MEGA FASHION HALL: 10 BEST New Restaurants @SMMegaMall in 2014!

SM Mega Mall successfully rebranded itself as a foodie destination with the exciting Mega Fashion Hall restaurants this 2014 Christmas season. Congratulations to the SM Mega Mall team!

Here’s a wrap-up guide of the 10 Best NEW Restaurants at SM Mega Mall:

1. IPPUDO

IPPUDO is the most popular Hakata-style Tonkotsu (pork-based) ramen in the world. It was founded in 1985 by Ramen King Shigemi Kawahara in Fukuoka City, Kyushu.

Its name literally means “One Wind Hall” and is symbolic for the restaurant’s going against the wind and revolutionizing the ramen era of the time. It was the first shop to offer ramen in a carefully crafted setting, so that both men and women can enjoy an elegant bowl of noodle soup. It was also the first to refer to its broth by colour Shiro (white) for the classic and Aka (red) for spicy.

After months of waiting, Ippudo Philippines has finally opened to complete the Ramen Craze in Manila. 🙂

Here’s what to expect from the Ippudo experience in Manila (in comparison to Ippudo Singapore)…

IPPUDO PHILIPPINES
3rd Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Telephone: +632 470-1837
Operating Hours: Open Daily 10.00am to 10.00pm
Website: www.ippudoph.com
Facebook: Ippudo Philippines
Instagram: @ippudoph
Twitter: @ippudoph

Note: Strictly No Reservations Accepted, No Take Out

2. TIM HO WAN

TIM HO WAN MANILA 添好運 finally opens in Manila! It is the first international expansion after the Singapore branch, which owns the Asian franchise of this Hong Kong original. The Manila franchise is a partnership between Ricky Dee of Mesa Filipino Moderne and Todd English Food Hall, and Felix Ang of Cats Motors.

I love the clean and high quality taste of their dimsum, which are priced unbelievably well. Check out the Tim Ho Wan flagship branch in SM Mega Fashion Hall…

TIM HO WAN MANILA 添好運
Ground Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Facebook: Tim Ho Wan
Website: http://www.timhowan.com/

Note: Strictly No Reservations Accepted, No Take Out

3. TUAN TUAN

TUAN TUAN is a homegrown Chinese Brasserie concept specializing in Mui Garden’s Curry (by Vancouver’s Chef Gordon Mui), Deer Garden’s Halibut Fish Soup, and Tuan Tuan’s Snowy Baked Buns, set in a French-inspired ambiance.

Its name means “to put together“, which is in line with the restaurant’s aim of putting together the best Chinese comfort food, from the best chefs, in the best ambiance. Tuan Tuan was conceptualized by the Lugang Cafe group.

We loved our Tuan Tuan experience! Here are our recommendations on what to order…

TUAN TUAN CHINESE BRASSERIE
3rd Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Telephone: +632 632-7483
Mobile: +63 915 500-8026
Operating Hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Email: tuantuanmanila@gmail.com
Facebook: TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie
Website: http://www.tuantuan.com.ph/

4. 8 CUTS

8 CUTS Burger Blends is a customize-your-own-burger joint by the Moment Group, offering 5 custom burger blends made from 8 cuts of 100% U.S. Beef meat: Chuck, Rib Eye, Short Rib, Sirloin, Brisket, Hanger, Flank, and Ox Tail.

It was recently awarded as Manila’s Best Burger Joint at Manila’s Best Restaurant Awards 2014, and I agree!

Here are our favorites at 8 Cuts…

8 CUTS BURGER BLEND
3rd Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong
Telephone: +632 631-4388
Mobile: +63 917 505-3356

Other Branches/Telephone/Mobile Contact Info:
UP Town Center: +632 955-2264 | +63 917 818-2139
Trinoma: +632 730-3884 | +63 917 574-2852
Rockwell: +632 720-5890 | +63 917 834-1297
Serendra: +632 550-1964

Website: http://momentgroup.ph/
Facebook: 8 Cuts Burger Blends
Instagram: @8CutsBurgerBlends
Twitter: @8CutsBurger

5. OSAKA OHSHO

OSAKA OHSHO is a Japanese chain established in 1969. They have branches in Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Korea and now in the Philippines, courtesy of the Relish-Group, known for bringing in the Wee Nam Kee franchise to Manila.

