Tales From The Other Side: Rio Japanese and Korean Restaurant

There was a time when the long stretch of Aguirre Avenue was nearly devoid of any food spot.  A decade ago, there were only a handful of notables, including Conti's (the original branch), Hanakazu, and Little Quiapo.  Today, Aguirre is a bustling neighborhood of cafes, bars, and restaurants.  Often neglected and forgotten is the lesser known far end of Aguirre.  Away from the traffic nightmares so common these days, this area houses a treasure trove of good finds.  I aim to start this series of posts as I discover the tales from "the other side".

Much like the more famous restaurants I mentioned above, Rio has been a resident of BF for a long time.  Under its original title "Little Rio", it slowly gained popularity as a homey, quaint Japanese joint.  It served (and still does) a unique, hitherto unconventional twist with its crispy chicken teriyaki.  Of course, since then, many restaurants have followed suit.  Quite so suddenly, it closed down but resurrected just a couple of years ago with a bigger shop.

The charm of its simplicity, combined with the affordable menu, keeps its loyalists returning.  I, for one, swear on the goodness of their chicken teriyaki.  So, on a rainy and lazy Sunday lunch, we trooped to this quieter side of town.  We had the shop to ourselves when we arrived, and we proceeded to order the usual Japanese fare they offered.

Shoyu Ramen, P190 (Regular)

With the cold downpour of rain outside, sis and Mom deemed it fit to enjoy a warm bowl of ramen.  Mom's choice was the regular sized Shoyu.  The regular bowl was sized similar to the higher end ramen restaurants, but at a much lower price tag.  I don't really fancy eating noodles, but Mom professed it was hearty and fulfilling.  Tossed into the mix were ample slices of chasu pork, half an egg, and some bean sprouts.  I took a little sip of the warm broth and the saltiness was not overpowering.  The pork was tender but lacked a bit of seasoning or flavor.  I'm not sure but the egg should have been a bit more runny.  The thin noodles were okay.

Seafood Ramen, P210 (Regular)

On the other hand, the Seafood Ramen was packed with more contents.  Slices of tuna, squid, and shrimps swam deliciously in a clear broth.  Sister claimed the seafood was fresh enough.  I took a sip of the soup and it was saltier than the shoyu.  Perhaps the natural salinity and brine of the seafood contributed to its denser flavor.  

Clearly, I am no ramen connoisseur, but the ladies enjoyed their bowls down to the last slurp.  Happily though, their 2 orders of regular ramen qualified us to avail of a promo for free 8 piece gyoza!

Gyoza, P160 (8 pcs)

It seemed like the steal of the day with the gyoza worth 160 bucks if ordered outside the promo.  Nevertheless, my expectations were not high for this version.  The dumplings were average-sized and appeared plump.  The skin was all right, not too thick.

At first bite however, it was a little deflating.  The filling was too little as evidenced by the space within.  Still, the mix inside was flavorful with the ground pork and chopped veggies.  Luckily we didn't have to pay for this since I would have regretted ordering it.

Ebi Tempura, P160 (3 pcs)

As usual, I ordered shrimp tempura which I intended to eat on my own.  But of course, the ladies grabbed a piece each.  The tempura was light, the batter thin and crisp.  The shrimps were only average-sized yet still fresh and juicy.  Not exactly award-winning, but definitely better than the regular fast-food variety.

I succumbed to my beef bowl cravings and ordered a serving of gyudon, after missing it for so long.  I eagerly waited for my order to arrive.  My heart (and stomach) has a soft spot for beef served in immaculate pristine white bowls.  This was no exception. 

Gyudon, P210

Lost in the messy presentation were thin slices of beef, a few onions, and an entanglement of noodles topped with a fresh golden egg yolk.  I actually forgot to ask the server to remove the noodles, since I was not too fond of having my gyudon in this manner.  It added too much bulk to the dish.  The mirin sauce was a good combination of savory and sweet, although inclining more to a sweeter side.  The beef, I noticed, was fewer in portion compared to a couple of years ago.  Talk about inflation (and deflation of serving sizes!).  Nevertheless, it was tender and not tough, easy on my jaws.  The rice portion was hefty and I dared not to polish it all off.  

