delicious, hearty bowl of Sukiyaki full to the brim with tender beef strips, noodles, vegetables, mushrooms, and tofu. All in a tasty soup thickened with raw egg.

The fresh sushi balances well with the salty, sweet Sukiyaki.

Makes you want to eat some Japanese food right now, yes? It makes me salivate.

The best part about this is the price, P450. Delicious meal at an affordable price. Sushi + Sukiyaki for only P450. Got order one for yourself.

Nonki Japanese Restaurant is located along F. Torres Street, Davao City.

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Thai Fish Cakes with Cilantro Brown Rice

I’ve been to the Sea Green Cafe and Lifestyle Shop several times and it’s currently one of my favorite restaurants. My favorite is their Thai Fish Cakes with Cilantro Brown Rice.

The fish cakes are made of white marlin fillet seasoned with cilantro, chili, and other fresh herbs and spices. The fish cakes are seasoned well without the taste being too overpowering. It is coated lightly with breadcrumbs and fried perfectly with the fish fillet still moist. And it’s not too oily, either. It’s so good you won’t notice you’re eating something healthy.

Thai Fish Cakes

The Thai Fish Cakes are served with a sweet dipping sauce which I haven’t quite figured out what it’s made of yet. While the fish cakes are great on its own, the dipping sauce add another flavor to the dish which makes it more interesting. The sauce perfectly complements the herby taste of the fish cakes.

The Thai Fish Cakes comes with a heap of Cilantro Brown Rice.

Cilantro Brown Rice

Sea Green serves its rice meals with organic brown or black rice. Brown Rice makes the Thai Fish Cakes meal more satisfying. The brown rice has a mild nutty flavor and a bit of bite which I like. The brown rice is seasoned with some cilantro which mimics the taste of the fish cakes. Cilantro has a mild taste so the cilantro in the fish cakes and the cilantro in the rice doesn’t overwhelm.

This dish is satisfying, with a great combination of flavors. The Thai Fish Cakes, the dipping sauce, and the Cilantro Brown Rice all complement each other resulting in a meal that would satisfy your appetite, your palate, and your need eat something healthy.

Thinking about this dish makes me excited to go back to Sea Grass right away.

Sea Green Cafe and Lifestyle Shop is located along the Circumferential Road, Dona Vicenta Subdvision in Davao City. You may reach them at +6382-3054765 or at +63939-9361081. They are open Mondays to Saturdays, from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm and from 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm. For more information and inquiries, like their page at this link.

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Kusina Maria at Super Duck Modern Tea Shop

Whether you’re riding the milk tea wave or a true blue tea fan, you must absolutely drop by Super Duck Modern Tea Shop. I attended the Grand Opening of this new tea shop and I was amazed the available tea variants in their shop. From the popular black and green tea variants to milk tea drinks and even unique drink flavors such Rose Petal Juice and Asparagus Juice are all available at Super Duck.

What’s even better is how they know so much about tea and are willing to give their customers a bit of Tea 101 so you can choose the best tea for your taste and for its health benefits.

Super Duck’s Tea Variants

Super Duck has 5 main tea variants: Ceylon Black Tea, Jasmine Green Tea, Green Heart Oolong Tea, Wenshan Clear Tea, and Tie Guan Yin.

From among the five, the most popular ones that are probably familiar to all are the Ceylon Black Tea and the Jasmine Green Tea.

Ceylon Black Tea is considered as one of the best tea in the world. Super Duck’s Ceylon Black Tea has a distinct flavor and aroma. It’s not too bitter or overpowering. Meanwhile, the Jasmine Green Tea is much lighter with a very fragrant smell. While green tea is more popular for their medicinal properties, even the Ceylon Black Tea is good for detoxifying the body.

The Green Heart Oolong Tea is named as such because it has properties which are said to be good for the heart.

For those who want something refreshing, Super Duck offers Wenshan Clear Tea. It is black tea with the medicinal properties of green tea.

Tie Guan Yin Milk Tea with Pearls

And my favorite among Super Duck’s Tea Variants is the Tie Guan Yin which translates to Charcoal Iron Goddess. The tea is named as such because it is made from roasted Oolong Tea. It has a full-bodied bitter taste which I love.

All these tea variants are available in hot, warm, chilled, and iced variants served with your choice of sugar level. And these may also be ordered as milk tea with pearls or your favorite sinkers.

