Samurai Noodle: From Japan to Seattle

Last weekend, me and my friends decided to spend our long memorial day weekend in Seattle, WA. One of the most frequently asked questions were: "where should we go next?" and "what should we eat?" I was craving for Japanese food and so we decided to settle on Samurai Ramen as our next destination.

The Samurai Noodle mission to bring traditional Japanese food to Seattle is ongoing! As the stores expand, so does our menu: our newest location brings the taste of true Japanese Izakaya to Capitol Hill with a new menu of authentic Japanese appetizers and sides and a huge sake bar to compliment our famous Ramen.

----- SAMURAI  NOODLE 

 For their noodle/ramen, you can choose how firm you want it to be. From soggy to extra firm.

Japanese Potato Croquette (US$ 2.95)

The mashed potato was deep fried and served with some soy sauce for dipping and little bit of vegetables. They definitely did a great job with the croquette as it is all well cooked and equal crisp on the outside.

Takoyaki (US$ 4.75)

This deep fried octopus dumpling was served with mayonaisse and soy sauce, yum!

Gyoza (US$ 4.75)

This fried dumpling filled with chicken and pork. The crispy part of the Gyoza makes this dish really unique. I've never seen a Gyoza dish cooked and served this way.

A closer look to their Gyoza.

Miso Ramen (US$ 8.00)

The Sapporo style Miso Ramen comes with a block of butter. Chicken broth with miso flavor, wavy egg green onions, corn, bean sprouts and a pat of butter.

Shoyu Ramen (US$ 8.75)

Chicken broth with wavy egg noodles, a slice of pork, green onions and roasted seaweed.

Tonkotsu from Hell (US$ 9.80)

Spicy pork broth with thin wheat noodles, a slice of pork, green onions, corn and marinated bamboo shoots.

Tetsu Max (US$ 8.75)

A peppery chicken broth with wavy egg noodles served on the side rinsed cold. Toppings include shredded pork, marinated bamboo shoots, roasted seaweed and naruto (fish cake).

Tonkotsu Ramen (US$ 8.75)

Pork broth with thin wheat noodles, a slices of pork, green onions, mushrooms, and soft boiled egg (added).

This was my third time coming back to this place. So far, they never disappoint my tastebuds and so, there will definitely be a fourth time.

Samurai Noodle (1)
606 5th Ave. S
Seattle, WA 98104
206 - 624 - 9321

Opening Hours:
Sunday - Thursday
10:00 - 20:15

Friday - Saturday
10:00 - 21:15

Happy Hour (everyday)
14:00 - 19:00

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Samurai Noodle (2)
4138 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
206 547 1774

Opening Hours:
Sunday - Friday
10:00 - 22:00

Saturday
11:00 - 22:30

Happy Hour (everyday)
14:30 - 18:00
21:00 - close

Student Special:
Monday - Friday
14:00 - 18:00
* Tonkotsu, Shouyu, Shouyu-Tonkotsu, Tounyu, and Daily Special are all US$ 5.25 with any valid student I.D. (Dine-in only)

Carryout Special:
Tonkotsu, Shouyu, Shouyu-Tonkotsu, and Tounyu are US$ 5.25 for take-out all day long

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Samurai Noodle (3)
412 E. Broadway
Seattle, WA 98102
206 323 7991

Opening Hours:
Sunday - Thursday
11:00 - 22:00

Friday - Saturday
11:00 - 22:30

Happy Hour (everyday)
14:30 - 19:00

Go! Curry: If It's Curry, I'll finish It!

I personally am a curry mania, if it's curry, I'll finish it!

Go Curry is located on the 4th floor of Pacific Place Mall, Jakarta. They also have another branch located on the first floor of Cilandak Town Square. This is one of my personal favorites, simply because I can have it my own way.

1 // Pick your curry

Brown Curry // Green Curry // Red Curry // Yellow Curry // Rogan Josh Curry

2 // Spicy?

Mild // Medium // Hot // Very Hot // Insanely Hot

3 // Rice

Long Grain Rice // Cilantro Butter Rice // Aromatic Yellow Rice // Extra Rice // Naan (bread)

4 // Topping

Tandoor Chicken Tikka // Zesty Cheese Chicken // Lamb Cubes with Herbs // Breaded Fish // Mixed Vegetables // Chicken Katsu // Australian Oxtail // Breaded Prawns // New Zealand Mussels

The price depends on which topping you choose, it ranges from IDR 50k up to IDR 120k ( around US$ 4 to US$ 11) ( US$ 1 = Rp. 12,000)

Rogan Josh Curry // Cilantro Butter Rice // Tandoor Chicken Tikka (IDR 62k // US$ 5)

Rogan Josh Curry // Cilantro Butter Rice // Tandoor Chicken Tikka The curry was not too overwhelming, it was alright. The rice was something new. I loved it (4/5)

Rogan Josh Curry // Cilantro Butter Rice // Breaded Fish (IDR 70k // US$ 6) The fish was cooked alright. Fish, butter rice, and curry, definitely a perfect combination.  (5/5)

Brown Curry // Cilantro Butter Rice // Breaded Fish (IDR 70k // US$ 6) The curry was okay, it wasn't something extraordinary. Still loved it, but not overly satisfied. Average.  (3/5)

Rogan Josh Curry // Long Grain Rice // Lamb Cubes with Herbs (IDR 85k // US$ 7.5) I personally liked Rogan Josh best because it was something new and it has that authentic taste. For lamb lovers, you might love this dish. It was tender and yum!  (4/5)

I am quite satisfied with all the dishes served here. Curry lovers, it is definitely a must to try their dishes!

