Project 12 x 2 - 1, Scene 20: Izakaya Kikufuji

I don't eat anything that a dog won't eat. Like sushi. Ever see a dog eat sushi? He just sniffs it and says, "I don't think so." And this is an animal that licks between its legs and sniffs fire hydrants.
- Bill Coronel

Matagal na naming gustong mag Little Tokyo.

Natuloy din sa wakas!

gates to satiating nirvana

Ang intro:
Little Tokyo is a reference to this small compound near Makati Cinema Square where several Japanese establishments (mostly restaurants) are located. It has been a main hub for foodies in the prowl for authentic Japanese chow.

Kami ang pinuntahan namin ay yung Izakaya Kikufuji.

menu frontispiece (not really a frontispiece pero trip ko gamitin yung word)

The place is actually "outside" the compound of Little Tokyo, along Pasong Tamo (Chino Roces Avenue). Kung galing Buendia, head straight towards Pasay Road and Little Tokyo/Kikufuji should be on the left bago mag Makati Cinema Square. May katabi itong Japanese convenient store.

This place was researched by the Couch Potato and based from a few online reads, this is the place-to-be pag dating sa mga sushi at maki.

Ewe. Di ko talaga trip ang mga hilaw na pagkain. Kaya nga inimbento ang salitang "luto" eh, at kaya biniyayaan tayo ng Panginoon ng apoy. Still, ika nga ni Sir Jamie Lannister, "The things I do for love..."

Ang chicha:

• chawanmushi
• tempura soba
• chicken teriyaki don
• sake (salmon) sushi
• tsaa

steamed egg custard

Tamo nga naman, may chawanmushi! Natutunan namin itong dish na ito sa Teriyaki Boy and we've been a fan eversince. Simpleng egg custard ito na steamed sa maliit na porcelain pot. Nilalagyan lang ng konting sahog para magkalasa. Yung sa Kikufuji ay rich yung lasa ng itlog kaya ansarap. May toppings itong shrimp bits, pork, fish cake, at kabute. Malaki yung servings than those we've tried elsewhere kaya shoot siya sa amin for the price.

It should be an appetizer pero based on experience, sa apat na establishments na naka-try kaming mag chawanmushi (including dito sa Kikufuji), tatlo ang nag serve na during OR after we were served our main course already. Haha! Sa tagal niyang i-prepare, hindi na nagiging appetizer.

take notes para kuwari credible

Tempura soba ay literally tempura in a noodle soup. In-order ko ito para two birds in a stone, may soup na kami, matitikman ko pa ang tempura nila. May tatlong klase ng tempura na kasama sa isang order: isang pirasong hipon, isang pirasong isda, at isang pirasong talong. Medyo tinipid ata sa sahog. Al dente ang luto ng soba kaya kumakapit ng maige sa chopstick. Flavorful yung lasa ng sabaw (parang sukiyaki... manamis-namis) kaya aprub. Ansarap ng breading ng tempura. Hindi binastang harina kasi may lasa ito by itself. I can imagine how their fried ebi tempura would taste. Sayangs, sana nag-order na lang ako.

teriyaki chicken

The don meals are for those ignoramus na katulad ko na hindi kumakain ng hilaw. Among them, chicken teriyaki ang pinili ko at thanks the Maker, I did! Gasaraaaap ng teriyaki sauce! Sobrang match sa lambot at sakto sa pagka-ihaw ng juicy na manok. Malambot yung laman pero crispy ang balat. May combo itong sticky rice (no problem using chopstick with it) at miso soup (na ayoko ng lasa... not a fan of miso in general). May bed of seaweeds yung rice na hindi ko gaanong nalasahan yung effect niya sa lasa nung ulam in general.

hilaw na salmon

Sake or salmon sushi. Hindi talaga ako kumakain neto pero napilit ako ni Katlina na sumubok ng isang kagat and it's not bad really. The fact that my palates did not auto-reject it by means of puking outright says a lot. May pickled ginger garnish na kasama ito na ako ang tumira.

Unlike other Oriental restos, per baso sila magbigay ng house tea instead of the usual small kettle. Nothing special about it and there's none to expect. It's just plain tea.

