May 2015: MNL lunch dates
Hello, dolls! Hello, Halloween!! I am so excited!! It’s baby A’s first official Halloween. I never really got to experience Halloween as a kid so I am really thrilled to be a stage Momma to baby A lol.
MNL will always be in my heart. Whenever I meet someone who just moved here in the US, they often ask me how I deal with homesickness and being away from my family. I tell them that it takes time and the first step is to accept the fact that we are creating a new life here in the US — making room for bigger things. Living here felt normal after I got my own routine — a stable job, my “spots” aka places I go shopping, and friends (that turned into family) that I hang out with. I am fortunate that I get to see my family every year, especially now that they can visit us. After buying a house and baby A, my heart told me that Baltimore is home too. I consider it as a blessing to have 2 homes on different sides of the world <3
Another common question I get asked is “does A like going to the Philippines?”. I am lucky to be with a man who LOVES Asian food….SO MUCH! He is just as excited as me whenever we go home to the Philippines. He gives me a list of restaurants that he wants to go to and snacks he would like to bring back with us.
I honestly never heard of Mitsuyado Sei-Men prior to our trip. A kept on talking about it like he lived in the Philippines for 21 years lol. He was so happy when I told him we could go for lunch.
Having a hard time because everything looked so good!
Pork Gyoza with Japanese Rice
I wanted to try both especially the Japanese rice. Their set menu is super worth it because you can get a rice meal AND a bowl of delicious ramen for less than 500PHP!
Japan feels!!
My miso ramen.
A delicious bowl of miso ramen!! YUM
tourist moment 😛
A’s tsukmen ramen.
A was so excited to try this! He said he felt like a real Asian while eating his perfectly cooked noodles! lol
Our ramen date won’t be complete without steamed buns!
I have to say, Mitsuyado Sei-Men is definitely one of the best ramen places we’ve been to. Not only because of the delicious food, but also the experience of feeling like we were eating in Japan.
Our trip to the Philippines will not be complete without going to Dampa for dinner.
Basically, the concept is to buy fresh seafood from the wet market then choose a restaurant that will cook the seafood for you.
My Dad was so excited to show A’s family and best man the wet market so the men all went to the market.
Since my Dad was shopping with foreigners, he said he was having a hards time “haggling” lol.
Clams in Black Bean Sauce
A could literally eat a big serving of black bean sauce and still be able to eat noodles after.
Shrimp Tempura
Steamed Fish
The best way to enjoy fresh fish when in Dampa!
CRABS <3
Aaaah I miss you!!! <3
For our last lunch before everyone left to go back to the US, we went to The Dimsum Place.
Everyone was so excited because we all LOVE dim sum!
Baked Barbecue Bun
My new favorite!!! I love how crunchy it is on the outside and really pillowy inside. The pork barbecue inside is really tasty!
Egg Tart
Iced Milk Tea
I love how they serve the milk tea!
A’s wonton noodle soup
Xiao Long Bao
We were so excited for everyone to try this! They all loved it of course 😉
Chicken Feet
YUMMM!!! Look at the juicy and flavorful plate of chicken feet!! <3
Crispy Radish Cake
Har Gaw
Asado Steamed Rice Rolls
Rice rolls are my new found love!! I always order it when we get dim sum now.
Buchi
Cause buchi is life!!!!!!!
Steamed Dumplings
Siopao
Fried Shark’s Fin Dumplings
Steamed Spareribs
One of A’s favorite! The Dimsum Place’s is really good because it was so tender and flavorful.
My sister Chella gained 2 new brothers! <3
Bazaar shopping was an experience for A, Peter, and Ali!
My trip to MNL won’t be complete without getting a $5 massage! LOL
I am really grateful to our friends in MNL who make time to see us. Everyone knows how busy we get whenever we go home. As much as I want to see everyone, it’s truly a challenge for us to split time between family and friends.
Our good friends Janellie and Angelyn took us out for lunch at Lucky Rainbow seafood restaurant…and boy I tell you, A was in heaven!
He was in awe of this perfect “cold cut” platter!
…and of course, more chicken feet for us! lol
His first time to try Chinese Herbal Soup and he loved it!!
When A doesn’t feel good, he would sometimes tell me that he wishes he could have this bowl of soup to make him feel better lol
Spinach Stuffed Tofu with Wood-Ear Mushroom
My favorites in one dish!! OMG, I died and went straight to heaven.
Chicken and pork from the herbal soup
Walnut Shrimp
Another favorite of mine!! Walnut shrimp brings me back to my childhood when my grandmother would take us to Kowloon West for family dinner and order this…every time!
Mango Sago to end our perfect Chinese feast! <3
As if we did not eat A LOT, we had milk tea after our sumptuous lunch! lol
OOTD
People get surprised when I tell them I could last more than a year not getting a haircut. I know it’s super unhealthy for my hair but I haven’t been really satisfied with the salons I’ve been to here in Baltimore so getting my hair cut is pretty much at the bottom of my list.
Disclaimer: I had my hair done recently and finally I found someone who could do my hair!!!! <3
Anyway, whenever I go home to the Philippines, I make sure I reserve 1 morning for my hair appointment!
Top: Sophie Rue
Skirt and sandals: My sister Chella’s closet 😉
xx
R <3