Despite the influx of more hip restaurants and more exciting cuisines, Rio has managed to retain its humble charm and "old-world" magic.  It reminds long time residents of BF how our place used to be so quiet and peaceful, with shops such as Rio offering a homey take on old-time Japanese favorites.  Although admittedly, Rio is not as creative and innovative as other hole-in-the-wall joints.  But neither do they intend to do so.  As such, prices are kept at a minimum (even doing away with service charge) but quality is certainly above any regular fast-food joint.  Therefore, don't expect to be blown away.  Rio is a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the other side, as it rightfully sits on the more serene end of the foodie street.

Jones

Rio Japanese and Korean Restaurant

303 El Grande Avenue, corner Havana Street

BF Homes, Paranaque City

https://www.facebook.com/thelittlerio

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Tokyo Drift: Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant

Dining at a Japanese restaurant has become almost customary for us whenever there is a special occasion.  Nothing beats the crisp flavors of the tempura and the savory-sweet mix of teriyaki.  But then, Japanese joints are dime-a-dozen, so selecting the right place is an adventure in itself.   A precarious one at that too, especially for a special date night.

Can't go wrong with tempura.

Scouring the web for delicious yet affordable Japanese cuisine, with a good ambiance of course, I stumbled upon a few blog posts about this relatively new establishment in the foodie center of Kapitolyo in Pasig.  The brainchild of the owner of Cafe Juanita, Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant was an intriguing suspect.  Curiosity led us to try out this joint to see for ourselves.

On a Friday night the Kapitolyo area turns into a food street.  Going down West Capitol Drive and the United Nations of cuisine welcomes you - Asian, American, Mexican.  It's a virtual journey across the globe.  But Japanese was the craving for the night, and as early as 6PM Haru's parking lot was packed!  I guess the only drawbacks in Kapitolyo is finding a good spot to park so as not to get too tired (or too hungry) from walking from your car to your foodie destination.

Outside, the restaurant is imposing with its glimmering red signage and a Japanese gateway column welcoming you.  The interiors are well lit and somewhat off-theme with chandelier fixtures.  A few lanterns should have set the mood better.

This small bridge crossing is easily a favorite photo spot.

Despite the off-theme tables, the wooden panels and sliding doors are in tune.

The cat is way cuter.

Nevertheless, the restaurant's other parts seem to transport you instantly to Tokyo.  Sections are divided by wooden panels reminiscent of quaint Japanese houses.  Colorful traditional kimonos adorn the corners of the shop, along with cute little Japanese dolls.  There's even a small wooden bridge crossing a man-made indoor river to replicate the iconic image of bridges in rural Japan.  Haru manages to bend the seams of time and space and warp you into this mini representation of Japan.  I've yet to visit Little Tokyo in Makati, which boasts the same authenticity, but Haru is a class on its own.

The food, though, still had to prove itself worthy.  With a backdrop as charming as this, the chefs behind Haru had the daunting task of keeping in step with the genuine Japanese experience.  We skimmed over the menu and pretty much ordered our favorites - except for one little detail.  We were craving for Asparagus Bacon wraps, and lo and behold, our eyes nearly popped out when we saw the exorbitant price!  Almost 400 bucks for an appetizer?  Is their bacon made of gold?  We never found out since it was highway robbery ordering it anyway, so we sadly skipped it.

