Takumi-Senri Yakiniku ~Authentic Japanese in Malate

Last month, we ate at Takumi.  As we entered, we noticed that most customers here are Japanese.  The ambiance is good.  They have a dining area, sushi bar, drinks station and private rooms.  You could also view their kitchen through its glass window.

Hmm.. Why are their chopsticks named after another resto?

Looking at their menu, it was really difficult to decide on what to order.  (see partial menu below) Most of my family ordered noodles while I ordered Gyudon because I was craving for it.  Gyudon is one of my favorite Japanese dishes!  Their orders were Miso Ramen, Syouyu Udon, Kitsune Udon, Tempura Udon and Wakame Udon.  

Tempura Udon

 Wakame Udon

Kitsune Udon

Syouyu Udon

Miso Ramen

All their noodles were delicious!  Each have their different broth taste.  The Miso Ramen was huge and difficult to finish.  The best noodles for the night was Wakame Udon.  It's a must-try!  It was light, flavorful and refreshing.  

Gyudon 

 Their Gyudon was very chunky.  It was the first time I ate Gyudon with beef cubes instead of strips.  It was a heavy meal.  Look at all those meat and tendons.  The taste was good but certainly not the best.  The meal also comes with free soup.


Overall, the meal was good.  You get to taste authentic Japanese flavors.  Meal servings are big so price is just right.  The ambiance is quiet and customers are Japanese so you get to feel their culture.   If you want to try it out, I recommend the Wakame Udon!  Simply the one of the best I've tried!  Hope you share you're dining experience here too!

Takumi-Senri Yakiniku
1766 M. Adriatico St., 
Malate, Manila

Ensogo's Flashback Deal P295 for Dinner Eat-All-You Can at Matsuri (valued at P595)

Just weeks ago, I wrote about our dining experience at Matsuri.  (see separate entry)  We were among the last to purchase since that deal was quickly out of stock.  If you are one of those who missed the chance, this is a good news because it is back!  Note though it is on limited amount again so don't let the long duration fool you.  Click the link below if you want to grab the deal.  Share your experience with us too.=)


Flashback Deal: Only P295 for Dinner Eat-All-You Can Japanese Cuisine at the oriental Matsuri (valued at P595) 

  

In Detail:

• Promo valid for Dinner “Order All You Can, Eat All You Can” (Choice of over 60 Japanese Dishes)
• Excluding Drinks
• No Leftover. For Leftover Add P250
• Not valid for Ala Carte Menu
• Same price for children
• Dinner Hours: 6 pm to 10 pm
• Voucher is valid for 3 months, from June 4, 2011 to September 4, 2011.
• Purchase limited to 5 vouchers per person. May give vouchers as gifts.
• Vouchers may be combined for group use.
• Price is Net (includes service charge and VAT).
• No cash back or credit for any unused amount.
• Voucher cannot be used in conjunction with Senior citizen card, other discount cards or promotion.
• Orders in excess of the promo shall be paid directly to the restaurant.
• Not valid for use on June 17-20, special occasions and holidays.
• Please reserve at least one day ahead.
• Reservation: (02) 3766351
• Ensogo processes over the counter bank payments on a first come first serve basis based on when we receive your deposit slip

Highlights:

• It is now Eat All You Can at Matsuri!
• The expert in Japanese specialties.
• The mastery of Japanese cuisine.
• A vast selection of Japanese favorites like – tempura, kamameshi rice, sukiyaki, matsuri steak, tempura, tuna sashimi, salmon sashimi and more!
• Sensational sushi bar line up of salmon, maguro, tuna, kani, uni, tamago and a variety of makimono.
• Zen-inspired and stylishly spare interiors, natural-tones and floor-to-ceiling windows give the impression of a starkly modern restaurant.
• Gives the public a fresh and healthy dining option with flavors that are spot-on Japanese.


