Budae Jjigae (Army Stew) - Easy Recipe

Ingredients:

The ingredients listed are the ones for our version. It will vary from the usual budae jjiage.

Kimchi

Bee hoon (you can use noodles) - soaked in cold water

Rice cakes

Mushroom (thin slices)

Chilli pepper paste (put according to your spice level)

Onions (sliced into strips)

Tofu (1/2 inch think squares)

Squid balls

Kimchi juice

Cheese for toppings

In a pot, place the onions first. Then place tofu, squid balls, rice cakes, mushroom, bee hoon in heaps.

Put water, kimchi juice and chilli pepper paste.

Let the boiling begin and scoop in bowls.

You can also add spam or luncheon meat, or slices of pork.

Budae Jjigae (Army Stew)

VERDICT
WILL: Abbey and I achieved another milestone financially and to celebrate that Abbey prepared Budae Jjigae as our dinner (because we miss the Budae Jjigae of Gangnam Wings). 

Abbey, made a simple and yet tummy-filling Korean Army Stew even the ingredients are not that much. 

The kimchi blended well with the soup and spiciness just gave another punch of flavour. Don't ever-ever skip rice cake on this meal! 

Happy eating.

StraitsKitchen (Halal Dinner Buffet) at Grand Hyatt Singapore

ABBEY: At Straits Kitchen was where Wilma’s company held their send off to her. The food choices here is great. They have Indian, Malaysian, Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese, and Western cuisines. 

I got sushi and sashimi for starter. Then I indulged myself with tandoori chicken, satays, fish and shrimp. I don’t know what happened but I got full in short amount of time but it seems I haven’t eaten much. 

I tried their durian ice cream and I need to get the hang of it. All I can say is that I’m not a fan yet. 

This hotel restaurant is definitely recommended.

StraitsKitchen (Halal Dinner Buffet) at Grand Hyatt Singapore
Satay on the making

StraitsKitchen (Halal Dinner Buffet) at Grand Hyatt Singapore
Desserts

StraitsKitchen (Halal Dinner Buffet) at Grand Hyatt Singapore
Chicken and Duck

StraitsKitchen (Halal Dinner Buffet) at Grand Hyatt Singapore
Shrimps and Sauces

StraitsKitchen (Halal Dinner Buffet) at Grand Hyatt Singapore
Rejoice Container Services Pte Ltd

WILL: Rejoice threw a farewell party for me and it was celebrated at StaitsKitchen in Grand Hyatt Singapore. 

You will think, oh it is just a local food! Nothing's new! WRONG! This is higher level of hawker food! 

What I love the most? Their chilli crab! The spiciness is just enough to blow your tastebuds! Next, the laksa. Laksa's soup is thick! Oh my! If I can only bring 5 of those home! Hahaha. Then, the desserts are amazingly tasty. The coconut toppings on it and the sweetness makes me comeback and stuff it all in my mouth. Haha. Gluttony! And before I forgot, thank you for the unlimited mangosteen. Haha! My favorite fruit. 

If you have friends or business associates visiting Singapore, this is a must-dine buffet! 

Yummmmy! 

***

StraitsKitchen (Halal Dinner Buffet) 

(W) http://www.singapore.grand.hyattrestaurants.com/straitskitchen/

(P) Buffet Lunch

• SGD 56.00++ per person inclusive of free-flowing selection of five chilled juices, coffee & tea
• SGD 29.00++ per child (age 7 to 12 years) inclusive of free-flowing selected chilled juices
• Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm
• Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Dinner Buffet

• SGD 66.00++ per person inclusive of free-flowing selection of chilled juices, coffee & tea
• SGD 36.00++ per child (age 7 to 12 years) inclusive of free-flowing selection of chilled juices
• Daily from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm

For suppers after 9.15pm, guests may enjoy discounted prices on the buffet spread at the following rates:

• SGD 45.00++ per person inclusive of free-flowing selection of chilled juices, coffee & tea
• SGD 19.00++ per child (age 7 to 12 years) inclusive of free-flowing selection of chilled juices

(A) GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE,10 SCOTTS ROAD

(T) 65 6738 1234

Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas Manila - Staycation

ABBEY: Marco Polo Ortigas is a 3-year old hotel and we checked in for our Hearts’ Day celebration. 

The staff warmly welcomed us. Our room is at 41st floor with king-sized bed and a bathtub. Yey, they have Nespresso for coffee. And we also got 3 ponkans/oranges for Chinese New Year. 

The room was clean, the sheets are soft as well as the pillows. We had a relaxing stay at their hotel.

Marco Polo Hotel

Ortigas Manila

WILL: I am not surprised that Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas received the Forbes 2017 and 2018 5-Star Award. Below are the reasons why:

1. Their staffs warmly and carefully attended to our needs. Like what? bottle of water, extra capsule for the Nespresso and tea, and additional tub salt.

