Simple and Easy Sushi Bake

Hello November! How is everyone holding up? I hope that most of you are in good spirit and in good health. 

At the start of the Covid19 pandemic, a lot of great recipes and "HIT" "IT" dishes came to life to make most of us famish. For me, it was the Sushi Bake craze that got me thinking why the heck are people going crazy about it? Why is everyone making some and selling it? 

People are actually making profits from it and I don't know why it took almost 7 months for me to come up with my own easy twist. I have made sushi recipes before (learned it from my Turkish friends and recipes are readily available online) and so after months of contemplation, I came up with a super simple and super easy Sushi Bake with 3 kinds of toppings - Tuna, Kani, Sweet Ham. 

Ingredients:

1cup   White Rice (Japanese Rice, if it's available)

1cup   Frozen Mixed Vegetables (optional)

5cups  Water

1cup   Sliced Cucumber

1cup   Kani 

1cup   Sliced Sweet Ham (any meat will do - bacon will do well - even spam)

1cup   Japanese Mayo

1pc    Canned Tuna

1tbsp Sesame Oil

3tbsp Hoisin Sauce

3tbsp Fermented Korean Chili Paste

2tbsp Sesame Seeds

1tsp   Dried Basil

1tsp   Garlic Powder

1pack Nori Seaweeds

*Wash and drain Rice with running water. In a pot, pour in water and add Rice. Cook for 20 minutes then add frozen mixed vegetables. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes while adding water. I'm cooking the Rice in this recipe the Dutch way but to make it easier - Asian style is the best - Rice cooker :D 

*In a bowl, mix drained Canned Tuna with Hoisin Sauce and Dried Basil. Set aside.

*In a different bowl, mix Kani with Garlic Powder and Japanese Mayo. Set aside.

*In another bowl, mix Sliced Sweet Ham with Fermented Korean Chili Paste. Set aside.

*Let the Rice cool for a few minutes before placing it in an oven safe dish ware. Spread evenly to the bottom of the dish ware then place sliced cucumber on top. Since this recipe is of 3 kinds of toppings, divide your topping placement 3 parts. First Tuna, Kani then Sweet Ham. 

*Once all is placed, drizzle with Sesame Oil. 

*Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

*Once bake, garnished with Japanese Mayo, Sesame Seeds and Nori Strips (you cut them into strips - Nori Seaweeds are sold in big pieces).

Serve with Soy Sauce with Lemon and Nori Seaweeds Wrappers. But seriously, the topping choices for this one is endless. I want to try some mushrooms next time. Happy mid-week everyone! 

Ramen Yushoken Cebu

Ramen, noodles and all sorts of it has been part of my life since I could remember. There was an era in my life were all I ate was noodle soup from morning 'til night and that really gave my parents some serious worried faces - I was 3 years old then. Thus, whenever I feel vulnerable or sick - Ramen or Noodles makes life better. Dropped by a new ramen place in Cebu earlier was it was amazingly good - Left Over take aways are not allowed but rest assured there's no left over once you start chowing.

What we tried was Tantan- Men which is one of their best sellers and I LOVE IT! The ground pork was perfect and the ramen was perfect as well. Shoyu Maze Saba with Raw Eggs which was also good and Karai Takusei which was good but for this one the ramen is separate from the soup, so you have to dip the ramen on the soup. 

Ambiance was really nice. Very modern Japanese. Price ranges from 300php up for their Ramen Dishes. For more details, check their https://web.facebook.com/ramenyushokencebu/

Nonki Japanese Restaurant

I'm a sushi lover. Well, make that, I'm in love with Japanese dishes. I think I got that exposure from my dad who worked for a Japanese company when I was younger. I actually thought, we were Japanese. Hmm. Anyway, Nonki Japanese Restaurant has been around for a while now. Three branches in Cebu and I've only decided to dine in a few weeks back with my good friend Monica. 

Here's a compilation of what we ordered. The Japanese guy sitting next to us was definitely wondering how can two woman eat like men. Oh well. 

*Miso Soup, a personal favorite. I think I've tasted this from different Japanese restos all over Asia and Cebu and I still wonder how come, they all taste the same? 

