Japok is a small, open-air eatery just across McDonald's E. Rodriguez. There was a long line at McDo's drivethru so we just crossed over to Japok.

Their menu is very simple and straightforward, in fact the whole thing is posted on the counter wall so you can tell the order-taker what you want right away. I opted for their Jappy Maki (P70/4 pcs), which is crunchy maki topped with mayo and shredded crabsticks. Hubby ordered the Gyoza Bento (P65), which was comprised of rice, veggies, and about 4-5 big pieces of Gyoza. We also got a Miso Ramen (P75) to share.

The food was okay in general, except for the Miso Ramen. Although it came in a huge bowl, they should really have called it Oily Instant Noodles because that was what it was. Shredded veggies and instant noodle-like noodles steeped in tasteless oily soup. Suffice to say we couldn't finish it.

If you're eating at Japok, forget the ramen. Get a bento meal, it's really cheap and satisfying. Plus points: The staff was honest enough to admit to serving tap water from the sink and using it to make their Japok Green Iced Tea. So we had C2 instead... better safe than sorry.

   Goodbye Yokohama Curry Museum! I know it's late but I just found out it shut down for good last March 2007 when my cousin was doing some research for her upcoming Japan trip.

   Hubby and I had the yummiest black angus curry there. The serving was so big we had to share, and I remember we paid around 750 yen for it.

   Can't really say I'm surprised though because we visited the Ramen Museum on the same day and it was jam-packed with people, we could hardly move -- whereas I felt we were the only people at the Curry Museum. 

   This is a pic of me at the Yokohama Curry Museum Shop. Pics of the Yokohama Curry Museum HERE.

Sizzling Pepper Steak is brought to us by the same person behind the Teriyaki Boy chain. It is more or less based on the Japanese chain called "Pepper Lunch" which will open at the Power Plant in Rockwell soon. We couldn't get in the Pepper Lunch when we were in Tokyo because it was always packed full of people. When we saw Sizzling Pepper Steak in Trinoma today, we decided to give it a go.

I was struck by the bright, clean, and cozy interiors. There were LCD monitors and paper placemats demonstrating how you should eat your pepper rice and steak. Tables were also equipped with individual exhausts so you won't smell like food afterwards.

Anyways I order Beef Pepper Rice (P185), hubby ordered Saikoro Pepper Rice (P175), Kenshin had the kiddie meal with spaghetti bolognese, crisscut fries, fried chicken, and iced tea (P155), while our helper had the Pork Pepper Rice (P165). The pepper rice meals are served on hot plates with the meat only slightly cooked. You'll have to finish cooking it yourself before you can eat. After the meat is cooked you're supposed to mix it all together with the rice, and you can add sauces (available on your table) if you wish to make it more flavorful.

The servings are sizzling hot and hearty, you'll surely be satisfied after one plate. Very tasty! Service is also very good, the servers were very courteous, attentive, and quick on their feet. We were asked to fill out a feedback form after the meal and given a complimentary chocolate crinkle. We'll definitely be back

Pictures here - http://animetric.multiply.com/photos/album/37/Sizzling_Pepper_Steak

Tapioca drinks like Zagu, Quickly, and Easy Way are practically obsolete. Out comes Bubble Tea, a full-fledged cafe type Japanese eatery specializing in milk and fruit tea-based tapioca drinks! I was particularly interested in trying this one out because it's actually franchised from Tokyo, Japan.

Last Monday hubby and I went to Megamall, and I told him I wanted to eat at Bubble Tea. I read on the internet that they don't just serve drinks, they serve snacks, sandwiches, pasta, and rice toppings as well.

The place was well-lit and immaculately clean. I asked the counter girl what the best seller was and she said Royal Milk Tea (P65 for a large glass) so that was what I ordered. Meanwhile, hubby decided to have Taro Milk Tea (P75). I also requested additional tapioca for P10 more. We ordered an appetizer called Chimaki which is breaded chicken with seaweed and melted cheese rolled and cut into makis, Kani Crabstick Sandwich (pictured on the right), and good old Katsudon.

The Chimaki was served with a thick sweet-ish brown sauce topped with sesame seeds, while Kani Crabstick sandwich came with chips and a small salad. My only complaint was that the Kani Crabstick sandwich was overloaded with thousand island dressing which made it nakakasuya. I thought it would have worked better with a bit of Japanese mayo. All in all we spent a little over P500.

I loved the Royal Milk Tea. It was made from brewed red tea, infused with milk, and then loaded with syrupy tapioca balls. I didn't taste any sugar. It was only slightly sweetened and tasted so natural, I loved it! Aside from extra tapioca, you can also opt to add some egg custard to milk-based drinks.

Bubble Tea has some pastries on display but they didn't look particularly appetizing so I didn't order any. I'll definitely come back for more bubble tea though, and next time I'll try the milk-based green tea variant.

Bubble Tea also has a branch at SM City North Edsa, located at the ground level of The Block. Visit the Japanese website at http://www.tokyobubbletea.jp

With the advent of green tea as a regular consumer beverage in our country (mainly thanks to C2 green tea), green tea is fast becoming the next coffee (which in turn started when Starbucks landed on our shores).

Kozui Green Tea is a bright and quaint little Japanese tea place which is so sparkly clean it's reminiscent of similar establishments we tried in Japan. They serve all kinds of green tea concoctions -- brews, shakes, ices, frapuccino-like drinks which I can't remember the names of, anmitsu... I could just take in the fresh green tea smells in this place and get my fix. Aside from drinks they also serve Japanese snacks like takoyaki, tempura, kani salad, various sandwiches, and an array of green tea pastries -- typical coffee shop fare.

