Japa-nice

It’s a discussion that Mark and I usually have. How much we miss our trips to Japan.

Whether it’s the time he was finishing his PhD and i’d visit him. Or during his short work trips and I’d tag along, every trip to Tokyo was fun, memorable and filled with nice memories.

And it’s been years since our last Japan trip, we always dream of that day when we can come back.

Until that day comes, we’re hoping to get the experience somewhere nearby. Like the Mos Burger outlet in BGC.

Even if it’s the mobile store, I hope we can get together and eat our go-to Mos Burger.

That would be nice.

Meals with Mark: Missed the Mos

Oh look, it's another "Mos" post.

And look, it's an alliteration!

Mark was excited when I told him that Mos Burger was opening in Galleria. Mos Burger is one of those places which we frequented when he was still living in Tokyo. We're both big fans of their burgers, and my personal favorite was their rice burgers.

When they had their grand opening last Thursday, Mark actually wanted to have lunch there. But the lines were crazy long, so we decided to skip it first. But for tonight's dinner, we decided to eat there.

The ambience is similar to their store in Tokyo. Although I don't remember being able to watch the cooks making burgers through the glass wall. To make the feeling more legit, they actually had Japanese staff in store. There was a guy named "Mizuno," who Mark talked to in Nihonggo.

While there were a lot of people tonight, the ordering was very efficient. It took a few minutes to take our order and pay, and there we were waiting for our food.

A few minutes later, our Mos grub arrived!

The verdict, it tastes like the OG Mos Burger in Japan! Mark remarked how the curry sauce on the burger is very reminiscent of Tokyo, but he missed the Qoo drink that he'd often have with his order.

Overall, it was a great experience that we'll do again. Because Mos Burger is one of the things we missed the most.

Mos in Manila

Yet again, another favorite Japanese chain is opening in Manila.

Mark and I often go to Mos Burger for their sandwiches. I’d often order the Shrimp Burger and he’d order their specialty.

The last time I had this was in HKG.

And now it’s here!

Finally, another restaurant to add to our repertoire.

Little Japan

When I feel like reliving my fun days in Japan, I quickly take the MTR and head off to Taikoo Shing. Once I come up from Exit B, it suddenly feels like I'm transported back to Tokyo, or Kyoto, or even Muikamachi.

First, there's a big Jusco department store. This is Mark's favourite department store (and the nearest one to IUJ, actually.)



I still remember during my first visit to Urasa, we walked all the way from Muikamachi station to Jusco - and it was a long walk - long enough to get snapped at. We had our first Japanese McDonald's meal there, and also had our first Neoprint photo at the Daisho.



At the right side of Jusco is another Japanese icon, and one that I never got enough of during my visits to Japan.



Mos Burger is one of the most popular Burger Chains in Japan. Although it's not really like Jollibee in scale, a lot of locals eat here (and First Kitchen) and their burgers are supposedly healthier. (I wouldn't know because I don't eat burgers.)



This is the meal I ordered when I first ate at the Mos Burger outlet in Kyoto. The seafood rice burger set. I love this meal because it's the perfect size for me - small enough so as not to be overwhelming, but big enough to be filling. It's much better than the rice burger at McDonald's, and the filling tastes better and is healthier. The seafood has this tinge of sweetness which is so apt for Filipino palates.



Now all I need is for Mark to be here, then it would really feel like Little Japan.