Reviews Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Apr222026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Yappari Steak in Ayala Centrio CDO

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Restaurant, Reviews

Want a steak experience that goes beyond the ordinary? How about preparing your own steak on a lava stone plate, crafted from authentic Mt. Fuji stone? Yappari Steak at Ayala Centrio CDO offers just that. The infrared effect of the Yappari Steak lava stone plate gently cooks the meat, producing a steak that is soft, tender, and evenly heated from the inside out. I actually first "discovered" Yappari Steak at their SM Mall of Asia branch. I was curious plus the waft of the steak was just too tempting to pass. And so I tried it, liked the experience and then brought friends, relatives and families with me on subsequent visits. All of them liked the food as well. So when I found out that this steakhouse was opening a Cagayan de Oro branch, of course a visit just had to happen! By the w...

Apr212026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Vietnam Ca Phe CDO serves a little taste of Hanoi

Cafe, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Restaurant, Reviews, Vietnam

Having just gotten back from Hanoi, Vietnam, I was honestly a little skeptical. Would anything in Cagayan de Oro even come close? Turns out, Vietnam Ca Phe on 21st - 27th Street, Nazareth gave me some solid reasons to smile. First order of business: the Vietnamese spring rolls. Freshly fried, had most of the ingredients found in the spring rolls I enjoyed in Vietnam, wrapped in rice paper and delicious. The spring rolls were served on a bed of lettuce. The dipping sauce was not too bad and I enjoyed eating. Then came the pho bo or beef pho, and although the dish lacked several other elements such as lime, bean sprouts, cilantro etc, it still delivered. The broth had that warm, slow-cooked depth that I associate with the real deal. Glad that they used flat rice noodles, too. It wasn...

Mar312026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cubic Six Coffee in Carmen, Cotabato

Business, Cafe, Cotabato, Food, Reviews, South Cotabato

Not too long ago, I drove the Cagayan de Oro - Bukidnon - Cotabato - Davao super highway. When we reached Carmen, Cotabato, I was pleasantly surprised to see this nice neighborhood cafe - Cubic Six Coffee located along Sayre Highway in Purok 6, Carmen. Of course, my Mama, brothers and I decided to drop by and try their goodies. Cubic Six Coffee Cotabato serves handcrafted drinks and comforting bites, all within a cozy, minimalist atmosphere that’s perfect for work, study, or catching up with friends. Their space is very well-lit and the comfort room is clean. There's an al fresco area but the main space has airconditioning. We tried their fries, pastries, sandwich, coffee and shrimp pops. Food was good and affordable. Give them a try when you're in the area! ...

Mar262026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Cebu to Hanoi via Vietnam Airlines

Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel, Vietnam

Flew to Vietnam on a whim! Yes, I decided to treat myself and my Mama to a quick vacation overseas and chose Vietnam as our destination of choice. Since I brought my senior mother along, I decided to avail of the direct flight from Mactan Cebu International Airport to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Cebu to Hanoi flight via Vietnam Airlines only took a little over 3 hours! Just a little heads-up - YES, the Cebu to Hanoi (and vice versa) flights cost more than average since I only booked them about 2 weeks prior but they weren't so bad. Vietnam Airlines, after all, is a full service, 4-star national flag carrier. That meant checked baggage (23 kg) and meals. Our flight from Cebu was at 4:45 AM and we arrived at Terminal 2 a little past 1 AM but apparently the co...

Nov102025 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Panagatan Restaurant SM City Uptown CDO branch moves to North Wing, introduces New Function Rooms

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant, Reviews, Society

The restaurant that's been part of numerous families' stories for generations has opened a brand new branch at SM City Uptown CDO North Wing. From their branch inside the main mall, Panagatan Restaurant has moved to the North Wing and it's actually a strategic move especially since the brand new restaurant is way more spacious and it even has 3 function rooms! Located conveniently at the Ground Floor of SM City Uptown CDO North Wing, the new Panagatan Restaurant SM Uptown offers private function rooms that are ideal spaces for various occasions such as a long-awaited family reunion, a milestone birthday celebration, a graduation party, an anniversary dinner or even a corporate event. The Panagatan CDO function rooms are fully air-conditioned to ensure that you and your guests stay c...