Ang iba pang satsat:
When I first got ahold of the menu, my face did it's best impression of the letter "S"... capital letter pa. Haha! Wala akong ma-gets. It's in Niponggo. May katakana translations pero equally confusing still. Buti na lang there's ample pictures to help yung mga katulad naming mangmang. Out of context and stock knowledge na lang yung iba para ma-gets. Worst case, you can just always ask the waitress, WHO I should add, at that time, was not that helpful in how we can figure out what to order.

oooh-kay, NOW what are these??

Andaming laman ng menu. Again, kung alam lang sana namin kung ano ano yung mga nakasulat dun OR kung na-explain lang sana ng mas naiintindihan nung waitress.

May libreng hot towel. Pwedeng ipang-hilamos sa buong katawan... kung makapal ang muka.

Maganda yung lugar. Mukang hindi kagandahan sa labas pero sa loob, malaki ito, malinis at Hapon na Hapon ang kapaligiran. Nasa gitna ang primary kitchen nila kaya maaaring panuorin yung sandamakmak nilang cook at kitchen staffs habang gumagawa ng mga chicha. Dagdag ambiance pa ang mga naka kimono na waitress.

looks like in Japan, only with Pinoy staffs

Frankly, mukang scene ng typical Japanese sindikato hideout yung loob. Yun bang front lang ang restaurant pero sa mga kwarto sa likod o sa upper floors may headquarters ng mga goons na may matabang Hapon na big boss na maraming tattoo at magaling mag karate na kanang kamay.

Okay. Bago kami lumabas, binigyan pa kami ng parang tarheta o discount coupon na tadtad ng Niponggo. Kanji pa yata ang sulat neto eh. Kelangan pa namin mag renta ng interpreter para magamit ito.

Kaching!:
Not really expecting the experience to be cheap. And "not cheap" it is.

Price range is at P160 to P320. A piece of sushi or maki costs around P50 on average.

Pwedeng mag go-tipid via the don meals at P220 to P250. Yan na ang pinaka-tipid na busog meal na pwedeng mabile.

momoroblema??

Ang hatol:
Kung hindi mahilig sa gentong pagkain, dine in just for the experience. Pero mas patok ito for those who swears by Japanese food dahil masarap naman talaga. Sa daming kumakain na Hapon, the food must be authentic good.

Kung Pilipino ka sa ibang bansa, kakain ka ba sa resto na nag sisilbi ng peke o try-hard na Pilipino food?


11 out of 14!


*****

Project 12x2-1

...is a year in the palates of me and my Couch Potato.

January (Month End): Nihonbashi Tei (Click Here) 
February (Filler): Good Taste, 50's Diner, Oh My Gulay! (Click Here)
February (Mid Month): Sakae Sushi (Click Here)
February (Filler): Ba Noi's (Click Here)
February (Month End): Makan Makan (Makansutra) (Click Here)
March (Mid Month): Toast Box (Click Here)
March (Month End): My Thai Kitchen (Click Here)
April (Filler): Cafe Mediterranean (Click Here)
April (Mid Month): Le Ching Too (Click Here)
April (Month End): Dong Bei Dumplings, Wai Ying Fastfood (Click Here)
May (Mid Month): Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken (Click Here)
May (Month End): YakiMIX (Click Here)
June (Mid Month): Thousand Cranes Shabu-Shabu (Click Here)
June (Month End): Wingman (Click Here)
July (Mid Month): Nanbantei of Tokyo (Click Here)
July (Filler): LZM Restaurant (Click Here)
July (Month End): Old Penang (Click Here)
August (Mid Month): Spaghetti Factory (Click Here)
August (Month End): Adobo Connection (Click Here)
August (Filler): Chubby's Rib Shack / Buffalo's Wings N' Things (Click Here)
September (Filler): Pizza Volante (Click Here)
September (Filler): Jim's Retro Diner (Click Here) 
September (Mid Month): 101 Hawker Food House (Click Here)
September (Month End): ElarZLechon (Click Here)
October (Mid Month): Luk Yuen (Click Here)
October (Month End): Vikings Luxury Buffet (Click Here)
November (Filler): Mister Kabab (Click Here)
November (Mid Month): Izakaya Kikufuji (Click Here)

Project 12 x 2 - 1, Scene 20: Izakaya Kikufuji

I don't eat anything that a dog won't eat. Like sushi. Ever see a dog eat sushi? He just sniffs it and says, "I don't think so." And this is an animal that licks between its legs and sniffs fire hydrants.
- Bill Coronel

Matagal na naming gustong mag Little Tokyo.

