donburi

4 reasons to enjoy a Japanese feast at Uma Uma, S Maison

Ah, Metro Manila in the summer!

With the rising temperatures and the ever-present traffic jams, what could possibly make this homebody venture out to Pasay City?

A delicious foodie adventure, of course!

The hassles of travel and traffic jams are worth it when gastronomic delights await you at your destination.

Such was my experience when Hubby and I braved the city’s streets – our first outing sans the little ones – to sample the delights of Uma Uma.

Formerly known as Wu Maru, this Japanese restaurant originated from Fukuoka as a ramen joint-izikaya back in 1953. In 1994, its owner changed its name to Uma Uma and brought its delicious offerings to Singapore, Bangkok and more, recently, the Philippines, being among the first establishments to open at the S Maison in Pasay.

If you’ve never heard of Uma Uma before, let me give you four reasons why you should get more acquainted with it.

1. Ramen eatery leads to a cocktail bar

Don’t be fooled by the fuss-free, open kitchen with a ramen bar and simple seating near the store’s opening; we just took a few more steps to the back and entered a luxurious yet cozy cocktail bar. Here. we ordered some drinks to relax and unwind with as we enjoyed the view of Manila Bay from its floor-to-ceiling windows.

It’s like being in two places at once: stay out front for quick eats or head on to the back for a more leisurely meal.

2.You can take comfort in hot umami-rich ramen

Sure, summer’s bringing in the heat but we definitely won’t say no to Uma Uma’s much lauded Hakata-style MSG-free ramen. Each bowl of goodness is assembled upon order using fresh ingredients, deliciously chewy noodles based on a family recipe and a flavorful pork bone broth that’s been boiled for at least ten hours.

Uma Uma Ramen (Php390). I opted for the classic combination of chasiu, spring onions, black fungus, tamago and just a bit of kick with some spicy miso that made for an umami-filled bowl.

Spicy Chasiu (Php390). Ever so adventurous, Hubby opted for a bowl of spice-marinated chasiu, spring onions, black fungus, leeks, tamago and quite a bit of spicy kick from chili oil.

3. You can mix up your Japanese feast with some delicious bites

Hubby and I were sure glad to see that our options are not limited to Uma Uma’s celebrated ramen bowls. We were able to indulge our craving for other Japanese food faves to complement our ramen bowls. (They can also be enjoyed on their own!)

4. It livens up the city’s food scene

Pasay City is known for its amazing nightlife and vibrant food scene. Uma Uma’s fresh and affordable options surely adds to the myriad of gastronomic possibilities in the area.

After this foodie adventure, I can confidently claim that Uma Uma has made the trek to Pasay worth it!

As you look for ways to make summer in the city more bearable, do check out the outstanding food possibilities that Uma Uma has to offer!

Uma Uma is located at Level 2, S Maison, Marina Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Barangay 76, Zone 10, CBP-IA, Pasay City, open daily for dine-in, take-out and delivery from 10am to 10pm.

For more details, visit its website or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: Menu items were served at no charge in exchange for honest feedback and to facilitate this feature story.

9 reasons why Hashi Donburi is a must-try restaurant for Japanese food lovers

If you’re a Japanese food lover and you’re looking for a new restaurant to try, you can hie yourself off to this hidden gem along Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City.

Here are nine reasons why you should dine at Hashi Donburi:

1. Japanese flavors made accessible

Hashi Donburi offers an extensive menu of Japanese dishes including rice bowls, sushi, sashimi, tempura, ramen, and more, all of which are prepared using traditional techniques and ingredients that the owner – ex-OFW Aldy Mancio – learned from Japanese mentor during his overseas stint setting up one of the first Japanese restaurants in the Middle East back in the 80s.

He parlayed his kitchen prowess into a thriving business back home when he opened a ramen and donburi shop in Dapitan, Manila, catering to the students in the area.

The restaurant’s name is a combination of two Japanese words. “Hashi” means chopsticks, which are a common utensil for eating Japanese food, while “donburi” refers to a bowl of rice topped with various ingredients.

Soon, another branch opened along Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City to cater to the professionals and families in the area. Despite going through a rough patch during the lockdowns brought about by the pandemic, Andy and his team kept Hashi Donburi open, ready to serve their loyal clientele and new foodie fans with the restaurant’s takes on Japanese food.

2. Cozy and inviting atmosphere

The restaurant has a cozy and inviting atmosphere, with wooden furniture, Japanese-inspired decor, and warm lighting that exudes a minimalist-industrial ambiance but also creates a comfortable and relaxing dining experience. It’s the perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner.