Sep182025 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mad Cafe CDO: Encanto-themed cafe Uptown Cagayan de Oro

Business, Cafe, Cagayan de Oro City, Restaurant, Reviews

If I'm not mistaken, Mad Cafe CDO, an Encanto-inspired family café nestled in the heart of Uptown Cagayan de Oro, has been operating for about a year. However, it was my first time to visit this Uptown CDO cafe a few days ago. Located along Masterson Avenue near Xavier Estates Phase 4 gate, Mad Cafe is a favorite gathering spot for families and food enthusiasts alike. For those unfamiliar, Encanto tells the heartwarming story of the Madrigals, a magical Colombian family where each member possesses unique gifts, except for protagonist Mirabel. The 2021 animated musical celebrates family bonds, self-acceptance, and the magic found in everyday love. Mad Cafe CDO aims to capture this enchanting Encanto atmosphere. The café features a kids' play area, making it the perfect spot for fami...

Feb22025 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Must-visit: Hanamaruken Ramen Cebu

Cebu City, Food, Restaurant, Reviews

From Osaka to Cebu! Hanamaruken Ramen is in the Queen City of the South! From Osaka, Japan to Cebu, this home of the famous melt-in-your-mouth soft bone pork rib ramen is spreading awesome joy and flavors! Went to Streetscape in Banilad, Cebu to experience their authentic Japanese dining experience. We had the Signature Happiness Ramen, the Arakawa Special and the ebi tempura. Sooo good! For me, the Arakawa Special had a sharper taste. It’s shoyu tonkotsu broth topped with kakuni, a quarter portion of slow-braised soft bone pork rib, negi and naruto. Meanwhile, the Happiness Signature Ramen was also good and was definitely true to its name! It’s shoyu tonkotsu broth topped with a half portion of slow-braised soft bone pork rib, negi and naruto. The ebi tempura was crispy and d...

Sep132024 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Must-try in Cagayan de Oro: Steak Paraiso

Business, Cafe, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Restaurant, Reviews

My friends Miki, Mike, Vic and I had an awesome steak dinner in Cagayan de Oro just recently. It was to welcome Vic home as he has been living in the UK with his family for several years now. We went to Steak Paraiso, located in Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro. I met the owner of this popular steakhouse during the pandemic, when he still ran a wagyu place in Malaybalay City. At the time, I was with my Bukidnon-based friends including Roger, an Australian friend of mine, who ended up praising the owner because we were served top quality Kitayama Wagyu and other meats. Mind you, Australians know their roast beef and steaks so for Roger to only have compliments is a big deal. Anyway, because I had a great experience then, I knew Miki, Mike and Vic would also love it at Steak Paraiso CDO. I was right...

May132024 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Went to Japanese restaurant chain Botejyu as they opened their 86th branch in Cagayan de Oro

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Japan, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant, Reviews

Botejyu CDO at Ayala Centrio Mall is NOW OPEN! The 86th branch of BOTEJYU Philippines is NOW OPEN at the Garden Corte (garden area, ground floor) of Ayala Malls Centrio Cagayan de Oro! Absolutely good news for Japanese cuisine lovers like me. Went during their opening and Botejyu’s dishes truly took me back to my happy days in Japan! I liked their open kitchen --- you can see how they prepare your food. I also liked that their staff members were courteous and helpful and --- this is important to me --- knowledgeable about their menu. I thoroughly enjoyed the tonkotsu ramen with char siu, okonomiyaki (Botejyu isn't Japan's pioneer okonomiyaki specialty restaurant chain for nothing!), assorted sushi, skewers (your kids will like these!) and their delicious takoyaki! Related posts: ...

Jan222024 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

lyf Cebu, a colorful coliving space, is now open!

Business, Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel, Visayas

lyf Cebu City is now officially open and I was there during the grand launch! lyf Cebu officially swung open its doors on January 16, 2024 ushering in a new chapter of co-living and community-centric service. This colorful, comfortable and value-for-money property is developed by Cebu Landmasters INC., a Visayas-based firm, alongside Citadines Cebu City, Citadines Bacolod City, and Citadines Paragon Davao. Check out this video I made when I attended the grand launch of lyf Cebu: * You can also view the video here: Instagram: lyf Cebu TikTok: lyf Cebu Facebook: lyf Cebu https://youtube.com/shorts/maOr4wsCo_A?si=tMsgZnuimabbc-Z6 Strategically located at Tower 3, Base Line, lyf Cebu City serves as the perfect launchpad for guests to effortlessly explore the vibrant Que...

Dec42023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Marudori: two thumbs up for this halal-certified, chicken ramen place

Features, Food, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

One of the things I don't mind doing on my own is go on a solo food trip. Enjoying food with family and friends is great, of course, but there are times when you just want peace, quiet and just time for yourself, your thoughts, your plans in life and whatnots. Anyway, one of the places I visited on my own was Marudori, which serves chicken-based ramen. I went to Marudori's newer branch located at Salcedo Village, Makati. Their other branch is located at Rockwell. A sister company of Mendokoro Ramenba, which serves pork-based ramen, Marudori also has an open kitchen where you can observe how they prepare the gyozas and the ramen bowls. To start your meal, you might want to try the tsukune. It’s similar to chicken tocino but you dip it into this egg yolk and special sauce mixture and...

