In Search of the Perfect Gyudon: A Classy Take On A Classy Dish

Being back in the shores of the Philippines  was quite thankful for me, and there was one good reason: I was back in the hunt for the best gyudon version!  Anyway, thanks to some of my good friends, I stumbled upon this hidden wealth of palatable treasure...

Red Kimono, ostensibly located in a classy section of Alabang, offered quite a surprising take on a classic dish.. Their version catches your eye the moment it is set on the table: the pristine white bowl is ingeniously slanted at its rim, therefore allowing true-blue gyudon gourmets the appropriate way of gulping down this sacred dish: bottom-up, chopsticks pushing each morsel straight down our hungry throats!  But the visual treat does not stop there....

Blending well are the hues of the yellow egg yolk, the pale green onion leeks, the black shitakes, and the tangy brown mirin sauce drenching the tender beef strips... Presentation alone catapults this version into my top list, but the adventure merely is halfway: the beef strips are tender, the sauce tickles your palate with a hint of sweetness, and the rice is authentic Japanese... And I'm not even talking about the price tag yet, as it is quite reasonable for this kind of joint... A few drawbacks remain however... The rice serving is quite mediocre.. And somehow, it lacked a bit of neatness (a few stray grains of rice and a dash of sauce tainted the immaculate white)... Overall, however, the Red Kimono gyudon is a must-try for those who dare join me in my quest.

Gyudon Beef Bowl

P270 per serving

Red Kimono

Westgate, Alabang, Muntinlupa

Rating: 5 stars!!!

(orginally posted on July 12,2009 in http://volvox23.multiply.com/reviews/item/11)