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

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

Altitude: Enmaru - Japanese on 46th

I am so glad to home. Yes, Jakarta is my heaven. After 1.5 years of leaving my hometown, I'm finally back for Summer holiday. The day I arrived, we decided to have a family dinner since we haven't really had one in a while. They were talking about Altitude and said that it's a really nice restaurant, I was quite curious and so we all agreed.

There are a few restaurants managed by Altitude and they are both right across from each other, Salt Grill, Gaia, and Enmaru. From what I know, Salt Grill serves Australian cuisine, Gaia serves Western, and Enmaru serves Japanese. They're all located on the 46th floor of The Plaza.

source: Metaphor - Interior Architecture

source: Metaphor - Interior Architecture

Toshi's Ramen & Prince Puckler's: Eugene's Best Food Experience

Eugene has always been popular for their University and culinary. Toshi's Ramen has got to be second best Japanese ramen I've ever tasted in Oregon. The best in Oregon is, Yuzu (Click here for the review)  

Our main goal to visit Eugene was to check out the University of Oregon, then for sure I knew we were going to eat good food! Then one of my friends said that she knew a good place to eat ramen. She also said that there's a good place to eat ice cream, Mr. President once visited Prince Pucklers and tried their ice creams.

Boke Bowl: BEST FRIED CHICKEN BUNS!

I just got home from one fine dinner and a well spent Friday. My friend recommended this Japanese fusion restaurant that she tried. She said that the Ramen was not that special, but the steamed buns were YUM! and I agreed.

Boke Bowl is located on Southeast Portland, around 5 minutes from Downtown Portland by car. These are the things that they offered:

It was packed when we came and there was a short queue before we could order. We had to order and pay before we could find our seats, that's just how they roll.

The cashier right near the entrance. PAY BEFORE YOU EAT!

KITCHEN

KITCHEN

KITCHEN

PACKED! :( lucky there was an empty table just enough for us.

Finally got our table and this is how crowded it was.

Pork Ramen. I honestly thought it tasted a bit weird. There's something about the noodle that I don't really like. It wasn't as soft as usual and the soup tasted kind of sweet which is weird to me. They gave such generous pork meat though. (7/10)

Probably the best Fried Chicken Bun I've ever tasted. I will definitely come back for this. It was really crispy and seasoned well. The bun was soft just like Chinese buns, YUM! It was really delicious, one bun was just not enough for me. (10/10) 

Seafood Miso. This was my friend's, he said it wasn't that good.

Seafood Miso close up

Pork Belly bun, my friends said it was not that good compared to the fried chicken. I didn't try it because I don't like pork :|

YUM! Table full of food is always the best.

I will definitely come back for you!

The price per person was around $15-20, I feel that the Ramen was not that worth it. I LIKED THE BUNS A LOT THOUGH! :) They open at 10:30am to 3pm on Monday to Wednesday on Thursday to Saturday, they open at 10:30am to 9:30pm.

Boke Bowl
1028 SE Water Ave
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 719-5698
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