The New Year brings about a renewed sense of hope for endless possibilities and opportunities. So just like most people, you might have also promised to keep a resolution for the year—be it to focus on your health and fitness, to take up a new hobby, or to travel to an exotic country.
But if you haven’t come up with a 2019 resolution yet, here’s a sound suggestion: try out new restaurants to give your palate a memorable treat. You’d be surprised to know that there are more than a few restaurants that offer a different kind of eating experience from the usual. The ever-thriving Quezon City, for example, has an abundance of these places.
Location:138 Malakas Street corner Matalino Street, Teachers Village, Diliman, Quezon City
Operating hours:Open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM
Price range:PhP100 to PhP360
Aside from main dishes, Muang Thai also serves cocktails and dessert.
Images: @muangthaiph
If you’re craving for some delish Thai food, you might want to pay a visit to Muang Thai. Originally located at Banawe Street, the establishment has relocated to Teachers Village in Diliman and has managed to maintain its reputation for addicting Thai food favorites that hit the spot.
While Muang Thai specializes in Thai cuisine with bestsellers like Satay Gai (grilled skewered chicken meat served with peanut sauce) and Pad Thai, it also comes with comfort food candidates in the form of hearty Filipino dishes such as bagoong (paste consisting of small fish and prawns) rice.
2. Kureji
Location:78 Malakas Street, Diliman, Quezon City
Operating hours:Open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM
Price range:PhP170 to PhP420
The resto is also ideal for group meals.
Images: Kureji Facebook Page
Another newly-opened establishment in the Diliman area is Kureji, a Japanese restaurant that offers a twist on the usual ramen dish. “Kureji” is a Japanese word that literally means “crazy,” but the restaurant adopts this name in the best way possible.
Besides offering popular Japanese dishes such as ramen and bento sets, Kureji differs from the rest with its sizzling ramen options. The ramen is served in a stone bowl with a sizzling broth for the noodles to cook in, and a container of extra soup is advised to be poured into the bowl not a minute later to intensify the ramen’s flavor and to complete the dining experience. Currently, Kureji Diliman has nine sizzling ramen options to choose from including Garlic Miso, Shoyu (a type of Japanese soy sauce), and Yakisoba. Kureji also has branches in Ortigas and Vertis North.
Location:5 General Avenue, Bahay Toro, Project 8, Quezon City
Operating hours:Open daily from 2 PM to 12 MN
Price range:PhP15 to PhP250
Kaia Café gets rave reviews for its affordable menu and cozy atmosphere.
Images: @kaiacafe
Kaia Café pairs low-key dining experience with a millennial palm leaves-flamingoes-and-neon lights aesthetic. Complete with a hip environment, affordable food options, and an intimate setting, the café is ideal for quiet get-togethers or even a first date.
Kaia Café’s menu options include refreshing iced shaken drinks, sweet or savory Belgian waffles, and creamy milkshakes. It also has various classic coffee options which can be served either hot or iced.
Looking for cafe options in other areas? Visit the Yoorekka Directory to see the best cafes closest to you!
4. Pink Bird
Location:12 Scout Borromeo Street, South Triangle, Quezon City
Operating hours:Open 24 hours daily
Price range:PhP150 to PhP1,300
Literally everything at Pinkbird is pink.
Images: Pinkbird - korean food / dessert cafe
For an all-day, unlimited dining experience, Pink Bird is a must-visit. From the name itself, it’s to be expected that the entirety of the restaurant is adorned with pink décor and pink accents. The Korean restaurant offers a variety of meat sets at different rates for pork, beef, and even seafood.
Pinkbird also offers karaoke for a more memorable and enjoyable dining experience. And to take things to a whole other level, the restaurant also serves beer options, making it a great place for celebrations and special occasions for big groups.
Ukokkei Japan by Menzo also has branches in SM Megamall and in Maginhawa.
Images: UKOKKEI Japan
Another Japanese-cuisine restaurant worth checking out is Ukokkei Japan by Menzo which is conveniently located in SM North EDSA. What sets Ukokkei apart from other ramen places is the affordability of its options without sacrificing the taste. While other establishments have a price range of between PhP350 to PhP400 for ramen, Ukokkei’s ramen dishes are between PhP190 and PhP320.
Ukokkei’s menu also has rice bowl options, as well as classic side dishes like gyoza (dumpling filled with a minced stuffing), karaage (deep-fried meat), and tonkatsu (fried pork covered in breadcrumbs). Green salads and a dessert option of Matcha Parfait are also available.
Location:75 Xavierville Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Operating hours:Open daily from 3 PM to 1 AM
Price range:PhP199 to PhP449
Saangyeopsal also serves Korean drinks that complement the food like Soju Yakult and Makgeolli.
Images: Saangyeopsal
Riding on the very popular Samgyeopsal (pork belly) trend is Saangyeopsal. Since it is accessible to universities near Loyola Heights, its prices are also student-friendly. With regular Samgyeopsal meals starting at PhP199 and unlimited options ranging between PhP399 and PhP449, the restaurant is a definitely spot where students wouldn’t need to worry about burning a big whole in their wallets.
Saangyeopsal also offers short orders such as Gimbap which are rolls filled with ham and vegetables, Squash Jeon which is a squash pancake that comes with a sweet dipping sauce, and Cheese Buldak which is chicken covered in spicy buldak sauce topped with mozzarella cheese.
Meals should be nothing short of monumental, gratifying, and delicious. With this in mind, go forth and make your 2019 full of awesome gastronomical experiences, starting with the newly opened restaurants mentioned above!
Which of these new restaurants in Quezon City made your mouth water the most? Let us know in the comments section!
* Prices may change without notice
About Eunice Sheene Fulgencio
Eunice knew that she’d be writing for the rest of her life from a very young age. Naturally introverted, she is selective with how she uses her time and who she spends it with. Has a penchant for sweet treats, sentimental proses, and online personality quizzes. A true-blue INFJ.
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