Choice Buffet Restaurant is our family favorite when it comes to an authentic Korean grill (bbq or bulgogi), hot pot (shabu-shabu) and buffet.  But, they are not limited to Korean, there are Japanese dishes as well.

We've been coming back to this place since it was first established many years ago.  My family actually  prefers this over the more popular Yakimix.   We've always felt that this place is underrated by many perhaps due to lack of marketing.

Each table has its own table-top electric stove for the hot pot (shabu-shabu) and a griller. 


Food

Korean grill (bbq or bulgogi) Station
They have a wide range of marinated meats.

The only problem we usually encounter when dining here is not knowing which is which.  I've been hoping they put a label on each item...

What we love about their meat is that you can choose how much marbling you want unlike other buffets where meats offered are more on fats than meat.

My Grill Plate

Have your grill buttered from time to time so your food won't burn easily...

Hot Pot (Shabu-Shabu) Station
The hot pot (shabu-shabu) station is massive in terms of variety but don't expect much for the quality of the fish cakes, squid balls and fish balls.  I recommend the fresh mussels, seafoods and vegetables from this section especially the shitake mushrooms. 

My Shabu-Shabu Plate

You can make your prefered the blend of your hot pot (shabu-shabu) broth from these.

Here's my spicy blend

My Shabu-Shabu Bowl Ready to Eat!

Ban Chan Station
They also have an assortment of ban chan (korean side dishes) which you can eat with your grilled dishes and also add to their Make-Your-Own Bibimbap section.

My Banchan and Grill Condiments.

Salad Station

Sashimi, Kimbap, Sushi and Maki Station
You can request for Salmon Sashimi or Tuna Sashimi.

They also have Kimbap, Kani Sushi, Tuna Sushi, Salmon Sushi...

and California Maki.

Cooked Korean and Japanese Dishes Station

Ddeokbokki (Korean Rice Cakes)

Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet

Ebi Tempura

Eggplant Tempura

Pajeon

Fish Tempura

Pork Katsu

Fried Spring Roll

Fried Rice

Galbi Jgim, Japchae, Ddeokbokki and Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet

These were all delicious especially the Galbi Jgim.

Desserts Station
There are mini cupcakes, marshmallows...

Cake Rolls

and cakes.  The Cake Rolls looked like they've been there very long although we were the first customers on a lunch time.

Local version of Pixie Sticks on straw

Ice Cream Station

Big Scoop Ice Cream (Strawberry, Mocha, Chocolate and Vanilla)

Coffee Station

Hot Coffee

Update (October 2014): We were supposed to eat here again but found out it was already closed.  So sad!!! =(

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
You're sure to be satisfied and leave with full stomachs when you dine at Choice Buffet Restaurant.  It's a must-try affordable Korean grill, hot pot and buffet.

The rainy weather makes me crave for a hot bowl of ramen!  When looking for a an affordable yet authentic ramen on the south side of the Metro, Menya Genki Tonkotsu Ramen comes to mind.

Menya Genki Tonkotsu Ramen is located at Hobbies of Asia along with Brothers Burger and Choice Buffet, our favorite Korean Eat All You Can Restaurant and Koh Samui Thai Cuisine. There's also pet shops there where you can leave you pets for grooming while you eat.  My maltese Lychee gets her grooming done at Pet Passion Dog Shop.

OT (sorry for plugging): The family intended to buy Ensogo vouchers for Choice Buffet at dinner time but mistakenly bought Lunch Buffet instead.  After failed attempts to have it changed,  I'm selling my 6 ensogo vouchers for a discounted price of 350 php each.  See details here.  Email me if interested.  Contact information is on the right side of the page.  

I'm in luck because during our visit there's a 50% off on all regular ramen and 20% of on bento.  So believe it or not there already affordable ramen got even cheaper!

Everytime I visit, I always get tempted to try the Bikkuri Ramen Challenge. But now that there's a promo, the price of 1,000 php seemed heavy.

According to the photos, only a few have tried.  I'm didn't imagine that the winners would be thin though.  I wonder if they trained at home for it. =)

Upon entry the staff will shout their Japanese greetings.  It was clean and well-lit.  It had a ramen bar and a few tables on the sides.  It was simple, casual and with no non-sense flair which implies that people just go there for the food.  For functions and parties, you can reserve the entire second floor.  After years of visiting this restaurant, I noticed that their summer promo board is actually permanent.  =p

Each table had complete condiments and utensils. The sesame seeds didn't seem freshly roasted like I wanted...

Their Ajitsuke Tamago poster looks tempting and priced only at 35 php makes it hard to overlook.

Food

Ramen

♥ Shio Tonkatsu (180 php)

The Shio Tonkatsu is a salt-based broth.  I consider this type of ramen as the perfect test of how tasty the tonkatsu broth is.  Mmm... it is quite tasty!  I was slurping away with glee.  It also comes with chashu (pork),  negi (onion leeks), kikurage (wood ear mushroom) and nori (seaweed) The noodles also had a nice chewy texture.  It doesn't even get soggy despite the length of time it took me to finish two bowlfuls.

♥ Shoyu Tonkatsu with Ajitsuke Tamago (200 php + 35 php)

Just had to try the Ajitsuke Tamago so decided it as an add on to my Shoyu Tonkatsu.  The shoyu also had the same default toppings: chashu, negi, kikurage and nori.  The shoyu broth is rich and tasty but the tonkatsu is flavor is still evident.

Miso Tonkatsu with Ajitsuke Tamago (220 php + 35 php)

The Miso Tonkatsu is which had the same default toppings is as good as the rest.  Added some Ajitsuke Tamago on it too.  I'm not much of a miso fan myself so I preferred the others. 

♥ Pirikira Tonkotsu (220 php)

On my recent visit, I had the Pirikira Tonkotsu which is a spicy version.  Since I love spicy dishes, I really enjoyed this.  This is now my new favorite at Menya Genki.  The spiciness is not overwhelming but it gives this tickling sizzling sensation that makes me slurp for more.

♥ Pirikira Tonkotsu (220 php)

The staff told me that they make their own noodles.  Although the chefs are already Filipinos, they were definitely trained to do things right.   However, eating their ramen triggers a reaction which I usually have when I have had too much MSG. 


Toppings

Leaf Mustard Takana (50 php)

Due to curiosity I also tried the Leaf Mustard Takana for toppings.  It was a zesty and sour which made it a good contrast against the rich and slightly oily ramen broth.  The taste is strong so you could only use this is small amounts.


Ala Carte

Kimchi Rice

I initially thought the Kimchi Rice would be some sort of fried rice.  But, it sadly came like this.  On my next visit though, this was taken out of the menu.  Good move!

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
When craving for ramen and on a tight budget, Menya Genki Tonkotsu Ramen is definitely the choice to go for.  A bowlful of their ramen is enough to satisfy and with an addition of their runny Ajitsuke Tamago, it gets even better.

Tsinoy Foodies Other Ramen House/Shop Reviews
Akira Restaurant 
Curry Bee Japanese Curry Shop
Hanamaruken Ramen 花丸轩  
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
Kitchitora 1 | Kitchitora 2
Kokoro Ramenya
Miso-Ten
Mitsuyado Sei-Men
Moshi Koshi 1 | Moshi Koshi 2
Rai-Rai Ken Ramen House
Ramen Bar
Ramen Cool
Ramen Ichiban-Kan
Ramen Nagi
Ramen Sora
Ramen X (Closed)
Ramen Yushoken
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
Wrong Ramen