The most memorable Japanese meal I have ever had in a local restaurant was in Furusato along Roxas Boulevard. My father brought my brother and I there for lunch a long time ago and, to this day, I still remember the incomparable sukiyaki. There would be other Furusato meals, and I would become a patron of Sugi, Kimpura, Kamameshi and even the old Suzukin Restaurant along Amorsolo Street in Makati, but nothing would be as nostalgic as my first Furusato meal.
It shouldn’t be surprising that my love for Japanese food would be imbibed by my daughters especially since their father is just as crazy about Japanese cuisine as I am. From the time the girls were toddlers, Zensho along Tomas Morato has been a special place for us. Curiously enough, during our first two or three visits to the restaurant, we were ushered to the same table so that, subsequently, the girls would automatically go to that table because it was “our table.”
This love affair with Japanese food would later induce my older daughter, Sam, to learn how to prepare sushi and maki at home. My younger daughter, Alex, on the other hand, would become the miso soup expert. And it was my husband, despite his never-ending obsession with red meat, who would introduce us to the wonders of home-made kani salad.
Yet, the ability to prepare Japanese food at home has not prevented us from trying more and newer Japanese restaurants in Metro Manila. Some turned out to be horribly disastrous experiences and a total waste of money but there have been gems too. We became Teriyaki Boy regulars because the food is good and the prices are reasonable. But our most recent favorite is Sumo Sam.
It was my daughter Sam who tried Sumo Sam first (no, despite my daughter’s name, no one in my family is in any way associated or affiliated with Sumo Sam). She has gone there with friends and, for months, she had been insisting that we eat there as a family. She would steer us there every time we were at the Shangri-La Plaza to see a movie but we could never get a table. The place was always packed, mostly with young people, and I became wary as I am naturally wary of “fashionable” restaurants where the hip crowd flocks because it is considered cool to be seen there and to be able to tell friends that they have dined there. Sumo Sam hasn’t been mentioned in months until last Sunday Saturday.
After her UPCAT, Alex announced she wanted a Japanese lunch. Since we were going to Shangri-La Plaza to see a movie and to hunt for a decent teapot, Sam suggested Sumo Sam and Alex picked up her suggestion. Fortunately this time, we were able to get a table immediately. I ordered miso ramen and fried gyoza, my husband chose katsudon and the girls ordered a variety of dishes, some with very unfamiliar names. The attendant said our orders would take 15 to 20 minutes and we prepared ourselves for the rather long wait by taking photos of each other and of just about every item on the table. We were pleasantly surprised when the food started to arrive much sooner.
The miso ramen with its wakame, bok choy, generous pork slices and halved hard-boiled egg was delicious. The gyoza was perfectly fried and the filling was wonderfully but subtly seasoned. My husband finished his katsudon, not a morsel of rice was left, so that should be sufficient testimonial as to how satisfactory it was.
Sam”?s Japanese carbonara (a huge serving so she split it with Alex) was fantastic. Instead of Italian pasta, it was ramen prepared a la carbonara with bacon and mushrooms, served with shrimp tempura and garnished with shredded dried seaweed. The Arigato rolls came rolled in black sesame seeds and topped with succulent paper-thin slices of beef. The Rainbow Rolls, so-called because the tops were of different colors and seafood varieties, were topped with generous slices of salmon, tuna, squid and Japanese omelet. There was another item that the girls ordered but couldn’t remember what it was called. And despite the feeling that we ordered too much, we finished everything. The meal was that good.
Expensive? A bit. The bill was a little over P2,000 so that would make an average of P500 per person. Still much lower than what one would ordinarily spend in a hotel restaurant but slightly higher than prices in joints like Teriyaki Boy. But considering the quality of the food, I’d say everything was worth its price.
Hi Connie! =)
I LOVE YOUR POSTS! =) Your blog inspires me to make healthier meals specially for my Dad, he is into no sodium diet and because of his condition, my family usually dine at Japanese restos, below are our favorites:
1. Kimpura, now only in Greenhills but we love their Glorietta branch more! =)I grew up with this restaurant! My Dad’s treat after our long exam since Prep School! Hahaha !!! =)
2. Miyabi in Pan Pacific Hotel, they offer authentic and unique dishes!
3. Nihonbashitei, I am not sure about the spelling! =) It is located right after Don Bosco along Pasay Road.
And our next stop, Seryna, across Makati Cinema Square, Rajo Laurel made a post on this restaurant and it seems quite a good place.
Light and Love, Connie! =)
Pan Pacific Hotel, that’s in Ermita? My daughter Sam goes to CSB so we might try that one soon. Thanks.
Yes, that’s the one! =) I am a graduate of CSB too, HRIM! =)
Omakase at the Intrepid Plaza Eastwood or at Il Terazzo in Morato is a favorite. Their Spicy Tuna Salad is highly recommended as are all their sushis and rice toppings.
Kimpura is opening soon at the Trinoma
Hi!I love sumo sam too. Connie, the head chef of Sumo Sam and John and Yoko in Greenbelt came from Furusato.
Wow, that’s really interesting! No wonder Sumo Sam’s menu is so great.
The little Japan area around Pasong Tamo and Pasay Road in Makati has among the best value-for-money and authentic Japanese restaurants in Metro Manila. My absolute favorite is Izakaya Kikofuji in front of Herald Suites. You should try the lunch set meal choices.. very budget friendly. Very popular among the Japanese ex-pats and Filipino businessmen and Makati Med doctors.
good restaurant, did you try the bacon wrapped dory with teriyaki sauce? … wonderful…
No. Next time…
oh and if I remember correctly, there’s a kani-mango salad, huge and wonderful…
Is this the one owned by Marvin Agustin?
Co-owned, reportedly.
thanks so much….ur blogs inspired us to continue to test more our product, train our staff and continue celebrating Japanese dining with ur family.
See u!
hello Ms. Connie,
I am an avid fan of your blog. I am one of regulars of kimonoken resto. I hope you will try their food..very delicious and affordable..i hope to hear your comment/opinion about their menu..thanks so much.
Hi, I just came back from a visit to Manila, and I was happy to note that the restaurant scene is alive and well, as it has always been.
I also noticed that some of the prices are more expensive there than in the US, especially when compared to the salaries of most people there. Still the places we went to were mostly full, so I guess eating out is one of those things you can’t take away from Filipino families even when the economy is not going well.
sumo sam and jonh and yoko (as mentioned in one of the comments above) is owned by Marvin Agustin! a little fyi.
if you’re fans of japanese food, you should try yuujin on wilson. the food is really great. try their crazy maki, tofu steak and teriyaki. i got to know yuujin just last year and i’ve stopped going to teriyaki boy since.