Salmon sashimi, sukiyaki, dynamite roll–good old Japanese favorites

When my kids were very young, weekends were always a treat for us. With the row of restaurants that had sprouted all over Katipunan, it was always confusing to settle on what we were in the mood for to eat. There was Jollibee, KFC, McDonalds, Pancake House and a few others.

Whenever we hit a wall, the consensus was always Kamirori, a Japanese restaurant that was one of the earliest to open along the vicinity of Katipunan. To us, it was “good old Kamirori.” It was near the house, the food was good and it had something for everyone in the family. At that time, on its menu were also some Thai dishes.

These days, we still go to our old reliable, but my children have now reached an age of dining exploration. So we drive to Tomas Morato.

Lately, we have been frequenting a Japanese place called Omakase. Even before we get to it, everyone already knows what they want. The dishes in this place are not all exceptionally good, but good none the less. The resto is always packed, with a queue by the door.

Tempura, Katsudon, Teriyaki, Sukiyaki and other Japanese dishes familiar to us Pinoys are available. These dishes are fairly delicious and taste better than those in many other Japanese restaurants in town. I used to order for my family, but now they do that on their own.

But there are still the old reliables. We all agree that the salmon sashimi in this place is its best offering. My kids get the freshest salmon; compared to the ones we have had in Vancouver, this is quite delicious. It is fatty and melts in your mouth.

I also get a seaweed salad for appetizer. Then I always have the Dynamite roll. I love sushi and have tried almost all the popular ones in this place. My kids are always curious and get something else, but in the end, they often end up finishing my Dynamite Roll. I don’t remember what’s in it, but it has a crunch and you have a choice of toppings—either chopped salmon or tuna sashimi. Dunked in a dipping sauce of mayo and teriyaki, you’re brought to a whole new level of satisfaction. Order it!

Omakase is in Terrazo Building, along Scout Madrinian. From Edsa, go toward the rotunda along Timog, turn right on the rotunda and it will be on the building on your left.

Two Banana Leaf dishes

After worship on Sundays, everyone in our family is already a little edgy from hunger pangs, so almost always, we end up at The Podium. As the head of the family, I have the last say.

Last Sunday, my daughter Danielle was craving for ribs at Banana Leaf. Being the youngest, she is often outmaneuvered by the older ones’ suggestions, but with her brothers away for Sinulog in Cebu, she had better chances.

We went to Banana Leaf and, to Danielle’s dismay, the ribs were out of stock. But we discovered two dishes to make up for it: Penang Char Kway Teow and Penang Fried rice.

I remember my first encounter with Kway Teow. It was Ricky Yabut who made me taste what his Grandma from Singapore made, and I never forgot that dish.

Banana Leaf also makes a good one. These are flat noodles sauteed with sweet soy and mixed with egg, bean sprouts, fish cake, slices of Chinese chorizo and bean sprouts.

The fried rice went well with the pandan chicken. This is a dish with subtle flavors. I just learned how to make something similar to it in my Asian Cooking class at ISHCAM. This is loose fried rice with egg, green peas and the fantastic flavor of chunks of salted fish, then seasoned with patis. Sarap. Sometimes, a two-dish combination works.

Happy eating!

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