Category: Lisbon Restaurants

Try Mochi Ice Cream At Home!

Shifu ramen Expo Review

Shifu Ramen is a ramen restaurant with a handful of locations primarily in Portugal and Spain. It's known for its manga (Japanese comic book) style decor.

Also on this trip: Eurostars Universal Lisboa Hotel Review

Shifu Ramen Expo Interior Neon Signs

The google ratings were good, but we had to honestly wonder:

Is this actually a good ramen spot or just a fun novelty place to visit?

Inside Shifu Ramen Expo - Step Into Tokyo Japan

If you've been to Japan, this spot will temporarily cure your saudades. The overall vibe will transport you back to Tokyo to relive your travel memories.

But how is the food? What is on offer here?

Japanese Beer

We tried Super Dry Asahi and Kirin Ichiban beers at Shifu Ramen Expo.

Asahi + Kirin Ichiban Japanese Beers at Shifu Ramen Expo Lisbon

Try Zero Alcohol Asahi

Fried Gyoza Appetizer

Over here we love a dumpling from any nation and it's now become part of our staple order to try the Gyozas. when we are at a new restaurant!

Fried Gyoza Top View Shifu Ramen Expo

Really enjoyed the Gyoza at Shifu Ramen. The texture of the outside was so good, fried enough to get crispy, but not so fried that you lose all the chew.

Just look at the texture of these Gyoza!

The Japanese dumplings were pork filled and seemed to be drizzled with a sweet chili sauce.

Fried Gyoza Cross Section at Shifu Ramen Expo Lisbon

Order Gyoza: Amazon

Read: How would you rate this 5 star hotel we stayed at in lisbon?

Infierno Spicy Ramen

The infierno (inferno) spicy ramen was a classic tonkotsu pork broth with all the fixings, including some of the most tender chasu pork (braised pork belly) I've had in a ramen for a while.

It was so easy to break apart with your chop sticks!

Infierno Spicy Chasu Tonkotsu Ramen Pic | Shifu Expo

Spicy Fried Chicken Ramen

The spicy fried chicken ramen was something different for us to try. I thought the coating on the chicken was great and was hugely impressed with how good it tasted even by the bottom of the bowl, when the chicken had been swimming in broth for the duration of the meal!

Spicy Fried Chicken Ramen Pic | Shifu Expo

A note on spicy levels at shifu ramen

Spice levels at restaurants are notoriously tricky to navigate on your first visit. Every restaurant's spice scale is different and the way they make a dish spicy varies. Some just add extra scoops of straight up chili flakes at the end while others weave spicy levels into the actual cooking of the dish.

We like spicy, but I had read that they take spice seriously here, so on a scale of 1-5 I opted for level 3. The waitress really tried to talk me down from that to a 1, I mean she nearly begged me, no exaggeration.

She said she would bring more spice if needed. I asked about a level 2? In the end I am not sure if I got 1 or 2 but honestly she knew what she was talking about. It was a perfect amount of spice to let you appreciate the flavors of the ramen while enjoying some heat.

I probably would not have enjoyed it as much at a level 3.

Mango Mochi Dessert

Stuffed full of liquids (Ramen and Japanese Beer), plus the gyoza, I didn't think I had any space left for dessert, but we did decide to split a single Mochi ice cream... for you, the esteemed reader.

Mango Mochi at Shifu Ramen Expo

Mochi always seem to be around 5 or 6 euros at a restaurant, for a single mochi, which always feels like a lot, but they are good. ;)

We opted for the mango mochi. They are bigger than the mochi we picked up from aldi recently, and it was really just the right size. The ice cream was a nice way to cool off after a hot ramen (temp and spicy), and the chew of the rice dough surrounding the ice cream is just.. such a pleasant experience. :)

Mango Mochi Cross Section | Shifu Ramen Lisbon Portugal

Fully amused by the addition of the spray can whipped cream and wafer garnish. Random, but I'm not mad. Makes the plate feel less sparse than just a single mochi alone sliding around. :)

Overall Thoughts on Shifu Ramen

If I am honest, I walked in with low-ish expectations. I mean, I thought this would be more of a gimmicky spot than a decent ramen. A place that's fun to visit once and take pictures with your friends or whatever. But I walked out thinking "Wow, that was respectable!"

Shifu Ramen Expo Location in Winter Time

It was a solid ramen experience on a damp, cold day in Lisbon. The staff were kind and helpful. It's a fun, unique environment to dine in and I'd say it's more than just a novelty spot!

They have great reviews on google, and I do believe they lightly incentivize leaving a google review, but this is a trend I see a lot in Portugal. There are many opinions about this practice, but at the end of the day these restaurants are out here trying to survive in a sea of competitors so I get it.

If you get a ramen at Shifu Expo, I'd love to hear how you enjoyed the experience.

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We hope you enjoyed this honest review of Shifu Ramen in Expo, Lisbon, Portugal.

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Starbucks Lisbon Parque das Nações Review: Breakfast Deal + hand painted mural

12/3/2025

Gift Idea: Portuguese Starbucks Mugs

If you find yourself in Lisbon's lovely Parque das Nacoes neighborhood and want to have a familiar experience with a local touch, pop into the Starbucks at Alameda dos Oceanos 1.06 1.1, 1990-207 Lisboa.

Hand-painted Mural | Lisbon Starbucks Revew | Parque das Nacoes

Of course, my favorite feature of this Starbucks location is the cool hand painted tropical mural on the far wall. But the breakfast deal isn't bad either... ;)

Breakfast Deal at Starbucks in Lisbon Portugal

What is the breakfast deal at Starbucks in Lisbon?

Starbucks offers a nice little breakfast deal including one small latte and a croissant or bagel. Simple and does the job. :)

How much is starbucks breakfast deal in lisbon?

The oferta pequeno-almoço (breakfast deal) was 2.90 (that's about $3.38 with current euro to usd conversion rate) during our last visit to Starbucks in Parque das Nacoes.

Croissant or Bagel and Latte Breakfast Deal | Starbucks Lisboa Review

It was lovely to have an individual jar of jam (so cute!) and butter or cream cheese along side the bagel / croissant.

