Bubba brought me out on a date Saturday lunchtime. It was actually a late lunch at 2PM at Sabroso’s. It was his surprise for me because I’ve been craving for Cebu lechon since a friend flew to Cebu. I thoroughly enjoyed our lunch but that’s for another entry.
Little does Bubba know that last Wednesday, I have already made a reservation at Urameshi-ya. Japanese is what he loves best and it’s a good time as any to bring him out on a dinner date. A late dinner date at that too.
We arrived in Makati and immediately found Little Tokyo near Amorsolo Street around 11pm. The little lighted hallway leads to a little Japanese compound inside that house several authentic Japanese restaurants. The setting was reminiscent of my Japan trip. Hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Japan are as deliciously prepared as those in upscale restaurants. Besides, the little restaurants sometimes carry more personality.
The 1-month scholarship stint there had me gain 25 pounds with all the scrumptious food!
Our feet finally land us at the doorstep of Urameshi-ya Yakiniku. Yakiniku usually refers to grilled meat dishes. It refers to a Japanese style of cooking bite-sized raw meat or vegetables on electric or gas grill. Yakiniku is said to originate from Korean immigrants who went to Kansai, Japan after World War 2. Whether it was Korean or Japanese who introduced Yakiniku, I’m glad for grilled dishes. I love my meat in its smoky grilled/semi-charred condition.
On the Table:
Tarafuku Set PHP 1,650
With the economic crunch, it’s definitely not easy for everyone to shell out almost 2K for a beef set that’s good for a hungry couple. However I really recommend burning 2 grand for Urameshi-ya. I feel that every peso of that set is worth the quality and quantity of meat you’re getting at Urameshi-ya.
There’s more bang for your buck when you try their Wagyu TokuToku set at PHP 2,800.
The wait staff placed 5 plates of meat in front of us. The four are different cuts of meat –beef and pork, while the last orange-tinted one was pork intestines. The set included a bowl of miso soup, salad, kimchi and 1 cup of rice. We were both served with sauces. The sauce was Japanese soy sauce mixed with garlic and sesame and some type of brown paste.
The grilling even if it takes a while is part of the whole she-bang! That’s precisely the vibe I was gunning for, slow but thoroughly satisfying meaty dinner.
The service was fast and commendable. BUT dinner at 1130pm, I would normally be famished at this time. I was waiting anxiously for the meat to cook. Bubba did most of the grilling. He said that every time he places a piece of cooked meat on my little serving plate, it’s gone the second he looks back. He kept placing meat on my serving plate because it’s always empty. He hasn’t even started eating the meat yet. He has only started with the miso soup.
My pangs of hunger made me forget about the “fun” of grilling and cooking your food right before your eyes. I didn’t even notice that I was inhaling clouds of smoke until my eyes became really watery and I saw a spark of fire on the grill while waiting for another meat sliver to cook.
The burst of smoke towards my directions didn’t derail me from stuffing my mouth and chomping on the meat. I do not know which is which but I also tasted slightly sweet salty pork barbeque meat (without the fat) from one of the plates.
The cup of plain rice was perfect combination to the Yakiniku set. The white sticky rice made me remember the cups of rice I had every breakfast at Osaka. I tried to divert my attention to the Ramen.
Enma Ramen PHP 250
The wait staff in white top and black mini-skirt ensemble asked what’s the degree of our Enma Ramen. The usual is 5, she recommends. I asked if degree 7 was too strong from a range of 20. She said yes so to be safe I stuck to her recommendation. Good thing that I did listen because the degree 5 was fiery!!! The red pepper crumbs on top is a dead giveaway. I removed most of it but the Ramen was still spicy! Ramen was the best noodle soup I’ve tasted in Manila (but I haven’t tried Ukokkei Ramen Ron) –the noodle tasted really fresh.
The smoke started developing again and geared towards my direction. “Was I eating too much to be punished like this?” At any rate, the helpful attendant Santa assisted us Bubba in cooking the meat. That made our dinner less complicated. Bubba started to focus on his meal. The lady server also got a yellow squeezer from the cooler and told Bubba that the meat he was eating is best tasted with a splash of lemon. She was so hands-on without being invasive.
Japanese Fried Rice PHP 280
Bubba loves yamameshi rice from Red Kimono, Teriyaki Boy, Tempura, etc so I ordered him the Japanese fried rice. He didn’t like it as much as the “commercial” ones. The serving was about 1 and half cup. Priced at PHP 280, I tenderly raised an inquisitive eyebrow at the value.
Mineral Water (2) PHP 33
Coke Zero PHP 33
Overall, the food was fantastic that it was triggering a comeback the following day. Not only does the “Japan” ambience groom you for a delightful travel to that country but the food also authenticate the many wonderful flavors of Japan and you’ll be hungry for more.
"after the war"
Interestingly, the exhaust fans quite controlled the smell. My shirt would normally stink coming from a Japanese or Korean restaurant but not at Urameshi-ya. Efficient service is also something to go back for at the restaurant. You’d be satisfied with the service that you will leave at least a P100 tip.
Urameshiya (Uramesi-ya) Yakiniku Restaurant
2277 Amorsolo (beside Makati Cinema Square)
Makati City, Metro Manila
632.8195008
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