Kimchi: Back In The Day

Kimchi:  Back In The Day

Back in the day, notably in the 70s, 80s and even in the 90s, there was one food station that stood out at SM Cubao Food Court. 

Kimchi was a big hit with its Korean Beef Stew and Chicken BBQ. There was always a long queue that you had to endure to be able to place your order.

Super Sarap talaga sila. The Beef Stew, with sesame seeds and spring onions, was a little bit spicy and with a taste of sweetness. The Chicken Barbeque was incomparable.

I remember that before watching PBA games at the Big Dome, where the Crispa Redmanizers and the Toyota Tamaraws were battling it out for supremacy, and with the Utex Wranglers as dark horse, we would have a bowl of Beef Stew and Chicken Barbeque at Kimchi.

But with a sudden turn of events, Araneta Center suffered losses in terms of patronage of business establishments. We lost track of Kimchi. It wasn't there anymore. It sank into oblivion, so we thought.

But, wait, there is one Kimchi outlet that has opened at Ayala Malls Feliz. And it claims to be the original. We now have the chance to try again what we have been missing for years. What are we waiting for?

Incidentally, if you are on a road trip, and in the vicinity of Tagaytay City, you may want to savor Kimchi's delights at Ayala Malls Serin near the Tagaytay Rotunda. It is owned and managed by Parokya ni Edgar's Chito Miranda and wife Neri Naig.

Happy eating !!!

KONTED

Kimchi's Beef Stew is unbeatable

Chicken Barbeque is served with rice and bean sprouts.

Beef Stew and Chicken Barbeque: A good combination

Beef Stew, Pork Barbeque and Chicken Barbeque

Kimchi has a huge following and they swear by its goodness.

You see, the lady is back at Kimchi. It is getting to be a habit.

Kimchi is so good you keep coming back for more.

Kimchi is at the 4th floor of Ayala Malls Feliz along Marcos Highway in Santolan, Pasig.

Prices are affordable at Kimchi.

Parokya Ni Edgar's Chito Miranda has a Kimchi outlet at Ayala Malls Serin in Tagaytay City. (ayalaserinpic; caption is mine.)

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Halo Halo: Keeping Your Cool

Halo Halo:  Keeping Your Cool

DID U KNOW that Japanese migrants introduced Halo Halo in the Philippines during the pre-war years? 

Halo Halo was then called Mitsumame which had mongo beans as main ingredients. 

Later, it became Kakigori with more mongo, garbanzos and kidney beans. 

Supply of shaved ice was not a problem as the Insular Ice And Cold Storage Plant was located at the southern end of Puente Colgante Bridge, which is now known as Quiapo Bridge.

For one (1) cent or isang kusing, u could have a small bowl full of sweet dessert. And Filipinos liked Kakigori. 

At this time, life had been good for most Pinoys. It was a time which some historians refer to as "the best of times."

Japanese businessmen enjoyed brisk sales and, as a result, their stores were turned into big refreshment parlors. More kiosks were opened.

But with the crushing defeat of the Japanese Imperial Army in World War II, these Japanese migrants fled the country for fear of retaliation.

Business-minded Pinoys saw an opportunity, took over of what was left by the Japanese and added ingredients like macapuno, sweet banana, ube, langka, gulaman, etc.

The rest is history.

-KONTED

Halo Halo is the most popular iced dessert in the Philippines. It is available throughout the year with demand peaking during the summer months.

Chowking's SuperSangkap Halo Halo

Like the mami noodles, siopao and siomai, Halo Halo is a fast selling item at Chowking.

You don't wait long for your Halo Halo to be served.

Chowking's Milky White Halo Halo

Kirsten's favorite is Chowking's Milky White Halo Halo.

Pizza Hut also serves its own version of Halo Halo.

Halo Halo at Buddy's across Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Q.C.

Mang Inasal's Pinoy Halo Halo

Hands down, Razon;s Halo Halo is the best Halo Halo in the Philippines.

Razon's Junior Size Halo Halo

The regular size and the junior size

My balikbayan friend from Burnside, Victoria in Australia misses Razon's Halo Halo so much that he always asks for both the regular size and the junior size.

Elsa's Halo Halo: Norzagaray's Pride

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MA MON LUK

MA MON LUK

Before Henry Sy, Lucio Tan and John Gowengkei, there was MA MON LUK. 

A poor migrant from Canton, China, Ma started walking the streets of Manila in 1918, peddling mami noodles. 

Magiliw, masayahin siya and people liked his noodles. 

Soon, he had outlets on Salazar St. in Binondo, Quezon Blvd. near Quiapo Church and at Quezon Avenue near Banawe in Quezon City.

Ma became rich, super rich.