Nov72023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

This Mintal, Davao hitoan serves good ol’ deep fried crispy catfish

Davao City, Food, Reviews

It may look like a humble eatery from the outside but this hitoan in Mintal, Davao serves really delicious good ol' deep fried crispy catfish...and did I mention that the price is very affordable? Aside from the mouthwatering crispy catfish (hito), they also serve native chicken tinola and vegetable dishes and their bestselling buko-melon halo-halo but, of course, you come here for the hito. Trust me, with all the many vehicles parked outside Dendave Ihaw-Ihaw and Hitoan, they've already mastered the crispy deep fried catfish dish. For a kilo of already cooked hito (4 pieces), I only paid Php 310.00 (US $6). I don't know about you but to me that's a steal! We try to drop by Dendave hitoan Mintal whenever we travel from either Cagayan de Oro or Bukidnon to Davao or vice versa. Servic...

Oct22023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Unleash Your Inner Chef at Nuda CDO: The Ultimate DIY Korean Ramyun Experience

Business, Consumer, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Restaurant, Reviews

If you're in the mood for something warm, comforting and delicious (not to mention very affordable), and you're a ramyeon / ramyun / ramen lover like me, then look no further than Nuda CDO. Nuda is the new (and BEST so far...trust me!) DIY Korean ramyun restaurant in Cagayan de Oro. Nestled just a stone's throw away from the Xavier University gym along Corrales Avenue - right at the heart of downtown Cagayan de Oro City. Nuda is the brainchild of my longtime friend - none other than singer/composer/artist and CDO's very own pride and joy, Titus John "TJ" Monterde, along with his wife, singer KZ Tandingan and their families. How they came up with the name of this business is a cute story. Here's how TJ explained it: https://youtube.com/shorts/fpvedOSTld4?feature=share What se...

May282023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Trying out Lampara Poblacion with Norby David

Features, Food, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant, Reviews

Lampara is a neo-Filipino bistro located in Poblacion, Makati. As the name suggests, Lampara (“lamp” in Filipino) aims to “shine light” on contemporary Filipino cuisine. Lampara Poblacion Makati features a variety of Filipino dishes with a modern twist. The restaurant is housed in a two-storey building with modern and industrial interiors, with walls adorned with graffiti-style artwork and with mixed-and-matched chairs and some tables made from reclaimed wood. Lampara has a large outdoor patio that's perfect for al fresco dining. That's where Norbs and I sat and enjoyed some of Lampara's small plates. For new readers of this humble blog, Norbs is Norby David, with whom I just marked a decade-long friendship with. I first met Norby in 2013 during a San Miguel Beer-sponsored concert....

May152023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

This CDO overlooking cafe serves turon latte

Business, Cafe, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

As of this writing, Cagayan de Oro is now home to over 200 cafes. Can you imagine that? So many coffee shops to choose from! For the owners of these cafes, however, that means stiffer competition. So what do you do so you can stand out of the crowd? Here's one tried-and-tested way: make your menu really interesting and serve something out of the ordinary. Something that you know your customers might want to purchase again or at least talk about with their friends and loved ones! Take August Cafe, for instance. This cafe, which offers a nice overlooking view of the City of Golden Friendship, is the only one I've visited so far that serves turon latte. Yup, you read that right. Their version of turon latte is basically this: banana milk topped with 2 shots of espresso and, yes, the drink ...

Jan312023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

They’re back! What to eat at Del Monte Golf Clubhouse Bukidnon (menu inside)

Bukidnon, Business, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism

The Del Monte Golf Clubhouse in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Philippines is a golf club that is located within the vast Del Monte Pineapple Plantation. It was built in the 1950s and has served as a center of social and recreational activities for the employees and guests of Del Monte Philippines, Inc. During the pandemic, they operated but only offered takeouts. These days, they've reopened with fresher interiors and menu. Are you planning to visit this famed Bukidnon tourist spot? Read on and don't forget to share this with your friends, family and colleagues! My family and I often visit this place before the pandemic. We often ordered the delicious and generously portioned steaks (which are infamous for being derived from pineapple-fed cattle). This time, however, my Mom and I ord...

