Crazy Katsu's Unique Touch

I've noticed that katsu is gaining more and more popularity in the foodie world. As an fyi, katsu refers a style of cooking wherein the meat is breaded and deep-fried. There are many types of dishes with 'katsu' in its name so I know it's a familiar term for most.

Crazy Katsu is a Japanese restaurant specializing in its namesake. We were able to visit the branch in Aguirre Street, BF Homes, Paranaque (they also have branches in Quezon City, Marikina, and Taft Avenue). While their menu is not as extensive as, let's say, Yabu: House of Katsu, they sure are on the same level and with their own touch of uniqueness. While these two restaurants are focused on katsu, it's honestly very difficult to compare it with the two seeing as the presentation is much different.

The photo above is the chicken katsu (P145). It comes on a bed of shredded cabbage and a sauce which is spicy and sour. You have the choice to have it served even spicier, wherein the cook will put additional sili. This dish was an instant fave. The meat was tender and the breading was crunchy... and the sauce was fantastic! I couldn't help but dip the meat again and again in the sauce in an attempt to get as much of its flavor.

We also ordered the pork gyoza (P140). We didn't find anything special with it and it was pretty much an average dish. My friend actually said that he thought the flavor was quite lacking. However, I thought it was a nice way to complement to main dishes.

Finally, we decided to try out their coffee pudding (P80). Their pudding comes in two flavors: caramel and coffee. Since I can't help but be a sweet tooth, I ordered a serving even if I was already very full. The taste wasn't too sweet, which I prefer. Basically, it was pretty much a coffee version of the Filipino dessert leche flan.

As I mentioned, the branch that we went to was the one in BF Homes, Paranaque. It was small and cozy and, by my estimate, could probably fit around thirty people. We arrived at around 7 PM on a weekday and there was not a lot of people, adding a peaceful ambiance. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how full the place gets during the weekend. As for the wait staff, they were nice and accommodating.

Verdict

Loved the chicken katsu. The place has a nice ambiance and the staff is accommodating. The prices are really affordable as well! The menu, however, is not very extensive -- it would be nice to see even more versions of katsu.

Taste - 5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5

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Yakimix ATC!

Yakimix has opened up a branch in Alabang Town Center! They have only been operating for about two months or so and there still appears to be some things that need improvement, but I'm happy that we have it here now. Some time ago I posted about Greenbelt Makati's Yakimix, and I'm glad to say that we more or less went home with the same kind of satisfaction.

We arrived in ATC after work, which was at around 9PM. We went to check if they were still accepting diners, and we found out that their last call is at 9:30PM. Basically, we horded what we thought we could eat before their last call!

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New Obsession: Hapadog

Hapadog: Original Japanese-Style Hotdogs is a fairly new restaurant in Alabang Town Center. According to their website, they also have a branch in Legaspi Village, Makati. The branch in Alabang Town Center is cozy, able to fit maybe about 15 people. What I like about Hapadog the best is that it's a new kind of dining experience, in the sense that I'm not familiar with many places that offer hotdogs that have such a twist to it.

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Kimpura - watching as your food is cooked

Kimpura is a Japanese restaurant located in Greenbelt 5, Makati, right next to Peking Garden. It also has branches in Greenhills and Trinoma. When eating here, you have the option of dining around a grill while a chef cooks your food in front of you. It's more commonly known as Teppanyaki. The first time we dined here, that one episode in How I Met Your Mother entered my mind -- the one where Barney ridicules Teppanyaki restaurants.

It's quite interesting to dine in Kimpura because of the fact that you can watch while your food is being cooked. You don't get impatient while waiting because it's entertaining to watch the chef!

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A Bunch of Photos from Omakase

As I mentioned in a previous post, Omakase will always be one of my favorite Japanese restaurants. I can never get enough of their makimono/sushi. This post is a collection of photos from multiple visits to Omakase. As can be seen from this post... I really am very much obsessed with sushi.

First up is the SAR platter. This is a platter of (clockwise, starting from the one on the bottom left) Salmon Skin, American dream,  and Rock n' Roll maki. We didn't enjoy the salmon skin roll, though the other two were pretty good.

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The Well-Known Yakimix

If you're a foodie residing in Manila, then chances are that you've heard of Yakimix. Yakimix is an eat-all-you-can smokeless grill restaurant with various branches all over the metro. Eating here costs P499 per head on weekends, and P580 per head on weekends. The lines are usually LONG, so be sure to arrive early or to call for reservations ahead of time.

As usual, the first thing I do was attack their sushi table. There's always a lot of rolls to choose from in Yakimix. It takes a lot of willpower to not stuff myself on the rolls, since then there wouldn't be enough room for the grilled food (which, really, is why we go to Yakimix).

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Authentic Japanese Ramen at Ramen X

Ramen X is a name I've heard a couple of times in the past. Never really had a chance to try it out until they opened a branch in Alabang Town Center. Speaking of Town Center, they opened a new wing, and there's a ton of fabulous new restaurants to choose from... if you haven't checked it out, you must!

Anyway. Ramen X's store layout is nice. They have cute pictures hanging on the walls, and the place itself is really clean. My only complaint is that when we went there, a few of tables were cramped together. Please note though that in the long run, it doesn't really ruin the dining experience!

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Nomi Burgers + Shakes

Nomi Burgers + Shakes is back in Taft! I know I rejoiced when I found out that they reopened a store on Agno/Castro Street, next to De La Salle University. They used to be called 'Nomimono', and I'm sure most patrons still call them that. I'm not even sure if they have officially changed their name, and I just realized the change when I looked at the receipt.