Update: Sold out already


Matsuri
233 Tomas Morato cor. E. Lopez Jr., Quezon City    
(02) 376-6351    

Restaurant Review: Bento & Snack in Adriatico Malate

My mom has been craving for Bibimbap for days and kept asking my younger sister to cook her some. But my sister said she'll just treat my mom out instead so we searched for a nearby Korean Restaurant.  We thought about going to Haru in Malate and found out it was closed so we ended up trying Bento & Snack instead.  

      It was a small restaurant with a take out counter beside it.  At first, we thought it was a Japanese restaurant but we observed that the pictures posted at the shops wall were  composed of both Korean and Japanese Cuisine.  Out front, we saw its delivery bike which looks similar to the ones we've seen in Korean Dramas.  

The staffs were very friendly.  All of them accomodated us as soon as we entered.  The place was small having a seat capacity of 20 at most but it was neat and decent.  We were handed out the menu which was identical to the menu hanged at the wall of their counter and we started to order.

Bibimbap

Bibimbap after mixing

Ganma Jorim, Bean Sprout and Kimchi  

Stock Soup

My mom and sisters ordered Bibimbap (Mixed Meal) (250 php).  Now, this was ordinarily only served for lunch but the staffs were so considerate that they allowed us to order.  Where their bibimbap came, we noticed that it was actually vegetable Bibimbap.  Sliced carrots, beansprouts, eggplants, lettuces, cucumbers,  and gosari (bracken fern stems) surrounded the fried egg on the center which covered the gochujang (chili pepper paste) underneath it.  A fun fact about Bibimbaps is that the ingredients are not mixed out of random.  Each of the vegetables included have their own nutritional benefits to provide a healthy dietary meal.  Eager to eat, they mixed it until the gochujang was spread over all the vegetables and rice.  Their version was very delicious.  The carrots, beansprouts and cucumbers were crunchy and fun to chew.  The gochujang was a little bit spicy but the rice and vegetables were able to neutralize it to an adequate amount.  They also served this with a complementary bowl of Stock Soup and three kinds of side dishes: Ganma Jorim (potato with soy sauce), Bean Sprout and Kimchi (fermented cabbage).  The soup was too salty so we couldn't drink it.
  

Kimchi Stew with Mackarel with side dishes

Kimchi Stew with Mackarel 

My brother ordered the Kimchi Stew with Mackarel (200 php).  It was serve in a bento tray with four side dishes: Ganma Jorim, Bean Sprout, Kimchi and Jeon (deep fried pancake-like dish with sliced vegetables).  The stew was dark red in color which explains it extreme spiciness despite him requesting for the milder version.  

Korean Ramen

 I ordered Korean Ramen (200 php).  It came in a big bowl.  As I saw the orange color, I knew it was spicy.  But I don't mind at all.  I enjoy spicy foods.  It had sliced of potato, bits of mushrooms, sliced onions and green leeks.  It was delicious.  It was flavorful and the texture of the potato goes well with the noodles.  The noodles were adequately cooked.  They did not have the dough-like taste as if undercooked nor were they soggy.  

Kimbap

Spicy Rice Cakes

For our center dish, we ordered Kimbap (similar to Sushi in Japanese Cuisine)  (100 php) and Spicy Rice Cakes (200 php).   The Kimbap was delicious.  It had yellow raddish, cucumber, egg and luncheon meat.  Though, you may have to try it out for yourself since I love this korean dish and may be biased towards it.  Their spicy rice cakes were mixed with fish cakes and topped with sesame seeds, sliced carrots, raddish, green leeks and cabbage.  The rice cakes rolled like sticks had a smooth, soft and chewy texture.  The fish cakes which were thinly sliced were a good complement to the rice cake in case you want to chew on something a bit lighter to chew.  

Overall, the food and the service was excellent.  The cost was average for Korean Cuisine.  The venue was decently clean and homely.  You can even watch TV or read Korean Books.  They are also good with take outs and deliveries.  They also have lunch menus and Filipino dishes.  It's definitely worth trying for.  Try it out and let me know what you think.  If your not fond of spicy foods, we suggest you ask first whether it is spicy or not because the spicy ones are really hot.
   

Bento & Snack 
Beside 168 Adriatico Malate
In Front of Star Bucks
(02) 567-5819/474-1856