The great thing about living in Asia or the East for that matter is the food we get the chance to eat. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of weird but truly delectable viands available. One of these is the exotic food selection locally.

I don't know if I'd get in trouble with Animal Rights and be charged with animal cruelty, but that sort of thing isn't really a big issue around here... especially when it comes to FOOD! I haven't really done any research about it except ask around, but people seem to get away with hunting wild boars or catching turtles to eat... or even dogs for that matter. I think you guys have seen me feast on some of that over the years. ;)

But this week's menu is not the sort of thing you see every day. Well, I don't... and the last time I had one of these had been years actually.

What the heck is that?

To find out, read the rest of my blog in HERE.

http://bastaigatsikat.blogspot.com/2010/01/yuck-or-yum.html

Another rainy and cold December night... we decided to have Japanese food for dinner ;)

Yet another gastronomical experience! ;)

Brought to you exclusively by Ramen Girl and Noodle Boy.

...NOT! But I was just being the lady in red when I *finally* managed to go out for dinner after a really really toxic time at work lately. I know there aren't a lot of choices around here but this night belongs to La Vigia.



Sounds familiar? Well, not really. But it's the old BBR restaurant... Remember the one in Bantigue? Yeah, that's right. It was a good thing we were the only ones there so I had a good time camwh0ring. Tee hee.



The prices were pretty low (as one would expect when dining out in good ol' Ormoc City). Although the menu exceeded my expectation. When I was in college, the food choices weren't really many, although I really couldn't get enough of those criss cross potato fries. But this time they got appetizers, soups, pasta, chicken/beef/pork, and veggies.



But what really impressed me was the ambience. I could very well say now this is the best place to be on a "date" when you're in town. Even the sea breeze was nice compared to the stinkier ones along the coast.



Okay, let me show you more of the place.

 













Too much, huh? Well, can you blame me? The place had just the right "touch" and class of Tita Meging. 

A friend of mine said they have a band playing on Fridays, but I haven't really confirmed that. You should definitely check the place out if you haven't done so...



All work and no play makes Maria a dumb gal.

⋆✌㋡ღ⋆ 陳美西

@ Hangang Korean Restaurant in Mactan

Food was superb!!! You just had to pay for the main dish and everything else was free!!! Well, except the soju and rice...

An amazing Korean experience with everyone around happily chattering in Korean language. Hehe! Felt like I was in a koreanovela.

I learned new things that night, too. For example:
1. Korean birthdates are different from ours. They count the 9 months when the baby is still in the womb... so it's like they're all 2 years older in Korean age. They get to have a grand birthday/anniversary to celebrate the baby's 1st birthday.
2. When you eat, put rice on the left side and soup on the right. Otherwise, you're probably wishing for death.
3. There are hundreds of different kimchis. It takes 12 ingredients to make it... and it's easier to make if you're making a lot (rather than just a small serving).
4. 죽을래 (chugeole?) is that thing you hear a lot on TV when Koreans mean..."Do you wanna die?" I always find that pretty amusing!
5. Using metal chopsticks gets really tricky when your hands are wet! LOL!

감사합니다, Mr. Cheol!

*****************************************
Don't say I didn't warn you.

I'm not blogging about a special recipe though. It's just a bunch of photos of the food I stuffed myself during last Sunday's get-together with the Cousin Club.

I just love international cuisine. In fact, I love food in general. Even though I am the biggest carnivore I know, I don't mind trying new dishes; but I still stay away from anything green.

I live by this equation: Green = Vegetables = YUCK!

And so without further ado, I present to you... the best FILIPINO lunch ever!!!

My native tongue still craves for native food.  So no amount of Japanese, Italian, or whatever dish you serve me, I will still favor homemade Filipino meal.


Kuya Ariol's special kinilaw.


My mom's crispy pata.


Do not be fooled by the plate. It's not sizzling squid. Just grilled.


The sinigang that you just can't get enough.


The lechon baboy.


HUUUUUUUUGE grilled tuna belly.

And one of my favorite foods of all time ~~~ MUSHROOMS!!!



Otherwise known as "LIBGOS".  They usually sprout only after a thunderstorm, thus, it's not very often that I get to savor it! In other words, LIMITED EDITION! Tee hee!



My plate...



...that I finished completely. ^_^

But what's for dessert?


PICHI-PICHI!!! I think it's some kind of cassava with coconut stuff on it. I could be wrong but it's delicious!!! I could finish a whole box all by myself. HA!

Then again, a full meal is never complete without ICE CREAM! And this time, I opted for something a bit different.

Frozen kisses?



NO! It's Nestle Pops! YUM!!!




Special thanks to my mom and Anna*, my new yaya, for preparing this very sumptuous luncheon while this spoiled little girl slept. Hek hek hek.

*(She's my nanny's daughter.  Yaya Mila, who is now our cook, took care of me for the past 24 years! She's the one responsible for great tasting meals we have back home [in Ormoc]. Maybe we should open a carenderia. Everyone knows how good her pancit and utan bisaya aka las-ay are! But I don't eat the latter. Remember my equation?)

Still... what is it that I truly keep coming back in Cebu for?



Yup! The shawarma!!!



Shish! I can't get enough of this one either! HA HA HA!

Now I'm getting a borborygmus. *sigh*  Maybe I'll dream of food later. Let me go get some watermelon now. Until then!

⋆✌㋡⋆ 陳美西

Health is wealth!

Let's eat, drink and be merry... for tomorrow we shall die.