Hana Restaurant, Little Tokyo

The Club met again that Sunday (I think this is the 3^rd straight Sunday that we had an eating rendezvous) but initial plan was to target Wingman Grill and Wabi Sabi restaurants located at the Collective.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to check if they were open on Sundays and assumed that they were until Ferdz informed us that Sunday morning that it’s closed on Sundays.  I called Wabi-Sabi and confirmed that it was closed for the day. *groan*

Panicking since we were going to meet in half an hour, I frantically looked at my list to find a suitable restaurant for the Club.  We looked at visiting Crystal Jade but the 1 hour waiting time doesn’t agree with us.  Finally, I made a reservation at Kagura but they only had a table for 10 outside at the time I placed the reservation so we decided to hop at the resto beside it, Hana.

Little Tokyo is not new to us since Bubba and I love LOVE the Tarafuku Set at Urameshi-ya but that was our first time to dine inside Hana restaurant. 

READ MORE:   Urameshiya, Little Tokyo

                     Urameshiya Part Deux

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It was rather small, probably 30-32 sqm floor area that had a narrow bar on the right side and 3-4 tables inside and a private corner at the far end.

On the Table

Takoyaki (2) PHP 120

Hana is quite famous in the block because of their Takoyaki.  They have a takoyaki stand set up outside of the restaurant and you’re ensured that you get the freshest of their Takoyaki balls right of the hot iron grill.  Takoyaki to some is considered as the best street food in Japan.  I don’t think I tried Takoyaki during my 1-month stay in Japan before. 

6 pieces of giant dumpling, shaped like a ball, is from a Japanese batter with diced or whole baby octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger and green onion.  Hana’s takoyaki is supposed to be the best in town.  I wish there were more okonomiyaki-ponzu-mayonnaise sauce drizzled on their Takoyaki and I can readily agree.  I remember that when were at Urameshiya the first time and Bubba ordered Takoyaki from Hana, I really liked it hands down.  

Tempura Lunch Set PHP 350

Surprisingly, this was my choice of lunch that day.  Hana’s tempura lunch set consists of 3 pieces of ebi tempura and 3-4 pieces of vegetable tempura.  My meal came with warm miso soup and a bowl of white rice.

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Wakame Soba Set PHP 270

This was Bubba’s order.  Bubba didn’t like it much but it wasn’t so bad.  He found the soup on the salty side but I tasted it and it had (for me) just enough soy in it that’s not overwhelming.  Nothing exceptional but it was okay.

The Wakame Soba set included 3 pieces of Gyoza and Chahan (Japanese rice) on the side.  Priced at PHP 270, this is worth the money you pay for.

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Japanese rice

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Gyoza

Yaki Soba PHP 200

Japanese stir fried noodles with cut-up pieces of vegetables, garnished with dried bonito flakes (that appears to move sometimes when served on top of Agedashi Tofu).  Irene and Richard both liked Hana’s Yaki Soba since it wasn’t too oily when it was supposed to be yet it was still quite tasty.

The dishes the rest of the group ordered included Shoyu Ramen (PHP 180), Pork Curry (PHP 220) and Yaki Soba (PHP 200) and 3 orders of Set A (PHP 350).  Richard also ordered Okonomiyaki from Kagura. 

There’s nothing to harp about the service since the place is quite small, the attendants can easily see your needs.

The kids Lauren, Kenji and Keira finally warmed up to each other and took over another table to watch cartoons and look at the magazine I gave Lauren –while she tasked Irene to soften up the clay that went with it.  The adults sat comfortably on the longer table exchanging chit-chats and as usual, inserts of laughter as Peter cracks us up.

Peter actually took care of the tab and treated us all as celebratory lunch since it was Ro’s birthday last 10-10-10, Keira’s 5 days later and his “25^th Birthday” on the 25^th.  It is one big birthday pow-wow for them every October.

Many thanks to Peter and Ro!!!   HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!   Foodies and Funnies unite! 😉

Hana Restaurant

Little Tokyo Compound,

Don Chino Roces Ave., Makati City.

(632) 339 3855

Open from 10 am – 11pm

Hana Restaurant Album

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