At Big Jap in Makati,Β budget-friendly tabs and good service embellish the subdued ambiance. Big Jap is the only restaurant housed in 24H Apartment Hotel. It serves Continental breakfast from 7:00AM mostly for hotel guests and offers Γ la carte Japanese food from day to night. While this restaurantΒ looks unassuming from the outside,Β inside this cozy venue,Β an experienced chef who has workedΒ in JapanΒ produces fabulous Japanese dishes of goodΒ quality.Β Awesome set meals earn plaudits of “wow.” More on these below.
with owners Raymond and Maritess
Review of Big Jap (24H Apartment Hotel, La Paz, Makati)
Ambiance:Β β β β β β
Big Jap isΒ a relaxed, comfortable contemporary Japanese restaurant featuring sumo as its overall theme. There’s no wresting going on, but I guess part of that concept is that it serves big plates of reasonably priced food made with top quality ingredients.
Dining area is wide and spacious, so this restaurant can accommodate small to large groups. There’s also a small function room at the back for more intimate dining with friends. This place does not mimic a full-on authentic and traditional Japanese design, but you can still fall in love with its very simpleΒ aesthetic that isΒ clean and modest.
Service:Β β β β β β
Service was kind, helpful, andΒ accommodating. Staff handed me out the menu and gave me the Wi-Fi Internet password upon request as soon as I walked into the restaurant. Orders came out fast and served with a smile.
Food:Β β β β β β
Rice Toppings (Donburimono)
Oyakodon (PhP 175) is a classic form of Japanese rice bowl dish. Oyako means “parent and child” and this makes oyakodonΒ represent “the chicken and the egg.” Big Jap’s version was both delicate and comforting. It’s not too salty and soy sauce was not too strong either.Β The slightly caramelized onions gave itΒ lightΒ sweetness.Β Putting a thin layer of sesame seeds on the rice prior to laying down the main dish would add a nice flavor and a bit of texture.
GyudonΒ (PhP 190) is another popularΒ Japanese dish consisting of sliced beef and egg. Simmered inΒ a sweet soy sauce-based sauce and served over a bowl of steamed white rice, the beef was tasty. I just hoped that there could be an option to add more raw eggs to give out a richer flavor and creamy consistency on the meat.Β Gyudon, after all,Β won’t tasteΒ as good without a crownβor crownsβof golden yolk.
With mildly sweet sauce, ButanikudonΒ (PhP 165) was a bit of a letdown for me and itΒ wasn’t very memorably. The pork slices with onion comboΒ was a bit too plain and dry to myΒ liking.
Big Jap’s Shoyu Ramen (PhP 220) hadΒ a very light,Β clear and thin broth that was mediocre. I thought there are better versions. The noodles were excellent though.Β TheyΒ were not starchy and the texture was just slightly springy giving a good bite.
Eat All You Can Set
Nope, it’s not a seasonal deal. You can get unlimitedΒ Shrimp Tempura (PhP 250 individually),Β Deep-fried Β TonkatsuΒ (pork chops) (PhP 145 individually),Β Scallion Rice, and theΒ Iced Tea Special (PhP 55 individually) at only PhP 448. Exemplary! All in this set tasted supremely good. The tempura and tonkatsu were fried nicely and not too greasy. The complimentary sauces (wasabi mayo, tempura sauce, and teriyaki sauce) on the sideΒ were well-balanced and palate-pleasing.
Set Meal
Big Jap’s Team SumoΒ (PhP 758)Β is another great steal. If you find it hard to choose which to order, getting this sumo platter (for four people) will make your day. You can choose among “tonkatsu, teriyaki, or teppanyaki” for Pork, “katsu, teriyaki, or teppanyaki” for Chicken, and “kani tempura, katsu sakana furai, or tempura squid teppanyaki” for Seafood to make up your own set meal. This also comes withΒ yakisoba, nikuyasai itame, gohan and red iced tea. Home run.
DessertsΒ at Big Jap get an A+ in my book.
The Buco Supreme (PhP 65) was delicious and dreamy. I’m not sure why and how it’s added to aΒ Japanese restaurant’s menu since it’s not too “Japanese.” Regardless, this is an absolute must-order! π I enjoyed the light sweetness and perfect creaminess punctuated with shredded young coconut.
TheΒ Coffee Jelly with Ice Cream (PhP 65)Β tasted like holiday cheer. It’s like a soft flan with vanilla ice cream mixed withΒ coffee explosions in your mouth. Yum!