Tori Teba Nanbanzuke, P188 (+5% service charge)

We picked another appetizer instead, the Tori Teba Nanbanzuke.  These were deep fried chicken wings doused in a sweet-sour vinegar sauce.  Despite wallowing in the vinegar, the skin remained crisp and crunchy, while the meat within was tender and cooked thoroughly.  Surprisingly, I enjoyed the vinegar taste which paired well with the wings, much like the way mayo dips matches well with buffalo wings.  Sliced pickled onions and carrots were added into the mix too offer a contrast in texture and color.  The dish was highly addicting, in fact it could stand alone as a viand with rice.  Seriously.  Chicken wings value meal!

Dynamite Roll, P269 (+5% service charge)

The Dynamite Roll is a favorite among Japanese sushi bars, but so far I have tasted only a few who got it right (Omakase is one).  This version was large and plump and stuffed to the brim with fresh raw tuna and pink salmon spiked with hot spices and all sorts of shrubbery.  You know how one can predict if a roll is executed perfectly?  The roll should not crumble.  

Ah, but Haru's Dynamite Roll succumbed to the lightest of tension using my chopsticks, rendering it difficult to grasp and dunk in our specially requested spicy mayo dip.  The rice was fragile and the roll either broke apart or slipped into the wrong parts of the table.  Thankfully though, the raw seafood tasted fresh and plump, and had the ample amount of kicks.  If not for its inadequate construction, this would have been atop my list.

Yakimeshi, P80 and Gohan, P49 (+5% service charge)

In preparation for our feast, we ordered each a cup of Japanese fried rice (Yakimeshi) and plain rice (Gohan).  The fried rice was quite good, not too oily yet retaining its flavor.  The only drawback was the seemingly small serving size for that price.

US Beef Yakiniku, P276 (+5% service charge)

For the main offerings, we ordered one beef dish, the US Beef Yakiniku.  I loved the half-moon dish it rested upon, breaking the mundane symmetry typical of Japanese joints.  The beef strips were sliced just right, neither too thin nor too thick.  

The meat was soft and tender and not sinewy, with a cloying amount of fat in most of the pieces.  The yakiniku sauce was savory with mild sweetness, the flavor seeping into the meat lusciously.  The cabbage offered a break from the greasy goodness of the beef.  With the quality of the dish, I almost regretted not ordering my favorite gyudon, expecting the same perfection as the yakiniku.

Shake (Salmon) Teriyaki, P389 (+5% service charge)

I firmly believe that the Salmon Teriyaki makes or breaks a Japanese restaurant (along with the Ebi Tempura).  So I simply had to try it out to gauge Haru's competencies.  The fillet was long but thinner than what I've had, but it still had enough meat to it.  The teriyaki glaze was light yet flavorful, temptingly sweet and salty.  The salmon was grilled perfectly, leaving a few char marks towards the fatty end.  The meat itself was briny and firm, not too crumbly and flaky.  Although I'm used to heftier servings of such a dish, their version stood out simply because it was executed superbly.

Ebi Tempura, P278 (+5% service charge)

Of course, the star of the night was no other than the prawn tempura.  For less than 300 bucks, you get five pieces of prawns deep fried in a light batter.  The prawns were rather small, as these obviously were not the larger tiger prawns.  

In spite of its diminutive size, the prawns were fresh and sweet, with succulence gushing out with each bite.  Fortunately, the batter was also light and crisp and not too oily.  The dish was commensurate for the price tag, and should be a favorite for those craving for a quick tempura fix yet are tired of those buffet joints that churn out oily tempura like an assembly line.  At Haru, you can peacefully and deliberately enjoy each piece of deep-fried prawn in an equally serene environment.

Kiwi Shake, P79 (+5% service charge)

To douse off the intense flavors of all the courses, the Kiwi Shake seemed a refreshing sojourn.  But, the shake was too dilute to fully enjoy the cool flavor of the kiwi fruit. 

Haru achieves the perfect vibe for one unforgettable experience.  It was indeed a night to remember with a little anecdotal event.  A VIP was arriving just as we settled down to our reserved table.  Apparently he was a really important person that throngs of bodyguards and security personnel surveyed the place in advance, and then politely requested us to transfer to another table.  It was no less than the President of our republic who came that night!  So if he likes dining at Haru, then there must be no pork here (political satire intended).

