Tokyo Joe: A Fusion Made to Last

While everyone is going gaga over some franchised restaurant from other countries, here in Cubao, Quezon City, despite of its imported-sounding name, a new spot just opened and is now ready to offer fairly affordable and delicious Japanese favorites - Tokyo Joe.

Last October 11, I was invited to take part on the opening of this newest place in Cubao that you wouldn't believe started sharing its delectable meals in the Queen City of the South, Cebu. A brand that brought us Rai Rai Ken, Tokyo Joe is now here in Manila and ready to share its amazing selection of Japanese favorites starting with its California Maki, Kani Salad, Ramen, Gyoza and a whole lot more.

Mr. Joey Garcia, President and Owner of Tokyo Joe, welcomed and thanked everyone for coming to the opening of his latest project. He shared that having Tokyo Joe under the Rai Rai Ken umbrella would mean so much to their company as this one caters to every Pinoys craving for delicious and affordable Japanese dishes. 

Bounty Goodness from Bounty Fresh Top Torikatsu

If you are getting tired of having your same old chicken - or same old fried chicken to be specific - well, worry no more because with the new offerings from our favorite chicken brand, Asia's Best Bountry Fresh, your fried chicken dining experience will never be as dull and as "ordinary" as ever again. Offering something that is truly Asia and has that Japanese kick, Bounty Fresh is now selling Top Torikatsu of Japan. 

A popular Japanese breaded chicken cutlet dish, Top Torikatsu shares a unique fried chicken experience that young and adult can enjoy. And with its two great-tasting flavors that are set to delight everybody's taste bud, Top Torikatsu comes in Classic and Cheese & Chives flavors.

I had a wonderful time trying these new offerings from Bounty Fresh a few days ago, and as delighted as I was for there's this new twist to our ordinary fried chicken, my family, including my elder relatives and young and cute little nieces, enjoyed tasting and savoring these new fried chicken delights that are out in the market.

One Fine Luncheon at Watami, Glorietta

If there's one thing that I really love about Japanese culture and heritage, that is definitely the simplicity of everything. The meaning of the phrase "what you see is what you get" is embodied by this culture, and the fact that it is so evident on their cuisine, no wonder a lot of people all over the world adore this unique Asian culture. And last week, I had a wonderful taste of that lovely culture when I visited this newly opened Japanese restaurant in Glorietta called Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant.

Watami, which is said to be the number one casual restaurant in Japan, is finally here in Manila and is glad to introduce their new lunch set menu that will whet the appetite of office workers and diners alike who are looking to experience an authentic taste of Japan at the convenience of their hectic schedules.


Propped up with a homey, low-key lighting and booth-style seating, this was my spot for my lunch break last week as I enjoyed their whooping 50% off on these new lunch set menu. The lunch set menus start at Php275.00 (Php137.70 at 50% off), and are served with salad and miso soup. With options that cater to a wide array of gastronomes, from raw foodies to noodle nibblers to rice lovers, it was really a good choice!

Sumo Sam opens at SM Manila

Indeed, there are more and much more reasons to visit one of the best situated malls in town, because with the addition of Sumo Sam in SM City Manila, aside from the great finds, every Manileño can now indulge to the modernized Japanese offerings made by actor-turned-restaurateur Marvin Agustin.

Last week, together with some Manila-base bloggers, I was invited to dine at the newly opened Sumo Sam branch at the Level 4 of SM City Manila. And just like how I enjoyed dining on its other branches, Sumo Sam offers a wide array or delectable Japanese dishes perfect for anyone's budget!

Salmon Sashimi - Php228.00

From my all-time favorite Sumo Sam Green Thumb, Yoki-Kiri Starters, Rice N' Sun, Rikishi Grills, Frying Kick, Yokozuna Picks, Temaki Sashimi, and Sushi, Sumo Sam Mawashi, Grilled Seafood to dishes that are for sharing like on the list of Sumo Donburi, Sumo Sam SM Manila is finally here in the center of Manila City  to boost excited Manila foodies with delight that they'll keep coming back.

Tokyo Grill SM Manila: Sumo Sam Made More Affordable!

Have you been to Sumo Sam before? Have you tried their delicious Japanese offerings that have this distinct flavor that you'd know that its from Sumo Sam? Well, here in Manila City, specifically SM Manila, Sumo Sam just gave birth to its first baby, and they call it Tokyo Grill.

