MANILA – Filipinos are spoiled for choice when it comes to Japanese food, as seen in the many restaurants serving anything from sushi, tempura and ramen to cheese tarts and crepe cakes.
Several restaurants from Japan have also set up shop in Manila. The latest to do this is Yayoi, which recently opened a branch at Building B of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
Unlike the other Japanese franchises which specialize in a certain dish, Yayoi offers different kinds of teishoku or set meal which comes with steamed rice, miso soup and vegetables.
Diners have plenty of options here, with Yayoi’s main dishes sorted into categories – katsu, seafood and hot pot, to name a few. Food and drinks are ordered by making a few taps on the iPads on each table, a nod to Japanese efficiency.
No need to worry, the iPad menu comes in both English and Japanese versions. A physical menu is also available for less “techie” customers.
The food here arrives fast, hot and delicious. Order the bestselling Hitsumabushi (P650), or Nagoya-style grilled eel on rice with a side of dashi broth.
Eat like the Japanese and divide the dish into four portions, putting each on a separate bowl as the meal progresses. Enjoy the first portion as is, add condiments to the second, pour the broth on the third batch, and have it your way on the last serving.
To those who want to have a little bit of everything, get the Mix Toji Teishoku (P425), which includes pork cutlet, fried shrimp and strips of sukiyaki beef simmered in a mix of egg and Yayoi’s special sauce.
Another bestseller is the Namban Teishoku (P395), which has fried chicken steak with tartar sauce.
Some franchises have tweaked their offerings to suit the Filipino palate, but not Yayoi, which takes pride in keeping authentic Japanese flavors intact. Yayoi claims to provide the same taste and quality of food in its chain of over 300 outlets in Japan, the United States, Australia and other parts of Asia.
YAYOI
3/F Building B, SM Megamall
Mandaluyong City
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