Still, somehow the quality and taste of the food lagged behind the authenticity of the place.  The makimono is suspect, while the tempura just barely average.  Good things going for Haru though is the quality of their grilled dishes, namely the salmon and beef.  The prices are reasonable but the ambiance is exceptional.  So for a lovely date night and an idyllic experience, drift towards Tokyo in the middle of Kapitolyo, with Haru serving as your portal.

Jones

Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant

9 West Capitol Drive (beside Cafe Juanita)

Kapitolyo, Pasig City

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Jozu Kin: Glittering Gold

Not all that glitters is gold, so they say.  But if I may say so myself, not all that is gold is glitteringly expensive.  Sometimes, a restaurant may appear too extravagant and intimidatingly so, such that some would-be diners shy away, expecting an exorbitant menu.  In addition, at times it's the location that sends us the wrong impression, scaring away the average Joe.

Burgos Circle is a high-end hang-out for the high-life society of Taguig and Makati City.  But its quaint and serene surroundings invites people from all walks of life to revel in this quiet piece of land.  The Circle is nestled in a tucked-away part of BGC, hidden by the tall condos surrounding it.  Surrounding the Circle is a circumference of restaurants, both the familiar and the unique, offering a wide array of food choices.  As expected, most of these shops are also high-end, and the price, of course, follows.  But, there is one Japanese restaurant that, well, glitters, amidst the brilliance of the others.  I did not let myself get intimidated by the high-class feel of Burgos Circle.  (Actually, I already read about Jozu Kin in some food blogs, so I had a hint about their menu.)

We were early for lunch

The facade of Jozu Kin is stoic, yet charming.  The tall brick tower contrasts with the more modern and vibrant glass panels and overhead roof.  I could imagine how the front would look during the night, with its big golden signage outlasting the others.  The interiors however, was another visual treat.  The brick walls exuded a homey yet a classy feel, with black chairs and tables giving off a hip and chic vibe.  Indeed, with the dim lights, it felt more like a gastro-pub rather than a straight-up Japanese restaurant.  It was lunch time though, so no late-night party goers here.  We picked a cozy spot in the upper loft.  Surprisingly, there were already a few diners enjoying their lunch.  I figured Jozu Kin was better populated during the prime time hours.

A dilapidated menu could mean one thing: many diners.

The menu book was unsightly: it was beat-up and crumpled at the edges.  Yet, that could mean only one thing: many diners have returned here.  We quickly browsed the menu, our hunger pangs catching up with us.  We picked a few favorites, uncharacteristically foregoing my favorite gyudon.  I figured a seafood feast for this day was a healthier alternative.  Little did we know that we were soon in for the feast of our lives.

Kani Salad Shooters (free!)

After placing our orders, the attentive wait staff placed an appetizer on the table, compliments of the house.  The Kani Salad shooters was mild yet filled with flavor, the mayonnaise tart yet with a hint of sweetness.  The crab sticks were fresh and crisp.  A very hospitable welcome for hungry couples.

Maguro Togarashi, P258

Soon, one by one, our orders arrived.  She agreed to order one raw dish, a rare event in the universe.  But, we never regretted it.  The critically acclaimed Maguro Togarashi  was surreal.  Fresh, raw, and choice slices of tuna coated with a spicy paste (reminiscent of gochu jang of Korean restos), and then sprinkled liberally with crunchy tempura batter and a zealous drizzling of wasabi mayonnaise.  The creation was perfectly crafted.  The contrasting texture of the softness of the raw tuna and the crispy tempura batter played delightfully on the tongue.  The zing of the wasabi and the spicy paste amped up the flavor.  A fiery start to the meal, this dish raised the standard for the next orders.  Will the rest of our food deliver?

