JSEC food roundup
by Paolo L. Kalagayan on June 23, 2009
This year’s new batch of JSEC food stalls has a varied selection of dishes—ranging from rice patty sandwiches to Thai noodles to Japanese rice meals. Here’s how they stack up.
Quick Fix Stix
Though it’s one of the smaller stalls at the right end of JSEC, Quick Fix Stix is worth a visit, especially if you’re craving meat.
Out of the sticks available, the Beef Yakitori (P30) and the Miso Chicken (P25) are the tastiest. They both have a very Asian flavor, with hints of soy and other ingredients in the marinade. On the other hand, the Salpicao’s flavor isn’t too distinct; there wasn’t much garlic flavor and it was a bit too salty on its own.
Despite the sticks being cooked in advance and reheated, the meat stays tender. Just ask for some extra sauce, because the sticks are sometimes on the dry side.
Aside from plain rice (P10), they also offer Java rice (P15), which is worth the extra money for more flavorful rice, and softer and fluffier grains.
Make sure to try the strawberry tea (P20) as well; you can actually taste the strawberry flavor in this one.
The place definitely lives up to its name; meals are served within less than a minute of your order.
Rating:
4/5 g’s
Varsity Sports Grill
If you’re not in the mood for rice meals, try Varsity Sports Grill’s lineup of burgers and sausages. Their bestselling Ultimate Burger (P65) is substantial, although a bit lacking in beef flavor. Despite this, it’s still tasty, especially with either their parmesan or barbecue sauce.
Their schublig (P65) is also good value for money. When you find a way to fit it into your mouth, you’ll be pleasantly surprised because it’s definitely meaty. Their Chicken Sandwich (P65) is also good, with a thick and crunchy patty.
All of Varsity Sports Grill’s offerings are very substantial. If you’re really hungry, you can pair your sandwich with regular, twister, or criss-cut fries (P10 for small, P35 for regular). They’re a bit oily, but nonetheless hot and crispy. Service can take a while since they only start cooking food when you order, but it’s worth the wait.
Rating: 
4.5/5 g’s
Rice Bunnies
On the other side of JSEC, Rice Bunnies serves viands sandwiched between two patties of rice and topped with crunchy vegetables. Their rice sandwiches may not look too big at first, but they’re a filling alternative to rice meals if you’re in a hurry.
The beef yakiniku and chicken barbecue (P60) are both excellent, with just enough sauce to add flavor without sogging up the patty. The Japanese mayo added an interesting flavor to what could’ve been an average viand.
While the rice patties aren’t as crispy as expected, they’re solid enough. Towards the end of your meal, however, it can get a bit messy. The rice might break off into chunks, and this is problematic due to the sauce. But overall, Rice Bunnies’ rice patty sandwiches are more than just gimmicks—they’re a delicious way to get your rice meal quickly and conveniently.
Rating: 4.5/5 g’s
Orange Elephant
As one of JSEC’s numerous Asian food stalls, Orange Elephant separates itself from the rest by offering Thai cuisine.
Their Pad Thai (P55) has noodles, egg, bean sprout and a sauce that’s a little on the sweet side. It’s delicious but could use more meat or sprouts to give it variety in texture and taste.
The Chicken Satay (P65) is one of their other bestsellers, and for good reason. You get three sticks of chicken, rice, and sauce. The pieces are thin but very flavorful, with just enough curry powder to make it tasty without being overpowering. Although a bit sweet, the peanut sauce also complements the chicken’s flavor well.
Rating: 4.5/5 g’s
Iyashi
Craving for a fix of Japanese? Look no further than Iyashi. Their Teriyaki Chicken (P74) has a perfect blend of sweet and salty savory sauce. The chicken is also perfectly cooked, although the serving could be bigger.
Another one of their bestsellers is the Tonkatsu (P69). It’s already cut into thin strips upon being served, and is slathered with a sauce that tastes like Worcestershire sauce. There’s also the freshly prepared Katsudon (P69)—a fried pork cutlet with egg. It’s cooked with their special sauce that tastes of mirin, soy sauce, and other Japanese flavors.
You can also avail of their offer to add two pieces of California Maki or a Kani side salad (both P15). The maki is decently sized, although the kani piece is a bit small. The salad also has a nice texture and flavor, with crunchy cucumber and veggies topped with some kani strips and rich Japanese mayo.
Rating: 
5/5 g’s
Photos by Mark Tiu