Thank you for the images!
credits to: Theresa Christina Surya

Go!Curry
Pacific Place 5th Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 52-53 - Kawasan SCBD
Jakarta Selatan
021 51402751

Cilandak Townsquare 1st Floor
Jl. Letnan Jenderal TB Simatupang Kav. 17
Jakarta Selatan
021 75920265

Besaws: Est 1903, and here's to a hundred years later...

Besaws was started by George Besaw and Medric Liberty, they dreamed of starting their own beer parlor and gambling hall. Their dream finally came true and Besaws got pretty popular. It was a cafe that became the most popular meeting place in the neighborhood.

They serve 7 days a week, and they are pretty popular for their egg benedicts that they offer on every weekend from 8am to 3pm. They are located in Uptown Portland.

Weekend Specials!

We decided to try Avocado & Bacon from the Weekend Specials

Bacon - Avocado (US$ 13) Bacon, avocado, potato wedges, Hollandaise sauce, and some English muffins. I checked Yelp and there were so many people saying that this is so good. It was a little disappointing because I actually expected something more special. It was definitely good, but it was not something memorable. I loved the potato wedges, but for a Egg Benedict dish, I wish it's a little bigger and more sauce please! It was definitely a little dry, but the potato wedges were great! (3/5)

Chicken Fried Steak (US$ 15) two eggs, scratch biscuits, and roasted potatoes. It was definitely something new. This chicken fried steak dish is actually "ground chicken fried steak". It has such a nice soft texture, with a mix of crunchiness, with an addition of gravy. Yum! I personally liked this dish, simply because it was something new to my tongue. (4/5)

Chicken Fried Steak - you get to choose how you want your eggs cooked. We decided to go with sunnyside up, definitely no regret.

Croque Madame (US$ 12) Buttered Pullman brioche, shaved ham, gruyere cheese sauce, two over-medium eggs, chives, rosemary-garlic potatoes. Yum! It was good but nothing special, I actually liked their specialties courses (that they serve everyday) compared to their weekend specials. I am not a fan of ham, but this was not bad. The egg was delish and I think it actually tastes better compared to the benedicts, probably because I liked over-medium eggs better. (4/5)

We shared these 3 dishes for the 3 of us, it was a little too much, but if you are hungry, you can definitely go for one course each.

Check out their menu here!

Hours:

Dinner: 5 nights a week

Lunch: 7 days a week

Breakfast:  7 days a week until 3pm

Monday: 7am - 3pm

Tuesday - Friday: 7am - 3pm // break // 5pm - 10pm

Saturday: 8am - 3pm // break // 5pm - 10pm

Sunday: 8am - 3pm

Besaw's

2301 NW Savier St.

Portland, OR 97210

(503) 226 - 2619

Colette & Lola: Cute Desserts Alert!

I finally got a chance to visit Colette & Lola before going back to Portland, OR. This place is located in Jakarta, Indonesia, in South Jakarta - around Senopati area to be exact. It is one of the popular cute dessert places in Jakarta. I always trust Ismaya Group's restaurants, for their food and ambience - well, maybe not so much for Skye's food. This has got to be one of my favorite dessert place in Jakarta, there's definitely nothing like it. Click here for more selections, and they also do delivery!

Minion! This is a banana cake, the silvery thing is sugar. The strap is made out of chocolate. Yum! (IDR 32k)

Lollipop! Orange chocolate ganache, strawberry marshmallows, mint butter cream, with lots of candy pop rocks! (IDR 32k)

Chocolate Mint Baileys A giant mint macaroon with a shot of Bailey's and bits of chocolate chunks. (IDR 32k)

I See Green Japanese green tea mousse, red bean ganache, black sesame sponge, and crispy sesame wafers. This is probably everyone's favorite and also one of their signature cakes. It's Mike Wazowski! (IDR 32k)

PS: Don't come during the weekend because you might need to wait for tables, this is a small dessert place, so they wouldn't be able to occupy that much people all at once.

Photo Credits: Theresa Surya

Colette & Lola
Jalan Senopati Raya #64
Jakarta Selatan 12190

Japan: The Food Heaven on Earth

A few weeks ago, me and my family decided to visit Japan for a short holiday. It was both hell and heaven on earth to me.

NO NO NO NO, because:

• Language Barrier: Not a lot of people speak English.
• Weather: HOT summer, it was around 30 degrees Celsius/ 86 degrees Fahrenheit pretty much everyday.
• Transportation: It takes time to get used to the railway/subway map. See here.
• Price: When converted to Indonesia Rupiah, everything is quite pricey there.
  ( 1 JPY = 113 IDR = 0.010 USD) expensive in terms of entertainment shopping.

YES YES YES YES, because:

• Food: You will always find good food in Japan, all restaurants serve good food.
• Lifestyle: It's interesting to see their lifestyle. The busy, discipline, and clean lifestyle. Funny seeing almost all of the business people are wearing white collared shirts.

This post is going to be all pictures of food I ate in Japan..