IS Starbucks In Portugal Expensive?

As always, "expensive" and "affordable" are relative terms. There is no doubt that you can get something similar at a smaller, more local cafe for a bit lower of a price.

However, there is something to be said for the consistency in knowing what you're going to get, that familiarity, the wifi, and let's not forget the city-specific Starbucks coffee mugs for the collectors - you know who you are ;)

Starbucks Mugs - Portugal, Lisboa, Porto | Tap to Order

A Portuguese Twist at Starbucks in Lisbon

A tosta mista is a popular snack/sandwich served in just about any cafe across Portugal. It's basically a grilled cheese with ham.

Portuguese Tosta Mista at Starbucks Lisboa

At Starbucks in Portugal you can enjoy a tosta mista on a lovely croissant like we did here!

A quick and comforting grilled ham and cheese on a croissant | Portugal Starbucks Review

We're all for eating at local establishments when we travel as you can see by the majority of our restaurant reviews which are generally not at major chains.

But it can also be fun to try some of those familiar chains when abroad (Like when We Tried McDonalds in Portugal - Better Than McDonalds in US?), to see how they compare, what unique menu items they offer, or even just for nostalgia sake.

More Lisbon Restaurant Reviews:

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Lupita Pizzaria Alvalade | Lisbon Restaurant Photo Review

8/28/2025

We've had a great time trying some of the best pizza in Lisbon over the last couple years, but there was a gap in our collection of favorites: Lupita.

Neapolitan style pizza at Lupita Pizzaria in Lisbon

Lupita Pizza Lisbon - AlvaLade Location

Lupita Pizzaria in Cais do Sondré is the original location which some friends of ours whose pizza tastes we esteem had recommended to us before.

When we found ourselves in Lisbon for a medical appointment at Hospital da Luz and saw that we were a 10 minute Uber away from Lupita we had to take the opportunity!

Lupita's Alvalade location in Lisbon | Lisbon Food Blog

As it turns out, Lupita Pizzaria has a second location in Lisbon - Alvalade, which is now open for lunch beginning at 12h.

Lupita Alvalade Open 12-23:30 Wednesday - Sunday | Lisbon Travel Blog

Beyond a 2025 award from Lisbon Insiders, Lupita hit the top 50 pizzas in Europe list, ranking 45 in 2024 on this famous 50 Top Pizza Europa list which is a massive achievement when you think of all the pizza places in Europe!

Lupita is a 2024 winner of Top 50 Pizzas in Europe + 2025 Lisbon Insiders Winner

Vibe

Lupita Pizzaria in Lisbon (Alvarade) has a laid back yet vibrant vibe during a bustling lunch hour.

An open kitchen lets you feel part of the action at Lupita in Alvalade, Lisbon

The open kitchen makes the overall fairly small pizzaria feel more spacious, and the melodic callout "serviço!" makes you nearly feel like part of a team with every order up!

Order Up! Lupita Lisbon Pizza Review

The decor is simultaneously industrial with concrete finishing and exposed pipes ...

Industrial yet homey vibe at Lupita Pizzaria

... while at the same time feeling home-y and down to earth with cans of San Marzano tomatoes and cookbooks like the New York Times bestselling The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz adorning the shelves.

Wine bottles and cookbooks decorate the walls at Lupita Alvalade, a Top Lisbon Pizzaria

What we ordered

Drinks.

Lupita pizzaria has a focus on natural wines, offers beer from an independent craft brewery in Lisbon called MUSA and we decided to take advantage of both of those opportunities.

Lupita branding on their glasses of natural wine and locally brewed beer | Lisbon Restaurant Review

MUSA Blondie (draft) - 2.5
Mur Mur Mur Fizei - 7

Spicy Alla Vodka Pizza

A pizza topped with spicy vodka sauce, crumbled pepperoni and pecorino sounded too good to pass up.

Spicy Alla Vodka Pizza at Lupita Pizzaria

That's one good looking pizza!

Close up of Spicy Vodka Sauce Pizza in Lisbon | Lupita Pizzaria Review

We even have some pops of green for good measure. ;) This pizza was delicious. The vodka sauce was flavorful and the bacon pieces were nice and crispy!

Spicy Amatriciana

One thing is for sure: This isn't your Italian grandma's Amatriciana.

Top down view of Lupita's Spicy Amatriciana Pizza | Lisbon's Best Pizzas

Topped with guanciale, slices of garlic, red onion, pickled jalapeno peppers, pecorino, and chimichurri, you can see why we'd say that..

A modern twist on Amatriciana pizza at Lupita in Lisbon

With the Spicy Amatriciana pizza at Lupita you get really fresh, vibrant tomato flavor, rich saltiness from the guanciale, and the pickled jalapeños add both some heat and some sweet tanginess from the pickling.

It's really a delight to the tastebuds from every angle and we didn't even get to the crust yet.

Lupita Pizzaria: About the Crust

Can we just take a look at this crust for a moment?

Is this a perfect pizza crust? Lupita Pizzaria Review

Just one glance and you can tell how crispy, yet fluffly that pizza handle is going to be!

A crust we will dream of | Best Pizza Crust in Lisbon

This level of spotting is exactly what I want to see when I peek at the bottom of a pizza these days.

And that little hole? I say it's a nod to Benagil caves. ;)

Tiramisu & Espresso

It's pretty hard to pass up tiramisu on any dessert menu, isn't it?

Dessert at Lupita Pizzaria in Lisbon

And I think you'll have to agree that this is a beautiful slice of tiramisu!

Beautiful layered Tiramisu on vintage china at Lupita in Lisbon

Rather than standard lady fingers, it appears to be thin layers of sponge precisely placed between thick layers of cream.

Grandmillenials rejoice when it's time for dessert at Lupita in Lisbon

And can we take a moment for the very grandmillennial china, tea cups and saucers?

Lupita Pizza Menu

Lupita has a perfectly sized menu to offer "safe" choices for the timid and unique toppings for the adventurious, without being a menu of overwhelming proportions.