Their Signature Milk Tea with Pearls is a combination of green and black teas. It is fragrant and sweet. It will definitely please milk tea lovers.

Super Duck also serves Perfect Tea Blends, Healthy Tea Bags, Crushers and Smoothies, Floats, Nai Kai with Cheese, Milk Drinks, Yakult Drinks, and other Signature Drinks.

Aside from the Tie Guan Yin Tea, I highly recommend the Signature Milk Tea with Pearls, the Adzuki Bean Milk Tea, the Peppermint Tea, the Taro Milk, and the Rose Petal Juice.

If you want to have a refreshing milk tea drink, a hot tea to soothe you, or something unique to quench your thirst, Super Duck Modern Tea Shop has something for you. Learn more about tea and find the one that suits your taste and your mood best.

Super Duck Modern Tea Shop is located at Unit 111 A and B, AIC Burgundy Empire Tower, Garnet Street corner ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Metro Manila. They are open Mondays to Fridays from 11 am to 11 pm, Saturdays from 2 pm to 11 pm, and Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm.

For inquiries and information, like their page at this link.

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Teriyaki Boy’s Tebasaki: Japanese Style Double Fried Chicken Wings

Tebasaki is Teriyaki Boy’s take on the current chicken wing craze. It’s Japanese style double fried chicken wings. And it’s a great way to start your Japanese meal at TBoy.

Teriyaki Boy’s Tebasaki has a sweet and garlicky glaze with a the flavors seeping in to the tender chicken wings. It’s something I would gladly devour with my fingers. It’s delicious.

You can eat it as a appetizer or as your main course. I suggest you order it with one of their soups or salads to balance the savory taste of the wings. Maybe a bowl of steaming Miso Soup or my favorite Crunchy Salmon Salad. Or you can eat the tasty Tebasaki with some rice.

The Tebasaki is just one of the not so common Japanese dishes you can enjoy at Teriyaki Boy. So if you’re craving for a different kind of wing, head over to Teriyaki Boy.

In Davao City, Teriyaki Boy is located at the Second Floor of the Abreeza Ayala Mall, along JP Laurel Avenue, Buhangin, Davao City.

Grilled Seafood Platter

I had the pleasure of dining at one of Mindanao’s dining gems, Panagatan Seafoods Restaurant in Opol, Misamis Oriental during a roadtrip to Iligan City from Cagayan de Oro City. When I was told we’d be eating at a restaurant along the way, I had expected a small quaint restaurant with a few dishes on the menu to served to weary travelers. I certainly did not expect a humongous seaside restaurant that served a selection of fresh seafoods which can be cooked according to the diners’ preference. I was in heaven.

Kinilaw na Hipon

The meal started out with servings of Kinilaw na Hipon (Filipino Style Tuna Ceviche), which I had only eaten once before in Iloilo. Panagatan’s version had pieces of salted egg and that made me extra happy. That was a nice start to the meal. We were then served with Tinolang Imbao (Clam Soup) which was a clear briny soup flavored with ginger and lemongrass. It had generous amounts of imbao in it. And I could taste the a hint of briny flavor from the imbao.

Grilled Tuna Panga

We were then served giant platters of various Grilled Seafoods and servings of Grilled Tuna Panga (tuna jaw). Even if I was already quite full from the shrimps and the clams, I still tried all the seafoods and everything was delightful. Each piece was seasoned and grilled perfectly.

Just as we thought the meal was over…

Crabs

Who could say no to Crabs? I and my companions definitely savored the huge crabs. It was served with a delicious sauce which I think is schezuan as it had spicy tang to it.

Everything we tried and ate was simply great. The seafoods were fresh, seasoned and prepared well, and served in big amounts. It was definitely a greats treat for a seafood lover like me. The seaside view of the restaurant adds more to the culinary experience.

If you’re traveling through the Iligan-Cagayan de Oro-Butuan Road, you must not miss out on Panagatan Seafoods Restaurant. It is located in Opol, Misamis Oriental about 10 kilometers away from Cagayan de Oro City. That’s around 20 minutes away from CDO. They’re open Mondays to Sundays, 6:30 am to 10:30 pm. They’re also open on holidays.

PANAGATAN SEAFOODS RESTAURANT
Opol Blvd.
Opol, Misamis Oriental
Telefax: (088) 754 487
Mobile: 0922-858-6071
panagatanrestaurant@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Panagatan
http://www.panagatan.com

Crunchy Roll by Nonki Japanese Restaurant

Crunchy Roll is quite a common roll sold by Japanese Restaurants. It’s an inside out roll made with sushi rice, nori (seaweed chips/sheets), and tempura batter, with some sesame seeds on the sides, and a generous dollop of kani with Japanese mayo and some egg roe on top.

