The family loves Tokyo Tonteki.  But, such love cannot overcome the distance from our home to UP Town Center so we're very glad they opened their second branch in Greenbelt 5. 

I actually find it a bit odd that they had a narrow entrance. 

And, along that narrow entrance is a display of their dishes.

The design is less elegant than their UP Town Center pioneer branch but it's still bright and clean looking.

Food

Starters

Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado and Onsen Egg (190 php)

I've shared and raved about the Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado and Onsen Egg on my first review.  Of course, I have to have more of it! 

Set Meals (Unlimited Pork Miso Soup, Japanese Rice and Cabbage)

Tonteki Sets (Premium Pork Loin Sets)

Regular Tonteki Set (375 php)

Starting with their classic item: Regular Tonteki Set served with unlimited pork miso soup, Japanese rice and cabbage.

Japanese Cucumber Pickles

It also comes with a serving of Japanese Cucumber Pickles.
 

Regular Tonteki Set (375 php)

The Regular Tonteki is glazed with the tonteki sauce.  It's a really flavorful blend that's quite captivating.  But, I still like the Ginger Flavored Pork Steak Set more.

Tonburg Sets (100% Pure Ground Pork)

Tonburg Steak Set with Tonteki Sauce (375 php)

The Tonburg Steak Set with Tonteki Sauce is another all-time favorite for me.  But, if you  have more money to spend, I' suggest going for the heese Tonburg Steak Set.

Chicken Steak Sets

Chicken Steak w/ Teriyaki Sauce (350 php)

I really liked their Chicken Steak w/ Teriyaki Sauce because the taste is just right.  It wasn't short of flavor nor was it too sweet or salty.  It's difficult to decide whether this is better than the Chicken Steak Set with Onion Steak Sauce I've tried before.


Katsu Sets

Salmon Fry 4 pcs. (360 php)

This is the first time I'm trying their Katsu. As you can see, their Salmon Fry is beautifully prepared.  The Katsu breading is so thin and crisp.  The salmon is also fresh and juicy.

Side Dishes

Sundubu Style Tonteki Stew (300 php)

My favorite dish in Tokyo Tonteki is actually not their pork steak but just a side dish.  It's the Sundubu Style Tonteki Stew I just had to order in every visit!  It you like spicy Korean dishes, order this!

Stir-Fried Japanese Mushrooms (250 php)

The Stir-Fried Japanese Mushrooms still has 3 kinds of mushrooms.  But, I noticed that their not as big as I remembered them to be.


Rice

Special Fried Rice with Egg (150 php)

The Special Fried Rice with Egg is sinangag escalated ti the highest level.  Everyone was crazy for this!

Dessert

Chocolate Pudding w/ Whipped Cream (120 php)

It appears that they have totally revamped their dessert menu.  Although I liked the old ones, I'm glad they did because of this Chocolate Pudding w/ Whipped Cream.  It's so good with its semi-powdery but still silky texture, rick dark chocolate taste and addictive vanilla whipped cream.  I won't deny that I didn't want to share this and I didn't!  I swear I'll order this in every visit!

Creme Brulee (120 php)

The Creme Brulee is good but it faded just behind the Chocolate Pudding w/ Whipped Cream's limelight.

Beverages

Bottomless Iced Tea Lemon (85 php)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Tokyo Tonteki is now available for those from the South side. I know I'm surely coming back for more of their pork steak and more.  I'd strongly suggest you give it a try too.

During my dinner with foodie friends at Ba Noi's (see previous entry), Spanky and Richard mentioned about Balkan located just across the street.  It was then that I realized that I've never tried Yugoslavian cuisine before.  I honestly don't even know where Yugoslavia is. =p


Aroused by my inkling curiosity, I just had to try it out.  Because I am not much of a meat lover, I planned a dinner at Balkan with the best meat-eating team I know of... my family. =D  







Food


Supa (soup)

♥ Goulash (250 php)

♥ Balkan Bread

I started my meal with something familiar and go with the Goulash.  It was served in a large bowl so if you want try more of their dishes, I suggest you order this for sharing.  As expected, every Goulash has its own distinct taste despite the same ingredients such as onions, paprika and lean beef.  It's more savory than the other goulash I've tried.    Balkan's version comes with rotini pasta and served with a large piece of Balkan Bread.  Eat it with their soft Balkan Bread and savor the flavor of the Goulash while the Balkan Bread gently melts in your mouth.  

♥ Cevapcici Platter (280 php)

♥ Stuff Pljeskavica (320 php)

♥ Stuff Pljeskavica (320 php)

Balkanski Kebab (330 php)

Sach (claypot dishes)

Butkice (650 php)

The Butkice is pork knuckles (pata in tagalog) served with baked potatoes and carrots.  The pork knuckles were tasty and tender.  Although the carrots were a bit mashed but we didn't mind because its sweetness blended well with the pork knuckles.

Sarma (260 php)

The Sarma is pickled cabbage rolls stuff with beef, rice and spices served with mashed potato.  This dish received a mix reaction between us.  I find this dish is similar to the Chinese pickled cabbage or another Mediterranean dish Sauerkraut which I have always enjoyed so I liked this too!


Jagnjetina (lamb)

♥ Jagnjetina (700 php)

The menu claims that the Jagnjetina is their house specialty.  Of course, we can't miss this.  The Jagnjetina is an imported baked lamb.  It was so soft and tender.  It was also tasty.  These are one of the few lamb dishes here in Manila that I've really appreciated.  I ate a lot of this dish even the fats. =p


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Balkan is a must try those who want to try out Yugoslavian food. I'm not even a meat lover but I enjoyed their dishes.  The place is cozy and service is great.  The price is also affordable since their dishes are so generous in serving that its good for sharing.

Vietnamese Cuisine Instructions

Lobster Crackers

♥Pho Bo (220 php) *photo is only half size

Pho Condiments

Goi Cuon (300 php)

♥Banh Xeo (250 php)

How to eat Banh Xeo

♥Cha Gio (190 php)

How to eat  Cha Gio

♥Bo Luc Lac (320 php)

Chicken Dish

Ba Kho Cari Xa (240 php)

The Ba Kho Cari Xa is braised chicken slowly cooked in lemongrass and curry powder and infused with fresh chillies, shallots and spring onions.  The chicken was very juicy and tender with a strong taste of lemon grass, curry and other spices.  This dish goes well with rice.  

Ca Kho To (250 php)

The Ca Kho To is catfish simmered in rich caramel sauce with some spring onions and fresh chili bits.  I love catfish ("hito" in tagalog)!  Catfish always had this distinguishing soft texture and delicious flavor.  During my childhood, we used to buy live catfish in supermarkets but over the years they have become quite rare.  I also don't encounter much catfish dishes being offered at restaurants so I was quite glad that this was available at Ba Noi's.  The sweetness of the caramel sauce was contrasted by the spring onions and fresh chili bits.  The taste was just right and the catfish was cooked with precise timing.

♥ Sugarcane Juice (90 php)

Hot Jasmine Tea (65 php)

Rose Wine

Banh Dan Long (135 php)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Ba Noi's certainly delivers the fresh flavors of Vietnam.  It has a wide range of great tasting dishes that I have yet to try.  Their dishes are with the freshest and premium quality.  The taste of their offerings is authentic Vietnamese.  I also greatly appreciate their good intent to educate us on how to eat Vietnamese Cuisines properly.  Ambiance is great for hanging out with friends or family.  Prices are justified as they serve in large proportion that makes it great for sharing.  I highly recommend this place!