Yet another Japanese restaurant has opened in Metro Manila, which means investors are bullish that Filipinos can never get enough of Nippon cuisine.
Loud banging of drums and several Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino VIP guests greeted the recent formal launch of Don Don Tei at its first outlet in Robinsons Galleria.
The original Don Don Tei, or “Rice Bowl House,” was a 14-seat bar that opened in November 1988 in Abeno, Osaka. Following its successful expansion in Hong Kong and the United States, it is now ready to do business in the Philippines through its franchisee, Oishi Gourmet Foods.
Banking on its principles of serving “simple, convenient, tasty, and affordable” dishes, Don Don Tei’s staples are tempura and donburi (rice bowl) — with banner items such as Special Ebi Tendon boasting black tiger prawns for P450, and Wagyu Yakiniku Don (P675).
But it’s the seafood fare that caught my fancy at the launch — generous servings of Grilled Mackerel Don (P470), Salmon Teriyaki Don (P495), and Unajyu or eel (P650), all cooked in yummy sauces. Never mind if I’ve been avoiding white rice, this was one cheat day to be enjoyed. The shredded egg, cucumber slices, and crab sticks on the Mackerel dish made it more mouth-watering.
Don Don Tei has a pretty wide menu, with standard appetizers like California Maki (for only P275), desserts (Mochi Ice Cream among them), and drinks (I tried the Yuzu Ginger Beer).
The next day, which was the actual opening day for the public, I dragged along my better half, an avowed Japanese food freak. Well, there’s no ramen or sashimi here, I explained to her, but thought she’d appreciate the Special Ebi Tendon. (She did!)
The Chicken Teriyaki Don was a tasty steal at P295.
It was almost closing time when we got there, so now I’m planning my third visit to order a long-time favorite (in another popular Japanese brand), Soba (healthy buckwheat noodles — which, at Don Don Tei, has hot and cold variants, both with mixed tempura.
It gets crowded at lunchtime, so I better go the minute it opens at 10 a.m., not a problem since it’s a two-minute walk from my crib.
Photos by Pocholo Concepcion