Maisen Opens Restaurant with a Japanese Bar at Shangrila BGC

I'm so excited to tell you about this. This is Maisen Shangrila BGC and we've featured their restaurant a couple of months ago when they opened shop at SM Megamall. There's no stopping them. Maisen is first and foremost a Tonkatsu house and they serve premier meat dishes, but their Kurobota Meat is by far the best in Manila. I've had the chance to actually try their dishes ahead of the public via their special invitation. I was a little late so I didn't get to talk with the other bloggers, but that's a good thing since I'd be enjoying the food and ambiance myself without peer influence, turned out like a good thing eh? :)

This is a sight to behold, their Shio Pork. Shio means salt which is basically the only seasoning the pork needs when it's lightly roasted/fried. It comes in a set so you can wrap it up with lettuce leaves and dab a little of everything like the chili, put in radish, scallions, Kimuchi and even the Philippine calamansi. You must have this hot so you could get to eat it while on a soft state. You can't really reheat it and they use a steel pot for obvious reasons. Make sure you eat it fast!

This is the Oshi Meshi Unagi. It's grilled eel slices that's smoky, sweet and savory, put on top of white Japanese rice. It haunted me in the next few days because I was craving for it. It was still flaky when I bit it, but it's designed to be devoured in one mouthful. I didn't want any sauce on it as it's good on it's own. This is one of their new dishes in this joint. It's super good if you're a fish lover!

This Maisen branch in Shangrila BGC is special because it's the only one that's got a full working wet bar with classically Japanese trained bartender as they want you to experience the exceptional city that never sleeps, like as if Tokyo/Ginza District would be brought to Manila. Now it ain't your typical bars with some lazy drinks that they could probably whip up to, they've got specials and I've had the opportunity to taste them. My personal favorite was the Pineapple Vodka and they did it with flare. To let you get that experience too, I've shot a short video of my Maisen visit. Here you go!

So now you've got Maisen in SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, Greenbelt 5 and the newly opened one in Maisen  in Shangrila Mall at BGC. You've got a dining destination plotted out for you and it's time you try their drinks, especially my personal favorite the Pineapple Vodka. Please ask for it when you're in Maisen's Bar and I assure you, you're never going to have another look at Vodka the same way again! 

Trust me on the vodka LOL!

For more information about their restaurant:

MAISEN PHILIPPINES

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Maisen Opens Biggest Branch in Megamall

The well loved Maisen from Tokyo just landed in Manila. It's been dishing out the best Tonkatsu in the land of the rising sun since 1965. It also just opened a bigger store in SM Megamall and by the looks of it, it's the first one to open in any SM branch for that matter. When I asked the servers, they said they haven't really run out of people in this one and says sales have been phenomenal. The best Tonkatsu in the world is proving it's worth and we were there to witness its  grand launch a few days ago. It was also witnessed by celebrities Ruru Madrid, Gabbi Garcia, Enzo Pineda, male supermodels River Viiperi, Kevin Hub Smith, Eian Scully and executives from Suyen Corporation. The Maisen franchise has been acquired by Suyen Corporation, CEO Ben Chan, famous Chef Florabel Co - Yatco, restaurateur Rikki Dee (who's got several restaurants in his belt), Richard Gomez, Congresswoman Lucy Torres Gomez and the Queen of all media Ms. Kris Aquino. Izutsu Maisen Co. Ltd.'s very own President and CEO Takeshi Okamoto and Corporate Planning Director Tadakazu Fujishiro were also there to bear witness, they flew all the way from Japan. As for it's authenticity, Japanese expats who originally had it in Tokyo plus tourists who also tried it recently said it tasted the same. Now if that doesn't get you interested in trying out Maisen's Tonkatsu, you're going to have to watch this!

MAISEN Tonkatsu SM Megamall Launch by kumagcow

Maisen has their existing Greenbelt 5 branch for those in the south, whilst they also have another in SM City North Edsa for those up north. The biggest one in SM Megamall has a stand alone beverage area so service is impeccable. The Tonkatsu by far is the softest I've ever had in my entire life. I thought it would have crunch out side but it kinda just crumbles and melts in your mouth when you bite into it. It's that good! For this occasion, they also flew in Yorkshire pork for us from Japan. It was one for the books! You can imagine how the sauce, their own home made like bread crumbs, makes Maisen the number 1 Tonkatsu maker in the world! 

Now head on to SM Megamall's 3F Building A right in front of the Cinemas. Maisen isn't a fad, it's the real thing! It's legit!

For more information about the best Tonkatsu in the world:

Maisen Philippines

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Japanese Curry Fit For Filipino Palate: Eri Curry

It looks like a new player is in town. Eri Curry, a local brand set to ignite your taste buds with their own version of Japanese curry at the atrium of SM Megamall's building B. The owners have been journeying Japan and other countries, seeing great potential on a staple food item in Japanese specialty restaurants and thought Filipinos would absolutely love this!

They did it with a pretty festive and grand way that afternoon when Geishas performed modern dance numbers inspired by Japanese themes. I loved what they did on stage because it felt like Cherry Blossoms season once again.

One of the owners is Concert Queen Pops Fernandez, the Chef and other executives opened and blessed the store a few days ago. Then we went inside the quaint store to get a taste of their specials.

This is Sakana Warm and Tender. It's Sole Fish wrapped in rice and slightly spicy Japanese mayo. It's a little heavy because it's deep fried with Tempura batter if I'm not mistaken. I would have wanted this to be a regular maki instead.

This is their Ebi Futo. It's Shrimp Maki with Romaine Lettuce, Cucumber, a dab of Japanese Mayo and light soy dressing. It's sweet, I like this a lot because it's refreshing and it's like you're eating salad on a Maki roll. It's better than the Sakana Warm and Tender.

