Most Japanese restaurant offers the same food, same menu, and the same experience. I almost thought that that was all Japanese food has to offer , not until I discovered Nanbantei of Tokyo. It’s a Japanese restaurant like no other.
The restaurant showcases flavorful Yakitori dishes which in Japanese means grilled chicken, but Nanbantei of Tokyo doesn’t limit it’s gastronomic creativity to just grilled chicken. They have beef, pork, seafood, vegetables, and including exotic dishes that will surprise your taste buds.
Before we start grilling, let’s try out the refreshing Mushroom Shitake Salad, with it’s sesame, nutty flavored dressing.
Now let’s start the grill grilling and the plates coming with these succulent sticks beginning with Enoki Maki. Is Enoki Mushroom wrapped with thin slice of pork, seasoned and grilled.
Tebasaki, or grilled chicken wings. I never tasted chicken wings grilled before, it was only served fried.
Anything wrapped in bacon is not to be missed and Nanbantei of Tokyo has a lot of bacon-wrapped goodies to choose from – Poteto Maki (potato), Namajake Sumi Yaki (salmon), shrimp, or even chicken liver, Leba Maki.
Pork Yakiniku, is thin slices of pork belly with Yakiniku sauce or the Japanese version of the barbecue sauce.
For the meat and green combination there are a lot to choose from – Aspara Maki is asparagus wrapped with thin slices of pork. Then there’s Negima, a combination of chicken and onion leeks. Buta Negi, is onion leeks wrapped in pork. Beside the Buta Negi will test your taste for adventure, the Gyu-Tan or the Ox tongue with garlic flavor. It was good, but I didn’t like it. The thought of eating an ox’s tongue in too much for my own tongue to take.
If you aren’t that adventurous, you can try out Nanbantei of Tokyo’s Tori Karaage or breaded chicken with ponzu sauce. It’s perfectly fried – crispy yet juicy on the inside. It’s best combined with Yaki Onigiri or grilled rice balls , yes rice can be grilled too.
These grilled goodies are best eaten while sipping on these refreshing new line up of cocktails.
L – R: Japanese Mojito uses uses Ichiko Sochu, fresh calamansi juice, simple syrup and soda water. Hibiscus Mojito, a combination of mojito mint, Bacardi White, hibiscus syrup, mint leaves, fresh lime juice, lime wedge garnish and topped with soda water. Fresh Rita – Nanbantei of Tokyo’s version of the Margarita. Gin Basil – combines Tanqueray Gin, sweet and sour mix, fresh basil, simple syrup and Sprite to add fizz. Malibu Midori, a mix of Midori Melon Liqueur, Malibu Rum, Bacardi White, sweet and sour mix and pineapple juice.
These are cocktail mix are sweet and refreshing to taste, I just have to remind you that they still can pack a punch so drink moderately now that drunk driving law has been amended with bigger penalties. That’s if you survive the crash.
If you are a first timer and an undecided on what to order, might was well try out one of Nanbantei of Tokyo’s their Samurai Set which includes 3 of each – Miso soup, Gohan (rice), Tebasaki, Negima, Aspara Maki, Pork Yakiniku, and a plate of Ebi Tempura for ony P888.00. There are two more sets aside from this, but this is what I would order.
Nanbantei of Tokyo Bonifacio High Street is open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 2.30pm, then from 5.30pm to 11pm. OnFridays they are open from 11am to 2.30pm, then from 5.30pm until 12 midnight. On Saturdays they are open from 11am to 12midnight, and Sundays from 11am to 11pm. For inquiries, call 377.2636. You may also check out Nanbantei of Tokyo Greenbelt 3, 3/F Ayala Center, Makati. For inquiries, call 757.4130-31.
Fabeook Page – https://www.facebook.com/NanbanteiPhilippines
