Dining Snippets: Tendon Kohaku x Danji Korean Food x Thai BBQ Restaurant
TENDON KOHAKU
The perfectly crisp tempura never fails to bring a smile to my face. Kimpura’s Kisu Tempura remains untouchable for me; however, I’ve lately grown interested in the art of tendon ever since restaurants such as Tenya and Akimitsu Tendon started popping up in the Metro. Tendon Kohaku aims to join in the tendon conversation by setting up shop in Uptown Bonifacio so I decided to try it out with some friends.
SEAFOOD TENDON (P480 + P30 for the Kohaku Multi Grain Rice upgrade)
Its menu primarily consists of only its tendon variants and a handful of sides, but it oddly places a special emphasis on discussing the health benefits of its Kohaku Multi Grain Rice. For an upgrade of P30, it doesn't hurt to try the grains which promotes cancer and diabetes prevention, and even weight loss management!
I opted for the Seafood Tendon which featured a delightful array of crisp and lightly battered tempura classics like ebi and kisu, but also adds some scallop, tuna, squid and oyster to the mix. Instead of the usual stickily sweet glaze used, I opted for its spicy variant which breathes in a fiery attitude to the dish.
Tendon Kohaku
3F Uptown Mall, 36th Street cor 9th Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Date of Visit: March 3, 2018 with Justin Hernandez and Fifi Encarnacion
DANJI KOREAN FOOD
One of my favorite food finds in Ortigas would be the homey hole-in-the-wall, Danji Korean Food, which churns out freshly-made Korean dishes that come in wallet-friendly hearty servings. Its seats are highly coveted that most consider simply taking its food out for lunch.
BIBIMBAP (P150) and MANDU (P120)
Dining in Danji does have its perks as you’re treated to hospitable table service, complete with a complimentary bowl of soup and an ice cold pitcher of service water. Its Bibimbap may contain just a tiny spoonful of meat; but the burst of color and the crunchy freshness of the vegetable garden bowl you’re served with is enough to keep you going. It also helps that they give you your own bottle of the gochujang to add some pizzazz to it. Admittedly, the gochujang they served was a bit watered down so I had to keep adding more of it after each bite.
Its Mandu may look pale but each dumpling comes with nicely charred edges that lend a degree of smokiness to it. It may not be as good as Kaya's Fried Mandu, but it definitely is enough to satisfy one's hungry and demanding stomach!
Danji Korean Food
Grand Emerald Tower, Garnet Road cr Ruby Road, Ortigas, Pasig City
Date of Visit: March 5, 2018
THAI BBQ RESTAURANT
Like any newly-opened restaurant in Shangri-la Plaza, queues can get unbearably long during Sunday family lunches so my mom and I decided to grab an early Saturday lunch to get ahead of the crowd.
PHAD THAI (P420)
I don’t think I ever step into a Thai restaurant without ordering its Pad Thai. There’s always something comforting about eating its complex tasting sauce which marries the sweetness of peanuts, the saltiness of fish sauce and the tanginess of tamarind and lime. Tossed in firm rice noodles, Thai BBQ Restaurant's version is served with shrimps, beansprouts, tofu, and dried chili with all its elements working perfectly together.
SATE COMBINATION (P640)
We opted to pair this with the Sate Combination, which came with two chicken sticks, two pork sticks, and three beef sticks; which all came in really tasty marinade, and offer varying degrees of spice and smokiness. To complete the experience, the sate sticks are paired with a refreshing cucumber salad, and chunky peanut sauce. As a cherry on top to a good meal, the service of the crew was also exceptional! It definitely deserves the long queues it attracts!
Thai BBQ Restaurant
Level 5, Shangri-la Plaza, Main Wing, Shaw Boulevard cor EDSA, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
Date of Visit: March 10, 2018 with Lily Chua