Lupita Menu with Prices - Pizza and Appetizers in Lisbon

Lupita Drink Menu

And again, we don't need a 6 page drink menu. This is just right.

Lupita drink menu with prices | Lisbon Pizzaria

Lupita Lisbon Pizza Review

Okay wow. Hopefully it is easy to see that Lupita is clearly a pizza spot in Lisbon worth your visit.

What we loved:

Amazing Crust. Undoubtedly one of the best pizza crusts we've had in a looooong time. Crispy with just the right amount of chew, and a fluffy handle. The crust even stayed crispy once the pizza cooled down, especially with the Amatriciana.
Incredible Topping Combos. Really well executed unique topping combinations. A lot of pizza places will have unusual toppings and when you branch out to try them you end up a bit disappointed, but not the case here. These pizzas stand on their own!
Awesome Staff. Great staff - friendly, efficient, helpful. Just really nice, especially during a packed lunch hour.

Other thoughts:

A bit cramped. The space is small and they do their best. We were sat at a round table next to another couple at a neighboring round table and the tables were so close the guy next to me was having a hard time not accidentally elbowing me while he ate. On the other hand, we didn't have to wait at all which was fantastic!
Not our favorite Tiramisu. Despite looking fabulous, this may be a controversial opinion, but we both felt underwhelmed by the tiramisu. At the first bite of tiramisu I want to taste the espresso and marasala/amaretto/brandy (whichever is fine) in a big way. In this case we didn't get that lift and felt it lacked flavor despite being beautiful and seeming to be great quality. The cream was thick and decadant and I think in a way overshadowed what should have been very flavorful sponge soaked in coffee/liquor.
No House Wine. Here in Portugal nearly every restaurant has a "house wine" that's a bit more affordable and you can default to. Here at Lupita since they are focusing on natural wines, there's a higher price tag that comes with that, naturally. ;p

TL;DR

Go to Lupita. Get Pizza. Get Beer. Be Happy.

We're looking forward to next time we are Lisbon trying Lupita at the Cais do Sondré location and trying some more of their amazing sounding pizzas. Maybe we'll go out on a limb and try that cheesecake too ;)

More Lisbon Restaurant Reviews

5 Great Places to Eat in Ajuda & Beyond
- Tlaloc Un Rincon Mexicano
- Di Amici by Pizza Em Casa
- Churrasqueira Marques
- Food Hub
- Manapula
- Santo Graal
- Fiesta Restro and Snack Bar
- Momo Express
Lisbon Pizzeria Ranks In Prestigious Best Pizza In The World List
Bandalho Meat and Wine - Burgers, Sangria, and one of the fudgiest brownies in Portugal
Bubble Time Expo Review - Bubble tea & Bubble Waffles on the Riverfront
Han Table Korean BBQ Review - Grill at the table with your friends!
Where to get unlimited sushi in Lisbon - Sushi Fixe in Miraflores Review

Lupita Receipt

Cost of Living in Portugal

The cost of eating out in Lisbon was 46 euros at Lupita Pizzaria for 2 people. This included 2 pizzas, a beer, a glass of wine, 2 espressos, and one slice of tiramisu.

On average 23 euros per person

Benagil Caves Tours

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5 Great places to eat in Ajuda

6/15/2025

Most known for the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda (National Palace of Ajuda), Ajuda is an often overlooked Lisbon neighborhood with fewer tourists and plenty of nice views.

Views from Ajuda at Night

Nestled between infamous Belém waterfront and Parque Florestal de Monsanto, a huge park full of trails and greenery right in the heart of Lisbon, Ajuda is low key with a combination of grit and charm, not to mention some surprisingly great restaurants.

In this article we will share 5 Ajuda restaurants we tried on this week in Lisbon trip as well as a few outliers just for fun. ;)

Tlaloc un rincón mexicano

One thing many Americans miss when they move to Portugal is actually Mexican food. Great tacos are not especially easy to find in Portugal.

At Tlaloc Un Rincon Mexicano you can scratch that itch with birria tacos, tinga tacos, horchata, and do not forget the tres leches cake.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Tlaloc Un Rincon Mexicano Photo Review

Di Amici by Pizza em Casa

Lisbon has some fabulous Pizza places and we really enjoyed our visit to Amici. Heads up, sparkling sangria may or may not have some limoncello and the 'nduja pizza is a must!

Churrasqueira do Marques

Traditional Portuguese grilled chicken and pork are such simple meals, but when executed well leave you so satisfied. That's the experience we had at Churrasqueira Marques.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Churrasqueira do Marques Photo Review

Food Hub

When you want quick and affordable Kebabs in Ajuda try Food Hub. For around 5.50 euro at the time of our visit you can fill up on a Doner Kebab menu which comes with fries and a drink!

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Food Hub Photo Review

Manápula

A cutesy pizza place in Ajuda serving Neapolitan style pizzas.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Manapula Photo Review

Santo Graal Burger & Grill

Santo Graal (Holy Grail) Burger and Grill serves up gourmet bugers and steaks, crispy fries, and even a blonde and red house ipa.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Santo Graal Photo Review

Fiesta Restro And Snack Bar

Okay so this restaurant is not in Ajuda, it's in Benfica neighborhood and we hit it up after a medical appointment at Hospital da Luz in Amadora.

Hilariously, Fiesta Restro and Snack Bar is not at all a Mexican restaurant, but in fact a spot where you can enjoy Nepalese, Indian, and Portuguese food.

Don't skip the sparkling sangria, pani puri, and momos - they were highlights of this Lisbon trip!

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Fiesta Restro Snack Bar Photo Review

Everest Curry & Sekuwa Corner

This was an Uber Eats order after a long convention day, so it came from the other side of Lisbon to our Ajuda airbnb. The restaurant was running a lot of BOGO offers, so we ended up with way too much food and it lasted for 2.5 meals!

We ordered Jeera rice, chicken stuffed naan, thai curry, and butter chicken. Everything was okay overall. The butter chicken was the best dish we ordered.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Everest Curry & Sekuwa Corner Photo Review

Pasteis de Belem

Belem is a nice walk from Ajuda and you can try two of the most famous Pastel de Nata establishments including Pasteis de Belem.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Pasteis de Belem Photo Review

See Also: How To Make Portuguese Custard Tarts At Home!

