Dining Snippets: Ajisen Ramen x Bad Bird x White Camp Coffee and Kitchen

AJISEN RAMEN

Ajisen Ramen’s initial entry into the dining scene was years before the ramen obsession took over Manila. During that time, its closest competition would be Konbini Store; both in terms of concept and in terms of location. Despite its ramen bowls taking the spotlight; it was its Gyudon which won my family over, and eventually became our personal standard for this popular donburi.

GYUDON (P265)

After a decade of it being outside our radar, I was ecstatic when I found out that it conveniently opened in front of my office. It’s notable though that its menu has expanded to a wide selection of ramen bowls, with a pretty decent selection for non-ramen eaters to consider. Of course, I had to order its Gyudon. My nostalgia was tempered by my fear that perhaps it won’t live up to its glorious past so I decided to order a bowl of Miso Soup (P55) to help pass the time. The blandness of its Miso Soup was easily forgotten once they laid the fragrant bowl in front of me. I took a whiff of its sweet glaze and lovingly gazed at the gorgeous egg yolk tucked in the middle of glistening beef strips and shiitake mushrooms and hurriedly shoved a huge spoonful in my mouth. Boy, was I happy. The beef strips were generously glazed in its stickily sweet sauce, further sweetened by shiitake mushrooms. Perfection in a bowl.

JA JIANG MIEN (P235)

The next dish I tried would be its Ja Jiang Mien. My prior exposure to the Ja Jiang Mien would just be of the instant variety; so this was definitely a big upgrade. I loved its springy noodles as well as the viscosity of its special Ajisen Ramen Sauce it came with. Bits of diced chashu served as pleasant surprise to the typical ground pork and bean curd toppings expected from this dish. I’d have preferred its egg to be slightly less boiled though.

SEAFOOD YAKI RAMEN (P365)

For one of my abstinence Friday lunches, I opted to try its Seafood Yaki Ramen, which definitely did not disappoint. Its noodles were clothed in a perfect yakiniku sauce, with a decent serving of seafood (shrimps, squids, and crabsticks) to lend the dish more weight.

Ajisen Ramen

Level 3, Robinsons Galleria, Quezon City

Dates of Visit: November 30, 2018, January 28, 2019 and March 8, 2019

BAD BIRD

Bad Bird’s Umami Fried Chicken is definitely undisputed in flavor, attitude, and crunch. However, I do appreciate that despite its continued success, it never sat on its laurels, evidenced by its ability to consistently churns out new additions and tweaks to its menu.

ONE PC SPICY CHICKEN WITH HONEY BUTTER SWEET POTATO AND KIMCHI (P290)

One much welcome addition would be its new slew of sides. I’m a hardcore Dirty Rice fanatic; but the Honey Butter Sweet Potato quickly caught my eye. The sweet potato cubes were clothed in a caramelized honey glaze which gives a much needed balance to the heat emanating from the chicken.

SPICY CRISPY BULGOGI AND EGGPLANT (P390)

One thing its revamped menu achieved was that it introduced a wide selection of non-chicken dishes without stealing the spotlight from its main chicken plates. One example would be its Spicy Crispy Bulgogi and Eggplant featured tasty pork strips marinated in a spicy and sweet bulgogi sauce. This dish delivered on heat and on flavor; but it was something I easily tired of. Best to share this with a large group.

SALMON MAC AND CHEESE (P480)

Another wonder addition would be its breathtaking beautiful Salmon Mac and Cheese. The cheesy salmon-topped mac and cheese rests on a gorgeous dark bed of nori; which lends this dish a burst of umami and crunch in every bite. Again, it’s a bit difficult to finish this on your own so it’s best to have this a side dish for sharing.

LISA MANILA AND JOLLY AGANON

Bad Bird

3F, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City

Date of Visit: December 15, 2018 with Lily Chua; January 30, 2019 with Lisa Manila and Jolly Aganon

WHITE CAMP COFFEE AND KITCHEN

The first time I wanted to try White Camp Coffee and Kitchen; the restaurant was closed for a private function. I tried again though as I kept reading about its famed waffles, its hearty rice meals, and its bizarre handcrafted beverages. Fortunately, fortune (and Booky) helped me get there on my second attempt.

CHEESY WONTON WITH TRUFFLE HONEY (P165)

White Camp Coffee may primarily be a tiny coffee shop; but its main dishes deviate from the typical sandwich + pasta fare. The Cheesy Wonton with Truffle Honey can be likened to the one served in Nono’s. Golden deep-fried crunchy wontons filled with gooey cheese serve as the perfect appetizers. The cheese finds its perfect pair with the honey generously drizzled on top of each wonton.

SUKIYAKI TAPA (P299)

One of its popular dishes would be the Sukiyaki Tapa; which boasted of a hearty serving size which guarantees value for your money. Tender sukiyaki-cut slices of beef marinated in the signature sweet-tangy tapa blend Filipinos always crave for are paired with a fragrant cup of garlic rice and egg. I’d definitely won’t mind enjoying a plate of this on my own.

KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN (P279)

Another signature dish would be its Korean Fried Chicken; which we paired with some Kimchi rice (other options available would be plain or garlic rice). An order is enough for sharing as it comes with three large chicken pieces. Each chicken piece comes with the signature double-fried crunchy exterior expected of Korean Fried Chicken; and glazed in a soy-garlic sauce. It delivered on the crunch; but the flavor was sub-par. The glaze left a lot to be desired; while the kimchi rice was mediocre at most. I’d actually easily swap it for an order from Bonchon any day. Filling and cheap, but not satisfying.

HONEY CEREAL LATTE

One of their more creative handcrafted concoctions would be the Honey Cereal Latte. It was more filling than I expected it to be; but it was a well-balanced cup. Not too sweet, not too milky; still enough for you to make out the coffee flavor. Of course, it’s nothing that I’d trade up by black coffee for, but it definitely makes for an interesting experience.

White Camp Coffee and Kitchen

62 Sgt Esguerra corner Mother Ignacia Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City

Date of Visit: January 19, 2019 with Lily Chua