Let's 'Kampai' To That!

“Kampai” is the Japanese term for “Cheers!” used when social drinking. The Japs love their sake (rice wine). But making it the name of a restaurant in Riyadh is very ironic because alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Saudi Arabia. But we have no objections. It's apt. I guess we can still say “Kampai!” with our Saudi champagnes juices! 

Kampai is the newest Japanese restaurant in Riyadh, located in Tahlia Street among the clusters of restos serving international cuisines. My friends and I are huge fans of Japanese cuisine and while we’re happy with the Japanese restos we already have here in Riyadh, one more couldn’t possibly hurt right? 

Konnichiwa!

The restaurant is currently by reservation only because a lot of people are already trying it. They’re always full. We went before the maghreb prayer and found our table waiting for us. The interiors inside are calming, mainly because of the soft green color of the bamboo designs in the wall and also refreshing with the warm lights and abstract images hung on the wall. The restaurant is simple in terms of tables and chairs; even their sushi and beverage areas. As expected in Japanese restaurants, wood is widely used in their aesthetics. 

Simple interiors

Since they just opened, we understand the few shortcomings: they served our dishes in an unorganized manner and they were still preparing the utensils when we got to our table. Anyway, we were mainly here for the food, which a lot of Foursquare users have been raving about. Our array of orders: 

All salmon!

This is our favorite salad in one of the more popular Japanese restaurants in the city (for sure you know what it is) so it is just fitting to compare Kampai’s version with our tried and tested favorite. We were not surprised that Kampai’s spicy salmon salad falls short of our expectations. It was bland and the serving was a bit too small for its price (this will be a recurring theme in their dishes so don’t act surprised when you see them served before you). We love how they’re generous with the fresh salmon though and I love how crunchy the sprinkled breading is. There was little cabbage though. All in all, it just didn’t create any impact. 

Miso soup

My friend enjoyed this miso soup. It was hot and tasty. The soup and its simple ingredients swirl and blend wonderfully. 

Hot and sour tom yum

Our waiter suggested this. I’m a fan of tom yum so I was looking forward to it but since this is a Thai food in a Japanese restaurant menu, I’m not really expecting much from it. And true to my lackluster expectation, it didn’t wow me. Even if it was filled with seafood, the soup was sour and tart with a slightly bitter aftertaste. 

I LOVE YOU, MAKI!

So beautifully prepared

Different fillings and toppings

Their maki, four pieces each per order, are a bit expensive at SR30- SR50 each. These are our favorites though because they have a lot of varieties and their execution and plating are creative. My favorite in this bunch (my friends and I are maki lovers have I told you that?) is the rainbow maki. I love the slivers of mango in it. The one topped with crab sticks is also delicious. Sorry I couldn't remember the names of all our maki orders! Haha! They came in a flat rock-like tray.

Crunchy shrimp tempura... can you see the shrimp?! 

This is probably the most disappointing order we got. The shrimps were sad-looking but I have to hand it to their breading, which was crunchy and spread like a coral reef. I say you forego this and try the hot dishes instead.

I wanna show my love to this siomai. Hehe.

This is one of the superb dishes they have. The siomai is meaty and juicy at the same time. The wrapper is thin but enough to hold the meat and little soup inside. Dipping it in the sauce and chili it came with adds depth in the flavors. Yummy! Three pieces are not enough!

The plating is superb!

The main viand

Teriyaki is a bestseller in Japanese cuisine. It’s no wonder, especially for Asians because we like our food sweet and savory. Kampai’s chicken teriyaki is good. The sauce is a bit thick: salty, and sweet at the same time. The chicken is juicy and tender. But what’s with the puny serving? Hehe. 