Manteigaria

Grab yourself another pastel de nata over at Manteigaria before walking back up to Ajuda. And I mean that very literally, it's an uphill climb and you're sure to burn off all the calories from the pastries so... win!

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Manteigaria Photo Review

See Also: Frequently Asked Questions About Pastel De Nata

MoMo Express

If you're arriving into Lisbon or departing via Oriente Station, you'd be remiss if you skipped Momo Express food truck. Tasty Nepalese momos, flavorful samosas (go veggie for this one!) and chai of this caliber, you'll struggle to find outside of Asia.

Lisbon Restaurant Review: Momo Express Photo Review

Forgot to schedule time in ALgarve on your Portugal Trip?

The Algarve is definitely worth visiting on your trip to Portugal! If you have one day, you can make it happen. This article is for you:

Read Now: How to Plan a Day Trip to Algarve from Lisbon

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Lisbon Pizzeria Ranks In Prestigious Best Pizza In The World List

10/7/2024

The results are in.. 50 Top Pizza has released their list of best pizzas in the world and guess which pizzeria is representing Portugal on the list again?

More Like This: Pizza in Portugal • Lisbon Restaurants

One of our favorites - Forno d'Oro! :)

Burrata Pizza at Forno d'Oro in Lisbon, Portugal

In this post:

who owns forno d'oro?

Forno d'oro is owned by Tanka Sapkota, who was born in Nepal and brought his passion for Neapolitan pizza to Lisbon. He trained under the Gombero Rosso Master Course and his wood-fired pizzas have ranked him in the top pizzas in the world list multiple times.

Above you can see just a few of the many prestigious awards Forno d'Oro (Golden Oven) has received for their delicious pizzas. They are receiving Fiori di Latte cheese fresh from Italy multiple times per week!

Where did forno d'oro rank in the 2024 top pizza in the world list?

Forno d Oro is the ONLY pizzeria in Portugal to rank on the top pizza in the world list, so it's quite an accomplishment! For 2024 they ranked 73rd in the world and the 12th best pizzeria in Europe.

Parabéns! (congratulations in Portuguese)

What we ordered.

Are you hungry yet? Let's try a few of the best pizzas in Lisbon together!

Diavola - €13.25

San Marzano tomatoes DOP, fior di latte, spicy salami, basil, and chili

Where to stay in Lisbon:

All Lisbon Hotel Reviews

4 Formaggi - €13.95

San Marzano tomatoes DOP, fior di latte, Gorgonzola, smoked Provola cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano DOP 24 mesi.

We were with some dear friends who were moving away and we all decided that in order to mark the occasion properly there was another pizza we just had to try and we could only do it if we worked together as a team lol.

Burrata, prosciutto e Rucola - €15.50

San Marzano tomatoes DOP, burrata, Parma ham and rocket (arugula)

This pizza was so unbelievably delicious and a perfect example of how it takes just a few high quality ingredients to make a dish really shine!

Light and fresh yet highly engaging - we were surprised that this was our favorite pizza of the night! Good thing we ordered it at the last second, right?! ;)

It may even top the fig, prosciutto, and gorgonzola pizza.

We'll probably have to visit another time to know for sure, though. ;)

Pizza in Portugal

See all Pizza in Portugal

Gordon FInest Scotch Ale, Scotland - €8.95

And what's a visit to one of the top pizzerias in the world without trying a new brew?
Gordon Finest Scotch Ale Review
Gordon Finest Scotch Ale - Strong and smooth dark beer flavored with malt whiskey. 8,0% - 33cl

"Born in Scotland, Crafted in Belgium"

For those interested in the ingredients and bottling details of Gordon Scotch Ale, see the photos below!

Panna Cotta ai Frutti di Bosco - €4.95

Panna cotta flavored with Madagascan vanilla pods served with a wild berries sauce

Panna Cotta ai Frutti di Bosco | Dessert at Top Pizzeria in Europe

At the end of your meal at Forno d'Oro you always have the opportunity to enjoy the parting hospitality of limoncello or grappa. If you've never tried grappa (it's potent), maybe you should give it a try. After that you'll almost certainly always pick limoncello! haha :)

Pizza in Italy

See all Pizza in Italy

Pizza e Passione Naples

English Menu - forno d' oro pizzeria

Curious what the prices are like at a top pizza place in Lisbon? Here is a recent menu. You can find English descriptions beneath each menu item.

Couvert/Antipasti (appetizers) and Pizze (Pizza) Menu

Forno d'Oro Lisbon English Menu - Appetizers

Pizze (Pizza) Menu

Forno d'Oro Lisbon English Menu - Pizza

Mediterranean Cruise

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Seasonal Pizza Menu

Forno d'Oro Lisbon English Menu - Seasonal Pizza

Pasta & Dessert (Dolci) Menu

Forno d'Oro Lisbon English Menu - Pasta and Dessert

Southern Caribbean Cruise

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Wine Menu

Forno d'Oro Lisbon English Menu - Wine

Craft Beer Menu

Forno d'Oro Lisbon English Menu - Craft Beer

Gin Menu

Forno d'Oro Lisbon English Menu - Gin

Virgin Voyages Cruise Deals

A no-kids (unless they are 18+), adults-only, all inclusive cruise line

Check current Virgin Voyages Deals, Discounts, and Sales!

Forno d'Oro Review

We love Forno d'Oro! When you have such a great experience at a restaurant the first time that you want to bring your friends who are also pizza lovers you know it's the real deal.

Still, there is a smidge of apprehension that a second visit to a place won't be as good as the first, you know what I mean?

As you can tell from our photo review, forno d'oro is living up to our expectations and we won't hesitate to come back and bring more friends the next time we are in Lisbon!

Highly recommend you stop in for some amazing Neapolitan pizza in Lisbon!

Best Places To eat in Lisbon:

Lisbon Foodie Blog - See all Lisbon Restaurant Reviews

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Bandalho Meat & Wine Carnaxide

9/9/2024

Bandalho Meat & Wine is a new restaurant in Carnaxide (Lisbon, Portugal) in walking distance of Holiday Inn Express Alfragide.