Nov202022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

REVIEW: Testing the narzo 50i prime super affordable smartphone during a flight

Features, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Technology

Does the narzo brand sound a little new to you? I can't blame you. The narzo brand is a new, standalone brand (officially launched in the Philippines just last July 2022!) borne out of the realme ecosystem. However, trust me, narzo is fast (and I mean FAST) gaining fans not only because of their really affordable price points but also because the smartphones are, hands down, value for money. Just take the case of the narzo 50i Prime. The fact that their units sold out in a record-breaking time of under 3 minutes at their Shopee store is saying something! Priced at less than Php 4,000 (around US $75 --- yes, you read that right) and with a remarkable product rating of 4.9/5 on Shopee, the narzo 50i Prime really is a quality sulit smartphone. Just recently, I took this gamechanger out...

Oct182022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mukbang CDO – where you can enjoy authentic, unlimited Korean samgyupsal

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

Ever since they started operations, I've already brought a lot of my relatives, friends and colleagues here! Check out Mukbang CDO - this is where you can enjoy authentic, unlimited Korean samgyupsal or samgyeopsal in Cagayan de Oro. Located inside the King's Food and Music Expo (just behind the SM City Uptown parking lot along Beacon Avenue, Cagayan De Oro), Mukbang CDO offers authentic Korean samgyupsal with over 20 side dishes. Their food is prepared by a chef from Korea! Whenever I dine there, I can't help but remember my trip to Korea. Can't wait to go back very soon. Anyway, what I like about the setup at Mukbang CDO is that you yourself can go ahead and refill your preferred meat and side dishes (they also have soup, BTW!). Lessens the wait time for refills (in other establish...

Mar162022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Australian yogurt drink specialty shop Koomi opens Cagayan de Oro branch

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Reviews

I’m a certified yogurt fanatic so you can just imagine how excited I was now that Koomi Philippines has opened a branch in Cagayan de Oro! Koomi, a natural yogurt drink specialty shop from The Land Down Under , serves guilt-free yogurt treats. Every cup of Koomi is made FRESH DAILY! I also absolutely enjoyed the Waterberry Wonder Tartness is perfect and the fruits they use are fresh and delicious Not only are these yummy, they’re healthy, too! They use a natural sweetener which is fruit honey and of course, our tumtums love the probiotic yogurt that aids our digestive system. Now that’s what we call #GuiltlessGoodness. Check out Koomi CDO at the G/F of SM CDO Downtown Premier (by the main entrance) or you can order via FoodPanda and GrabFood

Jan172022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Live Safe with Defensil Isopropyl Alcohol

Features, Health, LifeStyle, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

Here's a brand of isopropyl alcohol that my family and I have been using for months now - Defensil! With many establishments slowly re-opening and allowing people to resume their pre-pandemic lifestyles, Defensil Isopropyl Alcohol encourages Filipinos to live safe. With the nationwide vaccination program in full force, Filipinos can slowly enjoy various activities such as more dining options as well as doing physical activities by going to the gym. However, health experts continue to remind everyone to not let their guards down even as we gradually go back to normal. As there are reports of new and potentially more contagious variants, everyone must remain vigilant through following established health protocols and getting vaccinated so we can all continue to live safe and prevent t...

Sep232021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Panagatan Restaurant Opol now offers breakfast

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Restaurant, Reviews

Breakfast with a view? How about breakfast by the sea? Yes, please! Panagatan Restaurant, considered as Northern Mindanao's culinary gem and everyone's favorite seafood restaurant in this side of Northern Mindanao, Philippines, now offers breakfast and now opens at 6:30 AM (closes at 9 PM). For only Php 150 (US $3.00), your main viand (choose from bacon, corned beef, beef tapa, crispy danggit or daing na bangus) comes with 2 eggs and rice (or toasted bread). Value for money! There are also other breakfast options on their menu so go ahead and try this Cagayan de Oro breakfast place. Enjoy your breakfast by the bay! Panagatan Opol is atop the water so you can enjoy the morning sea breeze with delicious breakfast. Want to reserve tables or have inquiries? Just call Panagatan Restau...

Jun222021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The BTS Meal

Features, Food, Korea, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Recipes, Reviews

Hello, fellow BTS Army! Yes, I'm a proud and loud BTS Army! My ultimate bias is Kim Taehyung (I love you, V!) but ever since I watched Jimin in "Blood Sweat and Tears" and Jungkook in "Butter," my heart has been subdivided :D Now for the uninitiated, BTS is a 7-member South Korean group that's responsible for the mega hits "Dynamite," "Boy In Luv" (my favorite!) and "Anpanman," among many others. BTS Army, on the other hand, is the official fandom of the Bangtan boys. A few days ago, McDonald's launched The BTS Meal and of course, I had to get my share! The BTS Meal is composed of 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries and soft drinks. It's actually the same McDonald's Chicken McNuggets we all love but this time, you get two limited-time special sauces picked by BTS themselves - ...