If you want to try
some Japanese food and really feel like you are in Japan, you can easily find one
here in the metro.
My cosplay friends (Rhose
Anne and Ghecel) decided to have our dinner in Pasong Tamo (Chino Roces Ave.),
Makati City just how many step away from Makati Cinema Square, a Japanese
cuisine dinner in Little Tokyo, a garden restaurant.
How
to get to Little Tokyo?
From
Edsa Makati
v Take
a bus ride going to LRT Taft or a jeepney going to Washington and go down near
Export Bank (Landmarks: McDo, Caltex Gasoline Station, Export Bank Tower,
Burgandy Bldg.) (Transpo Fee BUS: Php 12.00 || Jeepney:
Php 7.50)
v Along
Chino Roces Ave., take a jeepney going to Mantrade. (Transpo Fee: Php 7.50)
v Go
down at Makati Cinema Square and look for the Little Tokyo arc, these are
Japanese arch or gate which are traditional called torii.
From
LRT Taft
v Take
a bus ride going to LRT AYALA or a jeepney going to GUADALUPE/AYALA signage and
go down near Export Bank (Landmarks: McDo, Caltex Gasoline Station, Export Bank
Tower, Burgandy Bldg.) (Transpo Fee BUS: Php 12.00 || Jeepney:
Php 7.50)
v Along
Chino Roces Ave., take a jeepney going to Mantrade. (Transpo Fee: Php 7.50)
v Go
down at Makati Cinema Square and look for the Little Tokyo arc, these are
Japanese arch or gate which are traditional called torii.
From
Mantrade MRT Station
v Take
a jeepney going PRC/Pasong Tamo signage. (Transpo
Fee: Php 7.50)
v Go
down at Makati Cinema Square and look for the Little Tokyo arc, these are
Japanese arch or gate which are traditional called tori.
What
to Expect?
Food:
Because
this is a group of Japanese restaurants, you will get nothing more than mostly
authentic tasting Japanese cuisine.
Food
Quality: 9
Food
Worth: 8
Food
Serving: 10
I scored those 9, 8,
and 10 because the food is really great and the prices are right for the taste,
quality, and quantity. Serving is really perfect because we left the place
satisfied and full.
Note: 10 is the
highest rating on this. J
People:
Most
of the customers in the area are Japanese but most of the servers, restaurant
people, and some other customers are locals or Pinoys. You will see some
foreigners as well like, Koreans, Americans, French, and the likes. Just like
anybody who likes or loves Japanese cuisine.
Place:
If
you are watching Rurouni Kenshin or you watched Rurouni Kenshin 2nd
movie, you will get that feeling as you go inside the Garden Restaurant. Got the
feel of entering an alley to a dojo. Isn’t it cool!
Language:
Just
like the people who commonly visits the place, Japanese will be heard and so as
Filipino and English and other languages.
What
did we have?
Hana
Takoyaki
– as one of the most common snack in Japan (kinda like meatballs but not beef
or pork). Takoyaki in Hana are cheap and heavy-yummy. For the record it has
real octupos.
Serving:
1-2 person (6 pcs.)
Price:
Php 140.00 – 160.00 (or more, I forgot
where the receipt is and I have not taken a picture of it)
Kagura
Kagura is a restaurant that serves okonomi-yaki with Japanese tables setting and a baseball fan owner.
They are open from Tuesday - Sunday from 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM. Take note of the last order time to prevent from being hassled.
Okonomi-yaki
– we had their okonomi special with beek, pork, and squid in it. It was so
delicious.
Serving:
good for 2-4 persons if you’re not voracious (peace! J)
Price:
Php
370.00
Omusoba
– had a plate of fried noodles. It’s a soba with oyster sauce it think if my
taste bud is not mistaken.
Serving:
good for 2-3 persons if you’re going to have some okonomiyaki too and takoyaki
but if you are only having soba then this is good for 1.
Price:
Php
260.00
Ebi Tempura
– which is a must try as well. It is deep-friend battered shrimp
Serving:
good for 1-2 persons (4-5 pcs.)
Price:
Php
410.00
Reishu
–
Japanese saki (rice wine) which was served chilled. I think it’s better than soju and it taste more of lambanog but lighter.
Serving:
9 shots glasses
Price:
Php
450.00/bottle
There are only 3 of
us so we enjoyed our meals and drink. We still have about 2 orders of takoyaki’s
left and we have Rhose take it home for her family.