2. Pool is tempered, it will be okay even if you swim after your dinner. 

3. Hotel service is right on time and on the right place when they fetched us after our Aiza and The CompanyY's concert. 

4. Their hotel rooms are dirt-free! The bed and pillows' softness fit my preference.

5. Bathtub and shower are spotless. I am not sure how the housekeepers do it? Amazing! 

6. Their public bathroom at pool area! OMG! It is like you are at an expensive salon. 

7. Their gym is awesome. No foul smell at all. 

8. There is Jollibee beside the hotel and it is 24hours open! Yahooo!!!

Rooms for improvement? Nah! Please be advised that you check the rates and fees on some travel booking sites. In our case, it is cheaper to have booking directly with them. We got the room for Php6,380.40 (without breakfast) per room and the hotel service from Greenhills back to Marco Polo is Php690.00/one way.

Totally and highly recommended for business and staycation needs!

***

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila

(W)www.marcopolohotels.com

(A)1600 Meralco Ave, San Antonio, Pasig, 1600 Metro Manila, Philippines

(T)+63 2 720 7777

(E)resv.mnl@marcopolohotels.com

Fifty Shades Freed (2018) - Golden Village Paya Lebar

ABBEY: I know this is a late post and maybe a lot of people already watched it as we only saw the movie after our two-week vacation.

The movie showed less skin compared to the first two which is ok. It focused on the married life of the couple until the building of their family. 

Good thing to point out though that even you have the riches in the world, it doesn’t give you or guarantee you to have a child specially if you don’t want to :)

I’m also wondering how hard can it be to lock up your ‘stalker’ when you can have the means plus the fact that you already knew who your enemy is. 

Anyways, all’s well that ends well.

Fifty Shades Freed (2018) - Golden Village Paya Lebar

WILL: I never thought that we can see the 50 Shades Freed in big screen. Well, behold, 50 Shades is still "Now Showing" at some cinemas in Singapore after 2 weeks from its release date. 

So what can I say? The movie is about the newlywed Mr and Mrs Grey. How they handle their relationship when the shadow of past came to haunt them. 

As usual, they resolved the issues and leave happily ever after as a family.

***

Golden Village Paya Lebar

(W) https://www.gv.com.sg

(A)SingPost Centre, #03-107, 10 Eunos Rd 8

(T)6653 8100

Marina Bay Spa and Lifestyle Club - Mall of Asia Complex

ABBEY: You want to have a body massage which also includes a buffet? Head now to Marina Bay Spa and Lifestyle. We availed their promo for 1500Php only. That’s definitely a deal. 

This is my last hurrah before going back to work. They offer shower, sauna, steam room, cold and hot pools before the massage. Bathrobe and shorts were also provided as well as dental and shaving kits. 

The place is serene and relaxing. I really like the warm bean-bag-like-strip placed on my nape and back. I slept a little during the massage session. 

An hour later I found myself at the table eating jap chae (Korean stir-fried glass noodles), siomai, dumplings, soy chicken while sipping berry-flavored teas. 

We also spent sometime in lazy-boys at the lounge. If not for my flight we would have gone for another round of food. Hahaha. 

Thanks Marina Bay Spa and Lifestyle.

Marina Bay Spa and Lifestyle Club - Mall of Asia Complex
Wet Area

Marina Bay Spa and Lifestyle Club - Mall of Asia Complex
Lobby

Marina Bay Spa and Lifestyle Club - Mall of Asia Complex
Body Scrub Area

Marina Bay Spa and Lifestyle Club - Mall of Asia Complex
Lounge

Marina Bay Spa and Lifestyle Club - Mall of Asia Complex
Dining Area

WILL: Abbey will be the last one to leave Manila. 12pm we checked-out at The Heritage Hotel and instead to sit and wait for 7pm at NAIA Terminal 3, we opted to stay at Marina Bay Spa and Lifestyle Club. It was located just a block away from SM Mall of Asia. 

We arrived around 1pm and without a reservation haha! Luckily, there are available masseurs by 130pm. With that 30-minute leeway, I spend it using their facilities like hot pool and sauna(swimming attire only). Please remember to clean-up before using those! Oh! Did I mentioned that their showers were complemented by Shiseido Line? Great right? 

While in sauna, an attendant approached and stated that my room is ready. Excited with my Sports Massage! How was it? Yes! It is a deep tissue massage. The masseur totally felt what aching part to be kneaded. My shoulders and my foot! Yeahbah! Oh! The hot compress put on to my back is a BLAST! Hayyyy! Sarap! 

