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

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..

Kaihomaru: One of the Best Fresh Sashimi in Jakarta!

Definitely one of the best sashimi-eating experience I've ever had, here in my own hometown - Jakarta, Indonesia. No regrets! Located in Jakarta's so called Japan Town (Blok M). Kaihomaru is a small Japanese restaurant, not too big, not too small, it can probably hold around 50 people in a restaurant.
Stated on Jakarta100Bars.com that Kaihomaru is one of the best Japanese Restaurants. It's sad that maybe not a lot of people know about this place and they don't have website or anything like that.

This is Tairyo Mori, 10 different kinds of sashimi moriawase.

Hotategai Butter Scallop, Japanese type of mushroom on a shell.

Uni, BEST OF THE BEST OF ALL // Sea Urchin

Shishamo, it is a Japanese fish that is grilled and fried as a whole and served with its roe still intact (pregnant fish)

Unagi, tender and just nice. 

Dashimaki Tamago, Tamago means egg and this is some kind of egg omelette. TASTES SO GOOD!

Agedashi Tofu, it was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, yum!

Mochi Ice Cream, Matcha

Mochi Ice Cream, Ogura

Inside the mochi ice cream, it has these little white pearls that is sweet and crunchy.

It was definitely a great experience after all. Will definitely come back for the Tamago! SATISFIED and no regrets!

Kaihomaru
Jl Melawai VI 23
Melawai, Jakarta Selatan - Kebayoran Baru
021-7398-741

Tokyo Belly: Happy Belly

Tokyo Belly has definitely become one of my favorite restaurants. The food they served definitely made my belly happy. I'll definitely come back to eat their sushis! It's located on the West side of Grand Indonesia Shopping Town. For those who remembers Mr. Curry, here's the replacement of it. Tokyo Belly is also managed by Ismaya, which also runs Mr. Curry, Blowfish, Social House, Pizza e Birra, Fook Yew, Kitchenette, and... What did I miss? Visit their website for more! 

Salmon Ikura Horenso Omurice (IDR 58k) Omurice is basically (omelette and rice) The sauce was yum! Salmon and egg cooked and seasoned perfectly. Under the egg is rice. 7/10

Tokyo Belly House Salad (IDR 48k) This was an okay dish, the fried prawns with a touch of mayonnaise tastes alright. The portion is just right for one person.  6/10

Cute cup, hot green tea.

Tokyo Belly Classic (IDR 53k) I don't wanna say that it's the best ramen I've ever eaten, but the broth was definitely on of the best. I wish the egg could be soft boiled egg instead of hardboiled. 7/10

Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna (IDR 38k) I honestly never had anything like this before. The rice was dried and made into cubes. The sauce was something like yakiniku sauce.  8/10

Twisted Salmon (IDR 38k) This tasted okay, just like any other salmon. The plus side of this is probably the extra stuffs on the top. It was a mix of crunchy and soft, yum! 7/10

Chicken Katsu Curry Rice (IDR 54k) Curry has always been one of the greatest things in life for me. This definitely satisfied my belly. I'll come back for this! 9/10

Seared Salmon Tako Bites (IDR 38k) A great dish for Japanese fusion, creative and original! The thing on top is something like edamame, the next layer is seared salmon, the next one below is soft rice, and last but not least is some kind of Mexican taco. 5/10

Blossom Belly (IDR 55k) A mix of seafood in a sushi roll. Crab stick and salmon, a spoonful of teriyaki sauce. I personally loved it and it was recommended by the waiter. We decided to make a second order for this dish, yum! 9/10

Salad for Sides (part of curry dish) I personally wouldn't call this a salad, too much salad dressing. 4/10

Overall, it was okay and I will definitely come back.

Tokyo Belly
Grand Indonesia, West Mall Level 3A
Jl. M. H. Thamrin No. 1
Jakarta Pusat, 10310