This is their FIERY Katsu Curry. It's Pork Tonkatsu sitting on a bed of premium Japanese rice and a flooding of Curry Sauce with streaks of soft egg. They have three levels of spiciness on the curry but I find it still moderately spicy on the Fiery level. It's a 5/10 but you can use the chili powder available on the table to make it even more spicy. The dish is also pretty heavy, one that can probably feed two women. Men can have it on their own. In Japan, they usually have this after a night of drinking. If they are woozy, they want something ultra flavorful and make them sweat a bit so this is perfect. The price point is a little high at 320, but you get the premium ingredients for your food so I don't think you are getting shortchanged. 

It's time for you to experience it at the third floor of SM Megamall's atrium. Come with your friends and family, the place can probably seat up to 50-70 people as some seating is also available outside the store. Make this your next curry destination since it's a really good place to try it.

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Eri Curry

Winners of Tokyo Tokyo Gift Certificates!

It looks like some people are lucky that even a simple survey can get them to win prizes like these! We have a winner and it's the Shrimp Tonkatsu Donburi that won the most votes. Tokyo Tokyo chose names from those who got the right answer and now you've just won for yourself gift certificates to their restaurant and use it on any TokyoTokyo branch near you. 

You'll also receive it from 1-2 weeks from now and they'll send it on the address you provided on the form. Ah, some guys and gals are just lucky!! Congratulations to you and stay tuned on KUMAGCOW.COM for more giveaways like these from the best Japanese fast food chain in the Philippines, TokyoTokyo! Make sure you order the Shrimp Tonkatsu Donburi while you're at it! :)

For more information about their stores:

tokyotokyo philippines

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Tokyo Tokyo: The Great Donburi Taiketsu Showdown!

When you are presented two heaping bowls of rice and shrimp or rice and maki, which would you choose? Well that's about to become even real as Tokyo Tokyo reveals their best ever Maki and Shrimp Katsu Donburi. They've also gone bolder and pitted these two variants against each other in a one of a kind showdown entitled The Great Donburi Taiketsu!

These bowls have been a staple in every Tokyo Tokyo branch nationwide and it's pretty cool that it's now going to be in the spotlight! Why not?!  

 Imagine the Maki Donburi that mirrors the best seller California Maki which has got deep fried Kani scores of crispy onion rings smothered with Japanese Mayo and a savory sauce.

Then look at the other bowl of  Shrimp Katsu Donburi that mirrors their Katsudon that contains a crunchy shrimp patty in Tokyo Tokyo's original sauce topped on a bed of steaming hot white rice. 

The only problem then is, what will you choose? :)

Tokyo Tokyo has taken pride in making your food experience in their stores premium but affordable with these choices. Now, you can get these treats for less than a hundred pesos. Ala carte bowls of these wonderful Donburi bowls cost Php 85 but if you wish to have your meal complete with a glass of softdrink then you can get it for Php 99, isn't that a great deal? I know, but here's how you can get a thousand bucks worth of gift certificates courtesy of our friends from Tokyo Tokyo. Click on this!

JOIN THE GREAT DONBURI TAIKETSU GIVEAWAY HERE!

Please make sure you answer the survey only once. Otherwise, you will be disqualified. Good luck!

For more information about their stores:

Tokyo Tokyo Philippines

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TOKYO TOKYO Fire and Ice

We were in BGC a few days ago to attend popular Japanese restaurant chain TokyoTokyo's Fire and Ice event. We were kind of kept in the dark of what it was all about but I had a pretty good hunch it was about new products in their store. I got my answer right after a few rounds of my favorite TokyoTokyo Red Iced Tea. Mmmm...

 

FIRE - an element that pronounces a man's courage and fervor. It's the perfect element to also signify hot melted cheese, oozing out on layers of soft meat covered in crispy bread crumbs and fried to perfection. This is their new CHEESE TONKATSU BENTO. 

Imagine your teeth sinking into finely shredded cabbage with roasted sesame dressing, tons of melted cheese with pork cutlet covered in crispy bread crumb batter and piping hot rice. Tell me, how can you go wrong with that?!

How cheesy is it?! Let's ask Paul!

You might not be able to hold it up with your chopsticks that long because the melted cheese just drips put of the meat. 

Then it was time for desserts!

ICE - made from the element of life, water. It signifies all things living and celebrates the sweetness of it.  shows better in the new TokyoTokyo dessert offerings!

This is their new SNOW ICE. It's roots come from the mother of all Asian desserts called Kakigori in Japan. It is said to be the forefather of the Philippines own HALO HALO or the Ice Kacang of Malaysia. They usually serve this at festivals to celebrate and induce luck and fortune. It's also available un three variants namely HaloHalo, Choco Sensation and the Mango Peach Medley. The halohalo is a modern take on the local dessert complete with ube, leche flan, nata de coco and crunchy corn flakes. Choco Sensation felt more of like brownie ala mode as it is composed of brownie chuncks, marshmallows, chocolate sauce and a cherry on top. My personal favorite the Mango Peach Medley resonates that fruity tropical flavors you'll love on a hot Sunday afternoon. All of these desserts lie on a bed of super finely shaved Vanilla ice that gives it just the right amount of sweetness. It's also perfect for sharing! 

Tokyo Tokyo also had Kaya F.C. and Daniel Matsunaga there that afternoon. Even the Japanese guys in the team were overjoyed that they tasted a lot of what they had back at home. If they approve it, Pinoys should definitely rush over to TokyoTokyo branches nationwide and get the same Fire and Ice love we had that afternoon. 

I'll definitely go back for the Cheese Tonkatsu Bento and the Snow Ice desserts soon!

Ciao!

KUMAGCOW

Men's Lifestyle Redefined!

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