Yasai Itame, P192

In a bid to start a healthy lifestyle, we ordered a vegetable dish.  The Yasai Itame was a teppan grilled mix of bean sprouts, cabbage, diced carrots, and bell peppers, garnished with crunchy string potatoes.  The greens were fresh and crisp, and the teppanyaki sauce was not overpowering.  We didn't finish this order, since unwittingly, we didn't realize our other teppan order had a generous siding of Yasai Itame also.

Rainbow Maki, P245

The Rainbow Maki was art in itself.  The roll was skillfully kept in place by a thin slice of cucumber, salmon, and mackerel.  Each roll was lovingly draped with a generous serving of a special mango cheese sauce.  Although the roll was over-sized by the rice, again the play of flavors stood out.  The distinct taste of cheese complemented the hint of mango sweetness, with the freshness of the salmon and cucumber blending in harmony.  The mere sight of this maki whets the palate.

Salmon Teppanyaki, P311

No, that's not meat.  That's perfectly seared chunky slices of salmon, grilled in a delightful salty-sweet teppanyaki sauce.  A serving of yasai itame accompanied the fish.  The salmon meat was golden on the outside, yet fresh and pink within, oozing with juiciness.  In my opinion, one of the best salmon teppanyaki I have ever tried.  And I'm not even fond of salmon because of its often funky taste, so that says a lot.  This must be second to the version I've tried in the now closed Origami back in Greenbelt.  So now, it's at the top of my list.

Ushi Ebi Tempura, P350

No Japanese restaurant experience would be complete without the ubiquitous tempura.  But, there was nothing ubiquitous about the Jozu Kin version.  The tiger prawns were large and plump, while the breading was just thin enough to coat the goodness within.  The coating was perfectly deep fried yet not too oily.  The prawns themselves were fat and juicy.  For five really humongous pieces, a price tag hovering just around 300 bucks, I'd say this is a definite steal.  And if you're still skeptic about the size of the prawn and the price, take a look at the following picture.

Meal fit for a Jozu King.

See the tempura at the center of the table?  Those are really huge tiger prawns, nearly the length of the chopsticks I'm holding.  Pound-for-pound, the price is worth it.

Cooling off with Fresh Dalandan and Lemonade

For such an upscale location, Jozu Kin is surprisingly reasonable, even affordable.  What was more amazing, was that when I got the bill, there was no service charge.  Yes, you read that right.  I wonder if that was a clerical error, but they did not check the bill again.  If indeed there was no service charge, then there you have it.  Not only that, the service was in fact, quick and precise. The welcome appetizers was a clue to an above-and-beyond type of service.  The wait staff was attentive and cheerful, even during those sleepy lunch-siesta hours.  More so, the manner of presentation of all the dishes exuded a posh and elegant aura, without a hefty price tag.

Jozu Kin is divine, but not extravagant.  It is refined, yet not overly lavish.  It is the perfect spot for a late-night date, a prime location for a get-together with friends, or even just a quick escape for the hungry bar-hopper.  The best-selling Maguro Togarashi and the gargantuan Ebi Tempura are consistent winners and will never fail to impress.  My only complaint?  There is no other branch.  Yet.  There used to be one branch in Ronac Art Center along Ortigas Avenue, but sadly, that closed down.  So, we have to wait in anguish for another to open (hopefully a good location in the south, greedy me!).  And finally, even with the scaling up of prices in everything, I hope Jozu Kin retains its reasonably affordable menu, while keeping loyal to its tenements of kingly service, impeccably executed dishes and fashionably presented creations.

Jozu Kin

Forbes Town Center, Burgos Circle

Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jozu-Kin/115375515145699

Disclaimer: This was an incredibly late post, so I'm not sure about the current prices.  Prices quoted above were referenced from www.munchpunch.com.  As always, prices are subject to change without prior notice. Damn.

