Bunch of biz activities despite cornerstone companies closing

BY MARK RABAGO
Saipan Correspondent

SAIPAN—While Hyatt Regency Saipan and Asiana Airlines have said adieu to the CNMI, several small businesses, including a home construction company, have opened shop or introduced new offerings despite the bland economy brought about by timid tourism arrivals.

Mama Rio’s Cafe
Mama Rio’s Cafe in Garapan unveiled student-friendly rice meals right in early June, just in time to catch the attention of kids and busy parents before school is out for the summer.

With prices ranging from $7 to $8.50, the tasty and homemade rice bowl meals include fish fillet, lumpia shanghai, longganisa with egg, pork tocino with egg, beef tapa with egg, pork barbecue with egg, chicken teriyaki, buffalo wings, sweet and sour pork, and hamburger steak.

Aside from the affordable rice meals, Mama Rio’s Cafe also offers sandwiches such as the popular tuna melt and Mama Rio’s Café’s signature Home Burger. Green salad, fries and nuggets, and cheese nachos are the appetizers on the menu.

Local favorites like the beef fried noodles, ramyun spicy, cheesy spaghetti, and creamy carbonara are also ready to be served, ensuring something for everyone.

As a coffee shop, Mama Rio’s Cafe’s morning fix and beverage lineup will keep the summer sweet. Mama Rio’s Café offers a variety of frappes, milk teas, fruit teas, smoothies, and pearl shakes.

And for those wanting to keep their figures svelte for the beachside, the cafe introduced healthy beverages and fresh juices. Among the bestsellers are the fresh avocado latte and drinks like the Detox, Freshen Up, and Immune Booster.

For more information or for reservations, call (670) 233-3388 or (670) 789-8119. Check them out on Facebook (Mama Rio’s Cafe) and Instagram (@mamarioscafe).

Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant
Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant moved to the Joeten Building right across Saipan World Resort on June 1. The move allowed them to grow. The café has more than tripled its size compared to its former location.

Angel Malasarte, general manager of the restaurant, said her parents and the restaurant founders, Bong and Malou, needed a location that allowed them to better serve their growing customer base.

The new Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant can accommodate up to 180 guests, while the old Pepoy’s Restacafe could only fit 50 guests at the most.

Aside from the dining room that has doubled in size, the relocated Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant also boasts new amenities including a more spacious private function room for special events and gatherings. Party hosts may also find it a good size for celebrations or corporate events — especially as it includes a swankier karaoke room that is bigger and better equipped than it used to be.

Additionally, Malasarte said the bigger and better Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant offers catering services for events of all sizes and provides bento boxes.

To celebrate Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant’s relocation, they have introduced a Sunday brunch buffet for $25 and it includes roasted pig. They also have a weekday lunch buffet for $12.

For more information on the newly relocated Pepoy’s Cafe & Restaurant, call (670) 234-8894 or email at pepoys.restacafe@gmail.com. For updates, follow them on Facebook at Pepoy’s Restacafe or on Instagram at pepoys_saipan.


38 Mitsubachi
38 Mitsubachi held its long-anticipated grand opening in May with local and business leaders and members of the Japanese Society of the Northern Mariana Islands gracing the occasion.

Guests enjoyed a veritable feast that included the Japanese souffle pancake restaurant’s new pasta menu that includes cold tomato spaghetti with fresh vegetables and carbonara as well as various sushi, titiyas, and barbecue chicken and barbecue ribs.

To top it all off, 38 Mitsubachi also offered their freshly made souffle pancakes and their newest creation-strawberry shaved ice, which are literally shaved frozen strawberries.

Takatoshi Asada, CEO of AMEC LLC, which owns 38 Mitsubachi, said he’s had an eye on investing in the NMI for quite a while.

He first came to the islands as a tourist 20 years ago. The trip left such an impression that he thought of investing someday.

Asada said he sees potential in the Mariana Islands becoming Micronesia’s version of Hawaii or Okinawa — a tropical tourist destination for Japanese tourists.

For about two years, he’s been planning to invest in Saipan to help revitalize Japanese investments. He’s taken note of the strong historical connection with the Marianas being former territories of Japan.