Kampai’s menu is extensive and the place is almost high-end. They have a series of cold dishes (salad, appetizers, sushi, maki, etc.) and hot dishes (katsu, teriyaki, etc.) but compared to other Japanese restaurants in Riyadh, the prices are expensive. While we enjoyed our food, it will take a few months before we go back again, especially when we can get more affordable Japanese food elsewhere. It is worth trying though so go and see/taste it for yourself! Arigato gozaimaz! ~ Sundrenched 

Kampai 

Tahlia Street (after Chili’s) 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 

T: +966-11-461-7581 

Top 5 Filipino Food You Can Find In Riyadh

And finally, we write about the restaurants serving Filipino food. You might be wondering why it took us so long to do so. We are proud to be Filipinos. You know that right? We practically announce it every time! (If this shirt doesn't even do it, we don't know what will!) But it's quite hard to feature Filipino food when we are Filipinos! Why? Because we're so used to the home cooking of our parents, grandparents, and other relatives that we tend to compare them to what we eat in Filipino restaurants. A lot of disagreements, opinions, and comments would ensue that might cast doubt to our feature. One of the most commented photo that I uploaded in our Facebook page was a bowl of kare-kare* (beef in peanut stew). A lot of readers replied with suggestions on where to get the best kare-kare in Riyadh. 

Anyway, months ago, we received a question from one of our readers, Arafat Khondokhar (hello! :), asking us where to go so he can try Filipino food. A dozen of Filipino restaurants came into my mind. They jumbled in my brain for quite some time because I couldn't decide where to send him first. There are only two places where Filipino restaurants are clustered --- in Batha and in Suleimania near the Military Hospital (RKH). 

Below are my suggestions. And also a primer to the best kinds of Filipino dishes we have to offer. You can bombard our comments section with your own recommendations but let's try to keep it gentle. Let's not overdose other nationalities with information on Filipino food. Haha! Keep the excitement to a minimum.

1. Kare-Kare (Oxtail in Peanut Stew) - Pinoy Restaurant in Batha

Yummy kare-kare!

One of my favorite Filipino dishes! Kare-kare is a combination of stewed oxtail and vegetables in a stew flavored with ground roasted peanuts or peanut butter. Sometimes, they also put beef meat, offal or tripe. The veggies include eggplant, cabbage, and green beans. I personally like my the peanut gravy thick and a bit coarse. I also like the bagoong alamang (shrimp paste) that goes with it sweet and spicy. You can find the better kare-kare in Pinoy Restaurant in Batha, just across the Military Hospital (RKH). The consistency is just right and the stew is yummy. A runner-up for me would be the kare-kare in Dampa Restaurant and Peak Restaurant in Suleimania near French Corner (cheap too!).

*When I posted the kare-kare picture in our Facebook page, most commenters said the best can be found in D' Potters Haus Restaurant. I agree. However, I was recently informed that the restaurant is already closed.

2. Sisig - Blue Ribbon Restaurant in Suleimania

Spicy sisig!

Another favorite Filipino dish is sizzling sisig, a dish made from parts of pig's head and liver seasoned with calamansi and chili peppers. It's best paired with a beer. Of course, since pork is not allowed here in Saudi Arabia, sisig comes in either chicken or beef. And beer is also non-existent here, so settle for a regular ice cold Coke. There was a time when we were obsessed with the chicken sisig of Blue Ribbon, again located across the Military Hospital (RKH) in Suleimania. We order it every time we have food delivered from Blue Ribbon. I recently found out that the beef version is tastier. A runner up would be La Paz Batchoy's sizzling beef sisig with egg. It's oily, fatty, and hot --- or what a sisig should be. It's just a stone's throw away from Blue Ribbon Restaurant.

3. Pancit - Pinoy Restaurant in Batha

Pancit Bihon. Photo from MyPinoyRecipes

In Filipino cuisine, pancit is the general term for noodles. We Filipinos (and the Chinese who gave this "convenient food" to us) mean business when it comes to pancit. We have a lot of varieties; it's as if each province has their own take on this beloved dish. That doesn't count the version we cook at home that's why finding the best pancit some where else is tricky. The mixed pancit of Pinoy Restaurant in Batha is a family favorite. It's a mix of canton (flour sticks) and bihon (rice vermicelli). A runner-up would be the pancit of Blue Ribbon Restaurant; chock full of ingredients and flavorful. Perfectly paired with their pan de sal (salt bread).

