How delicious is Japanese maki with a Filipino twist ?"Promise, this is so good!"
We were greeted with colorful red design of Japanese-inspired art and painting and wooden chairs and chopsticks on their tables. Everything sets a laidback atmosphere reminding me of a Japanese restaurant on top of the mountain in NongPing 360 which we visited sometime in February.
But wait, I realized I’m in Manila, inside a newly opened Japanese bar and kitchen located at The Fort Strip in Bonifacio Global City. Tonchaya, which means “Ton’s Kitchen” started out in January 2012 as a fast-food outlet at Pearl Drive in Ortigas Center in Pasig serving fresh, healthy and authentic Japanese meals now expanded into a beautiful full-restaurant that can accommodate around 20-30 people inside. For those who want to dine in an open space, al fresco there are tables too outside.
Tonchaya Japanese Kitchen & Bar offers a wide variety of Japanese cuisine and Japanese shochu- and sake-based signature cocktail drinks in a laidback atmosphere for you to relax and enjoy.
Summer was about to end when we visited Tonchaya, can you just imagine the heat of the sun outside but we were delighted with a hot cup of miso soup that kept us warm inside the fully air-conditioned restaurant.
Miso soup with side dishes, salad and anchovies
Shredded cabbage with mayonnaise and anchovies.
Came next is a yummy mouthful Crunchy Crab Maki topped with special dressing.
The Crunchy Salmon Salad topped with their special sauce was really good.
When in Tonchaya don’t forget to order their Japanese pizza. The okonomiyaki was appealing and I’m certain it deserves a mention.
Okonomiyaki a savory Japanese pancake with prawns, pork, cabbage, pickled ginger, seaweed flakes, Katsuoboshi or Bonito shavings topped with Japanese Mayonnaise and Okonomiyaki sauce (P300)
Gyudon Teishoku sets offers unlimited rice, miso soup, house salad, and USDA bee for an additional Php 150.
I found my solace in a huge, steaming bowl of Miso Ramen served with lots of vegetable and boiled eggs. With every cup of hot noodles I always felt warm inside and out.
While the Shusisig Maki or sisig maki was the star of the meal. The combination of Pinoy and Japanese flavors is so pleasing to the palate and explodes in my mouth.
If you love maki, sukiyaki, sushi, sashimi, donburi and ramen among many others the you should give Tonchaya Bar and Kitachen a try. Below is their address.
Found black gunk inside my miso soup bowl I was serving my 2 year old son. That same black gunk was also found on the tempura basket. They said it was pot grease. Regardless, aren't they suppose to wash their bowls? They said they got busy and probably did not wash it properly. They only had one other group in the resto by the way. When I tried to report it to the owner, she got all defensive and was very rude and condescending. I would not recommend this place. Any customer should not be treated this way especially when they are the ones at fault.
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