In this post:

About Bandalho Meat & Wine Carnaxide:

Band'alho meat & wine vibe

This restaurant was new to the neighborhood on our visit and we arrived just as they opened so we had the place pretty much to ourselves.

Inside the restaurant is nicely finished and is somewhat T shaped, making the back area where we were sitting a nice semi-secluded area to reserve for a large party.

As you can see there were multiple large TVs in the restaurant and I have never been a big fan of this. The bright screens really detract from the aesthetic of the space and they distract from the two most important elements - your dining companions and the food!

This is quite a common occurrence in restaurants in Portugal. Unless it's a sports bar type of establishment and you are watching a sports match while eating pizza and wings, I just don't understand the need for TVs in restaurants, especially when featuring depressing news and disturbing images. </rant> :)

Lisbon Restaurant Reviews.

what we ordered.

With that out of the way, let's move on to the good stuff... what we ordered at Bandalho!

Sangria Tinta 12€

Red Wine Sangria - 12 euros for the pitcher. Sangria in Portugal is almost always excellent. The access to quality wines here is outstanding, not to mention locally grown citrus. Add a sprig of mint and you have a refreshing beverage on a summer evening in Lisbon!

They did have a special house sangria which seemed to be a white wine sangria fortified with blue curaçao among other liquors, if that sort of thing is your jam.

Hamburguer a Band'alho 10€

The hamburger was really tasty with quality meat and came with a side of fries and garlicky dipping mayonnaise which is also quite popular in Portugal.

Do you see that little rocket (arugula) leaf peeking out on the right? Slide your gaze to the left and notice the caramelized onion chutney which was the show stopper, taking this burger up a notch!

Picanha Sul Americana 15€

Since we were at a meat place, it seemed only proper to get a steak. We ordered the South American Picanha.

What is Picanha? (pronounced peek-ahn-yah) Picanha is a prized cut of meat in Brazil cut from the rump area. It has a thick band of fat and is served thinly sliced. Although originating in Brazil, Picanha has certainly gained popularity in Portugal.

The presentation was beautiful and upscale. A pile of finishing salt and whole peppercorns were evidence that the meat was to be the star, not overwhelmed by complex flavors. It's incredible what a pinch of salt and black peppercorn can do to a steak!

The steak was slightly under my cook preference. I wish the fat had been able to render a bit more. The roasted cherry/grape tomatoes added some nice acidity. For the sides we had an adorable dish of black beans. The black beans were nice, with bits of meat inside, also slightly underdone and bite-y. The rice was lovely and fluffy, really well done!

Supremo de Chocolate 5€

We were quite full, but thought it necessary to try one dessert (for your benefit). A little corner of our tummies could sample the Supremo de Chocolate. Wow did we underestimate this dessert!

This dessert is a chocolate lover's dream! Imagine the thickest, fudgiest (is that word?) brownie you've ever seen, topped with chocolate ganache, and some red berries. For Americans, desserts in Portugal are a bit different and a good fudgy brownie is not easy to come by, making this an unexpected delight!

My advice: Get the Supremo de Chocolate. Share it. Enjoy with coffee.

Algarve Travel Blog.

Band'alho Meat & Wine Menu with Prices

Here are some photos of the Bandalho Meat & Wine Menu with prices. 3 pages of drink menus and 1 page of curated food menu. Tap an image to see more detail!

You'll notice they have an executive menu "disponível 2 a 6 feira" That means the special is available on the second through 6th days of the week. Monday is the second day of the week. So, as is common, this lunch special/prato do dia special is available Monday through Friday.

For 12€ you can have soup, the dish of the day, and any 33cl beverage they carry, water, or imperial.
Do you remember what an Imperial is?

Band'alho Meat & Wine Review

Band'alho is a welcome addition to the Carnaxide neighborhood in Lisbon. They're off to a great start and I'm confident they will continue to hone their product and deliver great meals for years to come. Staff was very friendly, patient, and attentive with a good sense of humor and patience to answer questions. The location is great for anyone staying at Holiday Inn Express Alfragide as it's just a short walk over.

If I worked in the area I would definitely be taking advantage of their executive menu deal during the week!

REceipt.

How much does it cost to eat out in Portugal?

At this restaurant it cost 43.30€ for:

Steak with rice and beans
Hamburger with fries
Pitcher of Sangria
Small bottle of sparkling water
Large slice of chocolate brownie dessert

Travel Deals.

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Lagoas Park Oeiras Hotel + Centro colombo

9/8/2024

When the guys had a one day school in Lisbon, us wives decided to join them on the trip up and hang out at the Colombo Mall in Lisbon.

We stayed at a hotel called Lagoas Park in Oeiras, Porto Salvo.

Lagoas Park Hotel Oeiras

In this post:

Lagoas Park Hotel Review
Lagoas Park Hotel Restaurant Review
Room Tour
Centro Colombo Mall
- Nespresso Store
- Serra Da Estrela Review
Uber Eats Reviews
- 100 Gramas
- The Kitchen

Lagoas Park Oeiras Review

I thought Lagoas Park Hotel was really nice. It's a well known corporate hotel on the outskirts of Lisbon and a fairly quick uber ride to wherever you'd want to go. While our mornings were entirely too rushed to get proper pictures, we felt this hotel had a solid breakfast!

Breakfast was included in our booking rate, which was around 200 USD inclusive.

The public restroom in the lobby is beautiful with wood and marble finishings.

Lagoas Park Lobby Bathroom

In the lobby you can also find the hotel bar as seen below.

Lagoas Park Bar

Just behind the bar is the seating area for the restaurant.

Lagoas Park Restaurant

Hotel Restaurant Review

We did dine in the restaurant with our friends one evening. I ordered a nice fish dish which came with a side of mixed vegetables and some potatoes. Fish in Portugal is always delicious and fresh since the country is blessed to have access to so much coastline! The food was good and as one would expect, this is a light meal with a corporate hotel price tag. ;)

When you get off the elevators to head to your room you will see these nice sitting areas overlooking the lobby. The chairs are comfortable, with side tables, and there is nice lighting from the floor to ceiling glass entry of the hotel.

