u/josh65928

There’s always that debate about where the best ramen in Japan is, whether it’s Hakata/Fukuoka or Sapporo. I still haven’t tried ramen in Sapporo yet, but I recently tried ramen in Hakata Fukuoka and honestly I can see why people rate it so highly.

I asked our local Japanese tour guide what ramen place she recommends most in Hakata and she said Shin Shin ramen. We ended up trying Hakata Ramen ShinShin Hakata DEITOS located at 1-1 Hakataekichuogai, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0012, Japan.

Man, definitely one of the best ramen bowls I’ve ever had. The broth was rich but still easy to drink, the noodles were perfect, and overall it just had that comforting flavor that makes you want another bowl immediately after finishing.

Personally, my favorite ramen overall is still Ichiran, just personal preference, but Shin Shin is probably my second favorite ramen I’ve tried in Japan as a whole so far.

Now I’m even more curious about Sapporo ramen because people always say Hakata tonkotsu and Sapporo miso ramen are completely different experiences.

What’s your favorite ramen in Japan?
Do you prefer Fukuoka/Hakata style ramen or Sapporo style ramen?

Heard that the original Mang Larry's Isawan branch in UP Diliman is already marked closed on Google Maps, so I decided to try the Maginhawa branch instead.

Still really good BBQ and isaw. Affordable, simple, and has that classic late night street food vibe. Definitely satisfied the craving. Anyone here know what happened to the UP branch or if they transferred somewhere else?

Shanghai is honestly one of the most interesting cities I’ve visited.

I expected a very modern, busy city, and it definitely is that, but it also has a lot more variety than I thought. You get a mix of futuristic areas, older streets, local neighborhoods, and quiet parks that makes it feel more layered than a typical big city.

Getting around was surprisingly easy. The metro system is very straightforward and made it simple to explore different parts of the city without much hassle.

Food was a big highlight as well, especially around Nanjing Road where there are lots of different local options. It’s easy to just walk around and find something good to eat.

A lot of people treat Shanghai as just a quick stop in China, but it really deserves more time. There is a lot more to see and experience than I expected.

Overall, it felt like a really solid introduction to China and a city I would definitely go back to.

Not in PH but just wanted to share some food pics from my recent China food tour with fellow foodies here.

These were all taken around Nanjing Road in Shanghai. Super lively place especially at night and honestly food everywhere you look. Lots of grilled skewers, hot pot, authentic Szechuan dishes, and other classic Chinese food that tasted very different from what we usually get here.

What I liked most is how different the flavors are compared to what we usually get here. Some dishes were super comforting while others were surprisingly spicy and savory.

Sharing these here because I thought fellow food lovers might appreciate them too. Hope you enjoy the food pics as much as I enjoyed eating them.

Hidden gem in QC that honestly deserves more attention: The Old Ironside Coffee - Museum in Malingap, Teachers Village.

It’s not just a coffee shop, it’s also a mini museum filled with vintage collections of old coffee machines, grinders, and other café equipment which gives the whole place a really unique atmosphere. One of those spots where you can spend a long time just looking around while enjoying coffee and food.

What surprised me too is that the food is actually really good, not just the coffee. Nice cozy vibe, good place to chill, catch up with friends, or even just explore something different around Quezon City.

Located at:
40 Malingap Street, Teachers Village East, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Metro Manila

Definitely one of the more unique cafés I’ve visited in QC.

I recently did a trip around Shanghai, Wuzhen, and Hangzhou in China, and honestly the place that impressed me the most was Wuzhen Water Town.

I feel like most international tourists focus on Shanghai or the bigger famous destinations first, but Wuzhen ended up being the highlight of the entire trip for me. The canals, old stone bridges, traditional wooden houses, and peaceful atmosphere made the whole place feel almost unreal. It genuinely looked like something straight out of a movie.

What I loved most was how calm and relaxing it felt compared to the fast pace of Shanghai. It was a really nice change after spending time in the city.

For anyone planning a China itinerary, Wuzhen is only around 130 km from Shanghai, so it’s actually a very easy addition to a trip. I combined it with Hangzhou and it worked perfectly.

Shanghai was amazing for the skyline, food, and city energy, Hangzhou was beautiful and relaxing, but Wuzhen was the place that really stayed with me after the trip.

Definitely one of the most underrated gems I’ve visited in China.

Last year I really struggled to find a place showing State of Origin live because I live quite far from Makati, so I thought I’d make this post as a guide for anyone else looking for somewhere to watch this year’s series.

