Froodie: The Cool and Casual Foodie: January 2012

Location: Mr. Ramyun, Aurora Blvd.

I was having a bad case of colds yesterday and felt a little feverish. Although a jeepney ride away from home, I immediately thought of going to Mr. Ramyun for their spicy Korean noodles. Something spicy and hot was what I needed to declog my sinuses.

(Read my earlier Mr. Ramyun review)

The spicy noodles topped with beef (P39 only since it's a half serving) was exactly what I needed. :) I immediately felt better after the first spoonful. Since I asked for the mild version (something too spicy will leave me with a runny nose), adding kimchi into the noodles helps a lot. Yum!

I decided to buy a couple of their instant spicy noodles so I can make some at home. I also have kimchi at home so I won't need to eat out for a while.
Saw this article the other day. What can you say about this?

Dubai landlords turning down Pinoys over 'smelly food?'
January 19, 2012 6:00pm

Some Filipinos in Dubai are claiming that certain real estate agents there are refusing to rent out apartments to them, partly because of the odor of a Filipino dried fish delicacy.
According to a report of Gulf News on Thursday, watchmen in two buildings informed a Filipino couple— Rey and Cynthia Alfonso — about an unwritten "no-leasing-to-Filipinos" rule by landlords.
The couple also said landlords are not happy with the Filipinos' tendency to overcrowd rental units.
However, the couple said "it's a false generalization. In reality, no one wants to live in an overcrowded place."
Gulf News said unrelated people may share a flat. However, the Dubai Municipality strictly enforces the one-family-one-villa rule. Violators can be fined Dh1,000 to Dh50,000, it said.

Foul-smelling food
Gulf News quoted Indian real estate agent Kumar as saying, "There's this one particular dried fish Filipino delicacy. I cannot blame them if they cook it and it's one of their favorite dishes. Even we Indians have some food that other people can't bear. But my landlord says this is one reason why Filipinos are not welcome in his building."
Kumar said "tuyo" (dried fish) fouls up rooms in centrally-cooled buildings.

Indian watchman Bagharam said a two-bedroom unit in their building is usualy rented out for Dh60,000 but is offered at Dh80,000 for Filipinos and Arabs.

Gulf News also quoted property agent Saeed as saying the building owner gave him specific orders not to take Filipinos, Chinese and Vietnamese as tenants. - VVP, GMA News
Always on the lookout for great food deals, my officemates/friends and I invaded Tomato Kick yesterday to check out their Bring a Friend to Lunch promo.

Beef with Mushroom (P160). This I loved... Tender and tasty,
it was my favorite dish

The promo is only valid from 12nn to 4pm. We arrived just before 1pm. I was expecting a lot of people (because of the promo) but it turned out that we're the only customers at the time. Well, Tomato Kick is mostly known as a watering hole...I was actually surprised that they were open during the day.
CNN Go came up with a nice article enumerating the "50 foods that define the Philippines."

Never forget puto and other kakanin

Here's a run-down of the list:
1. Adobo (read about the real history of adobo)
2. Lechon
3. Sisig (find out where you can find yummy crispy sisig)
4. Crispy Pata
5. Chicken Inasal
6. Taba ng talangka
7. Pancit Palabok (we actually had 5 diff. kinds of pancit at this party)
8. Bulalo (you have to taste this - the best bulalo steak)
9. Arroz Caldo (arroz caldo in the US)
10. Fish Tinola
11. Kare-kare
12. Kamaro
13. Ilocos Empanada
14. Sinigang
15. Tapa
16. Dinuguan at Puto (among our must-have fiesta food)

Lumpiang shanghai is not really from the Philippines
(probably why it didn't make the list) but it's a party staple

17. Betute
18. Laing
19. Pinakbet
20. Sinugno
21. Bagnet (bagnet from Vigan!)
22. Pancit Habhab
23. Pork Barbecue (among our must-have fiesta food)
24. Longaniza
25. Lumpiang Ubod
26. Bicol Express
27. Relyenong Alimango
28. Balut
29. Inihaw na panga ng tuna
30. Fish kinilaw
31. Kuhol sa gata
32. Sinanglay
33. Inihaw na liempo
34. Empanada de kaliskis
35. Tinolang tugac
36. Camaron rebosado
37. Bibingka
38. Suman at manga

Yummy bulalo steak!

39. Champorado
40. Halo-halo
41. Buko pie (among our must-have fiesta food)
42. Ensaymada at tsokolate
43. Pastillas de leche
44. Puto bumbong
45. Turon
46. Pan de sal
47. Taho
48. Tablea tsokolate
49. Halayang ube
50. Leche flan

Actually, some commented (in the CNN article) that their favorite Filipino food was not included. How about you? What is your favorite Filipino food?