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Sakura: The Unchanging Charm of the Cherry Blossom

Restaurants come and go.  That is the sad truth.  Those that do not churn out something unique in the menu are likely to disappear within months.  Those that do not learn to adapt, are equally risking their existence.  It is thus a wonder how some joints, albeit simple and unassuming, have managed to weather the years and maintain a loyal following.  

Sakura: the delcious cherry blossom

Just adjacent to the spanking new wing of the Glorietta mall, unfazed by the fresh and newfangled joints all around this brightly lit section, Sakura continues its long tradition of dishing out affordable and delicious gustatory pleasures.  As far as I can remember, back when Glorietta used to be known as Quad (I'm not that old, I assure you), Sakura and its twin, Ji-Pan (I believe they do not have the same owners), had occupied this busy section of the mall.  Its quirky tables and chairs rested amidst the busy flow of mall-goers, while the whiff of the good food brewing in the kitchen invited passers-by with the weakest self-control.  Its unique selections of Japanese goods were sought by many, at a time when Japanese groceries were relatively few.  Roughly two decades later, Sakura remains in the exact same place, with its die-hard fans still patronizing the quaint little spot.

And in fact, it was my first time to ever dine here.  For Sakura to have lasted this long, I was absolutely sure there was some sort of magic in their dishes.  The menu was unambiguous, offering well-known Japanese traditionals: sushi, sashimi, tempura and the like.  For this visit, we chose our favorites, just to experience why people never forget about this place.  Do mind the prices though, I tried best to remember the actual prices.  As a testament to Sakura's unpretentious reputation, the net barely had anything about its menu.

Crunchy Tuna Maki, P180-220 (+5% service charge)

Though visually unappealing, the Crunchy Tuna Maki was definitely filling and did not disappoint.  Almost a meal in itself, a bed of rice rolls filed with crabsticks was generously smothered with crunchy Japanese breadcrumbs and fresh and raw tuna strips, sprinkled with chili powder and chopped onion leeks.  Bursting with flavor, this was a sure winner with its contrasting texture and complementing taste.  

Chicken Teriyaki, P200-220 (+5% service charge)

For the main entrees, I got the familiar Chicken Teriyaki.  Perfectly grilled with just the right crispy skin and juicy and tender meat, this dish was well executed.  The teriyaki sauce exuded a masterful blend of sweet and salty.  Although I was biased to the more modern take of chicken teriyaki (crisp and fried), this more subdued version abided by the true taste of Japanese food tradition.

Ebi Tempura, 3 pcs, P185 (+5% service charge)

We did not forget the ubiquitous Ebi Tempura, of course.  The medium-sized shrimps were flawlessly fried to a crisp, with the batter thin enough to conceal the succulent meat within.  The price was reasonable for the size of the shrimps, as a 5-piece set was just a tad under 300 pesos.  A definite choice for those craving for a quick fix of deep-fried wonders.  My only complaint was that it was a bit oily, perhaps due to the thinner batter.  Nevertheless, the dish went well with a cup of gohan and the rest of our orders.

Really, there was nothing unique about the menu of Sakura.  You could have anything on it in a different Japanese restaurant, perhaps with more elaborate presentations and even larger serving sizes.  But the magic of Sakura, is in its simplicity.  True to the Japanese minimalist ways, it executes its dishes to a T.  The ingredients are fresh, the selections are cooked well and fast, and the taste is familiar.  Even if no dish we had tasted blew our minds, except perhaps for the rolls, Sakura delivered an authentic Japanese experience.  For those searching for genuine Japanese food for an affordable price yet do not mind dining amidst busy passers-by, go beyond the bright corners of Glorietta and settle on this side of the mall.  A restaurant with this longevity, despite having no advertisement or promotions, is certain not to disappoint.  And like its namesake, the cherry blossom, its beauty is in its unsophisticated and unwavering charm.

Sakura Japanese Restaurant and Grocery

Second Floor, Glorietta 4

Ayala Avenue, Makati City

(02)-728-2512

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