4. Sinigang - Goodah Soos Restaurant in Suleimania

Healthy, sour sinigang. Photo from Live Less Ordinary.

 Sinigang, a popular Filipino viand, is a soup consisting of meat and vegetables in a clear, sour, savory broth. It's quite good for this weather! And just about any other day. I'm not much a fan of soupy viands so I had to ask someone else for an opinion in this matter. My sinigang connoisseur (lol) picked the sinigang na tanigue (mackerel fish) of Goodah Soos Restaurant in Suleimania because of its balanced flavor. Not too sour. Runner up would be La Paz Batchoy's.

5. Chicken Barbecue - Pasalubong Restaurant in Batha

Grilled marinated chicken. Photo from Laurindaw

This is not exactly a Filipino original. Not even sure if it's considered a viand since it's practically just chicken parts that are marinated and grilled. The Asian kind of barbecue is the one you find skewered and grilled but there's also the variant you'll see widely in Riyadh: the chicken pieces rubbed with spices and left in a mix of liquid condiments and grilled. Since I always look for the sweet and spicy kick in all things I eat, I recommend the Chicken Barbecue of Pasalubong Restaurant. There was a time that it's the only pasalubong (treat given when you come from another place) I want from Batha. Try the chicken barbecue in stick of La Paz Batchoy in Suleimania too.

So there you go. Maybe you'll agree with me, maybe you won't. If it's the latter, kindly suggest more Filipino dishes other expats can try and where they can avail of them. It's a good way to introduce the Filipino cuisine to other Riyadhizens. Yallah, ro! ;) ~ Sundrenched


Mentioned restaurants:

SULEIMANIA AREA
I like to call this place "Little Batha" because most of the establishments important to expats (particularly for Filipinos) can be found here, just like in Batha. There's Enjaz, Telemoney, Alrajhi Bank and Alrajhi Supermarkets. Most of the Filipino and Thai restaurants are also concentrated in this area.

Please disregard my lack of chronological placement of letters on the photo above, haha!
A. Blue Ribbon Restaurant - +966-50-665-7160
Other good dishes you can order are Spicy Chicken Wings and Sizzling Bangus.

B. D' Potter's Haus Restaurant (CLOSED)

C. La Paz Batchoy Restaurant - +966-11-477-9647
You can order online via Talabat.com

D. Peak Restaurant
They don't deliver but they have the most affordable Filipino meals.

E. Goodah Soos Restaurant - +966-11-477-5995
They have lechon kawali but it's beef (seryoso, umasa ka na pork yan?! Hehe!). 

If you're looking for a smorgasboard of Filipino dishes, then try the affordable buffets in Kamayan and Dampa which are located a mere meters away from the famous Filipino fast food restaurant Jollibee, which you can also visit for Chicken Joy and Yum Burger.


BATHA AREA
The famous Batha... the place where Filipino, Indian, and Pakistani expats converge. You'll find a lot of Filipino/Thai/Chinese restaurants in this area too. Apart from the mentioned ones, you will find Quiapo, Cabalen, and Al Bahar restaurants here. Kruathai both in Suleimania and Batha, which is more of a Thai restaurant, also offers Filipino dishes.

A. Pinoy Restaurant 
Try their sisig, lumpiang shanghai, and kare-kare too.

B. Pasalubong Restaurant

There are so many Filipino restaurants in Riyadh already! Wow! I think this entry deserves a part 2 noh?

The Fancy Shmancy Le Chateau

This restaurant we're featuring has some case of an identity crisis. We don't know what their overall theme is because the name is French, the food is Chinese, and the decorations are over-the-top futuristic (like in the movie Tron or something). It's an assault to the senses. Literally and emotionally. Seriously. 

