Bon Chon Delivers!

When I was pregnant with Berry, I was crazy about Korean fried chicken.

It was the original Bon Chon in Koreatown in Manhattan that got me hooked, and while they never served their chicken with rice, I learned to eat it with a siding of pickled radish cubes that still makes my mouth water at just the mere idea of it. OMG.

So when Bon Chon miraculously opened in Manila, it was just wow. What's doubly wow is that Bon Chon delivers now!

I had an impromptu lunch at home the other week, because my friend Gretch was in town and only had an hour to spare for lunch. Then Kris aka OC Mom in Manila and I made plans to check out our neighborhood pilates studio before she had to go to another meeting. With little time to spare, it was a relief that Bon Chon came to my rescue!

BonChon here in Manila is so different from the Bon Chon I knew in New York. Back there, Bon Chon is more of a bar that serves chicken, while here, it's a full on fast food concept that features not just their delicious double fried chicken, but also deep fried seafood, japchae, bulgogi, soups, sandwiches and salads, as well as the new Crispy Crepes.

Whether you are in Manila or in a city where BonChon is at, there's a delivery hotline that you can call when that Korean fried chicken craving starts kicking in.

Just make sure you order a minimum of Php300 and expect to pay a 10% delivery charge. Craving solved.

Bon Chon Delivery Hotlines:
Metro Manila - 633-1818.
Marilao, Bulacan - (044) 815-1818
Baliwag, Bulacan - (044) 761-1818
Cavite - (046) 424-1818
Central Cebu City, (032) 266-0488
Davao, (082) 285-1704 *charges a flat P40 delivery fee

For more information, log on to www.bonchon.com.ph

Dashe Great!

I really only ever started using makeup when I was in my 20s. Yes, I am a late bloomer. I know. After years of applying make-up using my fingers (barbaric, but that's just whipped foundation, cheek stain & lip gloss, and hey I made sure to wash my hands first), I decided it was time to buy makeup brushes. The only advice my mom ever gave me when it came to buying makeup brushes was to use ones made from sable, or real animal hair at least. She said, don't  be afraid to splurge because you'll use it for years. Again, quality over quantity.

Now, I never really bothered to learn the technicalities as to why real hair is better, but as far as I know, they feel so much nicer on the skin vs. synthetics. And so, I bought my first makeup brush set, all of 7 pieces from Smashbox, at the ripe old age of 30. And only because first, I thought the houndstooth handles were pretty mod, plus yes, the bristles felt nice on the skin.

I was happily using Smashbox makeup brushes for 5 years until last year, when my Mom gifted me with a limited edition travel set from Chanel. I loved it of course! It was perfectly packaged in a small handy black pouch, and again, the brushes were made from real animal hair. Even Berry loved it when I pretend to put makeup on her, because she liked the feel of the soft brushes on her lids and cheeks. Such a girly girl!

Now, here's the deal, it's a travel set, so the brushes are limited, but yet, I used it on a daily basis. So it was my lucky day when Ecat and Tifany of Dashe Cosmetics sent me a 12 piece set of Dashe makeup brushes for me to try. 

Ecat said that Dashe is a local brand of makeup brushes, but everything is custom made in Korea. Plus plus! Dashe only uses high quality animal hair for all of their brushes. True enough, when I giddily opened the package, the brushes were really well-made and the hair, actually comparable to my Chanel ones! Here's a side by side (Dashe on the left, Chanel on the right):

Foundation brushes

Powder brushes

Eye Shadow brushes

Blending brushes

I honestly cannot say there is a big difference in using Dashe vs. Chanel. They feel practically the same, and work equally as well. One may argue that since I am not a makeup professional, I really wouldn't be able to make an objective assessment, but apparently, the line makes great starter sets for budding makeup artists. Which is good enough for me!

According to Ecat, they supply some makeup schools like Lasalle International's makeup department and the Australian College of Hair Design and Beauty. With Dashe's high quality, reasonably priced brush sets, the line is perfect for girls like me who don't want to splurge while still experimenting with makeup. 

Dashe makeup brushes are also available at First Aid Greenbelt Makati, PCX Rockwell Powerplant and PCX Alabang Town center.

Here are more brushes from Dashe:

Powder and contour brush set in coral (also comes in purple)

6 piece Zebra pink set

12 piece set (this is what I have - MFO)

17 piece set

21 piece set

30 piece set

Tool belt set

Dashe also carries unbranded make up palettes from the US and a few Ben Nye items. For prices, inquiries, or more information visit Dashe on Multiply and Facebook!

Richmond, BC Eats: Jang Mo Jib

It has become tradition that whenever we visit Dad & Mom Dychiao, we have to pop by Jang Mo Jib in Richmond.I swear, a trip there is not complete if we don't eat here. I think it's the perfect cold weather meal, and even if it's summer, well, so what. This particular meal was special because it was Berry's first time to eat here. The last time we were here, she was still in my tummy, and this was the first ever meal I had during my barf-y first trimester that I was able to hold down. So, see, it truly is special!

Here are our staple dishes:

Hae Mool Pah Jun aka as Seafood Pancake. Because seafood on this side of the coast is always so fresh, this is always a winner. Love the mix of crunchy browned batter coupled with bursts of chewy squid. A dip into the delicate saltiness of the soy sauce adds a new dimension. With or without soy sauce, I like!

Gam Jah Tahng is a hearty, tasty soup that could probably be the equivalent of our sinigang. While we like it sour, they like their soup spicy. Because Berry was sharing this meal with us, we opted for a little spicy. Honestly, I would prefer the soup to be really hot with a lot of kick to it. But we all made the sacrifice for the little girl, heehee. Nevertheless, as usual, this was a delight to eat. I love dipping a spoonful of rice into a bowl of broth and then following it with tender pork meat. Again, I don't really eat pork, but for some reason, pork here isn't porky at all, so it's always a go!

Last but not the least is their Gahl Bee, short ribs marinated in soy sauce, rice wine, rice vinegar, etc etc. and then BBQ'd to perfection.

While the best Korean beef ribs I've ever had can be found in So Kong Dong in Fort Lee, NJ (just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. Anthony Bourdain dined at So Kong Dong when he did an episode on New Jersey for No Reservations), this Gahl Bee is almost there.

We have been dining at Jang Mo Jib for the last 5 years now, and I think, this tradition is here to stay.

Jang Mo Jib
8320 Alexandra Street
Richmond, BC V6X1C4
(604) 233-0712