After 1 hour of total relaxation, I went to their dining area. Abbey is already munching there! Haha! What I love on that buffet? The siomai!! They keep on replenishing the steamer, I keep on getting the siomai! Haha! The selections of tea is quite amusing too! 

It is too early for us to go to the airport. We walked out from the dining area and just sat and lounge at their "viewing area". Too cold in there? Get some free coffee or tea. 

We left the premises around 430pm. Just enough time for Abbey. 

So instead of paying a lounge at the airport. Here at Marina Bay you will pay only Php1500 for massage and buffet. Beat the traffic and spend quality time with your loved ones at this quality, clean and luxurious spa.

***

Marina Bay Spa and Lifestyle Club - Mall of Asia Complex

(W) https://www.marinabayspa.com

(H) Monday to Thursday - 11:00am - 12:00am (last call at 10:00pm / Friday to Sunday -11:00am - 2:00am (last call at 12:00am)

(A) Esplanade Seaside Terminal, Seaside Blvd. Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City 1300

(T) +63 834 1888

The Heritage Hotel Manila Philippines

ABBEY: We checked in at The Heritage Hotel for the last night of our vacation. While checking in, the dragon dance started to celebrate Chine New Year. We got twin beds with toilet and bathtub. The sheets are clean. 

We went down and checked their pool in the late afternoon. Then on the next day we had a breakfast buffet. They offered eggs (omelette, sunny side up, and hard-boiled), breads, ham, sausage, nasi lemak (this is a suprise), juices, coffee, and tea. Nothing much special about the stay but we got a good sleep.

Now for the areas of improvement:

1. Check-in takes too much time. I think we waited for almost 45 minutes to an hour before we can go to our rooms.

2. Taking photos or video on the buffet is not allowed. Come on.. it is 2018. This is the first hotel who told me that I can’t take pictures except if we’re on the table.

3. Buffet items were gone and guests waited or asked for it to be refilled. If the manager is keeping attention on it then this wouldn’t happen.

4. Room furnishings are old. And the door knobs were malfunctioning. We have to input our room keys twice or thrice and have the knobs parallel to the floor before we can open the door.

5. I don’t know if the newspaper were given at random but all the three rooms we booked didn’t get one. Yes, I can call but if this is standard service then no call is needed.

I know this is a lot but I also know that Heritage Hotel has the capacity to improve and have more happy clients to stay at their hotel.

The Heritage Hotel Manila Philippines
Shower Pack

The Heritage Hotel Manila Philippines
Superior Room with Twin Bed

The Heritage Hotel Manila Philippines
Outdoor Pool

WILL: Our in-laws decided to beat the long journey from Meycauayan, Bulacan to NAIA by checking in to one of the nearest hotel in airport, The Heritage  Hotel. 

I am not quite familiar when they told me of the hotel name but when I checked the website it is updated and quite alluring to checked-in.

We weren’t immediately accommodated at the concierge due to lion dance! Well, its Chinese New Year! Who doesn't want to get some luck? 

When I saw our room, I remembered that The Heritage Hotel is quite old now. The sheets are not that comfortable, their bathroom has drawers and one of the cabinet door is dilapidated. The carpet is worn out. This is not what I expect in a hotel under the umbrella of Millennium Hotels and Resort. A 4-star hotel? I do not even dare to take shower inside their tub. 

We paid Php4,067 for Superior Room, buffet breakfast included. Be careful, for asking bottle of water, free water has a limit. Argghhh!

***

The Heritage Hotel Manila Philippines

(W)https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/manila/the-heritage-hotel-manila/

(A) Roxas Boulevard corner EDSA Philippines 1300

(T)+63 2 854 8888

(E) hotelguest.hhm@millenniumhotels.com

Gangnam Wings - Authentic and Best Korean Restaurant in Philippines

ABBEY: At last we set foot to Gangnam Wings at SM Megamall. We ordered one of their group meals which is good for 6 persons. It includes a whole chicken (we chose sweet and spicy and soy garlic flavors), a basket of truffle fries, a bowl of mango salad, a pot of budae-jjigae, rice, red iced tea and mango bingsu. 

Honestly, I liked all the items. They are savory, flavorful and delicious. Budae-jjigae really stood out. It is a meal in itself. It has ham, noodles, macaroni elbows, beans, kimchi, rice and fish cakes and boiled in broth. Wow. All of these for Php1799.00. 

Go visit Gangnam Wings and enjoy good times with friends with great food. They also serve alcoholic drinks.

