Food Trip Flashback | Tokyo Tokyo

There was a moment when Tokyo Tokyo at SM Fairview was closed for renovations. My sister and I happened to be at the mall when it re-opened, and because it was near lunch time already, we decided to eat there.

There was a very big change - for one, the counter was directly across the entrance of the restaurant and the dining area became spacious with ample amount of lighting.


Chicken Karaage
As usual, my sister went with her favorite Tokyo Tokyo meal - the Chicken Karaage. The place may have changed, but the food remained the same... it was still as delicious as we once tasted it.


Chicken Oyakudon Donburi
My favorite Tokyo Tokyo meal is the Beef Misono, but because Tokyo Tokyo just released new dishes, I decided to try it out. Japanese food is something I am teaching myself to appreciate and love, and this didn't fail me. Serving was more than enough to fill the tummy, the sauce was just right, and it gave me a new reason to come back at Tokyo Tokyo.

I am liking Tokyo Tokyo more and more. They provide good Japanese food at affordable prices, and whenever cravings for Japanese food arise, we know eating there would satisfy that.

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Lunch Meal Sets at Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant

Slowly, I am learning how to fully appreciate Japanese cuisine. I still can't convince myself to eat raw seafood, but Japanese food is not only about Sashimi, so there are still plenty of choices. A few days ago, I got to try food at another Japanese Restaurant with my brother and fellow blogger pals.


Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant is very popular in Japan, having over 700 branches all over the country. Here in the Philippines, there are two branches - one in SM Mall of Asia and the one along Hotel Drive in Glorietta 2, where we had our lunch. Another branch will open soon at SM Aura (Bonifacio Global City).



I love, love, love how it looks inside! The lighting is slightly muted, but enough for diners to still photograph their food without much complaints. Most of the tables are good for four, but the restaurant also has two-top tables for couples and some long tables for bigger groups.

Watami serves a wide array of Japanese dishes, but we came here to try their Set Lunch menu. There are 12 sets to choose from, and here's some of what we had -


Beef Sukiyaki Rice in Stone Pot Set
Toni's meal.


Tuna Sashimi Rice Set
Lianne's meal, the salad, udon and miso soup were served a little later.


Salmon Sashimi Rice Set
My brother's meal. This comes with salad, udon, and miso soup, which I wasn't able to photograph because my brother already started his meal when the rest of the set were served. Brother liked the salmon sashimi, he said it tasted fresh and it had the natural sweetness he's looking for in a salmon sashimi.


Roasted Mackerel Set with Rice
Jonel's meal.


Black Pepper Beef with Rice in Stone Pot Set
Alex's meal.


Tempura Rice Set
Stacy's meal.


Deep Fried Pork Cutlet Set
My meal. Well, since there are 12 set meals and I hoped to photograph as much as I could, I decided to order something different. I was thinking whether to go with this or the Chicken Cutlet with Scrambled Egg Sauce, but I went for the pork instead. The pork cutlet was thick, giving me the satisfaction that I got my money's worth, but it tasted like typical pork tonkatsu. Though it wasn't very exceptional, I did love the sauce and the coleslaw. The coleslaw had this tangy creamy dressing that went well with the pork cutlets, and the miso soup was one of the best I have tasted.


All of the 12 Sets comes with side salad and miso soup, some comes with a choice of hot or cold udon. These set lunches are definitely much cheaper compared to ordering it one by one, and because it's already complete and enough to make one full, I truly recommend it.

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Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant
G/F Glorietta 2, Hotel Dr Ayala Center, Makati
+63 (02) 808-0475

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ABC Wednesdays - M & N

I wasn't able to post something for ABC Wednesdays last week, so allow me to catch up this week, posting my entries for M and N.




I first learned about Mochiko through a Vlog posted by Karylle. I got interested about it, and when my sister and I attended a food event, we finally got to taste it and fell in love with it. Mochi is a Japanese confection made from glutinous rice flour and is filled with red bean paste. Mochicko's Mochi however infuses this confection with ice cream and other ingredients, creating a very wonderful harmony of flavors.

These mochi are quite expensive, but worth every penny. My sister and I loves whatever flavor we go for, but her favorite is black sesame, and oreo & milk, while I love the choco-nut flavor, because it is very Filipino, and is only available in June - the Philippine Independence month.

It is frozen as you buy it, so it is recommended to thaw it for a few minutes before biting into it. Although, don't thaw it for long because you might not appreciate melted ice cream oozing out of the rice dough.



Nigiri Sushi or the Hand-formed Sushi is the type of sushi with oblong sized mound of rice topped with seafood, usually with fish and wasabi. I am just starting to learn how to eat Japanese food, but I still don't go for raw meat, so this one is still something I haven't tasted. :)

This plate of Nigiri Sushi was served to us during a food-tasting event at Minori-Tei.

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How to Cook Kobe Beef Recipes the Traditional Japanese Way?