Natuloy din sa wakas!

gates to satiating nirvana

Ang intro:
Little Tokyo is a reference to this small compound near Makati Cinema Square where several Japanese establishments (mostly restaurants) are located. It has been a main hub for foodies in the prowl for authentic Japanese chow.

Kami ang pinuntahan namin ay yung Izakaya Kikufuji.

menu frontispiece (not really a frontispiece pero trip ko gamitin yung word)

The place is actually "outside" the compound of Little Tokyo, along Pasong Tamo (Chino Roces Avenue). Kung galing Buendia, head straight towards Pasay Road and Little Tokyo/Kikufuji should be on the left bago mag Makati Cinema Square. May katabi itong Japanese convenient store.

This place was researched by the Couch Potato and based from a few online reads, this is the place-to-be pag dating sa mga sushi at maki.

Ewe. Di ko talaga trip ang mga hilaw na pagkain. Kaya nga inimbento ang salitang "luto" eh, at kaya biniyayaan tayo ng Panginoon ng apoy. Still, ika nga ni Sir Jamie Lannister, "The things I do for love..."

Ang chicha:

• chawanmushi
• tempura soba
• chicken teriyaki don
• sake (salmon) sushi
• tsaa

steamed egg custard

Tamo nga naman, may chawanmushi! Natutunan namin itong dish na ito sa Teriyaki Boy and we've been a fan eversince. Simpleng egg custard ito na steamed sa maliit na porcelain pot. Nilalagyan lang ng konting sahog para magkalasa. Yung sa Kikufuji ay rich yung lasa ng itlog kaya ansarap. May toppings itong shrimp bits, pork, fish cake, at kabute. Malaki yung servings than those we've tried elsewhere kaya shoot siya sa amin for the price.

It should be an appetizer pero based on experience, sa apat na establishments na naka-try kaming mag chawanmushi (including dito sa Kikufuji), tatlo ang nag serve na during OR after we were served our main course already. Haha! Sa tagal niyang i-prepare, hindi na nagiging appetizer.

take notes para kuwari credible

Tempura soba ay literally tempura in a noodle soup. In-order ko ito para two birds in a stone, may soup na kami, matitikman ko pa ang tempura nila. May tatlong klase ng tempura na kasama sa isang order: isang pirasong hipon, isang pirasong isda, at isang pirasong talong. Medyo tinipid ata sa sahog. Al dente ang luto ng soba kaya kumakapit ng maige sa chopstick. Flavorful yung lasa ng sabaw (parang sukiyaki... manamis-namis) kaya aprub. Ansarap ng breading ng tempura. Hindi binastang harina kasi may lasa ito by itself. I can imagine how their fried ebi tempura would taste. Sayangs, sana nag-order na lang ako.

teriyaki chicken

The don meals are for those ignoramus na katulad ko na hindi kumakain ng hilaw. Among them, chicken teriyaki ang pinili ko at thanks the Maker, I did! Gasaraaaap ng teriyaki sauce! Sobrang match sa lambot at sakto sa pagka-ihaw ng juicy na manok. Malambot yung laman pero crispy ang balat. May combo itong sticky rice (no problem using chopstick with it) at miso soup (na ayoko ng lasa... not a fan of miso in general). May bed of seaweeds yung rice na hindi ko gaanong nalasahan yung effect niya sa lasa nung ulam in general.

hilaw na salmon

Sake or salmon sushi. Hindi talaga ako kumakain neto pero napilit ako ni Katlina na sumubok ng isang kagat and it's not bad really. The fact that my palates did not auto-reject it by means of puking outright says a lot. May pickled ginger garnish na kasama ito na ako ang tumira.

Unlike other Oriental restos, per baso sila magbigay ng house tea instead of the usual small kettle. Nothing special about it and there's none to expect. It's just plain tea.

