It was Holy Week last week and He is risen. Given the plenty of vacation time in the long weekend, we did not pursue another outing (just got back from Caliraya Resort Club) but stayed at home instead. Malls were closed last Thursday to Friday, so we quickly decided to go to the nearby mall—Robinsons Place, Manila—on Black Saturday, to fend off the “going-out-of-the-house” craving. After hours of window-shopping, we took delight and had dinner at Tempura Japanese Grill.
Tempura Japanese Grill serves up traditional and exotic Japanese fare in substantial portions. It’s a casual dining restaurant that’s one of the best spots for food aficionados trying out Japanese dishes. Out of all the foodie places in the mall, I chose this as I’ve always wanted to try the ramen burger ever since the craze began last year. Also, I was missing the taste of my favorite bite-size yummies: sushi!
Review of Tempura Japanese Grill (Robinsons Place, Manila)
Ambiance: ★★★★☆
Mirrors on the wall permit diners to sample the sight of fellow diners’ faces. A plethora of Japanese hanging lanterns brought a certain feel that suggested some class and traditional elegance in this modern-themed restaurant. The area was quite cramped; the aisle was so narrow that no two average-sized people could pass through at the same time. So this place can get pretty noisy when it’s full of guests. A section at the back offers more privacy for conservative folks.
Service: ★★★★☆
You know how it goes—when you’re asked to be seated on the sofa chair or on the regular chair, I bet that most would choose the sofa type for comfort. As part of the majority, we occupied a dining booth with the sofa and the grill at the center of the table. Later, we smelled something strong and awful like poo. Apparently, we were near the toilet. I guess there was something wrong with the flush system. The staffs were kind to move us to a clean table near the entrance. They were fast in taking our orders, serving food and taking the bill.
Food: ★★★★☆
My dad had the Agedashi Tofu (PHp 105). I’ve tried this three times before and during all those times, I have always been satisfied with the lovely texture of the deep-fried Japanese bean curd. It melts in your mouth like milk chocolate would! The five agedashi tofu pieces were topped with special sauce and bonito flakes.
I didn’t know what bonito flakes are. Upon checking for the description now, my mind just exclaimed OMG. “Bonito flakes are a staple in Japanese Cuisine made from dried, fermented, shaved fish.” My dad is a vegetarian for 26 years now and cannot take any bit of non-vegetable food in. Otherwise, he’d feel ill. Maybe he ate just a few serving of these flakes, so nothing bad happened.
We experienced difficulty in choosing which sushi to order, torn between Uncle Sam’s Maki (PHp 210) and Hawaiian Maki (PHp 190). Finally, we went with the latter, following the restaurant’s best recommendation. Hawaiian Maki is made with pineapple chunks and spicy crunchy salmon bits. These inside-out cooked rice rolls were so delicious that we could not help but fetch a piece right after swallowing another.
Grease. Whether you love it, hate it, or feel only a mild ambivalence towards it, it’s a key feature on the katsu landscape. And whether it be tonkatsu, chicken katsu, fish katsu or vegetable katsu, with properly balanced and flavorful oil, it can be absolutely magnificent. This time, we had Tempura Japanese Grill’s newest item on the menu: Salmon Katsu (PHp 435). Thanks to its inherent flavor, the deep fried salmon katsu came out tender and tasty. I totally love salmon sashimi, but this cooked salmon is equally fine. Dip it into the special sauce and eat the lettuce on the side to experience a mouthful of harmony.
The salmon katsu arrived with a bowl of Japanese rice called gohan ideally good for one person. Since it was too filling, my mom, sister and I managed to share without short supply. The sesame seeds on top added a pleasing crunch and kept the rice’s usual bland taste at bay.
The Ramen Burger (PHp 245) turned out to be not twice as unique-tasting as the standard burger variety, but man, was it good. The beef patty was perfectly fried; you’re able to get a bit of crunchy coating and meat in every bite. In between, the honey-cured bacon stripped to thin slices was juicy and packed with flavor together with roasted onions with sesame seeds and garden fresh lettuce. The sweet-sour signature Japanese barbecue sauce did a good job in cutting through the rich fat, too.
The most awesome highlight in this burger must be the pan-fried ramen buns, which we originally thought to be hard but were actually soft with great texture. On the side, potato chips were provided as necessary accompaniment. If you haven’t tried the ramen burger yet, then the next time you see it on the menu, you would know that it basically translates to, “The rest of the menu means nothing; I must order that.” 😛 Trust that it would be great!
Price for Value: ★★★☆☆
By the time the meal ended, so had my sushi and ramen burger envy. These dishes we ordered at Tempura Japanese Grill were good enough as our attention was not diverted to other tables. Prices are expensive yet dining here in the midst of Holy Week is still cheaper than a vacation.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
We always ate there because my family finds their dishes quite affordable. But, I never attempted to blog this because the manager were looking at me strangely when I was taking a photo of their menu so I stopped hehe.
p.s. Thanks for the nomination for the sunshine blogger awardd http://www.crumpylicious.com/2014/04/sunshine-blogger-award-getting-personal.html
Haha I took photos of the menu and wasn’t scolded. Probably nobody noticed. However, the manager later turned to me when he saw me taking pictures of the dining area. I told him I make sure not to capture frames with other people eating. He was like mad so I stopped taking shots – that explains why I only have one picture there to showcase the “ambiance.”
You’re welcome! Yay, I’m reading it now. 😀
Unagi Katsu and Salmon Katsu are my favorite fares at Tempura Japanese Grill. I’d try the Hawaiian Maki next time I dine in there.
I see that you’re a fan of katsus. 😀 Yeah, those really are delicious!
They have an elegant look and the food looks great. This is another good Japanese restaurant.
Have you eaten in any branch of Tempura before? If yes, what are your top food picks?
