Gelorific!

When you watch anime and there’s an eating scene, you will here the characters say, “Itadakimasu!” which means “Let’s eat!” in Japanese. (If you want to know how to pronounce it, go here. That link is quite fun too!) Anyway, I’ve been eating a lot of Japanese food since I found out about Jap-OK!

Here are some of the food I recently tried from Jap-OK! 

Crabstick Mango Salad (P75)

The Crabstick or Kani Mango Salad is good enough for two people. It’s really refreshing specially on this hot weather were having. 

4 pcs Gyoza (P55)

There’s actually nothing special about this Gyoza. It was just okay. 

Lechon Hapon Bento Meal (P130)

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March 23, 2012

Donburi is a

“Japanese “rice bowl dish” consisting of fish, meat, vegetables or other ingredients simmered together and served over rice. Donburi meals are served in oversized rice bowls also called donburi. Donburi are sometimes called sweetened or savory stews on rice.” 
- (source)

Jap-OK! offers four kinds of donburi: Katsudon, Gyozadon, Beef Gyudon and Tempura Don. I already tried the first two.

Katsudon (P90) - breaded deep-fried pork cutlets (tonkatsu), onion, and egg on rice

Gyozadon (P95)

Jap-OK! recently changed their containers from styro to paper bowls(?). Maybe because of the Zero styro policy in DLSU and CSB. But I think the amount of food is still the same. I still prefer the Katsudon over the Gyozadon but they are both filling and priced reasonably. If ever you find yourself at Jap-OK!, I think you should try their Katsudon and their Jappy Maki which you can see here. 

Jap-OK! is located at the second floor of Green Podium at the One Archers Place at Taft Avenue right beside the Andrew Building of DLSU.

March 09, 2012

This would be Round 3 for me eating Jap-OK! food. If you’re wondering why this is Round 3, the first time I ordered from Jap-OK! can be seen here and I think I haven’t posted my second time yet. Anyway, I ordered two of their bestsellers: the Katsudon and Beef Misono. 

Katsudon (P90)

Beef Misono (P100)

I really like the Katsudon. The pork is tender and I love the sweet sauce. For the Beef Misono, I don’t understand why it’s a best seller because the beef is really bland. By the way, when they deliver, they charge P10 for the styro and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s their delivery charge. For me, the title of this post says it all, Jap-OK! is just okay. But if you’re really craving for Japanese food but you’re in a tight budget, check out Jap-OK! 

February 14, 2012

Let me just share this Valentine’s card that I saw from a friend’s Facebook post:

(original source)

And so I did. haha!

I just spent all day working on my midterms and I skipped lunch because of that. When I stopped working and took a rest for a bit, that’s where I felt the hunger. So, I took a shower and decided to go outside to buy my very late lunch. I went to Jap-OK! because I haven’t tried it yet.

Jap-OK! is an affordable Japanese quick service restaurant chain and the branch that opened late last year here is located at the 2nd floor of One Archers Place. Here’s a description of the food in Jap-OK!:

We serve delicious Japanese food adapted for the Filipino culture and palate at a price that is within everyone’s reach. Familiar Filipino favorites have also been re-vamped the JAP-OK! way: Beef Misono (Tapa), Yakisoba (Pansit), Gyoza (Siomai), Tempura (Camaron), Teriyaki (Asado), Donburi (Rice Toppings) and Lechon Hapon (Lechon).

- (from their website)

The resto space is just small and it can accommodate around 30-35 people. It was not packed when I went there because it wasn’t peak hours. I think there was one person eating inside then a group of six people outside that ordered before me. I ordered a take-out of Pork Tonkatsu and Jappy Maki and I didn’t have to wait that long for my order. 

Jap-OK menu (click here to enlarge) - the pasta and takoyaki balls are not available in this branch

The Pork Tonkatsu was just okay. Nothing special about it. Breaded porkchop served with grilled vegetables and a huge serving of rice. By the way, I heard the staff talking about the possibility of having a rice all you can promo at their branch. I’ll be looking forward to that!

Pork Tonkatsu (P90)

The Jappy Maki is one-of-a-kind. It is a sushi roll topped with a generous amount of shredded kani (crab meat), tobiko, and Japanese mayo. You gotta try this!

Jappy Maki (8 pcs) - (P140)

I was not in the mood to order their specialties which are the Chicken Yamashita (Japanese Fried Chicken) and Lechon Hapon. I’m sure that I’ll order these next time.

If ever your craving for Japanese food, why not try Jap-OK! and realize that you don’t have to shell out a great amount of cash to satisfy that craving. For now, the branch in Taft only delivers to the building’s tenants (Yey for me!). Check out their website or Facebook page for more info.

Edit: Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you who spent their time with their true love.. food or person. haha! ;)

December 21, 2011

Before heading home to Olongapo for the Christmas break, I went out with my friends to watch Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. While waiting for our other friends who were still working, we ate dinner at Kenji Tei Ramen House located at Greenbelt 5.

Cheese Gyoza - Fried Gyoza with a cream cheese cheese center

Crispy Chicken Teriyaki - Grilled crispy chicken teriyaki glazed in teriyaki sauce

Gyudon

Katsudon

The Mabo Tofu Ramen, Spicy Negi Ramen, and many more after the cut.

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December 09, 2011

We went to Little Tokyo to check out Oishinbo. I ordered the Beef Teppan Bentou and my friends ordered tuna and salmon sushi (?), Shoyu Ramen and I forgot the other bento that my friend ordered but it’s fish bento. The bento boxes contains mashed potato, grilled vegetables, tamago and chicken karaage. 

Tuna and Salmon sushi

Shoyu Ramen

Beef Teppan Bentou

Fish Bento

August 20, 2011

I already posted about this in 24 Hours (part 1), but it was just part of the post. And also there were no pictures in there. Here are the pictures! Yey! Anyway, I’ll recount the story if you’re too lazy to click that link and find what I have to say about my second time here in Hana. My first time in Hana can be seen here.

Tin, Kester and I went to a workshop in co.lab about taxes. We went to Little Tokyo for lunch because it was just close and it was also Kester’s first time to visit Little Tokyo. Of course, where else would you bring a first-timer? In Hana! It’s budget-friendly and also you will see familiar menu items like yakisoba, ramen, and katsudon. 

Tin introduced Edamame to me. In a nutshell, it is just boiled soybeans and you only eat the beans inside it. You can also season it with salt. Still curious? Click this link.

Edamame

Of course I ordered again the legendary Takoyaki. When it’s served, you can’t resist eating it right away but be careful, the inside of the takoyaki is very hot. You might burn your tongue (just like I did). hehe.

Takoyaki

I also ordered Yakisoba. Lots of vegetables and I think this is good for two people to share. The taste was kinda bittersweet though. I wasn’t able to finish it. I don’t know if it’s because of the taste or I was just full. 

Yakisoba

Tin and Kes

You can also request for a complimentary hot tea when you order. Be ready to shell out P200+ per person. If you don’t know how to get there, check out this link. I want to try their bento meals but it’s quite expensive. Their next door neighbor, Kagurak, is well known for their okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake). I think I’ll visit there next time I go to Little Tokyo.

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Have you been to Little Tokyo? What resto did you try and what food did you try?