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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Sankai Japanese Restaurant

Japanese cuisine restaurants are not scarce in Davao. In fact, I have a long list of favorites that I go back to over and over again, namely Tsuru, Tadakuma, Nonki, and mid-priced restaurants like Sushi Dito and Teriyaki Boy. There is also a new addition to that long list in Yakimix, which is a dream for Japanese food lovers because they have a buffet of dishes from this cuisine. Then there are also those long standing restaurants that do not get all the hype but the lack of it speak nothing of the restaurant's quality. In fact, it is like a hidden gem tucked away in a quiet part of the city that those who are unaware that the restaurant even existed would not dare stop by. I feel that way about Sankai Japanese restaurant. Even though I had been eyeing a visit for a very long time, the opportunity did not arrive until I decided to have an intimate dinner with friends.

the sushi bar

This restaurant was the perfect venue for that. As I said, it is not located inside a mall or the central part of the metro so it is quieter and more laid back. The restaurant in itself is warm, cozy, and quiet. There were plenty of empty tables and so we had the liberty to choose the table we want. It is also staffed by friendly waiters and waitresses that were quick to accommodate us upon entrance.

However, people come to Sankai mainly for the food. And that is what I was most excited about. Check out below to see what dishes we've sampled:

Vegetable Salad

A very light salad that consists mainly of shredded cabbage. It is also served with a Japanese soy sauce to add richness to the flavor of the vegetables. A great way to start off the meal, especially for vegetable lovers.

California Maki

I don't know where to start so I am going to say it outright - this is the best California Maki I've had so far. The Japanese rice is of premium quality. The sweetness from the mango and cucumber when combined by the savory taste of the crabsticks delivers an indescribable feeling inside your mouth. Take my word for it - you have to try it when you visit Sankai!

Shoyu Seafood Ramen

This is the perfect choice for the rainy night. I almost always find myself ordering ramen whenever I go to a Japanese restaurant. Sankai's seafood ramen fits my idea of how a Japanese ramen should be. And check out those huge pieces of shrimps, too!

Okonumiyaki

According to my friend, Okonumiyaki is like a Japanese version of pizza. The term literally translates to "grilled as you like it", which implies that this particular recipe can be prepared however you want and using any ingredients you might have in mind. But for this recipe, the dish is made with shredded cabbage and batter to hold them together. There is also a soft interior, which seems like egg mixture (sort of like an omelette), to bring another layer of flavor into this dish. I wasn't such a big fan, although it could just be that I was too full at that time as this dish was served last.

Gyoza

Gyoza is another famous Japanese cuisine dish and is something that you have to try, especially when dining in a Japanese restaurant for the first time. Basically, a gyoza is like the Japanese version of Chinese dumplings. These savory parcels are dainty looking but they are quite the delectable treat. The filling can either be made of pork or seafood (minced, of course) so you can get a flavorful bite every single time. Meanwhile, it is also served with its own dipping sauce to add more flavor.

Our dinner at Sankai was no less than satisfying. Authentic Japanese food coupled with excellent service and a good company is my idea of a perfect date night. If you did not know about Sankai yet, or knew about it but hasn't paid the restaurant a visit, now is the chance to.

Sankai Japanese Restaurant is located at Emilio Jacinto Extension, Davao City. You can call them for inquiries or reservations at (082) 222-1799.

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Let's Have Sushi Dito!

I have been on a Japanese food trip hiatus for a long time and it's about time I break that dry spell. Earlier this week, I had a chance to return to Sushi Dito and finally able to chronicle my dining experience. I also felt it worthy to feature them because I've heard a lot of positive reviews and I did enjoy my previous visit. And because I am the biggest advocate for Japanese cuisine, I can't be any happier that not only was Sushi Dito still operational, but that they also made a few revamps to the interior design of their restaurant (hint: more comfy chairs!).

The menu at Sushi Dito is quite extensive that you can find nearly all kinds of sushi, sashimi, and ramen dishes imaginable. Hence, I went ahead and ordered two different kinds of sushi to be able to sample more of what's on their menu.

First up is the Miami Roll (P98 for 4 pieces, P190 for 8 pieces). It is made with prawns, avocado, Philadelphia cheese and sesame seeds. I did not expect much from this but it blew me away. Love the combination of flavors: savory from the prawn, a little bit of tangy flavor from the Philadelphia cheese and the drizzled mayo on the plate, and some sweetness coming from the avocado. The sesame seeds also helped to bring forth a delectable aroma to this sushi.

Next up is the Salmon Cucumber. This one is available for P100 for 4 pieces and P185 for 8 pieces. Each roll is filled with Japanese rice, salmon and cucumber. This one comes with very subtle flavors. My only qualm though is that the salmon slices should be made bigger so that the salmon flavor would become more prominent. It is a little too subtle that the cucumber flavor overpowers the salmon. Nonetheless, I would still order this when I get the chance.

We also tried one of their rice bowl meals - Mussels Rice Bowl (P170). This dish, on the other hand, is anything but subtle. It is packed with flavor! The mussels are cooked in oyster sauce, garlic, and butter so you treat both your palate and sense of smell while eating this dish. However, again, I have to note that the serving is tad too small for its serving. I am not a big eater but even I felt like I got the raw end of the deal for the price that I paid on this one.