Lounge Area Lagoas Park Hotel

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Room Tour

Here is a quick photo tour of our room at Lagoas Park Hotel.

The bathroom is spacious and they do provide the standard amenities. You'll notice on the second photo that a bidet is available at this hotel. In case you want to wash and dry your feet.

...lol. Just kidding. :p

The room is a bit on the dark side with the color scheme and lighting style, which isn't necessarily my favorite aesthetic.

Queen Room Lagoas Park Hotel

Our room had a large flatscreen TV and closets for hanging clothes as well as a full length mirror right across from the bathroom door. Some of our friends were joking that it was the last place they wanted a mirror after they got out of the shower. haha.

Jokes aside, I always appreciate a full length mirror in a hotel room.

Standard Room at Lagoas Park

Below is the desk area if you need to do some work or want to eat some takeout. Which... we did.

Work Space at Lagoas Park Hotel

Takeout Reviews:

All Takeout Reviews

100 Gramas

We ordered Uber Eats the night we arrived as we were too tired to go out anywhere. There was a Buy one get one free promo for a restaurant called 100 Gramas. We ordered Prego Maminha Maturada which is a sandwich of thin steaks and the bread is slathered with garlic butter. We got one side of batata frites (French fries) and one side of feijão (beans).

The total for 2 sandwiches, an order of fries, an order of beans, and a coca-cola was 18.74€ including service fee, delivery fee, bag fee etc. While the pictures are not impressive due to the dim room and takeout boxes, the food was good! It was good for the price we paid. But if we had paid full price of 41.74€ it may have been a different story. lol!

centro colombo

True to stereotype, the ladies spent the day wandering around the mall. I honestly don't care for mall days that much. There's nothing I really need to buy and the lights are too bright for anyone migraine-prone, but the company was top notch.

I took a few of the most random pictures that day starting with these women's button down linen shirts.

Women's Linen Shirts 24.99€ in Lisbon

Nespresso Store

Our Portuguese friend educated us about visiting the Nespresso store for a free coffee. You actually take a ticket when you go in and when an associate is available they can give you a sample of any kind of Nespresso pod you would like to try. Afterwards you can buy a package of your preferred pod, if you'd like, of course!

Serra da Estrela

There were many choices in the food court but I landed on Serra da Estrela and ordered a plate of Arroz do Pato (duck rice) and the fresh pineapple and mint juice.

I was so fascinated by this art display of candy machines that I felt compelled to snap this crooked picture to remember it.

Art Display at Colombo Mall

For my final memory of Colombo Mall in lisbon, I leave you with this bathroom sign which I found amusing. It's asking if you knew that with the toilet lid open you can be projecting "particles". They implore toilet guests to pleaseeee close the lid before flushing.

It makes you wonder what atrocities have been seen in there? On second thought.. scratch that thought.

Funny Portuguese Bathroom Sign at Colombo Mall in Lisbon

The Kitchen

We had a very long bus ride from Lisbon. We were starving and found another buy one get one free deal on Uber for a place called The Kitchen in Quarteira.

These 2 Gulosa pizzas cost 13.20€ in total after discounts. Not too shabby.

I hope you have enjoyed this very random combo hotel review post / mall day / uber eats review post.

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Bubble Time Expo - Lisbon Bubble Tea

9/8/2024

It had been such a long time since we had a bubble tea, probably since Ohayu in Quarteira. What better way to kill time than sippin' boba? Let's rewind..

We were meeting friends for dinner after at Han Table Barbecue in the Expo neighborhood (Parque das Nações) of Lisbon and guess what?

We were early! ;)

Right after the uber dropped us off we got the message that they were running behind.

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Bubble Time Expo - Lisbon Bubble Tea

Conveniently for us, a cute Boba shop was located directly next door to the Korean bbq restaurant! What better way to kill time than sippin' boba?

Bubble Time Menu with prices

The electronic menu at Bubble Time Expo is trilingual, which I thought was pretty fixe ("cool" in portuguese).

Tap the photos below to enlarge and get a detailed view of the menu and prices of this Bubble tea cafe.

Gifts for bubble tea lovers

how to order bubble tea

Welcome to today's portuguese lesson!

The bottom right hand side of the menu has ordering instructions for your Bubble tea. I'll translate the Portuguese into English for you, although I'm sure you could work it out on your own. ;)

Como pedir um Bubble Tea (How to order a Bubble Tea)
1. Tamanho do copo (cup size)
2. Sabor (flavor)
3. Temperatura (temperature)
4. Nivel de Açucar (level of sugar)
5. Boba

For Level of sugar you have 3 options:
1. Normal
2. Pouco (a little sugar)
3. Sem (without sugar)

Bubble Waffle Menu at Bubble Time

By the way, Bubble Time also sells bubble waffles which you can have filled with Chantilly (whipped cream) or Gelado (Ice cream)

You can also get a Waffle Simples c/ Nutella (plain waffle with Nutella) As we've mentioned before, Nutella is very popular here.

The vibe inside Bubble time

Bubble Time has a nice atmosphere and a variety of seating options. If you aren't in a rush, you can enjoy your boba on the terrace outside with a view of the telecabine. Maybe you like to feel part of the bustle. You can sit inside the shop and watch the ebb and flow of the line at the counter. On the other hand, if you want some solitude, you're working remotely, or having a meeting you may prefer to head upstairs to the second floor!

They are also rewarding loyalty here, which is a vibe we like! For every 9 purchases you'll get the 10th Bubble Tea or Waffle Grátis (free). I haven't seen a card like this for too long and it made me happy. :)

Get a free Bubble Tea or Waffle at Bubble Time in Lisbon!

Bubble Time Lisbon Review

We ordered a large original milk tea, cold, with normal ice level and plain tapioca boba. We ordered the Margherita pizza of bubble tea for a baseline.

