Japanese Fusion 2: Omakase

I first tried out Omakase last year, during godchild Lucas’ baptismal party. Already it made an agreeable impression. We tried it again just recently, upon friend Janelle’s prodding. Janelle goes a long way back with Omakase. She’s tight with “Sushi Man”…otherwise known as one of the 2 brave Filipino chefs who pioneered the restaurant. As the story famously goes: two Pinoy chefs worked in a restaurant in, of all places, Bermuda. One went to the US and the other one went home to the Philippines. Both took their fantastic sushi creations with them and created Omakase.

*What I really want to know is if Sushi Man is a hot looking chef…imagine how perfect that would be: Gorgeous man serving up sushi day and night.

ANYWAY – Janelle wanted to take us on a Japanese fusion whirlwind, starting with something not on the menu but can be requested by those in the know: The Zigzag Roll. Soft shell crab and spicy mayo combo. It’s a perfect beginning, the crunchy texture of deep fried crab mingling perfectly with the evil seductive smoothness of the mayo. Clearly this was not going to be one of those healthy Japanese outings.



Next up was the Dynamite Roll. So named after the taste explosion it delivers. Imagine unagi tempura with spicy scallops. Deadly dynamite indeed. This was followed by Uni Tempura. Yep. Sounds nasty and yummy in one go - crunchy on the outside and gooey uni on the inside. I can only eat one piece at a time. It is too decadent and sinful.

The tofu steak is one of my favorites, Thin slivers of tenderloin hugging soft tofu pillows. And at P160, who’s complaining?







Just when I thought my taste buds were done partying, in came huge platters of Jurassic (ebi tempura, kani, ebiko and salmon skin and unagi wrapped inside and out) and Seabreeze maki (ebi tempura, salmon and slices of tuna). We also had the Salmon Skin American Dream which is really deep fried sushi with salmon, kani and dig this, cream cheese. It made the Rock and Roll combo (Spicy tuna with scallion and sesame seeds) plain boring. When the Crazy Maki platter rolled in, I was ready for anything and everything.

I find Omakase best enjoyed with an ice-cold Coke Light. Okay that’s a shameless plug since I handle the Coke account but when you’re scarfing down one maki after another…it’s comforting to know that your drink has Great Taste and absolutely No Calories. Yeah Baby. We’re in a Japanese fusion restaurant after all.



Visit the original Omakase branch in Libis, Unit 207 Intrepid Plaza Building, E. Rodriguez Avenue, just a few meters away from Eastwood. Or you can also try the Alabang (Casa Susana Bldg Madrigal Avenue) and Tomas Morato (Scout Rallos QC) branches.

Japanese Fusion: Sango

There’s something innately charming about a Japanese restaurant serving burgers and calling themselves “The Burger Master”. Such daring! It’s like an American restaurant proclaiming itself Sushi Expert. Off-kilter and just a little bit crazy. In adspeak, when someone comes up with a weird but intriguing concept it is immediately called, “Japan!” Slightly irrational but fun.
And so I paid a visit to Sango (The Burger Master) one rainy Saturday night. Copywriter friend Kara recommended it, when I bemoaned the dearth of cheap new places to eat in Manila. “All burgers within the 100 peso price range,” she promised.



Sango is fluorescent-bright and cheery. Which is a good thing because apparently it is next door to Pharaoh, a dimly-lit massage/karaoke/entertainment center of sorts. We had to line up for a table because the place was full of boisterous families – parents and kids alike having a swell time. It’s a bit smoky, but in a good way – the waft of sizzling meat fills the air. The floor plan includes an open kitchen where you can watch the cute little Japanese chef churn out burgers and fold origami flowers and animals.

Hubby got the Master Double Cheeseburger (the priciest item on the menu at P158) and fries. Standard fare. Except that the cheeseburger had a huge dollop of spaghetti meat sauce on top which you can dip your fries with. No wonder kids like this place so much. Yumyum – the sauce adds an interesting, delicious, messy touch. And the fries are not mass-produced ones. You’re getting real thick potato. Masarap.





Feeling a little adventurous, I ordered the Yakiniku rice burger (P88). Okaaay but won’t hold a candle to Hubby’s pick. And there’s something funky about eating a burger with rice. Maybe you’ll enjoy it but just a little too “Japan” for me. I topped off my meal with a Strawberry Corn Flake shake (P50) – soft serve ice cream loaded with cornflakes and strawberry jam. Too thick to be a shake but a nice cap to the evening just the same. The corn flake shake also comes in blueberry and maccha azuki (green tea with beans).

To complete the Japanese experience we were given origami Voltes V rings. Sweet.





Sango (The Burger Master) is located at the ground floor of the Creekside Mall, Amorsolo Street Legaspi Village. You can even call in your orders at 830-0391 for speedy turnover. It’s beside Pharaoh and a Japanese coop convenience store where all the items sell for P88, including imported Japanese chips and snacks.

P.S. I’m on a Jap food fest and hell-bent on checking out interesting Jap places in the metro. You will notice that my next posts all center on Japanese cuisine – fusion and purist. Know of any good Jap places I can try out? Hit me!