Daidokoro Diner: Value Japanese Meals

I first heard about Daidokoro Diner from friends and on Facebook but never paid it a closer attention. Our first visit to this Japanese restaurant was a decision made on a whim. But it's a decision that we will always thank ourselves for because we've unlocked yet another culinary favorite in the city's food landscape.

The restaurant's location make it a bit difficult to spot. If you don't know where it is, it will be hard to find it. Nonetheless, it is worth the extra effort to get there because you are sure to be treated with high quality Japanese food prepared with care.

Sweetened Anchovies

This is the complimentary treat you can get when you dine at Daidokoro Diner. It is new to me - I haven't had sweetened anchovies before. Before I had the chance to taste it, I was a bit skeptical. I did not know how it would taste just by looking at it. But the sweetness was a pleasant surprise. It is quite rare to have something sweet as an appetizer but it was lovely to the palate. In fact, we loved it so much we had to ask for an extra order (it only costs PhP 10 anyway).

California Maki

Even when we're presented with a huge array of sushi options, we always end up having to order California Maki. It is one of the most basic sushi recipes in Japanese cuisine. It becomes some sort of a measure to the quality of the restaurant. You cannot call yourself an authentic Japanese restaurant if you can't pull off a good California Maki. Thankfully, this one was very well done. I suggest you should get an order when you dine here. Each 8-piece order costs PhP 150.

Salmon Sashimi

We also found out that there are per piece orders available on the sashimi section. Hence, I decided to sample a piece of salmon sashimi. The fish was fresh and juicy. To say I loved it is an understatement. You can get an order of this for PhP 45 only.

Lapu-lapu Teppanyaki Bento

I could not have asked for a more filling, delicious bento meal. The lapu-lapu was the highlight of this bento set. It was well seasoned and flavorful. It was well cooked yet the meat was still soft and juicy. I also loved that there are several food items included in the bento meal. Some of the items you can find include a vegetable gyoza, tofu, a few small pieces of sushi, sauteed beans, salad, and a piece of chocolate cupcake. You have literally everything you need for a satisfying meal - from the appetizer to the dessert (a slice of fresh pineapple and cupcake).

Chicken Teriyaki Bento

This bento meal consists of the exact same items as the bento meal above except for the Chicken Teriyaki. The teriyaki sauce used for cooking this chicken had the right combination of sweetness and saltiness. Hence, it struck that balance once it hits your palate. Truly a light yet filling meal.

Daidokoro Diner is located at Road 7 Corner E. Jacinto Ext., Dona Vicenta Subdivision, Davao City. They are open everyday except Mondays from 10AM to 2PM for lunch and 6PM to 10PM for dinner. You can inquire or place reservations via (082) 284-0571. Visit their Facebook page for more details.

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Authentic Japanese Dining at Nonki

Regular readers of this blog are pretty much aware of how big of a fan I am of Japanese cuisine. Thus, I never quit scouring for the best restos that offer authentic Japanese cuisines. While I do have my fair share of favorites, it’s still fun sampling other restaurants in the city.

One unforgettable Japanese dining experience I’ve had was at Nonki. To check out our orders, view the photos below. 

If you love Japanese cuisine, there is no reason to pass up Nonki. It is a gem in the local Japanese cuisine landscape. I love the authentic ambiance at the restaurant, and most especially the authentic Japanese experience. Their full selection of Japanese dishes is surely going to satisfy any foodie’s palate. I suggest you give them a visit to experience the exciting flair it renders to your usual dining experience.

Tsuru Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar – Japanese Food Haven

Tsuru is an authentic Japanese restaurant located along J. Camus Street (if you don’t know where that is, it is right across People’s Park) and situated within the same building as Hanoi, another famous restaurant in Davao. According to the restaurant’s website, they take pride in using the freshest ingredients in preparing their dishes and anyone who’s dined here can attest to the quality of their food offerings.