It’s quite a delight to eat. It sounds simple but the contrast of textures from the soft rice and kani versus the crunch of the tempura batter is a nice surprise. All the flavors of the sushi roll components are subdued but the textures more than make up for it.

It’s a great sushi pick for those who don’t like eating raw food. It’s not recommended for dieters though, as it’s carb on carb. But it’s definitely a great appetizer or snack idea if you’re craving for something Japanese. Generally, it’s cheaper than other sushi rolls since it doesn’t have any fish, fruits, or veggies on it.

My favorite Crunchy Roll is by Nonki Japanese Restaurant here in Davao City. One serving can be just as filling as one full Japanese meal.

The Crunchy Roll is one item we always order when I’m there with my cousins or my friends. Try it.

Nonki Japanese Restaurant is located along F. Torres Street, Davao City.

Clawdaddy’s Boiling Bag

That is exactly what Clawdaddy’s Boiling Bag is. The chefs of Clawdaddy have chosen out the freshest seafood picks from Davao’s markets and seasoned it with herbs and spices. Plus some potatoes and spicy sausages. All these are packed in a food grade bag and boiled until all the herbs and spices have penetrated every piece of seafood.

The result is a delicious blend of seafood with all its sumptuous juices in a bag full of yummy seafood goodness. The seafoods maintain their juiciness while absorbing the delicious blend of Clawdaddy’s herbs and spices and the flavors of the sausage. And the juice is so delicious you won’t resist dipping some bread into it and munching every bite of it. Even the tender potatoes are so flavorful. If you’re a rice eater, you will definitely love soaking your rice with the juices of the seafood.

The Clawdaddy Boiling Bag is a great way to enjoy Davao’s delectable seafood selections with your family and friends. You will certainly not think twice about getting your fingers soaked in the seafood and its juices. Just thinking about it makes me salivate. It’s definitely a yummy way to enjoy seafoods.

In Davao City, Clawdaddy Crabhouse and American Grill is located at the Ground Floor of the Fountain Court of SM Lanang Premier. For more information and updates, like their page.

Check out these other Clawdaddy blog posts:

• Clawdaddy’s Home by Sarah Dayrit – http://meetsarahdayrit.blogspot.com/2012/10/clawdaddys-home.html
• Clawdaddy by Sarah Dayrit – https://misspandafoodblog.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/clawdaddys/
• Clawdaddy’s Great American Picnic Opens by Julie Tolentino – http://sugarfoodie.blogspot.com/2012/10/clawdaddys-great-american-picnic-opens.html
• Clawdaddy Opens at SM Lanang by Natalie Lim – http://luvnat.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/events-clawdaddy-opens-at-sm-lanang/
• Clawdaddy’s Great American Picnic Now in Davao at SM Lanang Premier by Charles and Tere Nierva – http://www.davaofoodtrip.com/food-trip/clawdaddys-great-american-picnic-now-in-davao-at-sm-lanang-premier.html
• Clawdaddy’s Great American Picnic Now in Davao at SM Lanang Premier by Charles and Tere Nierva -http://www.davaolife.com/clawdaddys-great-american-picnic-opens-at-sm-lanang-premier-in-davao-city.html
• Clawdaddy’s Great American Picnic Now Open in Davao by Floraine Balgos – http://www.sizzlingencounters.com/2012/10/clawdaddys-great-american-picnic-now.html

Bicol Express by Gillian’s Seafood Wharf

Bicol Express is a popular Filipino dish named after the train that used to ply the Manila-Bicol route. Bicol is a region in Southern Luzon. Elsewhere in the Philippines, Bicol Express is served as a mix of vegetables stewed in gata (coconut milk) and bagoong (shrimp paste) with a bit of chili.

Authentic Bicol Express, however, is pork (ground or cubes) stewed in gata, bagoong, and a lot of chili. The Bicol region is known for their spicy gata dishes and the Bicol Express is the most popular one.

During my trip to Legaspi, Albay last October, my first meal was Bicol Express at Gilian’s Seafood Wharf. And it was hot, hot, hot. It was too spicy for my palate. But the spicyness did not overpower the dish. I could still taste the saltiness of the bagoong, the richness of the gata, and the pork flavor. Eventhough, it was more spicy than what I am used to, I couldn’t stop eating it. It was definitely delicious.