Today, after 102 years, there is still a legion of diehards willing to brave the rain and endure heavy traffic to have a taste of Ma Mon Luk. 

Ma Mon Luk remains a force to be reckoned with.

KONTED

Whenever this lady buys beads and accessories at Villalobos St. in Quiapo, she makes it a point to have a bowl of Chicken Mami paired with Special Siopao at the Quiapo branch of Ma Mon Luk.

After more than 10 decades, it is still the same broth, the same noodles, the same chicken strips, the same sauce and the same aroma. Nothing has changed.

Ma Mon Luk along Quezon Avenue near Banawe St. in Quezon City. With my dog, I had to wait for a parking slot as the resto was filled to the brim.

Brace yourself for a longer waiting time at Ma Mon Luk in Quezon City

Certified diehards

First on this balikbayan's bucket list:  a bowl of Chicken Mami and Special Siopao

When Ma Mon Luk was peddling Ma Mi noodles, he would cut, with a pair of scissors, the chicken strips. It was termed 'gupit'.

Siopao Asado, Siopao  Bola Bola and Special Siopao

I used to see this wall sign at the Quiapo branch of Ma Mon Luk in my college days. (philstar pic;;caption is mine)

Ma Mon Luk Ma Mi King restaurant on Salazar St.in Binondo in the early years(g-gle pic;caption is mine)

Ma Mon Luk branch in Cubao, Quezon City in the 60s, 70s and 80s when the legal heirs of Ma Mon Luk decided to expand the family business. (D.O.T pic; caption is mine)

Whenever there was a crisis or calamity, Ma would respond by donating sacks of rice. (g'gle pic; caption is mine)

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Marvelous Melbourne

Marvelous Melbourne

** Late posting

Written in January, 2020, before pandemic days...

I was standing at the corner of Elizabeth St. and Bourke St., looking at the old General Post Office (GPO). I was impressed with its Neo Classical design and started taking photos. As I was about to make the first click, trams blocked my view. I had to do it again, and this time, it was successful.

The General Post Office, the Melbourne Town Hall on Swanston St. and the Parliament House on Spring St., like other old buildings in the city proper, were built at the height of the Gold Rush. With it were the tram network and the train linkages.

The discovery of gold in the goldfields region of Victoria in the 19th century catapulted Melbourne City to the top, making it the world's richest city. It held on to the title for quite some time. And it was aptly called Marvelous Melbourne. One can imagine the grandeur that was Melbourne which is still evident to this day.

It is not surprising that I am always mesmerized, continuously taking pictures as I go around the city. As I have said before, my interest has not waned. Not even a bit.

And as I explore, I learn.

- KONTED

The former General Post Office was built in 1867. It stands at the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke streets at Melbourne's Central Business District. It is the reference point when measuring the distance of a particular town or place.

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The old General Post Office building now houses H & M retail store.

Starting its operation in 1885, Melbourne's tramway network consists of 493 trams servicing 24 routes.

Melbourne boasts of having the largest and most efficient tram network in the whole world.

Elizabeth St. at Melbourne's Central Business District

An Alfa Romeo catches the fancy of passersby.

I can't find the keys.

Lamborghini Aventador parked near Elizabeth St.

Built in the 19th century, the St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral is on Flinders and Swanston streets.

The St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral is diagonally across Flinders Train Station.

The St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral is a famous architectural landmark of Melbourne. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Melbourne.

Built in 1884, Hotel Windsor is historic as the Constitution of Australia was drafted here in 1898.

Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building on Carlton Gardens. Built in 1880, it was the first building in Australia to be awarded UNESCO world heritage status.

The House of Parliament on Spring St. It is the seat of power of the State of Victoria.

Melbourne Town Hall on Swanston St. and Collins St.

Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market opened in 1878.

Boomerangs sold at Queen Victoria Market

Didgeridoo is a wind instrument. It is sold at Queen Victoria Market and at other souvenir shops.

This old van has been selling American Doughnuts at the Queen Victoria Market since 1950.

The Australian Open is the first of four (4) Grand Slam tournaments to be played every year. 

Located at Melbourne Park, the Rod Laver Arena is the main venue of the Australian Open. 

I.

Near the Rod Laver Arena is the Margaret Court Arena where exciting tennis matches are held during the Australian Open.

Shown here is the legendary Roger Federer practicing at the Margaret Court Arena during the 2020 Australian Open in Melbourne.

Closer shot of Roger Federer practicing with his back hand at the Margaret Court Arena

Crowd  watching Roger Federer practicing at the Margaret Court Arena during the 2020 Australian Open. He is well loved by Australians.

As always , Roger Federer is darling of the crowd.

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