From neon-lit Shibuya district to the serene Kyoto temples, Japan offers plenty of reasons to be loved. It’s the place to go to explore a colorful culture, and try fantastic food!
So here’s good news for foodies If you can’t go to Japan, Festival Mall brings Japan to you! A Filinvest Lifemall, Festival Mall is home to several Japanese restaurants to cater to the South Metro community. Check out these five restaurants that will surely make you go, “Oishii desu!”
Hakata Ikkousha is “one happy place” translated. And indeed, Hakata Ikkousha at the Upper Ground Floor (UGF), Expansion Wing is one happy place for ramen lovers! It specializes in Tonkotsu or pork bone ramen that originates from Hakata. The thick and creamy Tonkotsu soup is made through a meticulous process of boiling cleaned pig bone to perfection, giving happy customers an unforgettably authentic Hakata ramen experience.
Tenya, the #1 tempura tendon in Japan, arrives in Manila to say “konnichiwa” and deliver the same kind of quality dining it is known in Japan for. A must-try is the Classic Tendon, made from the best-quality tiger prawns in Tenya’s own flour concoction, and cooked in infrared heat. To finish it up, the rice bowl is topped with special dontare sauce. Their Ebi Tempura Maki is rolled in fish roe and topped with agedama (bits of deep-fried flour), shichimi (powder made from mixed spices), and spicy Japanese mayo–a sure mealtime feast for groups.
Find Tenya at the Lower Ground Floor (LGF), Expansion Wing of the mall!
JAEU Bistro and Ramen Bar’s name is a combination of the first syllables of its two cuisines: JApanese and EUropean. From the Japanese side JAEU is especially known for its Hell Ramen or “Jigoku,” served with a choice of black or raw garlic, thick noodles, roasted chasu, and vegetables like spinach, negi (Japanese long onion), and menma (pickled bamboo shoots). It gets its “Hell” label from the JAEU special chili oil added into the mix, where customers can choose from Level 1-4. Take the Hell Ramen challenge at JAEU, UGF, Expansion Wing and proudly say #TeamRamen!
Tori Ichi Yakitori & Bar is all about its oishi yakitori in chicken, pork, and vegetable. From the vegetable yakitori selection, Asparagus Bacon, gives a yin-yang balance of asparagus wrapped in bacon. The Butabara, or pork belly skewers, also has the right blend of meat and fat to be just the right amount of juicy and delicious. For a unique chicken option, try out the Nankotsu or chicken cartilage skewers. Visit Tori Ichi at the LGF, Water Garden.
Asahikawa Ramen Bangaichi. With the abundance of ramen joints in the Metro, it’s hard to find one place that stands out. Asahikawa Ramen Bangaichi stays a cut above with affordable, no-fuss ramen that’s still a guaranteed party in the mouth. The Spicy Miso Ramen is an intense flavor rollercoaster that mixes the soup’s spiciness (adjustable from mild to extra spicy) with the sweetness of corn and the saltiness of nori, neutralized by the vegetables and pork whipped into the bowl. Visit Asahikawa Ramen Bangaichi at the River Park for a Japanese-style setup for a full ramen experience.
Festival Mall is a Filinvest Lifemall and a premier development in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. It is the only mall with five anchor stores: Shopwise Supercenter, SaveMore, Robinsons Department Store, Ace Hardware and Handyman. It has over 700 shops, almost 4,000 parking slots, various food outlets, and indoor amusement rides. The community’s needs and passions find balance at Filinvest Lifemalls, where the city’s heart beats.