3. Friendly and attentive service

The staff at Hashi Donburi are friendly and attentive, making sure that every customer feels welcome and satisfied. They are always happy to answer any questions about the menu and offer recommendations based on your preferences. Plus, the restaurant recently migrated to a digital ordering system, allowing guests to scan a QR code browse through and order from an online menu and which also totals their bill.

4. Wide variety of rice bowls

Rice bowls, or donburi, are a staple in Japanese cuisine, and Hashi Donburi specializes in a wide variety of flavorful and satisfying rice bowls. Whether you prefer meat, seafood, or vegetables, there is a donburi for everyone on their menu.

5. Fresh handmade sushi

If you’re a fan of sushi you won’t be disappointed at Hashi Donburi. They use fresh and high-quality ingredients to create their beautifully plated handmade rolls.

Here are some tips for sushi lovers at Hashi Donburi: If you’re dining solo, treat yourself to an Onigiri, an Okinawan nori sandwich filled with katsu, Spam and tamago. On the other hand. if you’re dining with a group, go all-out on the sushi and order a Maki Boat which already features a delicious combo of mixed maki and sushi rolls great for sharing.

6. Comforting ramen bowls

Ramen is a popular Japanese dish that consists of noodles served in a savory broth with various toppings. At Hashi Donburi, the ramen bowls are made with care and attention to detail, resulting in a rich and flavorful bowl of comfort.

7. The classic faves

Pinoys have quite a special affinity for Tonkatsu and Ebi Tempura. After all, these are dishes that are easy to appreciate and enjoy, and they go so well with that Pinoy staple: steamed rice. Additionally, they are versatile dishes that can be served as a simple snack or as a more substantial meal, making them perfect for practically any occasion.

8. Refreshing drinks

Whether you’re up for something to help you cool down on a hot day, or want a drink to complement your meal, Hashi Donburi has the beverage you want, available by glass or by pitcher.

9. Your just desserts

For sweet-tooths, there’s no better way than to end a meal on a high note with something sweet. Hashi Donburi’s got them covered with its Tempura Ice Cream.

Japanese food lovers in the Quezon City area who are looking for a satisfying dining experience should definitely add Hashi Donburi to their list of must-visit restaurants. Its wide variety of Japanese dishes, fresh sushi, comforting ramen bowls, refreshing drinks and a cozy and inviting atmosphere as well as its friendly and attentive service make it a welcoming haven to any Japanese food aficionado.

Hashi Donburi is located 139 Mother Ignacia Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 11pm for dine-in, takeout and delivery. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77206040.

Hashi Donburi also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Stay updated on its promos and offers by following Hashi Donburi on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous post about Hashi Donburi:

Hanako’s newest branch at Promenade Mall Greenhills now on soft opening

Got a hankering for Japanese food in between bouts of retail therapy?

Don’t worry because you can now feast on #HandsDownGoodFood at Hanako’s newest branch at the Promenade Mall in Greenhills Shopping Center!

Long known for its easy-on-the-pocket Japanese dishes, Hanako is now serving its signature authentic cuisine to both shoppers and foodies who frequent one of the metro’s busiest shopping districts.

So be sure to take a break from your shopping binge and indulge yourself with your favorite Japanese food and explore new ones to enjoy!

Sashimi and Sushi

Tuna Sashimi (Php259).

Salmon Sashimi (Php299).

Torched Cheese and Salmon (Php329). Fresh salmon topped with cream cheese and Japanese mayo on sushi rice and drizzled with teriyaki sauce.

California Gunkan (Php239). Sushi rice, kani and cucumber wrapped in nori and topped with tamago, ebiko, mango and fried salmon skin.

Ultimate Dynamite Roll (Php309). Sushi roll made with tuna, salmon, kami, togarashi and topped with crunchy tempura flakes.

Hanako’s Best (Php1,419). A platter full of sushi favorites from Hanako: eight pcs California Maki, eight pcs Spicy Tuna Crunch, eight pcs Philadelphia Roll, eight pcs Tuna Sashimi and eight pcs Salmon Sashimi.

Starters

Miso Soup (Php74). Hot broth falvored with miso paste, leeks, tofu and wakame.

Gyoza Sampler (Php199). Includes two pieces each of the classic pork, beef and chicken versions of the Japanese potsticker gyoza.

Kani Salad (Php269). Cucumber sticks, kani, mango slices, ebiko and nori strips dressed with creamy Japanese mayo.

Chicken Karaage (Php284). Japanese-style fried chicken served with mayo on the side.

Beef Sukiyaki (Php274). Beef strips, sotanghon noodles, carrots, onions, cabbage and egg in a sweet-savory donburi sauce.