*Tuna Sashimi, I have to agree with Monica because it's the freshest of the freshest sashimi I've tasted. 

*Temaki Mix, it was a different twist from the usually sushi that we're used to but I still prefer how the sushi is rolled and served.

*Salmon Maki Special, delish and just delish. 

*Shrimp Tempura, I love the crispness in every bite. 

*California Maki, this is everyone's favorite maki and it's always refreshing to taste it like the first time when you're in a different restaurant. 

It was a truly good experience and I really wouldn't mind going back for another bite and try out their other dishes. Nonki Japanese Restaurant is located at the old wing of SM City Cebu, Airport Road in Mactan and Banilad Mandaue. 

A photo with my food trip buddy. Monica :)

For more infos, check their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nonki-Japanese-Restaurant/133877056634226?fref=ts

UCC Cafe

At the heart of the city lies a Japanese coffee shop that looks entirely Western than Eastern Oriental and never thought it'll be one of those few places where I feel at home and at ease while I dine or sip on my coffee.

UCC or Ueshima Coffee Co. Ltd. is more than just a place to have breakfast or meetings but it is such a nice place to just relax, do some research on line using your laptop or just chilling and being surrounded by well behaved people. 

The place offers a home relax vibe and they served not just breakfast based dishes but also other sets that are truly Japanese by heart but my favorites are their waffles and french toasts and their cake servings. Not to mention, their coffee is a must and is made in a unique manner :)

So last weekend my friends and I decided to drop by and dine in while we chit chat and here are a few snaps of what we ordered and I added one set that my mother had this morning :) 

*Spam Breakfast

*Waffle Sausage (my personal favorite)

*Banana Carrot Cake (their Ube Macupuno is to die for and so is their Japanese cheesecake)

*French Toast Basket (you can opt for Longanisa, Ham for the topping)

*Cinnamon French Toast Tower (a must! and also the other choices for this)

They also have smoothies, pastas, ramen and salads. They're open from 8a til 11p and is located at the Terraces Ayala Center Cebu near the Marriott Hotel :) Prices starts at 150php up :)

Hot or cold ~~~ this is a favorite. The taste is just so good. If you want this at home, you can buy their coffee jars which ranged from smooth mild and strong. :)

My dates :)

Tonkatsu

So, there's a new Japanese restaurant that opened at Ayala Terraces Cebu a few months back and this post is obviously a bit overdue. Pardon me, I've been feeling lazy to do some blog post about food and stuff. 

The place is totally simple but once inside, you'll feel like you're in a restaurant in Japan. Tonkatsu is - as I would describe it, is a sister company of Italiani's. Their menu is mostly consists of pork meat. If I remember correctly, there are only two entrees for chicken and few for seafoods thus I ended up having the seafoods meal which consists of fish and oysters. What I really love about their food is the way they coat their entrees. Really wonder and the crispiness on each bite is really amazing. 

Here are a few photos from that dining.

I love the idea of an open kitchen for any restaurant. It gives you that homey feel.

The table presentation was fine. It's the typical fast-food like vibe. The menu was simple and easy to understand because the photos were presented nicely. I just didn't like the sauce containers, it makes pouring a little difficult because the sauce are textured a little thick.

We ordered

Salad, it looked like the typical salad with greens and tomatoes but lo and behold it has noodles in it, so the order alone is good for a meal if you're on diet. The taste was OK but the noodle was heaven.

Fries, the normal fries as I should describe it but the powder they dashed on it was good to the taste and the fact that the sauce were tartar mayo and ketchup - is kid friendly :)

Chicken Wings, I think Japanese and Koreans always have this on their menu for appetisers because it goes well with beer and theirs was tasty. But nothing beats the chicken wings I tasted in a Korean resto in Saigon some years ago.

Deep Fried Oysters, now, I'm really a huge fan of oysters but to have them fried is something that I was just too curious to try. I usually eat it raw :D It was fantastic! Like I said earlier their coatings are seriously awesome.