Le Chateau - Cuisine de Luxe Restaurant occupies a building along Takhasussi Street. It's the biggest restaurant in Riyadh! During the day, you won't miss this building because it's colored pink and yellow. Yes, like a box of stained glass in the middle of the city. During the night, it has this flamboyant feel to it; you'll be attracted but you'll also feel the need to stare for minutes gaping and wondering if it's a chandelier and furniture store.

Is there a party inside? 

It's a surprise!

The entrance to the Bachelor section

Trust me, our jaws dropped when we stepped into their lobby where a guest relations officer was telling us they're full. The waiting rooms were very interesting. On the left you have a subtle room filled with white sofas glowing under the pink lights. Being Pink Tarhas, we could've stayed put but we wanted to check out the other waiting room. On the right, you have Madame Butterfly's lair. It was so red, yellow and orange I had to blink a couple of times for my eyes to get used to it. I don't think my eyes got used to it but we stayed anyway because this room has a more energetic vibe than the other one.

Madame Butterfly's lair

We didn't know if we entered a leveled up Timezone or an inter-galactic space ship. The escalators are all aglow with bluish lights and running lights. We were excited boarding the escalator. Haha!

Whoah!

We went up the escalators and entered a massive room where the hustle and bustle of Riyadh converged. Okay, OA, but all the booths seemed so busy, the honeybee structure seemed so apt. People flock Le Chateau because of the family booths that surrounds the restaurant. You have a great view of the streets outside from the glass walls. We chose an open table in the middle to get the overall vibe of the place from the center.

Let's get this party started!

Open kitchen.

The middle section has a bar centerpiece where you can enjoy your drinks, non-alcoholic of course, and the shabu-shabu set which we find new in the city. There's also an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs cook and do their thing. And then there's a room with doors taken from the Forbidden Kingdom in China. And then there are larger than life chess pieces. And a horse covered in mirror I can probably skip the bathroom to fix my hair just by looking at it. And the disco lights in various colors that goes over and over the area. My goodness, what is this place? We couldn't understand the theme really but let's just say it's grand and flamboyant. We were in awe the whole time!

Shining, shimmering! You think I can ride that? Haha!

And the food? Well, if you've eaten in Mirage, Gulf Royale, and Diamond, then you will not be surprised with the menu. They're the same because they came from the same company. So if you have your favorites from those restaurants then chances are, you'll see them here.

Crispy, tasty appetizer and condiments

We started with free crackers and a trip of appetizers. I couldn't help but munch one after the other.

Crunchy outside, soft inside

Our friend J likes the Shrimp Balls, a crispy and oily appetizer that's flavorful. Love it!

Dumplings

Soft and warm, these dumplings are a real comfort food. The wrapper almost sags from the broth inside.

Chicken with cheese kebab, beef teppanyaki, and sweet&sour fish

Our main dishes are delicious; they're the usual food we order from a Chinese restaurant. They all came with a way to keep them warm. The chicken and cheese kebab in a grill was tender. The sizzling beef teppanyaki was sweet and savory doused with the right amount of thick sauce. The sweet and sour fish is just right. All in all, we were happy with our orders. However, they are expensive for Chinese food but we understand that we're also paying for the ambiance. Shabu-shabu sets start from SR 200 up per person.

Chocolate cake

It was Eyecandy's birthday when we visited this restaurant. We ordered this chocolate cake for her. The waiters came out to sing her a birthday song and those around our table were singing along too. Fun! The chocolate cake is interesting; it was mousse-like in consistency.

Cream with fruits and jelly

This came as an accompaniment with the chocolate cake. It's a good diversion in between bites of the chocolatey dessert.

Visit Le Chateau for special celebrations. Better call for reservation because they're always full. Yes, they're the biggest restaurant in Riyadh and they're always full. Wow right? But if you don't mind waiting at the colored waiting rooms, then don't. In Le Chateau, you're going for the fun, vibrant, and impressive place. The food is an afterthought. ~ Sundrenched

Le Chateau - Cuisine de Luxe

Takhasussi Street (near the King Abdullah Road intersection)

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-11-480-5352

The Korean/Japanese Food Store in Riyadh

18 years in the business and it was just my first time to step into this store last Monday. Wooow! To think that we almost always pass by near this place when going home. Finally, after hearing it from countless friends and acquaintances, even getting queries on it from our readers, I get to visit the Korean/Japanese store in Riyadh.