Being a lover of Japanese food, I didn’t require any more convincing to dine here. And I am happy to report that the restaurant has not, in any bit, disappointed me. In fact, I am keen on declaring it as the city’s best Japanese restaurant – it’s just that I love so many of them that I can’t pick a favorite!

I ordered Salmon Belly Teriyaki (PhP 370) because I had to have salmon. This dish was seasoned with a sweet sauce, which leaves a desirable aftertaste to your palate. If you love fish or salmon, this dish is a must-try. Serving is good for 1-2 persons (but maybe one if you’re really crazy about salmon. Ha!)

Luckily for me, E also loves seafood as much as I do. As if the teriyaki dish isn’t enough to satisfy our seafood craving, we also opted for the Mixed Teppan (PhP 335). It is a combination of squid, shrimp, and lapu-lapu cooked on a hot steel plate, a form of cooking originated by Japanese cuisine.

Lastly, we ordered Asparagus Bacon Maki (PhP 170). If the pic of this dish doesn’t look appetizing for you, then I don’t know what is. Even steamed asparagus tastes heaven to me, what more when you wrap it with bacon? Pure Japanese cuisine heaven right there.

I enjoyed this lovely dinner with E so much that we can’t wait to be back. There’s a sushi bar that I want to try, too. How about you? Have you tried dining at Tsuru? How’s the experience? Be sure to sound off at the comments section below. 

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Tsuru Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
J. Camus St., Davao City
(082) 221-0901

Salmon Teriyaki Bento from Rai Rai Ken

Being a seafood (and fish) lover that I am, the Salmon Teriyaki Bento is my favorite Bento set from Rai Rai Ken. It is the most affordable way to indulge in Salmon – my hands down favorite fish – and Rai Rai Ken has kept me coming back with this particular dish.

The highlight of this bento is, of course, the salmon teriyaki. The reduction sauce is slightly sweet and salty and sprinkled with sesame seeds for that irresistible aroma. I also like that they leave some of the skin on to add more texture into the meat and also keep the meat from falling off since it gets really tender when they serve it.

Also included in the set is the gohan (rice), two slices of California maki, and sautéed vegetables that consist of bean sprouts and some leafy greens. Now, who can resist this kind of meal? I sure can’t! The only downside is that it is no longer available at Rai Rai Ken (insert frown here). The last time I went there, I specifically asked the waitress for it since I could not find it in the menu. I couldn’t believe my ears when she told me that they have taken it off the menu.

Since I can’t get my salmon fix from Rai Rai Ken anymore, I found myself looking for alternatives. Good thing, Bigby’s and Swiss Deli’s Salmon Steak are both off the roof! I would single-handedly campaign to get the Salmon Teriyaki Bento back on Rai Rai Ken's menu, though.

SumoSam Abreeza

My first time dining at SumoSam was a pleasant and filling experience for me and my tummy. I was reluctant to dine here at first, despite the fact that I was initially curious given my love for Japanese food, due to some negative reviews I read from other bloggers – even including the new branch they’ve opened at Abreeza.

But I guess my love for Japanese food and curiosity got the best of me. And I wasn’t disappointed.

The highlight of this meal is SumoSam’s Seafood Kamameshi. I had to jump right in because I can’t wait to share to you how great this was. At more or less PhP 300 (sorry forgot to keep tab of the price again), this is the ultimate dish for seafood lovers. This is one of many SumoSam rice dishes that feature a generous mix of seafoods like squid, shrimp, and fish. The overall presentation of the dish makes it all the more enticing, too. I’ll let you be the judge.

E ordered this one. I forgot to take note of the name of the dish. Duh. But it wasn’t such a favorite of mine, a little bit on the greasy side and way too much batter that I couldn’t taste the meat.

As a redemption, we tried their sushi. And this one is a winner! It has Malagos cheese and comes with a real contrast in flavor. I suggest you order it when you get to visit SumoSam in Abreeza, especially if you love sushi.

To freshen up during the meal, we sampled their own version of pearl cooler. And this one was fantastic! The sago is smaller and a bit tougher, but still delicious!

Mine is the Chocolate and Cream Cheese flavor. :)