The Bicol Express is best eaten with rice. Lots of rice. And some soda. Ice cold water just isn’t enough to wash down the spicy Bicol Express.

I had even more Bicol Express, Laing, and Pinangat in the coming days. If you’re not too fond of spicy food, remember that in Bicol when they say something is “not spicy,” that means it’s mildly spicy. And “mildly spicy food” is “very spicy” for those who are not used to the Bicol food.

When in Legaspi, visit the Embarcadero de Legaspi mall. They have a row of restaurants serving various Bicol and seafood dishes. We ate at Gillian’s Seafood Wharf. Their Bicol Express is superb.

Gillian’s Seafood Wharf on Foursquare: LINK

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Jonathan’s Cupcakery at SM Lanang Premier

The cupcake madness is not yet over. And here in Davao City, the place to go to for delicious cupcakes is Jonathan’s Cupcakery. They serve up delicious homemade cupcakes at affordable prices. All their cupcakes are rich and bursting with flavor.

They have staple flavors such as the Vanilla Bean, the Mocha, the Chocolate Vanilla Bean, the Red Velvet, the Triple Chocolate, and the Chocolate Surprise. My favorites are the Mocha and the Chocolate Surprise. Both are rich and decadent with just the right sweetness. The Triple Chocolate is a treat for chocolate lovers.

Jonathan’s Cupcakery

Everyday, they have a couple of extra flavors. Some of my favorites are the Dark Beer and the Chunky Monkey which is Banana Peanut Butter. Check them out every chance you get, you never know when a delicious new flavor is going to be on their display case.

Each cupcake only costs P50.

For your fill of cupcake goodness, visit Jonathan’s Cupcakery at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier. For inquiries and information, like their page at this link.

Sumo Sam’s Crunchy Tuna Roll available only in Davao branches

What is the Sumo Sam Legacy? Sumo Sam was created to fill a gap in the market. It’s designed as a casual dining Japanese restaurant that’s not fast food nor expensive high end dining.

Sumo Sam offers a Japanese menu that’s accessible and not too Japanese. For one, the menus are in English with dishes that have descriptive names. Goes to show that Sumo Sam is not as high brow as some people think.

Sumo Sam presents Japanese dishes and Japanese cuisine in a way that most Filipinos can fully enjoy…. fresh ingredients, strong yet balanced flavors, and beautiful presentation.

For the SM Premier brand, Sumo Sam created the Sumo Sam Legacy Restaurant. It offers the same value for your money delicious Japanese food with a little bit something extra. Every month, a featured chef will create a special Japanese dish using the freshest Davao ingredients. This dish will be featured in the Sumo Sam Legacy restaurant and will only be available for a limited time.

It was exciting to meet and converse with Sumo Sam owners, Marvin Agustin and Raymund Magdaluyo. Magdaluyo is in love with Davao City and is very much excited to create and present new Japanese dishes using ingredients found in Davao’s markets.

Sumo Sam’s Mt Apo Roll

Sumo Sam Davao, franchised by Carlo Lorenzana, is the first franchise outside Luzon. And in less than a year, they already have 3 branches in Davao City. Including the uniquely branded Sumo Sam Legacy at SM Lanang Premier.

The Davao branches have unique dishes such as the Mt. Apo Roll, the Crunchy Tuna Roll, and the Brown Rice Kamameshi which are only available in these branches. The Mt. Apo Roll is a unique maki roll which has durian cream as one of its components. They also have the Davao Rolls which has Malagos Cheese. And one of my favorites, the Tuna Crunchy Roll has fresh tuna and some crunchy tuna chicharon in a densely packed roll. A few pieces will make you feel full.

Aside from these unique Davao-inspired Japanese dishes, the usual Japanese fare such as tempura, soba, yakitori, and the ever famous California Maki are also available at the Sumo Sam Legacy Restaurant.

It’s a good sign that a restaurant chain is adapting to local cuisine and use local ingredients. I am also excited by the monthly featured chefs and their dishes as this will give diners something new to try and enjoy. I’m sure a lot of Davaoenos will relish the experience of casual but thoughtful Japanese dining.

In Davao City, Sumo Sam is located at SM City Davao Annex and Abreeza Ayala Mall. The first ever Sumo Sam Legacy is located at the Fountain Court of SM Lanang Premier.