The Korean/Japanese Food Stuff Store (I can't read the name of the store, sorry!) is located near the new Holiday Inn, in a building sandwiched between the King Fahd Road and Olaya Street. If you're coming from Faisaliah, going towards Khurais Road, you just have to pass the intersection and turn right on the second small street where TNT sat on the corner and across is Sunbulah Grocery. You'll find a map at the end of this entry.

Somebody please read the name of this store!

Without further ado, here are the things you can buy from the Korean/Japanese Grocery. I didn't understand half of the stuff I took photos of because they're either 1. in another language or 2. I didn't know such food stuff existed. I cannot answer your questions regarding prices because they were not readily available on the shelves. Most items are tagged though, I just didn't get them. :P

Warning: LOTS of photos coming up!

A typical grocery but with organized and wide enough aisles

Special tea?

Various rice: for sushi, brown rice, and beans

Crumbs for tempura!

Japanese curry meals

Noodles, ramen, and crackers

Weee, spicy cham pong!

Mustard powder for uhhh, I don't know. :P Lots of various seasonings!

Noodles oodles!

Lots of stuff I don't know, hehe.

For the Korean version of pasta?

Spicy kick!

Now you can make maki!

Let's go to the "wet market" of sauces and refrigerated stuff...

Is that Datu Puti I'm spotting below? :)

Cooking oils, vinegar, soy sauce, various mixes for viands 

Sauces, sauces, sauces to cook Korean food, hehe.

E will be glad to find chili oil! For dumplings!

Oooh, Bulgogi sauce! And tea, coffee, etc.

I spy mochi! Niiice!

Red bean siopao... wonder how they taste?

Is that preserved chili or something?!

Tofu aka tokwa!

Flavored tofu and more seaweed sheets

Korean appetizers

Dilis!

Fish roe and tender beef

Fish cakes for ramen!

I didn't get what these are, sorry!

More seaweed shreds

Juices and tetra packs... 

Lots of food stuff to see and buy, yey!

They also have huge freezers for frozen fishes and prawns. There are frozen dumplings too. This store also has ready-to-cook Korean dishes. I bought a pack of their bulgogi (grilled marinated beef), a Korean dish I luuurve for SR40. It's supposed to be barbecued but since I can't do that, I just cooked it in a pan. I ate a lot of rice with it! Nomnomnom! :)

I cooked bulgogi! Yeee! HAHA!

The SR40 pack is good enough for a dinner of a family of 3-4. We also bought a pack of instant cham pong noodles. Cham pong is a popular Korean noodle dish with red, spicy seafood broth. We have yet to try it. Prices of the goods in this store are fairly reasonable, especially when you take into account that most of the items are imported from Korea or Japan. Some are from the States.

There's also kalbi/galbi (barbecued marinated beef short ribs) but it's not available. If it becomes available again, you MUST try it. It's one of the most popular dishes in Korean Palace Restaurant (but it's also not currently available there).

You can also order gimbap/kimbap, the Korean version of maki. Order a day in advance so you'll have it freshly-made in the morning. And of course, there's always the kimchi, Korea's national dish. A dish of fermented vegetables (mostly cabbage or radish) with a variety of seasonings. 

Don't forget a souvenir:

Kyot!

Mobile phone charms

I enjoyed my visit to this Korean/Japanese store and I'm sure you will too. So what are you waiting for? Oh right... you don't know where it is... here's a map I made:

Click image for a larger version.

Don't forget to greet the salesman 'Anyong haseyo!'... even if he's not Korean. Hehe. ~ Sundrenched

Korean/Japanese Food Stuff Store

Olaya Street, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-1-293-2978

M: +966-50-529-0596