I ordered the taro anmitsu (pictured on the right). It was composed of shaved ice, taro paste (which I swear is better than ube because it's not so sweet), sticky rice balls, azuki (red beans), and topped with a mix of creamy vanilla and green tea soft-serve ice cream (cost P128). We also had an order of takoyaki and tempura, both of which were absolutely delicious.

I can't wait to go back there and try some of their other cool concoctions!!!

Authentic Japanese teishoku meals for an average price of P150! Plus you get that fresh feeling of fullness after eating natural unprocessed food. Welcome to Yamazaki Japanese Grocery / Hoka Hoka Ramen and Bento (I don't know which name to call it since all those names are plastered across its white signboard.).

Yamazaki is a small and simple Japanese eatery reminiscent of the eateries we frequent when walking around Tokyo. My favorite meal is their grilled salmon teishoku meal which consists of authentic Japanese rice, grilled salmon, an array of sidings like pickles and veggies, fresh tofu, and miso soup. It's just like the traditional Japanese breakfast I miss so much. They also have gyoza (5 pcs at 75 pesos), onigiri (115 pesos for 2 pcs and comes with a piece of fried chicken, different kinds of curry rice meals (at an average price of P125 each), sushi (for as low as 80 pesos a set to go), korokke (potato croquettes), ramen, tempura, yakiniku... and so much more. The highest priced item on the menu is like P210. You can't go wrong here. Almost ALL the patrons are Japanese, and you know that's a good proof of its authenticity.

Their teishoku meals (except the fish selection like my favorite salmon meal) are all served with authentic Japanese rice, miso soup, spaghetti salad (your choice of red or white), and various sidings of pickles and veggies.

Their take-out menu is even better. All the great stuff you can order at an even lower price! Check out the pic I attached to this review.

Located just right across Plaza Fair at Makati Cinema Square, if their parking lot is full you can park at Plaza Fair's basement for 20 pesos.

Yummy, filling, and cheap! My hubby and I took 2 kids, yaya, both his parents, and his sister to eat there and we spent a total of 1,083 pesos!!!

Oh yeah, they also operate a Japanese grocery beside the restaurant where you can buy Japanese stuff... but it's kind of pricey, you're better off shopping for Japanese groceries at Manila Seikyo (Co-op) where everything costs 75 pesos.

   As I was uploading photos of our 2005 Japan trip, I remembered the traditional Japanese breakfast of grilled salmon, miso soup, steamed rice, and pickles I always have in Tokyo. After eating it feels so light and healthy because there's not a drop of oil or unhealthy ingredients in this meal.

   The picture on the left was taken at Denny's in Akihabara. Yup, Denny's the American chain. They serve the traditional Japanese breakfast and they're open 24/7 like they are in the US.

   We actually found a place in Makati which serves the exact same thing among other authentic Japanese food. Too bad I was not able to copy the name, address, and number but we'll go back there for sure since each set meal costs about 150 pesos only! And you'll be dining amongst Japanese people. I guess it's one of Little Tokyo's best kept secrets because looking at it from the outside you wouldn't be able to tell there's a restaurant inside.

Freshly cooked all-natural burgers with a Japanese touch! The owner is Japanese, and the atmosphere and staff are reminiscent of how small restaurants in Tokyo are.

Must try: Master Burger and Kimpira Burger! Master Burger comes with a beef patty covered in sloppy joe sauce, caramelized onions, and a big red juicy slice of tomato. Kimpira Burger is a rice burger (using Japanese rice!) filled with Japanese vegetables, bacon, and a special sauce. Both burgers cost 88 pesos each. Their french fries are real potatoes that are salted and fried.

They also have this yummy desert called Macha Azuki which is green tea blended with soft-serve vanilla ice cream (on the spot!) and topped with cornflakes, red bean, and two pieces of mochi. It costs 60 pesos.

Inexpensive, fresh, natural, and simply delicious!

In terms of authenticity, this Japanese restaurant takes the cake. Stepping inside felt like I was in Tokyo all over again. Our Japanese suppliers treated us here for a cozy Christmas get-together. There were five of us in all, and I estimate our meal cost well over 10k.

How could it not? They ordered whale sashimi -- and 8 paper-thin slices of it cost 1.1k. We also had salmon sashimi, bonito sashimi, and two other kinds of fish sashimi. We had two orders of gindara, 2 orders of tempura moriawase, two orders of kitsune udon, and two orders of zaru soba. We also had this exotic mushroom broth served in little ceramic teapots. And of course the Japanese had an endless flow of San Miguel beer coming to the table albeit I only had iced tea.

They say that ALL the ingredients used in this restaurant are imported from Japan. The waitresses, who are all Pinay, can speak and understand Japanese too. Every Japanese person we've met who has been to Manila claim that Tsukiji is the most authentic Japanese restaurant here, and I couldn't agree more.

If you want authentic Japanese dishes right here in Metro Manila this is the place to be. Okonomiyaki, takoyaki, onigiri, curry, cold noodles... you name it, they have it. It's run by Japanese chef Koichi Kondo to boot, who also teaches Japanese cooking at Heny Sison's School for Culinary Arts.

Yummy, reasonably priced, clean, well-lit, good-sized portions, and service is great! This is where I go when I'm craving real Japanese food. It's the closest to what I've eaten in Japan so far.

Their numbers are 4130773 / 4262816.