A robust modern-style Japanese restaurant that offers nothing but our choice of delectable Japanese dishes, Tokyo Grill brings Sumo Sam closer to Manileños through the opening of its first store at the 4th Level of SM Manila.

My plate that day. ^_^

Turning Japanese-ah at Marriott Manila!

Do you love Japanese food? Those cute and the really tasty makis, those fresh and pinkish salmon and those rich in color and volume meals? Well, I do love them too, that's why when Marriott Manila announced that they are opening of their sizzling Teppanyaki Station, a Lafanggero must do what he must do - Lafang time!

Using the modern teppanyaki grills, which are propane-heated flat surface grills, Marriott Manila offers the typical selection that local and international guests can enjoy. There's the Gyuniko (diced beef tenderloin with vegetable in teppanyaki sauce); Tori (diced chickem with vegetable in teppanyaki sauce); Shake Teppanyaki (teppan salmon fillet with vegetable in special sauce); and Kaisen (mixed seafood with vegetable is sweet and spicy garlic sauce).

Marriott Café's Teppanyaki Station is the latest addition to the amazing buffet dinner offering of this five-star hotel. Priced at Php1750.00, their buffet includes this grilling that only serves the freshest and meaty choices of seafood, fish, beef, pork, and chicken. This star station of Marriott Cafe promises to give the tastiest and most satisfying grilled dinner that you've ever wanted.

Yabu at the Mega Food Sale

One tummy-filling happening this long weekend is the most anticipated installment of SM Megamall's ultimate food fair, the Mega Food Sale. And since last night was a Friday night, and Friday means dining out to me, I treated myself to a night of modern Japanese katsudon in no other than the House of Katsudon itself, Yabu!

Located at the 2nd level of SM Megamall Atrium, this new talk-of-the-town Japanese restaurant that specializes katsudon or rice bowl topped with pork cutlet, egg and condiments, has been the rave of Filipinos since it opened its doors a few months ago.

I was happy that they joined the fun of the Mega Food Sale and treated their new customers, as well their loyalists, to a dining experience that is sure to hit that katsudon craving.

To my surprise, by the time I got at their spot here at the Atrium, the place was already filled with excited customers who were eager to sink their fangs on to those meat. One in-demand pork meat that you can have here is their Kurobuta, which is a Japanese term for Berkshire Pork. They say that its has this very tender and juicy meat that it just perfect even if they deep-fried their katsudon.

Japanese Comfort Food at Raku Hokkaido Ramen House

With different Japanese food places available 24/7 all over the metropolis, finding one that gives you comforting experience, unique and close-to-authentic appeal is kinda hard. But do you know that here in Salcedo Village in Makati City, there's this one place that is making a noise - or should I say spreading that good Japanese aroma and flavor that embodies the soothing and relaxing effect of real Japanese dishes? It's name is Raku Hokkaido Ramen House, and this is where my palette led me when I craved for some different Japanese taste here in the bustling city of Makati.

Raku Hokkaido Ramen House has been there for years now, and for those who are not yet aware, their first branch is located at NAIA Terminal 3. 

When I dined in their newest place here in Makati, I was lucky enough to meet it's owners Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Sandee Marasigan. They are also the owners of XO46 Bstro Filipino, which is by the way located besides Raku Hokkaido Ramen House here in Salcedo Village, Makati City.

Anyhow, on my first visit to this place, I was treated to an afternoon of Gyoza and Ramen delight, which to my gladness tasted really different. Different in a good way, that is.

Ginzadon: A Fusion of Japanese-Korean Cuisine

Looking for nice place to hangout after some casino game or just to relax after a hard day at work? Maxims Hotel, the first and only six-star hotel in the country which will be fully functional by November, just opens a new door of gastronomic escapade that caters to the harmonious Japanese cuisine and to the flaring spicy Korean cuisine - Ginzadon.

I got a wonderful invitation to dine at this newly opened resto/bistro, and I’m so delighted to hear that they are indeed serving great Japanese and Korean dishes. Ginzadon's name is taken from "Ginza", an upscale district in Tokyo, Japan, while "don" is a Korean term for money.

I love Japanese food. I’m a big fan of this cuisine, so I’m really looking forward to this dinner. And because of the K-Pop invasion in the music scene and in our country, I’m starting to kinda love Korean cuisine – even their spicy Kim Chi!