Beef Gyudon (Php329). Filling rice bowl topped with slices of high-grade beef, white onions, leeks, shibazuke and egg flavored with a mildly sweet sauce.

Chicken Teriyakidon (Php309). Japanese rice bowl topped with strips of grilled chicken breast marinated in house-made teriyaki sauce along with leeks, bean sprouts, shibazuke and sesame seeds.

Pork Belly Don (Php229). Strips of pork belly on a rice bowl flavored with gyudon sauce and topped with pickled radish.

Salmon Teriyaki Don (Php334). Grilled salmon on a rice bowl topped with leeks, pickled cucumber and sesame seeds flavored with teriyaki sauce.

Entrees

Beef Omurice (Php229). Beef strips and rice wrapped in a delicate omelette.

Ebi Fry (Php204). Breaded shrimp with toasted sesame and katsu sauce on the side, served on a bed of rice.

Shrimp Tempura (Php219/3pcs | Php319/5pcs). Deep-fried battered shrimp served with tempura sauce.

Mixed Tempura (Php179). Deep-fried battered shrimp, kani and vegetables served with tempura sauce.

Drinks

Thirsty? Hanako’s got house-made drinks to refresh you.

Now you know that whenever you’re in the Greenhills area and you #CraveHanako, there’s a branch here ready to serve you!

Plus, here’s some good news: Hanako is bringing back its Tempura-All-You-Can promo to welcome diners to this store. Enjoy unlimited Ebi Tempura all weekdays of December when you dine at Hanako Greenhills.

This newest Hanako branch is located at the Food Court, Ground Floor, Promenade Mall, Annapolis Street corner Missouri Street, Greenshills Shopping Center, San Juan, open daily from 10am to 8pm.

Other branches are located at:

4th Floor, East Wing, Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig City
30 Doña Soledad Ave., Better Living Subd., Brgy. Don Bosco, Parañaque City
83 B Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City, Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City (beside Car Doctor)
131-C Armstrong Ave., Brgy. Moonwalk, Parañaque City
GF, SM Center Pasig, Ortigas East, Pasig City
2nd Floor, The Rock, Holy Spirit Drive, Brgy. Don Antonio, Quezon City
Robinsons Townville Regalado Ext Ciudad Verde, Quezon City

You may also order online at cravehanako.ph.

To stay updated on Hanako’s offers and promos, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant where food items were served at no cost to the attendees.

Check out my previous posts on Hanako:

Hanako, Katipunan — Sate your Japanese food cravings at Hanako, Regis Katipunan

Hashi Donburi, Tomas Morato

Got a sudden hankering for Japanese food?

Why not drop by Hashi Donburi’s newest branch in QC?

Step up to the second floor of the building across ABS-CBN and you will enter what appears to be a laid-back izakaya where you can sit back and have a hearty serving of your favorite Japanese food.

Here’s a sampling of what you can enjoy here:

Salmon Sashimi (Php299). Slices of fresh salmon served that’s great for starters.

Tantanmen (Php299). Slightly spicy ramen with a peanut-based broth topped with pork slices and egg.

Tonkotsu (Php269). Savory miso-based ramen topped with pork slices and egg. This is quite hearty and well-suited for a rainy day.

Gyudon (Php199). Rice bowl topped with beef and onion simmered in a sweet sauce with dashi.

Tendon (Php179). Rice bowl topped with battered and deep-fried prawns in donburi sauce.

Oyakudon (Php159). Rice bowl topped with simmered chicken, egg and sliced scallions.

Chicken Teriyaki Bento (Php199). A meal set that includes chicken teriyaki, rice, sauteed veggies, potato croquettes and miso soup.

Chicken Karaage Bento (Php199). A meal set that includes chicken karaage, rice, sauteed veggies and potato croquettes. I suggest you request for a serving of Japanese mayo (and add a bit of wasabi to that) as your dip.

Among Hashi Donburi’s menu items, I found the bento boxes the best value in terms of price, serving size and taste.

I now count this resto among my lunch choices in the area.

Planning a party? Hold your gathering at Hashi Donburi and take advantage of these value-packed party packages:

Set A (Php4,499 good for 10-15 pax). Two servings each of edamame, ebi furai, yakisoba, tonkatsu, chicken karaage and chicken teppan plus three rice platters, 60-piece maki/sushi platter, four pitchers of drinks and 4 servings of tempura ice cream.

Set B (Php4,999 good for 10-15 pax). Two servings each of korokke, tempura, ebi furai, seaweed salad, yakiudon, beef teppanyaki, chicken karaage and chicken teppan plus two rice platters, 48-piece maki/sushi platter, one big ramen serving and 4 servings of tempura ice cream.