His master plan is to dip his toes first in the CNMI then use his success as an example to encourage other Japanese companies to invest.

Aside from 38 Mitsubachi and other food businesses, Asada also has businesses in the medical field in Japan.

38 Mitsubachi, located along Bougainvillea Avenue in Garapan, is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., with last order at 5:15 p.m. It can accommodate 95 dine-in customers that includes indoor and terrace seating. For more information or for reservations, call (670) 233-3281.


New Mirage Spa
New Mirage Spa along what used to be the Paseo de Marianas is under new management and reopened last May 18.

Owner Lin Ming said they opened/reopened the new/old massage establishment following the return of regular Hong Kong Airlines flights to Saipan as she anticipates tourists from the former Crown Colony and mainland China would need some pampering during their stay on Saipan.

Ming said the opening of the erstwhile Paseo de Marianas to vehicular traffic also holds the promise of more clientele for New Mirage Spa.

As to what makes New Mirage Spa different from other massage parlors on Saipan, Ming said the newly renovated establishment boasts of seven well-appointed massage rooms with 16 massage beds in total. They also have six masseuses at the beck and call of local and tourist customers alike.

Aside from the comfy and elegant interior that includes a spacious area where you can relax and get free tea, New Mirage Spa also has well-trained masseuses.

Massages offered are foot massage ($25 for 1 1/2 hours), full body massage ($25 for 1 hour and $35 for 1 1/2  hours), Acupoint massage ($25 for 1 hour and $35 for 1 1/2  hours), and sunburn care and seaweed body pack ($25 for 1 hour and $35 for 1 1/2  hours). The latter is especially made to cater to tourists who had a full day at the beach.

And since Ming also owns Night Scent Restaurant just around the corner along Coral Tree Avenue, frequent diners will get discounts at New Mirage Spa and vice a versa. Currently, New Mirage Spa also has a loyalty stamp card where 10 massages get you a free 1-hour massage.

New Mirage Spa is located along the former Paseo de Marianas across ABC Store in the tourist district of Garapan. It’s open from Sunday to Saturday, 12pm-2am. For more information, call (670) 233-4137.


123 Foods
123 Foods hopes its appearance in last May’s 25th Annual Taste of The Marianas International Food Festival Park will serve as a springboard for the return of its full-blown restaurant.

Owner Sean Lee said although the official opening of 123 Foods was in 2019, the actual founding of the business goes back to the ‘80s as they used to own Keeraku Japanese Restaurant and Rakuen Korean BBQ Restaurant in Garapan.

At the recent Taste of Marianas, 123 Foods was quite a hit with their classic galbi bento, spicy chicken fried rice, red rice balls, and hot brownies with ice cream all certified bestsellers.

As well as their old Keeraku and Rakuen customers pining for the old Garapan restaurant’s staples, 123 Foods pleasantly hit a chord with the newer generation at the Taste of the Marianas.

Lee said the family business was one of the casualties of the economic downturn in the early 2010s, but he said 123 Foods has been slowly picking up the pieces, beginning four years ago when they reopened in Chalan Kanoa.

123 Store in Chalan Kanoa is open from Monday to Sunday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information, call (670) 235-1231 or visit them on Facebook and Instagram: "123 Store." Currently, 123 Store is only taking special party tray orders and cannot accommodate dine-in customers.


La Mesa Kusina
La Mesa Kusina held a grand opening at its new location in Garapan on April 6.

Bishop Ryan P. Jimenez from the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa participated ribbon-cutting ceremony for the island’s main Filipino and Mexican fusion restaurant took place with no less than.

Shortly after the fiesta-like celebrations began, La Mesa Kusina brought out a special grand opening "Promos of the Day"—Lechon Day (Lechon Tacos and Lechon Rice Bowls)—and patrons not only enjoyed the Filipino and Mexican hybrid cuisine, but also took in special performances by the High Tide Band, face painting, and vibed with the DJ to cap off the party.

