In Search of the Perfect Gyudon: A "New" Old Discovery

So I thought I already found one of the best, if not the best, beef bowl in this country... But then I stumbled on a "new", old discovery.. Apparently, Tempura Japanese Grill is already quite established in the urban foodie scene, but I had just recently discovered that it serves one of the best beef bowls ever!  Sure, this joint is known for its yakiniku grilled food and of course, its tempura, but then, its gyudon is certainly worth a try.

What stands out from their version is that the beef has a hint of grill in it, and only the palate trained in the art of beef bowl tasting will probably be able  to differentiate it... The sauce is superb, and a tossing of green onion leeks adds a twist of spice  in this dish... What more, is that the shitake mushrooms are heftily served, and this adds body to an already bountiful treat... And all these for a bargain price.

And as such, although Tempura Japanese grill is famous for, obviously, other things, the beef bowl is a hidden treasure waiting for so long to be discovered.

Gyudon Beef Bowl

P185 per serving

Tempura Japanese Grill

SM Southmall, Las Pinas City

Rating: 5 stars!!!

(originally posted on February 24, 2008 in http://volvox23.multiply.com/reviews/item/4)

In Search of the Perfect Gyudon: Dasma's Little Secret

And my search brought me back to my second home, in the quaint town of Dasmarinas, Cavite... There's a little known joint, just a stone's throw from Nicasia.. It's been there since 2 years ago, and their Gyudon hasn't changed since ... And surprisingly, it's one of Dasma's best-kept secret.

Takumi's beef bowl is fairly priced, considering this is just a small establishment... But you get more than your money's worth.. The serving is adequate, but a striking difference from the more commercialized beef bowl, is the addition of green onion leeks, admixed with onion strips and shitake mushrooms... One noteworthy difference also, is that the beef strips taste somewhat like, well, beef tapa, rendering somehow a more Pinoy taste to this signature Japanese dish.

Overall, I admit I'm slightly biased, since their joint is very accesible to me, although on its own, it is a must taste to any gyudon addict!

Gyudon Beef Bowl

P180 per serving

Takumi Japanese Restaurant 

Dasmarinas, Cavite

Rating: 4 stars!!

(originally posted on March 13, 2008 in http://volvox23.multiply.com/reviews/item/5)

In Search of the Perfect Gyudon: A Weak Karate Kick

Too many Japanese fast food joints have sprung up recently, and though it has brought Japanese food closer to people, some quality has evidently suffered... Enter: the Karate Kid Japanese fast food.  Its take on the sacred beef bowl, the Gyudon, however, amounts to only a very weak karate kick.

                                                         Although priced attractively at only under a hundred bucks, their dish wants in taste, and well, a good karate kick! The rice serving is good, but the good things end there... The rice itself masquerades as Japanese rice, for it's not too glutinous... The sauce is too salty, and the beef slices, though tender, does not pack a punch in its taste... In fact, you could hardly taste the beef at all!  An attempt is made though, to enhance the taste with a good mix of white and green onions and juicy slices of shitake mushrooms, along with a dash of egg yolk.

But then, gyudon is all about the beef and the sauce...  Overall, with its attractively low price, the Karate Kid version should suffice for your hunger, but fails to give a good flying kick to your palate, and fails further to give a bang for your buck.

Gyudon Beef Bowl

P97 per serving

Karate Kid

SM Dasmarinas, Cavite

Rating: 2 stars =(

(originally posted on March 22, 2008 in http://volvox23.multiply.com/reviews/item/6)

In Search of the Perfect Gyudon: A Dead End

It's been a while since my last review on the sacred beef bowl, as I wallowed (perhaps content) on my previous discoveries... But my hunger for a newer taste led me to renew my search once again... Unexpectedly, it lead to a really dead end... I happened to chance upon this joint in Robinson's Ermita, and the Sai-Bachi Restaurant's take on this sacred beef bowl, was well, disappointing.

What the hell was this?!?  Did I order a Katsudon or Gyudon? It was sacrilege to masquerade this sublime dish for something so unholy (pardon, Katsudon lovers)... Oh well, the beef strips were thin and tender, and the rice portion was enough, but to cook that raw egg and turn this into an omelette??  It's a blatant crime!  And those seaweed strips did nothing to help.

Sadly, my palate was frustrated, and my wallet too!  Not really worth your money... And so, I fear now for my future discoveries.

Gyudon Beef Bowl

P160 per serving

Sai-Bachi Restaurant

Robinson's Place, Ermita, Manila

Rating: 2 stars

(orginally posted on September 7, 2008 in http://volvox23.multiply.com/reviews/item/7)