Game dates:
• Game 1 – May 27
• Game 2 – June 17
• Game 3 – July 8

Here are a couple of places in Makati that usually show the games live:

1. Handlebar Bar and Grill - 31 Polaris Street, Manila, Philippines, 1209
2. H&J Sports Bar and Restaurant Makati - 5781 Felipe St, Poblacion, Makati City, 1210 Metro Manila

I watched at H&J a couple of years ago and it was a really good spot. Good atmosphere and plenty of Aussies watching the game.

Just posting this here for future reference since Game 1 is coming up fast and I know a lot of people end up scrambling last minute trying to find a venue showing it live.

If anyone knows other places around Quezon City, Pasig, BGC, or anywhere outside Makati showing the games, feel free to add them below.

Go Maroons!

Tried Tropical Hut again at Quezon City Circle and grabe, instant 90’s nostalgia talaga. Feels like stepping back into childhood with the fried chicken, clubhouse sandwich, and that old school fast food vibe na bihira mo na makita ngayon.

The place still has that simple and comforting atmosphere compared to modern fast food chains. Food tastes almost the same as I remember too. Sulit for the price and honestly just nice to see Tropical Hut still alive and kicking.

Love Bo’s coffee’s breakfast menu. Comes with a free black coffee. This is in Bo’s coffee Maginhawa.

Actually a pretty good Filipino Hispanic Ilocano restaurant. The atmosphere is very nice and has a refined yet comfortable feel to it. The food is good and full of flavor, with dishes that really highlight the local Ilocano and Hispanic influence.

Easily one of the best accommodations in La Union. The location is very good and convenient, making it easy to get around and enjoy the area. The staff and even the owner are so nice and welcoming, which really makes the stay more comfortable and enjoyable. The room is tidy, clean, and smells good as soon as you enter. Overall, a really pleasant stay and a place I would highly recommend.

Tried Sabong Chicken in La Union for the first time, specifically the Elyu Original 3pcs chicken meal. It was actually pretty okay. Huge serving size for around 300 pesos and honestly sulit for the price. Chicken was juicy and filling enough for sharing if you’re not that hungry.

I also got to try a bite of the sinigang flavor from a friend. It was decent too, but I was expecting a stronger sinigang taste. Felt like the flavor could’ve been more sour or more punchy overall.

Haven’t tried the other flavors yet though.

What are your thoughts on this place? Any flavor recommendations worth trying next time?

Just wanted to share this for fellow pho lovers around QC. My nearest go to pho spot lately has been Saigon Pho (108 Maginhawa, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Kalakhang Maynila) and honestly it has become one of my comfort food spots.

Their pho hits the spot every time, especially during rainy days or late night cravings. Broth is flavorful, servings are good, and the prices are pretty reasonable for the quality. Highly recommend if you are around Maginhawa.

My other favorite pho spot is Em Hà Nội Restaurant BGC (32nd Street, cor Lane A, Post Proper Northside, Taguig, 1226 Metro Manila). Different vibe but also really solid Vietnamese food and great pho.

Sharing this here in case anyone is looking for good Vietnamese spots around Metro Manila.

What’s your favorite pho spot in Manila/QC/BGC? Always looking for recommendations

Went back to this place after so many years and it honestly felt like stepping straight into my childhood. Last time I was here I was still a kid, and coming back now gave me that real batang 90’s nostalgia.

What surprised me the most is how little has changed. It looks almost exactly the same, like it was frozen in time. No major renovations, no modern overhaul, just that same old school vibe that is getting harder to find these days. And somehow, that is what makes it special.

The mushroom burger still tastes exactly how I remember it. Rich, flavorful, and super comforting. It is one of those meals that instantly brings back memories with every bite. Servings are still satisfying too, so it feels sulit for what you get.

Really love this place, not just for the food but for the memories tied to it. Definitely one of those spots I will keep coming back to whenever I want a taste of the past.

The best Xinjiang cuisine in the area. The food is very authentic and you can really taste the unique flavors that make it different from the usual Chinese restaurants. It can be a bit pricey, but it is definitely worth it considering the quality and the huge servings. Everything we ordered was well cooked and full of flavor. The customer service is excellent, the staff are attentive and helpful without being overbearing. If you want to try something different and experience real Xinjiang food, this is the place. Highly recommended.

The best Xinjiang cuisine in the area. The food is very authentic and you can really taste the unique flavors that make it different from the usual Chinese restaurants. It can be a bit pricey, but it is definitely worth it considering the quality and the huge servings. Everything we ordered was well cooked and full of flavor. The customer service is excellent, the staff are attentive and helpful without being overbearing. If you want to try something different and experience real Xinjiang food, this is the place. Highly recommended.