To celebrate their comeback, I ordered my favorite. One Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Burger Set B for P150. The sauce of this burger is delicious, and as you can see, they don't hold back on the serving. It's quite messy to eat, but nobody should really mind. 

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Hatsu Hana-Tei at Herald Suites

Greetings! These are shots taken from Hatsu Hana-Tei at Herald Suites, located on Don Chino Roces in Makati. This restaurant is a family favorite. They have a wide ride of authentic Japanese food to choose from, the place has a traditional Japanese feel to it, and the service is good.

These shots were taken from one of our many visits, and I unfortunately was not able to jot down the names and prices of these orders. So, I will leave you with a post of simply pictures, and I hope you enjoy them. ;)

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Kenji Tei Ramen House at GB5

Kenji Tei Ramen House, found in Greenbelt 5 and B.F. Homes, specializes in Ramen (...just as the name should imply). If I'm correct, they started off in B.F. Homes. My companion was the one who chose this place when we went to Greenbelt 5, and I think it was a good choice.

Kenji Tei, GB5

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Chicken Karaage at Tori Box

Tori Box is a newly opened restaurant one the 2nd floor of One Archer's Place (located next to De La Salle University, Manila). They sell Karaage pops seasoned with different flavors. The menu is still limited, but if I'm correct, they're still on their soft opening and their menu will be expanded soon. Doesn't really matter though, because I was pretty much satisfied ordering just the Karaage pops.

Tori Box

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Okiniiri, Japanese Restaurant and Izakaya

Marcus and I were driving along Aguirre in BF Homes looking for a place to eat when we spotted Okiniiri. Since we wanted an affordable place, Marcus made me go down the car and check the prices first. :P Honestly, the place looked quite expensive... but to my surprise, the prices were affordable! I guess looks can really be deceiving, huh? It was a good thing he made me check first rather than just driving past by.

On-the-house Appetizers

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Omakase, My All-time Favorite

A must-try restaurant. :)

Hey, guys! First of all, I want to wish all of you a belated Merry Christmas! Curiously, what did you guys have for your Noche Buena? :) Also, aside from Season's Greeting, I want to remind you all that our giveaway is still ongoing! It would be great if you guys could join and spread the word, because we don't want any freebies going to waste! Now... on to the post!

I am an avid fan of Japanese cuisine... simply put, it's my favorite cuisine. I'm lucky that my boyfriend has the same tastes as me (and aside from that, loves food just as much as me!). I admit that I'm also kind of difficult when it comes to eating out because I prefer not going to the same place more than once, unless it's one of my favorites. Aaand, lo and behold, one of my "favorites" is Omakase. When my boyfriend suggests this place, my answer is immediate agreement. You'll have no trouble getting me to eat here days in a row.

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Had Fun Mixing Sauce at Yabu: House of Katsu

Before...

...and After!

If you're an avid follower of the food blogosphere, then surely you've heard of Yabu: House of Katsu. Located on the second floor of the Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Yabu is a newly opened restaurant (currently in the soft opening phase) which boasts a menu filled with Katsu dishes. Tonkatsu, Katsudon, Katsu Curry, you name it. What exactly drove me to go all the way to SM is the fact that mix your own Tonkatsu sauce in a unique way I haven't seen before: Grind sesame seeds, pour in Tonkatsu sauce, mix it, and voila! As you can see from the pictures though I didn't grind the seeds too much because they kept flying all over the place (though the other didn't seem to have the same problem as me).

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Trip to Little Tokyo, Makati!

The Arc and Bridge

Little Tokyo is one of my favorite places. Stepping inside this place makes you feel like you're actually in Japan (or, maybe not, because I've never been to Japan); aside from the general setting, because of the reason that most of the customers are from the country of Japan, a person somehow feels he's teleported to the country.

Anyway, the restaurants here are all authentically Japanese. You have a wide array of choices, which means that you can find the perfect restaurant that your wallet can accommodate. Little Tokyo can be found in 2277 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati. The entrance's landmark is an arc with the words "Little Tokyo" on it. This arc leads to an empty alley, which leads to a whole different world. Since a number of people ask me where to find this obscure place, I've placed a map at the end of this entry.

For Christmas?

Right now, the place seems to be decorated for Christmas... or maybe they just decided to make the place brighter, I honestly don't know. The arc itself has bright lights and beautiful lanterns hanging from it, and the alley is decorated with a row of lanterns!

Look at the pretty lanterns!

 My friend's favorite restaurant in Little Tokyo is Oishinbo, which upon entering is the restaurant on the furthest side. It's a simple and homey place, just like most of the other restaurants. It's also affordable, which is why that's where we decided to eat dinner in.

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Tokyo Cafe: A Fusion of Western and Japanese

Teriyaki Chicken Salad - P178

Tokyo Cafe isn't a traditional Japanese restaurant, in the sense that their menu showcases a fusion of Western and Japanese cuisine. Their menu offers a wide array of choices, from salads to parfaits. At first glance, it seems their menu is one that a Western restaurant would give you -- Shrimp Bisque, Caesar Salad, Pasta, etc. However, looking more closely, their dishes also have a touch of Japan -- Teriyaki Chicken Salad, Japanese Carbonara, and much more. Tokyo Cafe has several branches (the one we went to was the one in Venice Piazza).

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