Pork Katsu, my dad had this. From the looks on his face eating it, I must say it was so so or probably good for others. I love their food servings though. I'm trying to find that tiny strainer for the food :D

Seafoods Katsu, it was so so. I mean it's fried so what do you expect. If you're a fan of fried dishes then this place is a go :) This order has fish then oysters then rice and miso soup and salad on the sides :)

Over all it was a good dining experience. I still prefer sushis and sashimis over this servings anytime of the day and I must say, I still prefer the Japanese resto in Saigon but Tonkatsu is a really good place to hang out and chill if you want that Japanese vibe within the vicinity of a shopping centre. Price ranges from 200php to 500php. A meal set such as the seafoods set is priced at around 485php something. I forgot the price. Anyhow, it was a fun experience and I love their place. The aura is beautiful :)

Visit them now at the lower level of the Ayala Terraces besides Italiani's and bring the entire gang along for that awesome Japanese fried sets experience :)

Spam Sushi & Shrimps

So, for the passed few months, I've always wondered how a Spam Sushi looks like or how to make it. I know a friend from FB who loves this meal so much, that when he travels, he makes a handful for himself and last, I just caught myself browsing photos via google and today, I decided to make some.

SPAM SUSHI

You Will Need

1 cup cooked rice (minced garlic & mixed vegetables, optional)

1 can spam (any flavour will do)

3 pcs roasted seaweeds

2 eggs (beaten with black pepper, parsley & cilantro, optional)

3 tablespoon cooking oil

Dash of Thyme

Dash of Lea & Perrins

Dash of Minced Garlic

Sushi Bamboo Roller

Procedure

1. Cooked rice along with mixed vegetables and minced garlic in rice cooker with 2 cups of water. Once cook, let it cool.

2. Slice spam evenly and cook until golden brown or a bit reddish. DON'T OVER COOK. Set aside.

3. Beat 2 eggs, add dash of black pepper, parsley and cilantro. In a pan, add 1 tablespoon cooking oil and fry egg until cook. Don't fold, just let it spread throughout the pan. Flip, the other side to cook. Set aside. Check photo below :)

Let's MAKE SPAM SUSHI ^_^

1. In your sushi roller, PLACE roasted seaweeds, ADD rice, making sure that it follows the size of your spam slices. ADD sliced spams and eggs (eggs is shaped after the spam).

2. ADD another layer of rice. 

3. FOLD and ROLL :)

*slice evenly 

SHRIMPS

1. Using a kitchen scissor, CLEAN shrimps of its head and those tiny hand thingy. WASH and DRAIN.

2. ADD 2 tablespoon cooking oil, dash of black pepper and minced garlic, ADD shrimps.

3. Once shrimps changes to a shade of pink, ADD Lea & Perrins, sauté.

4. Simmer, until shrimps turns orangey. 

Finish Product :) I just sprinkled some Terragon for an artsy effect on it and placed the skinned shrimps in a tea cup :)

It's my first time to try Spam Sushi and I must say, it is easy and so yummy. At first, I was hesitant with how I can fold and roll it, given that a slice spam is not round but flat but it worked out anyway. Looking forward to serving this to my friends, if they come over :)

Sumo Sam Davao

I've written an entry about Sumo Sam a few months ago when my parents and I dined in at their first Davao branch and when I had lunch with my mother some time ago but I'm writing another one because the new revised menu for their Davao division has some fancy funky twist with their sushi rolls. 

They're basically an enhanced Japanese Restaurant because they don't have the traditional Japanese settings for tables and chairs. It's very contemporary which suits and justifies the current generation of clients.

Kimchi Pork Ramen that my father ordered. Didn't taste it because I don't eat pork but as per my dad it was good. On our second visit in one week, he ordered the same thing, so must be good :)

Curry Chicken Ramen. 'Twas my first time to try out their ramen (I'm a Rai Rai Ken fanatic but I don't know of a branch in Davao) but must say it was good but I can also say that I'd be able to recreate the same exact thing if I want to :D

Salmon... (I forgot the name) but it's a MUST if you're not into sushis and ramen and noodles. It's a classic grilled that's a little off for a Japanese Restaurant but it's so good and the serving is good for sharing :)

Beef something (pardon me, I'm not really good with remembering names) but it's so so. I don't really see myself ordering this 'cos how it was cooked was just basic - the usual way of cooking beef that is.