Operations manager Clint Albert and owner John Saludez shared that in addition to adding Lechon Day, the restaurant will also now be serving several alcoholic beverages. In fact, Saipan Tap House shares an adjoining deck space-dubbed the Al Fresco Deck-with La Mesa Kusina and it served Beer on Tap during the grand opening.

Since the restaurant’s soft opening when it moved from Chalan Kanoa to Garapan last January, Albert said that they have some updates and developments.

"Aside from finishing the Al Fresco Deck, we will be launching our lunch specials and our ‘Daily Fiestas’ which include Tacos Tuesday, Churros Chursdays, Filipino Heritage Night, and Ladies Night."

Albert and Saludez shared their gratitude to all their customers who have shown support since the restaurant’s inception in Chalan Kanoa a couple of years ago.

La Mesa Kusina, located beside R&J Wines and across T Bar along Beach Road, is open from Mondays to Saturdays, 11am-3pm and 5pm-10pm. For reservations or for more information, call (670) 234-6372. They’re also on Facebook and Instagram.


Plumeria Steakhouse
Plumeria Steakhouse recently launched its fusion $14.95 lunch buffet, which offers Old World cuisine like lasagna, New World dishes like fried chicken, and Asian staples like adobo and sweet and sour pork.

Steve Jang, restaurant owner, said diners can enjoy the eat-all-you-can buffet in the Garapan.

The longtime local businessman said their lunch menu changes every day and since it’s mahi season, don’t be surprised to see mahi sinigang, mahi teppanyaki, and other mahi specialties in their buffet spread.

“The mahi comes fresh from local fishermen who bring their catch to me. It’s a win-win situation for the local fishermen and small businesses like us,” he said.

Aside from the catch-of-day like mahi, Jang said diners can also be assured that the produce they use for the buffet are fresh from local farmers.

"We use only fresh ingredients and make our dishes from scratch," he said.

As well as delivering an eclectic taste pallet for diners, Jang said he also introduced the daily fusion lunch buffet to give office workers a chance to enjoy a sumptuous meal.

Plumeria Steakhouse’s fusion lunch buffet is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Friday. Aside from the eat-all-you-can treat, early-risers can also take advantage of their $6.95 breakfast available from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Plumeria Steakhouse is also open for special events like birthdays, graduations, christenings, etc.

Plumeria Steakhouse is located along Beach Road, where the 1959 Bonanza Airplane is located. Look for the one with the airplane landmark in Garapan. For more information or for reservations, call (670) 233-5454 or check out Plumeria Steakhouse on Facebook.


3DP Construction
Saipan-based construction company, 3DP Construction, recently announced that it is currently constructing a sample house using 3D printing technology, and plans to unveil it soon. Over the past year, the company has introduced 3D printing construction technology to Saipan, conducting extensive testing with 3D printing equipment, mortar equipment, and 3D printing materials. Their 3D printing equipment is distinct in that it incorporates rebar into the structures, complying with existing building codes.

Last year, 3DP Construction applied for and, a few months ago, received approval from the Department of Public Works for the design of their 3D printing Sample House Project. Building designs on Saipan must consider winds of up to 190 mph and significant seismic activity. These conditions require the installation of both vertical and horizontal rebar within the building walls, a requirement that 3DP Construction’s technology satisfies.

Despite the challenges posed by Saipan’s intense sunlight, which complicates 3D printing operations, 3DP Construction has successfully reduced construction costs by maximizing the use of local materials. This approach significantly cuts down on the high logistics costs and long procurement times associated with importing expensive building materials to island regions like Saipan.

In their pursuit of implementing 3D printing technology, 3DP Construction has been consulting with Sunghyun Yoon, the head of the Construction 3D Printer Cooperative in South Korea. Yoon’s expertise in adapting the technology to Saipan’s climate and local materials has been instrumental in the local development of their technology.

The company is currently inviting potential collaborators such as property owners, developers, military personnel, and government agencies to get in touch regarding the project. Interested parties can contact 3DP Construction at (670) 783-3803 or via email at yse.ent.2017@gmail.com. 3DP Construction aims to contribute to the development of Guam and Saipan through collaborations with military and government agencies.  mbj