Byahe at Gimik: A Japanese Food Crawl in Cebu

Cebu has become one of the best places in the Philippines to enjoy different types of cuisines. Boasting of both local and international flavors, the Queen City of the South is where you’ll find many of the best restaurants, like the Japanese dining establishments that entrepreneur Hubert Young brought to the Philippines.

“We have a very good market for Japanese cuisine in Cebu. The restaurants that we have brought here like CoCo Ichibanya, Mitsuyado Sei-men, and UCC Clockwork have all been met with enthusiastic responses, showing that Filipinos love authentic Japanese dishes,” Young said.

On Aug. 29, members of the media and the blogging community were treated to a food crawl of these three dining establishments. All of them experienced dining in each concept, trying out different ways to enjoy Japanese food.

COCO ICHIBANYA

At Coco Ichibanya, they tasted Japanese curry dishes. At Mitsuyado Sei-men, they got the chance to try out different tsukemen and ramen offerings. And at UCC Clockwork, they indulged with the food concept’s signature coffee selections and dessert items.

“If you have a craving for authentic Japanese food here in Cebu, you can pick out any of these three establishments to dine at,” Young said, adding that due to the warm reception these restaurants have received, he is bringing in more Japanese food concepts in the country in the near future.

CoCo ICHIBANYA, the Number One Japanese Curry House in the World

One of the most popular dishes in Japan, curry has likewise captured the taste buds of many Filipinos. And if you’re looking for authentic Japanese curry in Cebu, there’s no other place to go to than CoCo ICHIBANYA. It is, after all, the World’s Number One Japanese Curry House.

Curry originated from India and was introduced to Japan by the British during its colonial rule. The Japanese Navy then included it in their Friday Menu.

At CoCo ICHIBANYA, you can take your pick from various authentic Japanese curry dishes—chicken, pork, beef, and vegetables! Avid diners at its restaurants swear by these curry dishes’ mouthwatering flavors.

Its menu choices include the Pork Cutlet & Vegetable Curry; Fried Fish, Spinach & Stewed Shrimp Curry; Creamed Croquette Curry; Cheese Hamburg Steak, Spinach & Tomato Curry; Beef Omelette Curry; Creamed Mushroom Omelette Curry; Clam Curry; and Kimchi Curry, and more! You can adjust the spiciness of each dish to suit your taste, and choose the size of your rice portion. Enjoy your curry dish with Japanese rice or the 15-grain rice for a healthier alternative.

Servings at CoCo ICHIBANYA are big, and they also offer set menus for a choice of 2, 3, or 4 items.

MISTSUYADO SEI-MEN

Mouthwatering Tsukemen & Ramen Choices At Mitsuyado Sei-men Mitsuyado Sei-men specializes in Tsukemen (thick dipping noodles), which you can enjoy with the dipping sauce and topping of your choice. Popular dishes include Yuzu Tsukemen, Double Cheese Tsukemen, and Karashi Tsukemen.

The restaurant’s ramen offerings include the Tonkotsu Ramen, a pork-based broth, and Torigara Ramen, using a chicken soup base with thinner noodles. All the noodles at Mitsuyado Sei-men are freshly made using premium ingredients and are dipped into a rich and savory sauce, or served in a flavorful broth. Both ramen and tsukemen bowls come in three sizes, suitable for different appetite levels.

Mitsuyado Sei-men offers donburi (rice bowl) options as well. They include the Chicken Black Pepper Don, Gyu Don, Katsu Don, and Ebi Tempura Don. Enjoy these dishes with Gyoza, Chicken Karaage, or Spicy Tuna.

UCC CLOCLWORK

Distinct Japanese-Style Coffees and Delicious Dishes at UCC Clockwork

A warm cup of UCC coffee paired with a pastry or pasta is what frequent diners at UCC Clockwork look forward to. Whether they’re having breakfast, lunch, dinner or even snacks, they know that they’ll never go wrong in visiting one of the most recognizable Japanese food concepts in the country today.

That’s because like its branches in other countries, UCC in the Philippines has successfully lived up to the promise made by its Japanese founder, Tadao Ueshima: “Deliver flavorful coffee to as many people as possible anytime and anywhere.”

UCC is one of the first Japanese food concepts that was introduced into the Philippines by Young 19 years ago. Among UCC’s more popular coffee choices include the Sumiyaki blend, Kori Kohi, and Honey Brûlée Cappuccino.

UCC Clockwork also offers a full menu to complement its coffees. Its food items include pastas, pastries, all day breakfast and main dishes—all prepared with the same care and quality as its coffees. Choices include the Corned Beef Hash Benedict, Mango Crepe Samurai, Clockwork Monte Cristo, and Truffle Mushroom Pasta and Berries and Cream French Toast Tower, among others.