I think I was able to try one of their branches and I usually go for Chicken Teriyaki.
Ah. There’s no harm in going traditional with poultry-centric Japanese food as long as it’s good. 🙂
Will try the other dishes the next time I visit Roch.
I can understand it’s a tempura restaurant but since there’s that grill at the center of the table, might as well you tried grilling by yourselves 🙂 Oh well, I should try the ramen burger, if I get the chance.
Yes, you should try it. The ramen burger is worth making a meal of on its own right. 😉
I’ve never been into a Japaneses restaurant before so I had really no idea how they should be but this one looks great upon your review.
The foods are looking also great there.
Yes. In lieu of sushi and katsu as you’ve seen in the photos above, this restaurant also offers steaming, home-style ramen bowls, great meat and greens. Don’t forget desserts and cool drinks to wash them down. 🙂
Oh you should try dining in one soon. Well, you can start with Tempura Japanese Gril. It is an exemplar of other simple staples arising from Japan’s food culture in Manila.
wow! salmon katsu sounds very new to me! i alway love how japanese cook their tofu I love eating tofu.
I think that salmon katsu is a great addition to the array of Japanese dishes on their menu. Tempura Japanese Grill is a gem of a restaurant, since it keeps on updating the lineup of food to suit the taste of customers.
I love Japanese food so I really like dining at Tempura. However, I haven’t been to a branch for a while now. Glad to know that they’ve updated their menu with new offerings. That Salmon Katsu looks good!
Definitely it’s worth craving for! Once I saw that on the poster by the entrance, I instantly wanted to have it. 😀
I love the restaurant! And food looks so delicious <3
Yup, the food are so good you’ll probably want to slow down and savor every bite. 😛
That’s a great food review! Those pictures of food you put there are very mouthwatering. I hope i can dine there too!
Thanks, Jay Mee! If you’re into Japanese food then you have to try these ones that are packed with plenty of flavor and interesting textures. 😀
I would like to try Ramen burger. There’s a Tempura Grill near our place so I think we should try it sometime.
Take the time to go there at the nearest branch. 🙂 The ramen burger is exactly the kind of dish you want a restaurant cook to make for you. It might seem simple (with the beef burger, the lettuce and the bacon), but getting those ramen buns all wrapped up and presented in an orderly fashion is an art.
Wow, i actually stared at the pan-fried ramen bun for a few minutes trying to figure out what it was made of before i read your description! LOL. How interesting! I know i love MOS Burger’s rice buns, i wonder if this ramen burger would suit my taste buds too 😀
Haha yeah those are made of ramen noodles! I’ve also tasted MOS Burger’s rice buns and they’re good. The ramen in Tempura Japanese Grill’s ramen burger tastes with a hint of salt and the entire thing smells wonderfully with the thinly-sliced onions inside. It’s a must-try! 😀
I have always liked Tempura restaurant, and we frequent the Banawe branch since it is nearer home. My kids like the grilled meats. My wife likes the Agedashi tofu as well. I have never noticed that Ramen Burger on the menu before, I wanna try it!
The ramen burger is a thoughtful composition and not a lot of restaurants in the metro has it so you should definitely order one from Tempura restaurant the next time you go there. 🙂
i’ve never tried ramen burger before! not even a ramen noodles hehe hope fully i can try them soon
When you come back to Manila for a vacation, trying the ramen burger will surely not disappoint.
That ramen burger got my interested. Ramen as the buns, that’s new! I haven’t tried this restaurant yet but your post made me crave for california maki.
California maki is an all-time favorite of most people. Try other variants of sushi next time. Maybe you’d find another great one. But I guess you’re more excited to go for the ramen burger. 😉
what a nice place to enjoy delicious plates, i love those ones .
Lots of people have raves about this place.
Hello Rockirstin, this the first time visiting you blog, i really love japanese grill, the plate are yummy.
Hi there. Thanks for the visit. Hope you enjoy reading more of my food reviews and other posts. 🙂
been to Robinson’s Place Manila, but I wasn’t able to see the Japanese Grill since I am busy looking out for Cebu Pacific ticketing office. The food looks really sumptuous.
Haha go eat there next time you visit RP. Tempura is located on its newer wing in Pedro Gil side.
I would love to try Japanese Food since I haven’t tried one yet. thanks for the info might check this place soon.
You’ll have a good first impression on Japanese food once you try their dishes.
whoa! yummy..i always wanted to eat here but every time we go to malls my kids always go to resto it either jollibee, mcdo, and mang inasal! will try it this weekend! 🙂
Haha kids are kids. Elevate their taste with Japanese food delight. Good luck! 🙂
I tried their food bec of the Blogapalooza event.. just… fine. but im eyeing for that ramen burger! rawr!
Haha go for it, Jam! 🙂
the food looks really good.!
They taste good, too. 🙂
Been craving for Japanese food today, I think Tempura will be the answer to this Japanese dish craving!
Hope you get satisfied. 🙂
I freaking love the Ramen Burger! At first I was skeptical ’cause a fast-casual resto might not be able to pull it off. But it turned out really good! Definitely one of my faves at Tempura Japanese Grill! 🙂
Thanks for dropping by, Sumi. It’s good to be reassured by a master foodie like you. 😛
Have tried this restaurant before! Really loved their maki 🙂
Yup, I love their maki, too! 🙂 Their version is one of the best I’ve tried so far.
I wanna try the Hawaiian Maki! Anything with pineapple is good in my opinion hehe
the tofu pala I have to pass.. I like my tofu crunchy haha
Ohh hehe that’s where we’re different. I love soft and silken tofu.
Some people dislike having pineapples on their pizzas and other dishes because pineapples bring a sudden twist of sweetness on an otherwise bland flavor. But I stay with your side – I love it!
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