2013/09/22

The IZAKAYA KENTA, An Authentic Japanese Food Experience

Toto 9/22/2013 04:21:00 PM An Authentic Japanese Food Experience, Dish, Food, Food Experience, Izakaya Kenta, Japanese Cuisine, Japanese Food, Sashimi, Sushi, The IZAKAYA KENTA, Tuesday Appetite

It's a great weekend to have something fresh and tasty. And it was great that Kwento Ni Toto was able to indulge in one of the rich culture when it comes to raw dishes, its none other the Japanese Culture with their different cuisines. Personally, Kwento Ni Toto is a great fan of Japanese food and of course their anime as well.

So, for this indulgence we're taking you right in the heart of Malate somewhere in Adriatico St. where one of the known Japanese restaurant's serve the best Japanese food. The name of place is called IZAKAYA KENTA. Owned by Dr. Sakura Medina and Mr. Erwin Medina, siblings who's very fond of Japanese food. According to them the IZAKAYA KENTA have already flourished in the streets of Adriatico and was already established before but due to some unforeseen matters the restaurant closed and the owner declared bankruptcy. The Medina siblings, Dr. Sakura and Mr. Erwin being eager to venture into restaurant business and being raised and a number one lover of Japanese cuisine, they took the opportunity to get the name and have it registered under their names.

IZAKAYA according to Japanese meaning is a place where casual drinking which serves food happens. This is an after-work drinking place. While KENTA is meant for a masculine Japnese name. So if you do get to visit the place don't get confused of the name and just look for IZAKAYA KENTA. There might have other Japanese restaurant with the IZAKAYA name but always watch out for the KENTA.

The place is not big but just enough to accommodate their customers. Designed by one of the siblings, Erwin who is an architect, based on the design of the usual izakaya places in Japan. Cozy feeling and the minimalist type of the common Japanese restaurant. I can say that their staff and crew are well trained in providing services to their customers.

So what did we enjoy in this authentic Japanese Restaurant? Plenty!

As most restaurants should always provide for their customer was the drinks and they served three kinds of drinks, their version of Iced Tea, the Mugi Cha (cold tea) and the Ocha (hot tea).

Then, appetizers were served. The great way to condition the palate for the course of the meal. They served first the Supaghetti Sarada and the Potato Salad. Both are mixed, fresh and crunchy veggies. Loved it very much.

Supaghetti Sarada

Potato Salad

Followed by the main course of the meal which I really love are the Santenmori and the Mixed Nigiro-jou. Like I mentioned earlier I love raw dishes and this dishes are superb for me. The ingredients are all fresh and you easily know it from the smell and taste of the dishes. It still got the sweet and salty natural flavor in it. Aside from the two I also love the Tako Potato which is basically potato balls but what's intriguing with it is its flavor and the sauce used in it. An addicting flavor!

Santenmori

Tako Potato

Mixed Nigiri-jou

We also tried the Akimono Tori – Karaage, Gindara Teriyaki, Gyu Suteki, and Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pizza). It was really a tummy filling experience.

Agimono - Tori Karaage

Gyu Suteki

Gindara Teriyaki

Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pizza)

Then the dessert, though filled enough already I make sure to have space for dessert or perhaps just a mouthful amount Purin (Leche Flan) and the Mochi (green tea), just enough to balance the flavor.

Purin

Mochi (Green Tea)

The whole Japanese food experience wouldn't be complete without the sake drinking. And for the Japanese drinking with sake is like giving respect. Sake is also called as ric wine. It can served as hot or chilled but for me I like the chilled one. With the advancement of technology there are containers made specifically for wines that can chill with use of ice but negates the possibility of mixing the melted ice with the wine. I like how it is made and would love to have one of those.