Original Milk Tea with Boba

This was not necessarily the best boba tea we have ever had, but to be fair we normally have something like a Thai tea with boba, harkening back to our Thailand days, whereas here we ordered an original milk tea. Therefore the flavor was light in comparison, but appropriate for what we ordered. :)

The boba were perfectly prepared with just the right texture. The location could not have been more convenient for our plans.

Large Bubble Tea at the Tejo Riverfront

We enjoyed our boba tea and while I wouldn't traverse the city on my next visit specifically to come here, I could see myself returning if I was in the Parque das Nações neighborhood of Lisbon and had a hankering for boba.

The second floor seems an ideal location for travel writing with views of the Tagus while noshing on a bubble waffle stuffed with whipped cream... or Nutella ... or ice cream... Hmm. Tough call, isn't it!

Maybe we will have to try one of each just to let you know which is best. ;)

You can follow this shop on instagram @bubble.time.portugal

Follow Bubble Time on Instagram!

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Is The The Best Korean Barbecue in Lisbon? Han Table Barbecue Expo Review

9/8/2024

Korean Barbecue in Lisbon offers a fun and interactive dining experience for you and your friends.

We made a trip to the Expo location of Han Table Barbecue and here is our review with photos!

Han Table Barbecue Lisbon

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Where is han table bbq?

While there are multiple locations of this Korean bbq restaurant in Lisbon, on this occasion we visited the Expo location. You will dine along the Tagus river not far from the Lisbon International Airport and the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

The address is: R. da Pimenta 5, 1990-280 Lisboa, Portugal

Gifts for korean barbecue lovers:

what is korean barbecue?

At a Korean bbq restaurant, you can expect to receive a platter of raw meat of your choice along with a variety of side dishes (called banchan). Your table will have a grill for your party to use to cook the meat.

Yes, you're paying to cook your food... Maybe Kramer's pizza idea wasn't so crazy after all ;)

The proteins cook very quickly and you can enjoy them in a piece of lettuce along with banchan of your choice! Maybe you put in some kimchi or little bean sprouts for example along with the meat.

Scissors are provided to cut the meat as well as tongs to flip the meat on the grill. Your waitstaff will change out the grill plates as needed to ensure an enjoyable cooking experience.

If you're nervous or not sure what to do, just ask! They'll be happy to explain how it works or assist you. Once when we ate Korean BBQ at Tomato in Tokyo they regularly came back to lend a hand and keep things moving smoothly so we always had the next bite ready! :)

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What we ordered:

copo de sangria tinta - 2.5

I ordered a copo de sangria tinta (a glass of red sangria). The sangria at Han Table Barbecue cost 2.5€. It was refreshing and I appreciated the way the citrus brightened the otherwise meat-heavy meal.

If your friends also want sangria you can share a liter of sangria for 12.95€.

Cass Beer - 3.6

Trying international beers is always novel when visiting a restaurant like this. Here we tried Cass beer and below you can see the ingredients and label details.

Jinro Plum Soju - 7.95

Some say that it is an absolute must to drink Soju with Korean barbecue. One of our friends enjoyed this imported Jinro Plum Soju alcoholic drink.

Han table bbq Drink menu with Prices

Here is the drink menu with prices, including water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, beer, wine, and specialty Korean beverages.

Han Table BBQ Drink Menu With Prices

555 Combinado de Han; Han tudo platter - 38€

When in doubt, order the combo option, that's our motto. With that in mind, we went for menu item 555 the combination platter. It looks pretty beautiful for a platter of raw meat, doesn't it?!

What is in the Han combination platter?

A bit of everything! Bulgogi, YanBian traditional beef, seasoned pork belly, seasoned beef belly, spicy shrimp, squid, marinated chicken, lamb meat, and iberico black pork.

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Dining Experience:

The weather in Lisbon was beautiful so we opted to sit outside on the terrace. Is there anything better than dining al fresco in Europe!?

Here you can see the grill covered and then in action. We were enjoying the company with our friends so much that we really didn't get any more pictures of the cooking process after this. Don't regret it at all. :)

our han table barbecue expo review:

We had a great time at Han Table in Expo! This is our second experience at a Han Table restaurant in Lisbon and we think it's really fun. It's something different and grilling together adds an activity element to the dining experience. The ingredient quality was high and the staff was kind. We would come back!

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What's Nearby?

Directly next door to Han is Bubble Time, a Boba Tea shop!

Bubble Time, a bubble tea and waffle cone shop located next to Han Table Barbecue in Lisbon

You're also right by the Tejo (Tagus) River. So you can enjoy walking along the Riverfront and why not take in some aerial views of the city by cable car/ gondola while you're here?

Fun fact: Did you know the Tagus is the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula!?

Lisbon Cable Cars offer a unique view of the city

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Buy Lisbon Card Here

Book Lisbon Segway Tour

Lisbon Food Tour!

han table barbecue menu with prices

Curious about the rest of the menu and prices for Han Table bbq in Lisbon?

These prices are accurate as of August 2024. They should at least give you an idea of what to expect! :)

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Americans Try Korean Food:

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Sushi Fixe | Lisbon Restaurant Review

8/20/2024

Lisbon is one of the best foodie destinations and for those who want to know if Lisbon has good sushi, the answer is a resounding yes!

You can definitely get your sushi fix in Lisboa! =)

We tried one of the many sushi restaurants in Lisbon and with a 4.9/5 rating on google it could possibly be Lisbon's best sushi.

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sushi Fixe Miraflores

Sushi Fixe is a sushi cafe with inside and outdoor seating in the Lisbon neighborhood of Miraflores, an Uber ride of less than 10 minutes from Belem, costing around 4 euros at the time of this post.

You may be thinking "Sushi Fixe is an interesting name. I wonder what it means and how do I even pronounce that?" I got you.

What does Fixe mean in English? Fixe is Portuguese slang for something that is cool or great. Fixe is pronounced "Feesh"

Sushi Fixe Restaurant Rodizio in Lisbon, Portugal

Sushi Rodizio Lisboa

As the sign indicates (if you look closely), Sushi Fixe is a Restaurante Rodízio.

What is rodízio in Portugal?
So you may notice some restaurants in Portugal are called rodízios. Rodízio is a portuguese word that basically means "rotation" in English.