Ang iba pang satsat:
When I first got ahold of the menu, my face did it's best impression of the letter "S"... capital letter pa. Haha! Wala akong ma-gets. It's in Niponggo. May katakana translations pero equally confusing still. Buti na lang there's ample pictures to help yung mga katulad naming mangmang. Out of context and stock knowledge na lang yung iba para ma-gets. Worst case, you can just always ask the waitress, WHO I should add, at that time, was not that helpful in how we can figure out what to order.

oooh-kay, NOW what are these??

Andaming laman ng menu. Again, kung alam lang sana namin kung ano ano yung mga nakasulat dun OR kung na-explain lang sana ng mas naiintindihan nung waitress.

May libreng hot towel. Pwedeng ipang-hilamos sa buong katawan... kung makapal ang muka.

Maganda yung lugar. Mukang hindi kagandahan sa labas pero sa loob, malaki ito, malinis at Hapon na Hapon ang kapaligiran. Nasa gitna ang primary kitchen nila kaya maaaring panuorin yung sandamakmak nilang cook at kitchen staffs habang gumagawa ng mga chicha. Dagdag ambiance pa ang mga naka kimono na waitress.

looks like in Japan, only with Pinoy staffs

Frankly, mukang scene ng typical Japanese sindikato hideout yung loob. Yun bang front lang ang restaurant pero sa mga kwarto sa likod o sa upper floors may headquarters ng mga goons na may matabang Hapon na big boss na maraming tattoo at magaling mag karate na kanang kamay.

Okay. Bago kami lumabas, binigyan pa kami ng parang tarheta o discount coupon na tadtad ng Niponggo. Kanji pa yata ang sulat neto eh. Kelangan pa namin mag renta ng interpreter para magamit ito.

Kaching!:
Not really expecting the experience to be cheap. And "not cheap" it is.

Price range is at P160 to P320. A piece of sushi or maki costs around P50 on average.

Pwedeng mag go-tipid via the don meals at P220 to P250. Yan na ang pinaka-tipid na busog meal na pwedeng mabile.

momoroblema??

Ang hatol:
Kung hindi mahilig sa gentong pagkain, dine in just for the experience. Pero mas patok ito for those who swears by Japanese food dahil masarap naman talaga. Sa daming kumakain na Hapon, the food must be authentic good.

Kung Pilipino ka sa ibang bansa, kakain ka ba sa resto na nag sisilbi ng peke o try-hard na Pilipino food?


11 out of 14!


*****

Project 12x2-1

...is a year in the palates of me and my Couch Potato.

January (Month End): Nihonbashi Tei (Click Here) 
February (Filler): Good Taste, 50's Diner, Oh My Gulay! (Click Here)
February (Mid Month): Sakae Sushi (Click Here)
February (Filler): Ba Noi's (Click Here)
February (Month End): Makan Makan (Makansutra) (Click Here)
March (Mid Month): Toast Box (Click Here)
March (Month End): My Thai Kitchen (Click Here)
April (Filler): Cafe Mediterranean (Click Here)
April (Mid Month): Le Ching Too (Click Here)
April (Month End): Dong Bei Dumplings, Wai Ying Fastfood (Click Here)
May (Mid Month): Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken (Click Here)
May (Month End): YakiMIX (Click Here)
June (Mid Month): Thousand Cranes Shabu-Shabu (Click Here)
June (Month End): Wingman (Click Here)
July (Mid Month): Nanbantei of Tokyo (Click Here)
July (Filler): LZM Restaurant (Click Here)
July (Month End): Old Penang (Click Here)
August (Mid Month): Spaghetti Factory (Click Here)
August (Month End): Adobo Connection (Click Here)
August (Filler): Chubby's Rib Shack / Buffalo's Wings N' Things (Click Here)
September (Filler): Pizza Volante (Click Here)
September (Filler): Jim's Retro Diner (Click Here) 
September (Mid Month): 101 Hawker Food House (Click Here)
September (Month End): ElarZLechon (Click Here)
October (Mid Month): Luk Yuen (Click Here)
October (Month End): Vikings Luxury Buffet (Click Here)
November (Filler): Mister Kabab (Click Here)
November (Mid Month): Izakaya Kikufuji (Click Here)