If you are a fan of Japanese cuisine but is intimidated with the expensive cost of dining in other authentic Japanese restaurants in the city, Sushi Dito is an affordable alternative. And if you love sushi, this is the place to be because they have plenty of options to choose from.

Sushi Dito is located along E. Quirino St., Davao City.

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Tadakuma Japanese Restaurant

It’s no secret that I love Japanese cuisine. If I had to eat one particular cuisine for the rest of my life, I’d pick Japanese without hesitation. It therefore comes as no surprise that I’ve made a few  rounds to various Japanese restaurants in Davao, but here’s one that truly brought that authentic Japanese vibe – Tadakuma. 

This is one of the first Japanese restaurants in Davao City and was formerly called Ramen Tei. They have a couple of branches in the city, the first one is located near Central Bank (where I had the opportunity to dine in) and the other one is in Damosa. I prefer the branch near Central Bank because the ambiance feels more authentic, in fact it is more like dining at an actual Japanese home.

This is, therefore, a relatively small restaurant with only a few tables to pick from. However, every small detail of the restaurant's interior design help to incorporate authenticity into your dining experience. There is no need for anything fancy because the food is the star here.

Image: blogalag.com

Image: Blogalag.com

Here are our orders for the night…

First order up is the Seafood Ramen. The sauce is thick and creamy with a succulent flavor coming from the seafoods added into the soup stock. I appreciate the fact that it is served with huge slices of squid, fish, and crabsticks so every mouthful is a pleasure to your taste buds. The noodles used for this soup is also homemade, not the variety you can get from the grocery. Nothing fancy with this dish - just pure Japanese soup goodness that makes it the perfect comfort food for that night (it was fitting that it was a rainy evening when we dined here, too). 

Of course, I can't have a proper meal at a Japanese resto without trying out their sushi. We went for the California Maki, which is an 8-piece serving. I forgot to note the price for this one but it is certainly affordable, especially when compared to the more high-end Japanese restaurants in the city. The freshness of the ingredients is very apparent here. And they don't scrimp on the fillings on this sushi.

We also ordered their Ebi Tempura consisting of two slices of prawns. The simplicity and fullness of the flavor to these dishes remind me why I have come to develop such a deep love for Japanese food. The freshness of the ingredients and their natural flavor serve as the highlight of every meal. And here in Tadakuma, you cannot get anything better than that.

The authenticity of the ambiance and the food are two of the qualities that make Tadakuma a true favorite for the Japanese food lovers out there. If you haven’t been to Tadakuma, you haven’t tried the best of what Japanese cuisine has to offer, locally speaking.

Pepper Lunch for Dinner at The Peak

Pepper Lunch is a unique restaurant that offers a “fast steak” concept to its diners. Hence, when I happened to be at Gaisano Mall The Peak for dinner time, I knew I had to give it a try. I thought this was your usual Japanese restaurant that I’ve tried before, but I was completely taken aback. The unique dining concept at Pepper Lunch will, however, please foodies that are up for something completely new.

The menu at Pepper Lunch allows you to pick from a wide array of choices such as Pepper Rice, Premium Beef Steak, Steak, Japanese Classics, and their Combo meals. Because E & I were really hungry that time, we opted for their Pepper Rice choices. 

I went with the Salmon Pepper Rice (PhP 275) because… well, I just can’t resist anything on the menu that says salmon! Meanwhile, E went for the Chicken Pepper Rice (PhP 195). We both skipped the Bonus Meal offer, wherein you just add PhP 60 to get a drink and one side dish of your choice.

Salmon Pepper Rice

Chicken Pepper Rice

Now, onto the food preparation… I had to be honest, although I’ve tried Tong Yang Shabu Shabu and Smokeless Grill before, I was a bit nervous about the idea of preparing my own food using a specialized Japanese sizzling plate. But it’s actually fairly simple. When the sizzling plate is served on your table, all you have to do is add special sauce of your choice (that is provided on the table) and then flip the meat over. Make sure to mix it with the rice to incorporate the flavor. It’s actually kinda fun! 

After mixing...

The great thing about my order is that the meat is fresh and so when you add in the sauce, it really brings out the flavor. Also, the pepper rice is flavorful on its own. One benefit to dining here is that your order is served fairly quickly as the cooking process is done on your table.

My only qualm about dining at Pepper Lunch is that it can be tricky trying to estimate how much sauce to put into the sizzling plate. Given that there is no way for you to taste it until after you’ve mixed everything together (lest you risk burning your tongue), you could end up doing the same mistake as I did – putting on too much sauce. It ended up being too salty for my liking. Also, the orders aren’t inexpensive despite being a “gourmet” version of Japanese fast food. It is therefore hard on your wallet trying to experiment with your food. I would rather pay the same amount to a real Japanese restaurant with an experienced chef preparing the food for me so I can truly enjoy Japanese food at its best. 

But, hey, it’s only my first time dining at Pepper Lunch. I look forward to dining again, though, so I can sample their steaks. 

What about you? How was your dining experience at Pepper Lunch? Love to hear them.

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.