This restaurant style originated in Brazil where diners pay a set price for their meal and waiters bring around a variety of fresh meats off the spit, in rotation. It's an all-you-can-eat style of dining.

The rodízio concept in Portugal is not exclusively for churrasqueiras serving grilled meats. There are fish rodízios, pizza rodízios, and sushi rodízios in all of Portugal, including Lisbon, just to name a few iterations.

Sushi Fixe Menu

Sushi Fix is basically a sushi buffet in Lisbon, only the rolls aren't sitting on display for unknown lengths of time and you don't have to get up for them.

Sushi Fixe Menu

How it works:
You have a slip of paper at your table with a list of menu items and space to write a number down. You simply write how many of each item you want and the sushi is made fresh to order! Since this is an unlimited sushi situation your waiter will come back and you can continue ordering more sushi as needed!

Sushi Fixe Menu With Prices

Fried Foods & Soup | Sushi Fixe Lisbon Menu

We tried crepes gambas, tempura shrimp, tempura vegetables.

Photo of Sushi Fixe Menu

Rice, Noodles, Salad, Gyoza | Sushi Fixe Menu

We also ordered massa fina rice noodles and gyoza.

Photo of Sushi Fixe Menu

Espetadas (kebabs/Skewers) | Sushi Fixe Menu

Our group also tasted the chicken skewer.

Photo of Sushi Fixe Menu

Sobremesa, Bebidas (Dessert, Drinks) | Sushi Fixe Menu

Never pass up an opportunity for Lychee. You can get an entire bottle of wine at some restaurants in Portugal for under 10 euros as you can see!

Photo of Sushi Fixe Menu

Sushi Fixe Price

At the time we went, the price for this sushi rodizio in Lisbon was as shown below:
Almoço (Lunch) 13.95€
Jantar (Dinner) 15.95€
Prices listed are por pessoa (per person).

On the weekend (fim de semana) or public holiday (feriado) it's 15.95 euro per person.

Children (crianças) 4 and under are free (não pagam - they do not pay)
Children 5-10 years old pay half price (pagam a metade -they pay half)

Sushi Fize Hours are: 12h-15h (noon to 3pm) and 19h-23h (7pm-11pm)

Sushi Fixe All You Can Eat Prices and Hours + Menu Item Photos

Sushi Fixe Photos

Here are a few imagens (pictures) de sushi fixe Lisboa! Honestly we did not take many pictures because we were really enjoying the company and conversation, but hopefully these will give you a sense of what to expect when you come to this sushi buffet!

Salmon sushi Boat.

I've always dreamed of getting a sushi boat, but they are usually so expensive and seem like a lot of sushi. This is an amazing opportunity to get one. I never felt so cool in my life. 8)

This boat was quite salmon (salmão) forward with some pops of roe (fish eggs). The thin rice noodles can be seen below as well.

Gyoza.

Big fan of all types of dumplings including Japanese gyoza. These were steamed gyoza.

Another Tasty Read: Are Dumplings A Perfect Food?

Tempura Everything.

Tempura shrimp (gambas, also called camarões), tempura vegetables with sweet chili sauce. Fried sushi shown below as well.

Sushi Fixe Reviews

Sushi Fixe is a great sushi restaurant in Lisbon. The value to quality ratio is incredible so it's no wonder they have 4.9 stars on google. Well deserved!

A sushi buffet like this is a great option for sushi lovers and novices alike as you can try so many different types of sushi in a low pressure kind of way. Of course you don't want to be wasteful and you will order conscientiously. Still if you don't love a particular piece it hurts less knowing you can order another roll!

Ginger, Wasabi, Soy Sauce, Place Setting at Sushi Fixe Miraflores

Sushi Fixe also caters to different tastes in your group. Maybe not everyone in your family or friend group loves sushi like you. Now you don't have to fight bitterness because they can order noodles, salad, meat skewers and more while you eat your dream sushi boat!

how to eat sushi

I loved the instructions for eating sushi that are included in the menu and had to laugh because of how common it is to break these recommendations.

Pode - This section shows the things you can do - you can use chopsticks or your hands, you can mergulhe (dip) the sushi fish-side-first into soy sauce, you can set your chopsticks on the ceramic rest when not in use, you can coloque (place/put) the sushi in your mouth fish side down, and finally when you're done eating sushi you can rest the chopsticks on the Hashi-Oki as shown in the picture to signal to the wait staff you are done.

Do's and Don'ts of Eating Sushi - Sushi Fixe Menu

Não Pode - Things you cannot do when eating sushi including: rubbing the chopsticks against each other to 'remove splinters', If the chopsticks are damaged (have splinters), just ask for new ones. You cannot eat sushi in multiple bites, each piece should be eaten whole. You cannot put ginger slices on top of sushi. You should eat it in between pieces as a palate cleanser. You shouldn't put the wasabi paste in the soy sauce. You should place wasabi directly on the sushi. You cannot share wasabi and other sauce dishes with others, they should be individual. Nor should you pass food from your chopsticks to others.

So I'm curious how many sushi faux pas have you made? I have definitely eaten ginger on top of sushi. On this trip for the first time I mixed wasabi paste in soy sauce then later took time to read this page and had to laugh.

Don't worry, no one is going to slap your wrist if you didn't follow these tips for eating sushi. But honestly, I love that they included them.

Making sushi is an art and to appreciate that art there are methods to eating it which, when followed, will enhance your experience and connect you more to the Japanese culture. :)

Is SushI Fixe the best all you can eat sushi in lisbon?

Like anyone could even know that, Napoleon.

Given that sushi fixe (sushi fix as some call it) is the only sushi restaurant we've had the privilege to try in Lisbon so far, I suppose we can't say for sure.

But what we can say is that Sushi Fixe is a great sushi buffet/rodizio in Lisbon and we would go back in a heartbeat!

How to say thank you politely in Japanese:
Arigato Gozaimasu ! ありがとうございます

Gifts For Sushi Lovers.

sushi earrings • retro Japanese sushi set • cat sushi dish • personalized sushi tray • incredible whale sushi set

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