Gangnam Wings - Authentic and Best Korean Restaurant in Philippines
Fries and Red Ice Tea

Gangnam Wings - Authentic and Best Korean Restaurant in Philippines
Budae Jjigae

Gangnam Wings - Authentic and Best Korean Restaurant in Philippines
Korean Fried Chicken

Gangnam Wings - Authentic and Best Korean Restaurant in Philippines
Mango Bingsu

Gangnam Wings - Authentic and Best Korean Restaurant in Philippines
Meal Deal Menu

Gangnam Wings - Authentic and Best Korean Restaurant in Philippines
SM Megamall Bldg A

Gangnam Wings - Authentic and Best Korean Restaurant in Philippines 

WILL: Gangnam Wings! Although Abbey is one of the investors here, I will give a sincere feedback. Please do take note that our meal in here is not free. Haha. 

We went there, 3 adults and 2 children, but the other one eats like two persons combined. So we went for Meal Deal P1799 (good for 6). We ordered 2 half chicken flavoured spicy and soy garlic, Buddae Jjigae (Stew), Truffle Fries, Mango Salad, Mango Bingsu for dessert and Red Iced Tea. 

We were served first by Red Iced Tea and Fries. Oh! I prevent my self in consuming it all, that is for my nephew Baste (he only eat fries and burgers). Their fries is not oily and it is crispy! 

Next the rice came along with the chickens! Oh my! The chicken meat,not only the skin, also sipped the flavours. It is total a winner. 

Buddae Jjigae caught me off guard. In truth, I am expecting a lame broth taste! But! My! Kimchi is there, spiciness, the rice cake and noodles... wohooo! This is a real deal! 

I am not into dessert but I made way for 1 more serving of this Mango Bingsu. It is creamy and the mango gave a nice kick of sourness! Droooool! 

The quality of food was served by Gangnam Wings is great! This is a must visit whenever you are in Pasig area. Yup! This kind of restaurant deserves another branch! I fully recommend to get their "meal deal", you will save a lot from there. 

***

Gangnam Wings

(F) https://www.facebook.com/GangnamWings/

(H) 10AM - 1AM

(A) The Megastrip Unit 1 - 114 UG/F Bldg. A SM Megamall (former Bonchon, beside Starbucks, Dominos and Kenny Rogers), Ortigas Center

Mandaluyong, Philippines 1554

(T) +63 977 130 0034

Army Navy Burger + Burrito at Petron NLEX

ABBEY: We stopped by Army Navy (Petron NLEX Southbound) after our stay at a resort. Sadly they’re out of burgers. Instead we got chicken wings, soft tacos, and chicken burger. 

I ordered StarvingSailor same as Will and it was delicious. The beef is a little bit tough to chew though. We had 12-pax meal for only 88SGD. I hope next time I can put my hands on their burgers.

Army Navy at Petron NLEX
StarvingSailor Sandwich

Army Navy Burger + Burrito at Petron NLEX
MENU

Army Navy Burger + Burrito Mission:
Come in Hungry
Walk out Happy

WILL: Aren't you tired of the same fastfood chains inside the malls and then those will be your same choices when taking a break from your long drive at North Luzon Express Way? 

Well, fret not! Army Navy is there to serve you. Ahm, yeah! Another burger-fries-chicken menu but please do try their StarvingSailor sandwich. 

A sourdough bread that was filled by chunks (yes chunks not strips) of beef, caramelised onion, cheese and jalapeño. Yummy! 

This sandwich surely will satisfy the starving sailor inside of you!

***

Army Navy 

(W)http://www.armynavy.ph/

(A) Petron, NLEX Phase 2A, Petron Service Station 1, Marilao Bulacan

This Is Us - Aiza Seguerra & The CompanY at Music Museum

ABBEY: I wanted to watch a Valentine’s concert for so long. So when our vacation aligned with February 14, I looked for artists who will perform on that date. We didn’t got disappointed as we booked for This is Us : Aiza Seguerra and The Company at the Music Museum. 

We toured the memory lane with The Company while we got to hear the phases of love from Aiza (Ice). 

It was a great night. You can have your food and drinks while being serenaded with those golden voices.

This Is Us - Aiza Seguerra & The CompanY 

This Is Us - Aiza Seguerra & The CompanY - Ticket

WILL: Abbey arrived home and ecstatically announced that he found a perfect date for me on Hearts' day. And it is with Aiza and The Company at Music Museum. 

We arrived as early as 40 minutes before the show. We just sat there and talk. Yeah Abbey and I loved to have a conversation. Haha!

When Aiza and The Company invaded the stage, our hearing senses were heightened and we enjoyed every song The Company sang that time. There are times that we stand up and dance! Haha. When Aiza went back on stage, I felt every lyrics of the song. In love, heartbreak and happiness in one set. Aiza is one of the quality singers of Philippines.

Thanks Baby Abbey for this concert date! 

***

Music Museum

(W)http://www.musicmuseum.com.ph/