Brian Ong: A Bite of the Sandwich King

A Bite of the Sandwich King
by: Brian Ong

Who would have thought I would be meeting the Sandwich King himself, Jeff Mauro, the winner of the Food Network Star's 7th season, and the host of Sandwich King on Food Network (US/Asia). The other night, I had the chance to talk to him in a private function, together with other food bloggers.

We were introduced to the Sandwich King, and the premiere of a new season of his show. We also had some lessons on how Jeff "makes any meal into a sandwich and any sandwich into a meal." It is not just putting meat in between two slices of breads, but it also takes some consideration on color, texture and imagination.

He's such a character beyond his sandwich making skills. He's down to earth, entertaining and creative. He definitely knows how to capture his audience, that's probably why he became successful in bringing mouthwatering and tasty sandwich meals and an awesome show together.

After showing us a few tricks up his sleeves, we were able to do and replicate some sandwich creations he made. This is my version of his Brisket Sandwich with Smoked Mozzarella. Slow cooked juicy beef brisket, red cabbage slaw, onions, several slices of homemade smoked mozzarella, with mustard. With carrot cranberry salad on the side. I would prefer this in between a baguette or sourdough, but all in all, it's an amazing bite! Try it :)

Catch Jeff Mauro's The Sandwich King, Wednesdays, 8pm on the Food Network, brought to you by Cignal. Be sure to watch the Season 3 premiere this June 19, 8pm. Jeff also appears on $24 in 24, premiering on Food Network Asia in the 4th quarter of 2013.

Baguio: World Food Expo Northern Luzon

For the third year, the World Food Expo Northern Luzon will be held in Baguio.

This time, WOFEX will be held at the Baguio Country Club.  From May 2 to 4, 2013, be sure to visit the best annual food expo in the region. WOFEX provides excellent opportunities to source, network and learn from the many products on display and the different seminars and cooking demos... all for free! 

Therese in Taiwan: Dot Dot 點點

Dot Dot 點點 (located in the Shida 師大 area) is a restaurant we ate at when some of my relatives from the Philippines came to Taiwan to visit. Since we were a big group, 14 to be exact, I asked my cousin to reserve seats! The restaurant isn't that big, so we were divided into 2 tables - and naturally, what happened was all the adults sat together, and all the younger ones sat together. Whew!

Tables beside us

We ordered a LOT, and when the orders came, we got confused with who ordered what, so we ended up just sharing with each other! I wasn't able to take a picture of everything, especially the ones that were served in the "adult table". Oops!

We chose from the omelette 蛋捲, hamburgers 漢堡, and toasts 軟法. They also have appetizers, salads, soups, rice toppings, etc. The omelette comes with a small salad, fresh fruits, bread, fries, and a drink. Hamburgers and toasts come with fries and a drink. Prices range from 220-250 NTD (~330-375 PhP).

Yum! The servings are pretty big, so you'll most probably be full after. After dinner, you can walk (and shop at the same time) in Shida night market to help you digest the food!

Facebook page: Dot dot 點點食堂

Operating hours: Mondays-Sundays 11:00-22:00
Location: No. 2, Alley 13, Pucheng St. Daan District, Taipei, Taiwan (大安區浦城街13巷2號)

If you're taking the MRT, you can get off at MRT Taipower Bldg Station Exit 3 (台電大樓捷運站3號出口)

In Makati: Little Tokyo

In Makati: Little Tokyo
by: Nicole

Want to experience Tokyo without having to shell out thousands of pesos? You don't really need to apply for a Japanese visa, ride an airplane to have a little taste of Tokyo. Just go to Makati and say konnichiwa to Little Tokyo!

Yes, folks! That picture above is in Makati City, Philippines! :D Little Tokyo is comprised of Japanese restaurants which serve authentic Japanese meals. What makes this place authentic? Well, the owners of those restaurants and the people who cook the food they serve are Japanese!  These place is packed with Japanese people too! Now you know where to go to practice if you're learning ze language. :)

Little Tokyo is an awesome place for food trippin'! Our first stop: Okonomiyaki in Kagura Restaurant.

Okonomiyaki with squid (Php 230.00)
Good for 2 servings

Cooked by, I believe, the owner himself (the guy on the right in the photo below). One order of this is already filling for two. My friend and I ordered the okonomiyaki with squid - yummy! Next time, I'm trying the one with noodles!

Interior of Kagura Restaurant.

Lemme guess. The owner is a huge Tigers fan - a Japanese baseball team, obviously! The place if filled with all sorts of Tigers' knickknacks; even the TV screens are tuned in a Tigers' exclusive cable channel. :D

Oh look!  I don't know what this is called so let's just call it " traditional Japanese dining table." You know, where you have to take your shoes off and sit or kneel on those pillows. :)

After the okonomiyaki, our next stop was the Hana restaurant for takuyaki, ramen, and the super yummy Ramune shaved ice.

We chose to have the shaved ice first since it was the quickest one to prepare. BOY OH BOY OH BOY! THIS IS ONE OF A KIND! A really must try! It's flavour is so unique that I'm coming back to eat it again! It's so yummy -- an ultimate summer dessert! So happy eating it! Oh those scenes in the anime where the characters are eating this flash in my mind ha, ha!

Ramune Shaved Ice (Php 80.00)
with milk (Php 90.00)
Good for 2 servings

Then came my ramen. I told my friend I was not leaving that place until I get to eat a bowl of ramen! Ha, ha! I chose their bestseller - the shoyu ramen. It has pork slices, naruto, seaweed, and egg. I've never been so satisfied in a bowl of ramen until I got to eat this!  BURP!

Shoyu Ramen (Php 200.00)

Good for 2-3 servings

When I was about to finish my ramen, our takuyaki balls were served. My friend and I were already so full that we only got to eat one takuyaki each! We took home what's left. :) Just in case you're wondering what's inside each takuyaki ball, it's got squid, onions, and orange-colored ginger (which I thought carrots but the lady who's cooking told me those were minced ginger). :D

Takuyaki (Php 120.00 for 6 pcs)
My friend describes each piece as big as a baby's fist :D

 One of the things I like I about Little Tokyo is that each restaurant has its own specialty which you might not order from the other. I've tried two of Little Tokyo's restaurants so far - the okonomiyaki resto and the takuyaki one. Next time, I'm trying the one which speciality is sushi, the one on grilled stuff, and etcetera. Awesome place to hang out with friends and colleagues on a Friday night after work!

How to get to Little Tokyo? Click here for the map. Your primary landmark, there's McDonald's in front of the entrance.

Little Tokyo

2277 Pasong Tamo Corner Amorsolo Street, Makati, Philippines