Fredley Food and Beverages, Inc. has been introducing exciting food concepts for the past four years. This year, they’re proud to have built their own complex with three of their brands—Macao Imperial Tea, Shabu-shabu Ichiban, and Mitasu Charcoal Yakiniku—all housed at Fredley Banawe Complex. Today was the grand launch, and we were honored to take part in the event, witness the ribbon cutting ceremony, and try out their food specialties.
Macao Imperial Tea Philippines
As one of the fastest-growing cafe chains that’s proudly born in Macau, Macao Imperial Tea takes a deeply-rooted approach that highlights a mix of the rich Macanese culture and a personalized experience. Genuine, memorable, and special—this is what Macao Imperial Tea brings in each and every cup that’s especially made for their customers’ satisfaction. This cafe brought massive hype to social media with its cute tumblers and unique drinks. When we visited for the first time, I thought it’s very much worthy of the praise.
The vibe was charming and the location seemed apt as a hangout place for friends to spend hours enjoying drinks and pastries over a nice chat. Macao Imperial Tea in Banawe is open from 7am to 12mn, so you can be sure you won’t miss out.
Their menu is filled with interesting options such as chestnut cream, milk tea, coffee and quirky drinks like Kitten Milk Tea, Ginger Milk Tea, Walnut Black Sesame Fresh Milk, and Taro Sweet Potato Fresh Milk. I was truly spoiled for choice and then just asked the staff for best recommendations. We ended up trying their best-sellers, Chestnut Cream Cocoa (PhP 130) and Cream Cheese Oreo Milk Tea (PhP 120), and liked them both. A lot. I’m telling you, it’s a must-try!
Topped with a creamy cheese foam made with whipped cream, milk and cream cheese, the drinks were both salty and sweet at the same time. Taste was simply exquisite, and thickness was decadent. Sipping straight from the cup without stirring and without a straw is recommended. 🙂 The drinks were also chocolatey, with the right amount of cream cheese bursting with complex flavor in every gulp. We also shared a piece of their almond chocolate cookie and loved it, too!
Shabu-shabu Ichiban
Shabu-shabu Ichiban is a popular hotpot restaurant from Nagoya, Japan. It gives patrons an authentic Japanese hotpot experience by providing plenty of interesting soup base options and unlimited servings of meat, sushi, and king crab. Like Chinese hot pot, Japanese shabu-shabu is also communal. Not only do you sit down to eat with all your companions, but you cook the food together in the same pot of simmering broth.
Shabu-shabu Ichiban offers a reasonably priced and delicious introduction to a golden meal. This Japanese restaurant in Banawe has all-you-can-eat and a la carte options available on the menu. Overall, food is great, generous in servings, and you definitely won’t sit through your meal hungry. Indulging in Japanese shabu-shabu is good way to bond with the family or celebrate an occasion.
We each had Set B (Weekdays: PhP 688 lunch, PhP 788 dinner; Weekends and Holidays: PhP 888) which was quite a mouthful. It consisted of: Sushi and Sashimi Platter, Vegetable Platter, US Angus Chuck Eye Roll, US Beef Short Plate, Boston Butt (Pork Shoulder), Chicken Leg Quarter, Chicken and Pork Dumplings, Assorted Balls, Shrimp Tempura, Fried Chicken Wings, Kushikatsu, Udon and Ramen Noodles, Dessert (Coffee Jelly), and Drinks. The soup bases we chose (tantan and spicy szechuan) were both spicy broths, perfect for the cold, rainy weather.
The broth was nowhere near as complex as ramen soup bases in Japanese ramen restaurants, but we dropped in udon and ramen noodles anyway since hotpot broth always develops more flavor as you cook various items in it. The noodles took seconds to cook, the fatty cuts of meat required just a quick dip, and the assorted balls and fish cakes benefited from a longer soak.
Thankfully, the settings on the in-table induction plate were carefully controlled by the staff. Just as we were getting into the hotpot groove, we also had bites of the remarkably greaseless tempura, sushi, and fried chicken in between. Yum! 🙂
Mitasu Charcoal Yakiniku
After eating loads of food, we figured we have to return for another visit to Fredley Banawe Complex to experience their yakiniku special next time. Otherwise, we could have left bloated instead of pleasantly full. 😛
Sharing the same space as Shabu-shabu Ichiban, Mitasu Charcoal Yakiniku is the newest concept among the three, offering authentic Japanese Yakiniku. A Japanese term for “fulfill,” Mitasu is said to live up to its name with the many kinds of Japanese favorites that will certainly leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking to get fancy with Japanese Yakiniku in Banawe, this is where you do it.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
This place looks amazing! And the food looks fantastic!
OMG! The food really looks so appetizing. Chestnut cream cocoa is sweet and salty at the same time? I’d love to try it out. That cookie is the perfect accompaniment.
This looks like a great place to visit, and my mouth is watering looking at all that delicious food. I’ve never heard of here before, but I’d love to go.
OMG the food looks so good! You’re making me so hungry just now! While it’s not even 11! the place sounds wonderful
Those foods look so delicious and tasty. and I am pretty sure that my twins will definitely love this place. If ever I visit the Philippines, I will definitely try this place.
Looks like a fantastic place for a good meal. I tried hot pot while I was in China. We loved it! I did the non spicy and my husband did the spicy. He was sweating!! This makes me want it again!
Grand openings are such a great celebration of all the work and efforts put in to develop a new space. I’m sure our kids would love the cream cheese oreo tea, is it really sweet? Meanwhile the hubby and I would love a bowl of udon noodles any day of the week!
I love the backdrop they painted. I also want to get my hands on a cup of either the Kitten Milk Tea or the Taro Sweet Potato Fresh Milk. The Cream Cheese Oreo Milk Tea sounds delicious!
What an adorable and chic cafe!! I love these type of new trendy places that serve several drink choices as well as varieties of eats. The shabu shabu looks amazing! I can’t wait for shabu this winter!!
How wonderful to be invited to their grand opening. This looks like she a great place. If my husband and I are ever lucky enough to visit, you can bet we’ll be ordering the almond chocolate cookie (for her) and Chestnut Cream Cocoa (for him). x
Lovely place…and Food is so much! I always love to attend such nice food invites. Cream Cheese Oreo seems to be a winner.
The place looks very cozy! The food looks tempting too. I hope I’d be fortunate enough to visit this place.
DUDE, there is alot of amazingly delicious food, my best part is in the first pictures where the fat Japanese person haha. Japanese always the best xp :))
I’m salivating here with all those yummy-looking food images! Wow, a complex! Congrats to the owners! We’ll come visit when we come home to Manila soon. 🙂