FOOD: Makiling Onsen Hotel and Restaurant 2014

I was suddenly craving for Japanese food last Sunday morning! So I told my husband, Ed, and he agreed to eat out for brunch. It's still too early (9:30am) and most Japanese restaurants open at 11:00am. We find Hana Japanese Restaurant in Pagsanjan, Laguna (which we consider close to being authentic) too far to drive just for this craving. There's Eat-Sumo Restaurant near UPLB, although cheap, we find it unsatisfying. There's Ippon-Yari Japanese restaurant in Calamba (which I love) but didn't want the hassle of being stuck in heavy traffic. Then, I thought, there's a Japanese hotel which is a 5-minute drive from where we live. I haven't dined in it yet, so I'm excited to give it a try... introducing Makiling Onsen Hotel and Restaurant.

Main Entrance

Restaurant

This is a medium size restaurant that can probably accommodate up to 40-45 people... just my estimate.

Appetizers 

(L-R: Sweet and Salty Anchovies with Sesame Seeds, Kimchi, 

Kropek or Deep Fried Prawn Crackers)

Makiling Onsen serves both Japanese and Korean food, as you can see on their appetisers. And yes, they're free. Served as well with a glass of cold water.

Ed ordered Sashimi Mix and iced tea. His Sashimi Mix consists of a couple of maguro (tuna), shake (salmon), kanikama (artificial crab stick), ika (squid), and ebi (shrimp)... served on top of shredded radish. I was able to try his food. I just hope they were fresher. That's all. 

Sashimi Mix = PhP270

Iced Tea = PhP22

I ordered Salmon Teishoku and cold calamansi juice. Teishoku means a meal of a fixed menu. Here means fresh salmon served with rice and miso soup. I'm happy that I chose salmon (alone) instead of mixed sashimi. Mine is fresher than Ed's ordered. What I didn't like though is the miso soup, it's too salty for me. It tasted like Eat-Sumo's and my home-made miso soup, which nobody ate/consumed... I've tasted miso soups from Sai-Bachi, Ippon-Yari, and Fu, and they were wonderful! So I guess that was the downside of my meal. I know it's rude but I didn't finish it.. sorry.

Salmon Teishoku = PhP365

Calamansi Juice = PhP85

We plan to stay at the hotel in the future and try their onset (hot bath). I'm not sure if I'm ready for it though. 57 degrees Celcius sounds too hot for me... For those of you who plans to go to Makiling Onsen Hotel, here's their contact number:

Manong guard courteously guided us to the covered parking lot. On our way there, I glanced upon the KTV/Karaoke room, gym, and driver's lodge.

So, will we come back again? Yes, to try the onsen at the hotel :)

xoxo,

FOOD: Ippon-Yari Japanese Restaurant, Calamba

Edward and I have been craving for sashimi in the past few days. We tried eating at a Japanese restaurant in Alabang but the sashimi that day was not available. So today, right after our Saturday Swimming, we went to Ippon-Yari Authentic Japanese Restaurant for lunch. Yes, it is posted on their entrance the word "authentic" and hey, that really are!

When you eat there, you are served a vegetable salad and toasted rice tea (cold). This is a plus point for the restaurant.

 I ordered salmon sashimi, agedashi tofu, miso soup, rice, and orange juice.

Vegetable Salad Vinaigrette

Shake (Salmon) Sashimi - This is an all-time favorite that I ALWAYS order whenever available. I also liked the seaweeds that came with it. Too bad Uni Sashimi is now out of the menu. It's one of my favorites too!

Agedashi Tofu

This is ME. Didn't they say not to take photo against the light? :-D

Ed ordered chili beef ramen with egg & nuts, (I actually forgot how it's called), maguro (tuna) sashimi, miso soup and iced tea.

Chilli Beef Ramen with Egg and Chopped Nuts - Ed wasn't able to consume all this so I came to rescue! Lol

Maguro (Tuna) Sashimi - This one is also very fresh, just like the salmon.

This is Edward enjoying his food.

The waitress offered us free coffee after meal. Another plus point! But since we were so full, we decided not to have it. 

Overall it was a very satisfying meal. There is really a big difference between coming out of a foodplace just full and coming out full and happy. We were very satisfied and happy.

Total Bill: PhP1,220.00

Other Plus Point(s): 

The friendly security guard who assisted us in parking. They offer 20% discount on Sundays and Regular Holidays

Business Hours: 

Daily 11am-2pm / 5pm-11pm

Location:

National Highway, Brgy. Turbina, Calamba City, Laguna

Will we come back again? DEFINITELY!

xoxo,

FOOD: Fu Japanese Restaurant at Paseo de Sta. Rosa

We used to work in a company located across Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Because of this, we had almost tried all the restaurants in the area. We both LOVE Japanese food and Fu Japanese Restaurant  is our favorite place! Actually, there used to be many Jap resto in Paseo de Sta. Rosa: Ippon-Yari (across), Fu, Ichi, Umenoya, Ryuma... but the last three mentioned are already closed, sad to say. I said Fu is our fave because the freshness of the food they serve and the ambiance of the place. Those who have eaten there before may say that the place isn't as fancy as the others, or the staff from other restaurants are dressed better, blah blah blah... but that's actually what we liked about Fu. It feels homey (especially for Japanese nationals) and less commercialized. So we were able to enjoy our food feeling relaxed, laid back.. ohhh I want to go back.

In the picture, you will know that WE LOVE SASHIMI! Mouth-watering... We rate this restaurant 4 out of 5. Will we eat at Fu again? Of course, YES!!! And we promise ourselves to try each meal on their menu. :-)

-Ed & Glai