TheΒ Banana Surprise (PhP 125, big; PhP 85, small) easily became one of our favorites. Topped with cream, the banana fritter in cake form was made with light batter. It wasΒ thick, moist, and fluffy! This sweet treatΒ may have cost me a few calories, but it was so worth it. π
Price for Value:Β β β β β β
Big Jap is aΒ brisk ten-minute walk from Ayala. If you’re working in Makati area, thisΒ canΒ serve as one ofΒ yourΒ go-to business lunch spots. Best of all, you can walk right in without a reservationβeven if you’re not wearing black designer duds or in aΒ formal attire. π Prices have good value, considering the portion, presentation and the tastes of food. Each dish was substantial in its own way, and for that, we willΒ definitely payΒ Big Jap a return visit. Thanks to Aldous for the invite!
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
This is so beautiful! Imagine a japanese vibe in the heart of the metro! The food also looks delish. Thanks for sharing
This place has got to be one of the best secret spots in Makati. I almost don’t want everyone to know how amazing it is, but the owners are so friendly and kind that I just have to spread the word. π
Thank You Rochkirstin;
I am coming to the 24H Hotel on 11/7/16 for 4 days, I can’t wait to eat at the Big Jap ,You make everything sound so delicious.
This is indeed a very interesting place to eat. Honestly I have never been to a Japanese restaurant and I haven’t tried any of Japanese foods too. The ones you listed here looks really appealing especially that Gyudon.. it looks like our adobo at some point but with a twist!
thanks for sharin
Big Jap is a good restaurant to visit if you want to indulge in “localized” Japanese food. Be sure to come hungry especially when ordering the unlimited tempura set. π
Wow! I’m salivating at the food pictures! You did an awesome review of this place! For the modern and crisp ambiance, delicious food and hearty servings, and reasonable pricing, that place is a winner!
Thanks, Cara! I absolutely loved the desserts here. The variety of food Big Jap offers is also impressive. This goes to show the chef’s dedication in refining the execution to perfection.
This looks like a great restaurant to go to. All of the desserts look amazing, and would be my favorite part of the meal. I love how open the whole restaurant and how bright it is as well.
Yeah haha. You better save room for desserts. Food here will be worth a drive. π
I crave for any kind of foods hailed from different countries. However, I have a very discriminating taste. Once my taste buds find them “unapproved” I never try them for a second chance.
What I like most of this review is the hotel’s Internet access (WIFI). This is what I always look for every resto, hotel, resort I visit.
Wi-Fi is much needed nowadays especially for us who like sharing photos instantly on social media. π
I like the look of the place, simple, spacious and doesn’t look cluttered. Their food also looks really delicious.
The assortment of food is very good. If you’re looking for a place to fill yourself and your family up, this is a great place. π
Wow the food just looks so yummy! Everything is just put together oh so well! I also love the aesthetic of the hotel restaurant! It’s very welcoming! I need to put the Philippines on my list of must travel places β₯ β₯
Sure! Include this restaurant in your list if you fancy some Japanese food. Most dishes worked out well for me and with a decent price point.
Oooh I love Japanese food! The Eat All You Can set looks promising. I gotta try that one. π
Please do. This place is a blessing for people who get home late from work and just want to indulge themselves quickly, easily, and for affordable Japanese food. π
What a beautiful place to eat. I love how clean and inviting it looks. The food also looks amazing! I have actually never been to a Japanese Restaurant before. I think I need to add it to my list of things to do in the near future because this food looks amazing!
I think this is far from traditional Japanese restaurants. If we’re speaking “authenticity,” this may not be the best place to hit. Otherwise, you will have a good time at this humble restaurant. π
Sounds like an amazing place to check out! Expecially if you like Japanese cuisine! I love the idea of an all you can eat option and the Shrimp Tempura looks so tasty! Those desserts look pretty darn good too!
Go for that all-you-can-eat deal. π For the price, quality is pretty solid.
The food looks great! I’m always up for Japanese food so I’ll keep this in mind when I come visit Manila again π
Big Jap may be your next favorite restaurant here. Note that this is not the place to come for the most flashy rolls with creative names and crazy ingredients. Here you’ll like their basic selection of sushi, rice bowls, and maybe ramen. π
How is parking there?
There are parking slot (free) at the front of the hotel. If you’re checking in, there’s also a parking area at the basement.