Kobe beef comes from the Japanese Wagyu cattle that are very famous for its tenderness and appetizing flavor. Because this is a famous Japanese creation, there is no better way of cooking it than how the Japanese would. Here are some Kobe beef recipes that can be made out of this famous meat. If you try one of these recipes for Kobe beef, you will definitely like the tastes of it and find a flavor that is different from the previously ordered Kobe steaks or New York strip steak online.

Wagyu shabu-shabu

Here are the ingredients:

One pound of Kobe beef tenderloin or sirloin cut into paper-like slicesOne pound of tofu cut into desired sizesOne-half pound of shirataki noodlesOne pound of Chinese cabbageOne-half pound of watercressMushrooms to prepare: one-half pound of regular mushrooms, one-half pound of enokitake mushrooms and six to eight shitake mushroomsBite-sized cuts of kombu or seaweedLemon juice (one part)Soy sauce (two parts)

Here are the simple steps in cooking Wagy shabu-shabu:

Place all ingredients in one large platter, except for the lemon juice and soy sauce.Put the kombu slices in cold water; then heat it by placing them on top of a fired stove. Remove it once the water comes to a boil.Keep the water on a gentle boil.Cook the vegetables in the boiling water first as Kobe beef are cut into thin slices and will be cooked fast.Put the soy sauce and lemon juice in a saucer as dip.

Kobe Teppanyaki

The ingredients for this delectable recipe are as follows:

One pound of cubed sirloin or tenderloin Kobe beef12-18 pieces of fresh shrimp12 shitake mushroomsTwo large carrotsTwo large green peppersOne Chinese cabbageOne onionYakiniku sauce

Here are the instructions on how to cook Kobe Teppanyaki:

All ingredients must be cut into bite-sized portionsHeat a frying pan and oil it, and fry all the items in it. Be careful to place all similar food items together.Once cooked, dip fried items in the Yakiniku sauce for a sumptuous meal.

Kobe Beef Sukiyaki

These are the needed ingredients for this recipe:

One pound of cubed sirloin or tenderloin Kobe beefFive-ounce can of drained bamboo shootsOne-half pound of shitake mushrooms, cut in thin slicesBeshel green onions, evenly cutThree celery stalks, sliced diagonallyThree cups of fresh spinachTwo tablespoons of salad oil

Here are the ingredients for the sauce:

One-half cup of beef brothTwo tablespoons of sakeTwo tablespoons of sugarOne-third cup of soy sauce

Follow these steps when cooking:

Heat an oiled skillet and cook the meat from side to side while mixing it with the sauce.Put the vegetables, except for spinach, in different parts of the skillet and cover.Simmer for 10 minutes; then add the spinach.Simmer for another five minutes and it is ready to serve.Here are some Kobe beef recipes that can be made out of this famous meat. If you try one of these recipes for Kobe beef, you will definitely like the tastes of it and find a flavor that is different from the previously ordered Kobe steaks or New York strip steak online .

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Sumo Sam Opens in SM Manila to Satisfy Your Japanese Cravings

For me, it was never "love at first taste" with Japanese food, but even then I love eating Ebi Tempura. Now, I am happy to say that I am eating more Japanese food, and is slowly embracing the unique taste of Japanese cuisine. Here in our house, it is brother and sister who's very much into Japanese food, and I am very thankful that brother shared these images to me from the day Sumo Sam opened its doors in SM Manila.


Co-owned by celebrity / chef / restaurateur Marvin Agustin (other owners are Ricky Laudico and Raymund Magdaluyo), this is the 26th Sumo Sam branch. Now that's a great indication that people love what they have to offer!


The interiors look very Japanese, and could comfortably sit couples and groups.

Sumo Sam offers a wide array of selection and here are just some of the many you could try:


Salmon Sashimi
{This is something I have yet to try - I am still letting myself learn how to eat raw food other than fruits and vegetables.}


Ebi Tempura
{My ultimate favorite Japanese food!}


Dynamite Roll
{I am quite used to the rolls as is... seeing this one with toppings just made me crave for it.}


California Roll
{Possibly the very first sushi roll I have come to love}


Las Vegas Roll
{Are those grated cheese on top? Interesting.}


Sumo Sam Pride Salad
{Prawns... I so want you! :P}


Bacon Dory
{I wonder if this is the same as the Bacon Wrapped Dory we had at John and Yoko years ago}


Chicken Teriyaki
{Looks delish!}


Japanese Rice
{This I want to eat with Ebi Tempura!}


Beef Teppan
{I love that it has a lot of vegetable sidings}


Spicy Tuna Salad
{It wasn't photographed beautifully, but as my brother says it, don't be deceived at how it looks, for this was his favorite dish that day.}


Ice Pops
{It's summertime already, and this seems to be a good dessert. I wanna taste either the Black Sesame or the Green Tea}

Sumo Sam in SM Manila is located on the 4th level, near the cinema area... so if you're within the area and you're craving for some Japanese... or if you'd like to try and compare Sumo Sam's dishes to other Japanese restaurants, you are most welcome to try their food. The friendly and accommodating staff are very much happy to serve you.

 

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