I like how the Manila restaurant scene is shifting towards specializing. Most restaurants now are known for that one dish or a certain specialty cuisine.

So how does the #1 Gyoza in the World taste like? Here’s our Osaka Ohsho experience…

OSAKA OHSHO PHILIPPINES
3rd Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong
Telephone: +632 631-7074
Mobile: +63 917 828-5011
Facebook: Osaka Ohsho Philippines

6. KYOCHON

KYOCHON, which started the double-fried chicken craze in South Korea in 1991, is finally in the Philippines! But Filipinos are not that familiar with the brand despite its #1 double-fried chicken status in Korea.

(For reference, BonChon was founded in 2002 but they are more popular because they were first to enter New York in 2007, while KyoChon entered Manhattan only in 2010. Similarly, BonChon had a head start in Manila in 2010.)

The double-fried chicken technique was invented to remove the fatty oils from the chicken and still make the skin crunchy and flavorful. KyoChon takes pride in the fact that their chicken has no glacial acetic acid, sodium saccharine, and MSG. They also use canola oil with zero transfat to fry their chicken. 🙂

I’m happy that they are finally here in Manila!

KYOCHON Philippines
Upper Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building B (near Mega Fashion Hall), SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong
Telephone: +632 997-3333
Website: www.kyochon.ph
Facebook: Kyochon
Twitter: @KyoChonPH
Instagram: @KyoChonPH
Operating Hours: 10.00am to 9.00pm

7. LINGUINI FINI

LINGUINI FINI by Chef Vinny is an Italian-American Restaurant based in Hong Kong but with a New York attitude. They specialize in fine pasta, which they make from scratch, and are advocates of Nose to Tail cooking and the Farm to Fork philosophy.

Thanks to the Moment Group, this Italian bistro is now in Manila! 🙂

We recently tried Linguini Fini with our blogger friends and here’s our experience…

LINGUINI FINI
3rd Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong
Operating Hours: 10.00am – 10.00pm
Email: info-manila@linguinifini.com
Telephone: +632 531-3302
Website: http://www.linguinifini.com/en/manila/
Twitter: @LinguiniFiniMNL
Instagram: @linguinifinimnl
Facebook: Linguini Fini Manila

8. KOOL KIDS

KOOL KIDS is an ice cream house by Miguel Aranaz and by Chef Mark Tan of Allium, specializing in Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream. This is a unique dessert place you should not miss when you visit SM Mega Fashion Hall.

KOOL KIDS Ice Cream and Co
5th Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong
Telephone: +632 579-3495
Contact: Miguel Aranaz
Email: miguel@wearekoolkids.com

9. ST. MARC CAFÉ

ST. MARC CAFÉ is a specialty Japanese dessert café best known for its signature chocolate croissant, the Choco Cro. Thanks to Ben Chan for bringing this popular Japanese franchise to the Philippines.

Here’s what to expect and what to order at ST. MARC CAFÉ Philippines…

ST. MARC CAFÉ PHILIPPINES
Upper Ground Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Facebook: Saint Marc Café Philippines

10. TRIPLE-O’s

TRIPLE-O’s is the burger joint spinoff of the White Spot Family Restaurant in Canada, with international branches in China, Hongkong, Singapore, and now finally in Manila.

It’s named after its trademark “Triple-O” hamburger sauce (made of mayonnaise and hamburger relish). The name of the sauce itself came from the shorthand language used by the original order takers (known as carhops) to indicate the guests’ choice of extra mayo and/or relish. A Triple “O” on the order slip meant “plenty of everything”.

People who have travelled to or live in Canada are familiar with the brand and excited about the opening of the Manila branch.

It was admittedly my first time to try Triple-O’s. Here’s our experience…

TRIPLE-O’s by WHITE SPOT
3rd Floor, SM Mega Atrium, SM Mega Mall, EDSA, Mandaluyong
Operating Hours:
Sunday to Thursday – 10.00am to 9.00pm
Friday to Saturday – 10.00am to 10.00pm
Website: https://www.tripleos.com/
Facebook: Triple O’s by White Spot – Philippines
Twitter: @TripleOsPH