This Hashi Donburi branch is located at Second Floor, 139 Mother Ignacia Avenue, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77206040.

The original branch is located at 1607 Dapitan Street, Sampaloc, Manila.

Sate your Japanese food cravings at Hanako, Regis Katipunan

Japanese food remains to be among the most popular cuisines in the metro. With its focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients, simple yet meticulous food preparation that brings out the ingredients’ natural flavors, as well as the artistry involved in presentation and styling of its dishes, Japanese cuisine, has won the hearts (and tummies) of many Pinoys.

Hanako, for example, is a Japanese restaurant chain that’s geared to be among the metro’s go-to destinations with its focus on authentic yet affordable Japanese food.

“Hanako” is actually a popular girl’s name in Japan which translates to “flower girl.” As the name implies, Hanako’s dishes exemplify the simplicity and beauty of Japanese cuisine.

Recently, my gal pals from #SaanSaPH and I trooped to Hanako’s branch in Regis Center Katipunan for a late lunch. We were treated to a wondrous array of dishes which included some of my old Japanese food faves as well as new discoveries:

Miso Soup (Php54). The staple soup of many Japanese restaurants wherein miso paste is incorporated into a dashi stock with some tofu cubes. Did you know that this soup can be filling despite being low in calories because of the high protein content?

Kani Salad (Php174). A light and refreshing salad made with matchstick-sliced cucumber and carrots, shredded lettuce, strings of kani (crab) meat, tossed in Japanese mayonnaise.

Gyoza (Php89 for 2 pieces | Php159 for 4 pieces). Ground pork mixed with aromatics and spices and wrapped into dumplings which are first steamed then lightly pan-fried on one side for an interesting contrast in texture.

Sushi Rolls. One of the most popular dishes in Japanese cuisines, sushi rolls are made of specially prepared sticky vinegared Japanese rice served with other ingredients. These include the California Gunkan (Php219) – made with kani, fried salmon skin, tamago (seasoned hardboiled egg), mango, cucumber and ebiko (shrimp roe), Spicy Tuna Crunch (Php229) – made with tuna, togarashi (seven-flavor chili pepper) and tempura flakes, Philadelphia Roll (Php209) – made with salmon, kani, cream cheese, tamago and cucumber, and Five Star Roll (Php149) – made with fried salmon skin, salmon, kani, mango, teriyaki sauce, sesame and cucumber.

Salmon Tartare (Php224). Chunks of salmon mixed with Japanese mayo, togarashi, tempura flakes and chopped scallion.

Katsu Curry (Php229). Deep-fried, panko-covered pork cutlets covered in a slightly sweet curry sauce and served with rice.

Ebi Tempura (Php169 for 3 pieces | Php279 for 5 pieces). Battered and deep-fried shrimp served with a special sauce.

Fish Katsu (Php189). Fillets of fish covered in panko and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown.

Beef Omurice (Php184). Classic Japanese omelette stuffed with savory beef fried rice and drizzled with Japanese mayonnaise and homemade sweet umami sauce.

Grilled Salmon Head (Php149). Lightly seasoned salmon head served with homemade sweet citrus-sou dipping sauce.

Yakitori (Php149). Chicken pieces in skewers seasoned with salt, pepper,l and teriyaki sauce, which are then grilled and served on top of a bowl of steamed rice.

Donburi. Traditional rice bowl meals consisting of meat simmered or doused in a sauce made of dashi, soy sauce and mirin (rice wine) and served on top of steamed rice. These include Gyudon (Php219) – made with beef and onions, and Katsudon (Php199) – breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets simmered with onions and egg. Diners can upgrade their donburi orders to meal sets by adding Php35 for a drink, Php75 for miso soup plus drink, Php105 for a 2-piece gyoza plus drink, or Php145 for miso soup, 2-piece gyoza plus drink.

Chahan (Php79). Japanese stir-fried rice with meat bits and chopped vegetables.

Meiji Madness (Php129). Moist and chewy lava cake topped with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup.

Drop by Hanako for a taste of #HandsDownGoodFood and sate your cravings for Japanese dishes!

Many thanks to the management and staff of Hanako for the warm welcome and lovely food.

This Hanako branch is located at Second Floor, Regis Center, 327 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 907 4879346.

Other branches are located at:

131-C Armstrong Avenue, Moonwalk Village Phase 1, Paranaque City
30-C Dona Soledad Avenue, Bgy. Don Bosco, Paranaque City
SM Supercenter, Fontera Verde, E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Bgy. Ugong, Pasig
2nd Floor, The Rock, Holy Spirit Drive corner Marcelino Street, Don Antonio Heights, Quezon City

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. The food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Nomiya Izakaya, Tomas Morato

An izakaya is the Japanese equivalent to the Western pub or tavern: a place where people can hang out and drink after work.

