Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in San Juan & Mandaluyong for November 2015

Osaka Ohsho is an internationally-known Japanese chain specializing in the ‘world’s #1 gyoza‘, which comes in 3 flavors: original, cheese and nori. 3 sauces are available as well: original, chili and miso. It’s for foodies who have been looking for quality gyoza in Manila. It’s not for people looking for sushi platters, ramen bowls or tonkatsu meals. We recommend the Fuwatoro Tenshin Han Gyoza Set, which is already good for 2. It comes with a serving of Fuwatoro Tenshin Han (premium Japanese rice wrapped in omelette and bathed in gravy), 12 pcs. of gyoza and 2 servings of miso soup and fruits. Our insider tip is you can take out frozen gyoza to be enjoyed at home.

El Cabrito is the 2nd son of popular Mexican-American restaurant, El Chupacabra in Poblacion, Makati (next to El Hijo de Cabra which is in Greenfield District, Mandaluyong). It serves the same awesome street tacos, barbecue and cheap beer. It’s for foodies living around and near Greenhills who won’t need to travel to Makati for El Chupacabra anymore. It’s not for people looking for desserts. We recommend the Carne Asada and Cabrito street tacos. Our insider tip is unlike El Chupacabra, El Cabrito serves Senor Pollo’s famous Latin chicken.

Ippudo is the first branch of this international group in the Philippines.  A joint venture with the guys at Yabu, it specializes in Hakata-style Tonkotsu (pork-based) ramen produced in their kitchen and tailor-fitted for the Filipino palate. It’s for straight up ramen minus the fancy embellishments of modern cuisine. It’s not for people looking for an extensive Japanese menu. We recommend their Shiromaru Motoji ramen and the pork buns. Our insider tip is that cute “kiddie sets” may be requested for your little ones. P.S. Ippudo Matsuri cards are now available. Customers get free ramen after completing all 5 ramen sidekicks stamps.

The Shrimp Bucket is a casual seafood restaurant that specializes in bags-by-the-pound of shrimps, mussels or crabs served with your choice of special sauce. It’s for anyone who don’t mind getting their hands and faces messy. It’s not for people who are allergic to seafood, although they do serve a few non-seafood items. We recommend the salted egg, mardi gras, French lemon pepper butter and coco-curry flavors. Our insider tip is despite its name, the seafood comes in plastic bags, the buckets are for your discarded shells.

Green Pastures, a farm-to-table concept restaurant created by Chef Robby Goco of crowd-favorite Cyma, promises to deliver locally-sourced and produced, and wholly organic dishes. It’s for people who love salads and higher quality produce. It’s not for people who are craving for some good grease. We recommend their salads, homemade cheeses and juice selection. Our insider tip is Chef Robby constantly updates the menu ‘based on what’s in season, what’s new and what’s fresh,’ which is why their menu is stamped with a validity period.

Chef Laudico Guevarra’s is a 1920’s heritage house restaurant and events place where guests can enjoy an upscale but affordable Filipino buffet dining, in function rooms or outdoor setting, from Chefs Roland and Jacqueline Laudico. It’s for special business meetings and family celebrations. It’s not a place to treat your friends if you’re on a tight budget. We recommend the angus beef tapa, kare-kare, grilled gindara and cream dory with mango curry sauce. Our insider tip is their clean plate policy charges you P100 for every 100 grams left. P.S. Buffet price is half for kids 4 feet and below.

Las Paellas Cafe is a casual restaurant offering Spanish fusion cuisine with Filipino imprints. It first opened in 1997 by Ramon Del Gallego Jr., who also owns Cafe Cubana. It’s for people who love classic and trusty dishes that they can go back to anytime. It’s not for foodies who love trying new flavors and modern cuisine. We recommend the paella valenciana or negra, lengua, crispy kare-kare and their churros.

Din Tai Fung is an internationally known dim sum restaurant from Taiwan and a 5-time Michelin that specializes in Taiwan dishes including its world famous classic and flavored xiao long baos. Expect a showcase of their expert wrappers thru their signature open kitchen window. It’s for travelers who have been waiting for the brand to come to Manila and for foodies who are excited to know what the fuss is all about. It’s not for people looking for Peking duck or white chicken rice meals. Here’s an insider tip: Other Taiwan specialties to try include the beef noodles, pork chop rice and steamed buns.

Ooma is a modern Japanese restaurant by the Moment Group and young acclaimed chef Bruce Ricketts, the same partnership that brought us Mecha Uma. Ooma, which is a wordplay on Uma meaning ‘good’, promises bold Japanese flavors at affordable prices. It’s for people who are looking for quality sushi at affordable prices. It’s not for people looking for ramen. We recommend the Soft Shell Crab Taco-Maki, Hangar Steak and Uni Udon. Our insider tip is that at Ooma, you get to ‘brush’ (not dip) soy sauce on your sushi. P.S. Servers roam around with buckets giving out unlimited rice.

The Halal Guys is a halal gyro food cart based in New York City, founded in 1990. Their bright red and yellow umbrellas and flags quickly caught the attention of New Yorkers and tourists alike and soon long queues became its norm. It’s for people craving for gyro wraps and platters. It’s not for people who prefer kababs over shredded meat. We recommend the chicken and beef rice platters. Our insider tip is go  wild on the white sauce but easy on the red sauce, they give quite the spicy kick. Read our full feature here.

Tim Ho Wan is Hong Kong’s most celebrated dim sum restaurant, after all it’s the cheapest One Michelin star in the world. It’s for affordable and fast dim sum. It’s not for people who don’t want to queue. Their crowd stealer is the Baked Bun with BBQ Pork. We also recommend their Wasabi Salad Prawn Dumpling and Steamed Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp. Our insider tip is take out orders are now allowed and there is a separate queue.