Rice topping is always a favourite but this comes off as dry :D But nonetheless the beef was cooked tenderly :)

"Davao Roll" The name itself is catchy because we're in Davao and they've created something on their menu that's purely from their own. And it's a blast of tastiness that I just love :)

"Mt. Apo Roll" Ever had Durian on your sushi roll? Then this is the real shiz people. It has a Durian in it and I never thought it will blend well with rice but it does :D

This one... I forgot the name but it's a MUST TRY on their menu :D

I'm big on Sushis, Ramen and other Oriental Asian dishes and Sumo Sam never fails me when it comes to the very basic traditional dishes that are purely filled with flavours. They've got branches almost everywhere in the entire Philippines. I'd like to believe that we Filipinos are really into dining out. I guess, when you work 6 days a week and you only got one day off, you'd love to just dine and try out new stuff on the menu. And most people in my country does that :)

Rai Rai Ken

Ramen on the Menu

Some Japanese Diners :)

I forgot what this Maki is called but it has Eel, Shrimps and all those other ingredients for the California Maki (PS, upon eating this - i realised that I am allergic to EELS).

Yakisoba

Tempura Platter - a MUST TRY. I love everything on it. It has Squid, Shrimps, Crab Sticks and Veggies.

Love love love Rai Rai Ken. I have other favourites on their Menu like the Salmon Furai and Seafoods Ramen, not to mention, their Tofus are awesome :D It's not my first time to dine in here but I think it's the first time that I'm posting an entry about it.

I love noodles. I remember when I was young like maybe 2 or 3 years old, I'd only be eating noodles - breakfast, lunch and dinner and my mom would always scold me. I think that noodles are just freaking yummy :)) Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese and even Filipino noodles, they all taste the same and are GOOD to my taste buds :D And I do love soups. I prefer eating rice and putting soup on it :D

If you need to check out their branches: http://www.rairaiken.com.ph

PS Menu on the site is not updated. Price ranged from 130php to 1000php

Banri

Currently Listening To: Boys Don't Cry by Grant Lee Phillips 

I've always been a fan of Japanese cuisine. And last Saturday I had the chance of dining in a resto at Crossroads with Chai and Maiqui. Two of my bunny loves ladies. Chai, my very pregnant bestfriend was craving or has been craving for Japanese since I could remember when and Banri was obviously the answer to her prayers.:)

yaki udon which is pancit canton in our local.:) loving the noodles and the seasoning is just perfect. not too salty and not too oily.

california maki which amazed me because the cut were huge. perfect taste i should say.:)

the classic ebi tempura. same taste like the other restos in here and outside the country.:) i think, most japanese chefs sticks to the same way of cooking this very traditional treat.

tempura maki, which was the first time i've tasted and must say, it was GOOD.:) i love the crunchy feel when you put it in your mouth however, i wished they've gotten rid of the shrimps/tempura's tail.:)

They also ordered Pork Ramen and Gyoza but didn't get to snap it.:) Anyhow, Banri Japanese Resto Bar is a must for Japanese cuisine lovers like me. They also offer traditional Japanese wines and stuff. The place is not that big but it's very Japanese vibey.:) And prices are pocket friendly.:)

A few pics with my lovely girls.:)

my bestfriend who's now on her family way. child on board i must say.:) we've been friends for 16 years. felt like just yesterday though. my complete opposite in so many ways. she's smart and studious... i'm dumb ass but talented.:P i come in peace bf.:) love you. photo taken using Maiqui's mobile phone.:)

two pretty and fashionable ladies. what can i say about Maiqui... i always love her style. very chic and simple.:)

Overall, a wonderful Saturday afternoon date with gorgeous friends. Good laugh trip and sharing of naughty experiences... NOT.:) I love them to bits. We don't always hang out together but I'm glad that we do get a once in a blue moon get together. Solemn and very mature talk talk.:) Til next date with Imma and June.:)