The origin of these establishments can be traced back to 18th century Japan, at the time when sake – the Japanese rice wine – was also growing popular. In fact, the word izakaya is rooted on i (to stay) and sakaya (sake shop), because, in contrast to the previous practice in sake shops to drink alcohol while standing, patrons of izakayas can sit down, and even eat some finger food, while drinking.

In the foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area is situated Nomiya Izakaya.

It veers slightly away from the traditional izakayas in that it serves full meals, which is quite fortunate as it recently served as the venue of a happy lunch among my officemates and myself.

Walking into the establishment, we were quick to appreciate its minimalist and industrial themed decor.

For our lunch, we took advantage of its donburi – Japanese rice bowls.

Chirashi Don (Php345). Chirashi means “scattered,” so this dish is basically a rice bowl with fish, vegetables and other ingredients.

Gyudon (Php320). This Japanese beef bowl boasts of thin and tender beef slices on top of steaming hot rice and doused with mildly sweet sauce.

Katsudon (Php290). This bowl of rice is topped with a deep-fried pork cutlet, eggs, veggies and doused with sauce.

Spicy Salmon Maki (Php250). Slivers of spicy salmon rolled in rice with some crunch from the tempura flakes.

It certainly looks like we have a new go-to place when we crave for Japanese food!

Nomiya Izakaya is located at 36 Scout Tobias Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City, open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 6pm to 11pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 9547055.

Ramen Lunch at Don Bao, Kapitolyo

On our way to a bout of museum visits for our #Saturdate, my daughter and I decided to (again!) give in to our ramen craving and have an early lunch at Don Bao.

The resto is located in the foodie-friendly Kapitolyo area, along a line of eateries near D Ace Hotel. There is limited parking space here so you may want to park your vehicle in the nearby Pioneer Center if there are no more spaces available in front of the restaurant.

The resto’s name is a portmanteau of its main offerings: the donburi, or Japanese rice bowls (such Katsu Curry Don or Special Tendon), and the baos, or Chinese steamed folded buns that can be accompanied by practically any sort of fillings.

It is a quaint restaurant with cheery and colorful interiors, punctuated by cute and playful depictions of the resto’s ninja mascot on the walls and the store’s merchandise.

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Cute but angry-looking ninja abound in this small and cozy Japanese resto (that curiously has Chinese bao variations in its menu. Review coming soon at beingjellybeans.wordpress.com. #restoart

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Jun 22, 2018 at 8:12pm PDT

Thanks to an Eatigo offer, my daughter and I were able to enjoy 50% off on our orders:

Gyoza (Php160). The filling was flavorful but the wrapping was not as firm we were expecting.
Cheesy Bao (Php125) – I was intrigued by this combination of gyuniku, cheese, onion rings ans spring onions slid into a sliced bao. While I found the contrast of textures between the saucy, crunchy filling and the soft and puffy bao, the slightly sweet taste of the cheese was too overpowering.
Tonkotsu Ramen (Php299). I got the regular-flavored variant of this classic ramen flavor (as opposed to the spicier version). The broth and pork belly slice were full-flavored and the noodles were firm.
Pork Miso Ramen (Php299). My daughter was pretty satisfied with this ramen order but she requested that the corn kernels be removed (her personal preference).

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Thanks to Eatigo, #ExhibitA and I got 50% off our orders at Don Bao’s Kapitolyo branch: Gyoza (Php160), Cheesy Bao (Php125), Tonkotsu Ramen (Php299) and Pork Miso Ramen (Php299). Review now available at beingjellybeans.wordpress.com (search: Don Bao). #foodie #foodporn #foodstagram #foodiegram #foodgasm #nom #nomnom #nomnomnom #igers #igersmanila #delish #ramen #japanesefood

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on Jun 22, 2018 at 8:45pm PDT

We found the meal satisfying and a good departure from our everyday meals. Plus, with the Eatigo discount, the meal was made more affordable for us.

This Don Bao branch is located at Victoria Place 1 along Brixton Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City. Another branch is situated at First Capital Condominium, along Rada Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City. For queries or to book a Don Bao stall for events, call +63 998 8638671 or email donbao.ph@gmail.com.

Register to Eatigo using this link and get up to 50% off your food bill in various restaurants in the metro as well as Php150 worth of rewards.

Want to have Don Bao delivered to your home or office? Download the HonestBee app through this link and get Php500 off purchases of Php2,500 or more.