Maisen Opens Restaurant with a Japanese Bar at Shangrila BGC

I'm so excited to tell you about this. This is Maisen Shangrila BGC and we've featured their restaurant a couple of months ago when they opened shop at SM Megamall. There's no stopping them. Maisen is first and foremost a Tonkatsu house and they serve premier meat dishes, but their Kurobota Meat is by far the best in Manila. I've had the chance to actually try their dishes ahead of the public via their special invitation. I was a little late so I didn't get to talk with the other bloggers, but that's a good thing since I'd be enjoying the food and ambiance myself without peer influence, turned out like a good thing eh? :)

This is a sight to behold, their Shio Pork. Shio means salt which is basically the only seasoning the pork needs when it's lightly roasted/fried. It comes in a set so you can wrap it up with lettuce leaves and dab a little of everything like the chili, put in radish, scallions, Kimuchi and even the Philippine calamansi. You must have this hot so you could get to eat it while on a soft state. You can't really reheat it and they use a steel pot for obvious reasons. Make sure you eat it fast!

This is the Oshi Meshi Unagi. It's grilled eel slices that's smoky, sweet and savory, put on top of white Japanese rice. It haunted me in the next few days because I was craving for it. It was still flaky when I bit it, but it's designed to be devoured in one mouthful. I didn't want any sauce on it as it's good on it's own. This is one of their new dishes in this joint. It's super good if you're a fish lover!

This Maisen branch in Shangrila BGC is special because it's the only one that's got a full working wet bar with classically Japanese trained bartender as they want you to experience the exceptional city that never sleeps, like as if Tokyo/Ginza District would be brought to Manila. Now it ain't your typical bars with some lazy drinks that they could probably whip up to, they've got specials and I've had the opportunity to taste them. My personal favorite was the Pineapple Vodka and they did it with flare. To let you get that experience too, I've shot a short video of my Maisen visit. Here you go!

So now you've got Maisen in SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, Greenbelt 5 and the newly opened one in Maisen  in Shangrila Mall at BGC. You've got a dining destination plotted out for you and it's time you try their drinks, especially my personal favorite the Pineapple Vodka. Please ask for it when you're in Maisen's Bar and I assure you, you're never going to have another look at Vodka the same way again! 

Trust me on the vodka LOL!

For more information about their restaurant:

MAISEN PHILIPPINES

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Maisen Opens Biggest Branch in Megamall

The well loved Maisen from Tokyo just landed in Manila. It's been dishing out the best Tonkatsu in the land of the rising sun since 1965. It also just opened a bigger store in SM Megamall and by the looks of it, it's the first one to open in any SM branch for that matter. When I asked the servers, they said they haven't really run out of people in this one and says sales have been phenomenal. The best Tonkatsu in the world is proving it's worth and we were there to witness its  grand launch a few days ago. It was also witnessed by celebrities Ruru Madrid, Gabbi Garcia, Enzo Pineda, male supermodels River Viiperi, Kevin Hub Smith, Eian Scully and executives from Suyen Corporation. The Maisen franchise has been acquired by Suyen Corporation, CEO Ben Chan, famous Chef Florabel Co - Yatco, restaurateur Rikki Dee (who's got several restaurants in his belt), Richard Gomez, Congresswoman Lucy Torres Gomez and the Queen of all media Ms. Kris Aquino. Izutsu Maisen Co. Ltd.'s very own President and CEO Takeshi Okamoto and Corporate Planning Director Tadakazu Fujishiro were also there to bear witness, they flew all the way from Japan. As for it's authenticity, Japanese expats who originally had it in Tokyo plus tourists who also tried it recently said it tasted the same. Now if that doesn't get you interested in trying out Maisen's Tonkatsu, you're going to have to watch this!

MAISEN Tonkatsu SM Megamall Launch by kumagcow

Maisen has their existing Greenbelt 5 branch for those in the south, whilst they also have another in SM City North Edsa for those up north. The biggest one in SM Megamall has a stand alone beverage area so service is impeccable. The Tonkatsu by far is the softest I've ever had in my entire life. I thought it would have crunch out side but it kinda just crumbles and melts in your mouth when you bite into it. It's that good! For this occasion, they also flew in Yorkshire pork for us from Japan. It was one for the books! You can imagine how the sauce, their own home made like bread crumbs, makes Maisen the number 1 Tonkatsu maker in the world! 

Now head on to SM Megamall's 3F Building A right in front of the Cinemas. Maisen isn't a fad, it's the real thing! It's legit!

For more information about the best Tonkatsu in the world:

Maisen Philippines

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Japanese Curry Fit For Filipino Palate: Eri Curry

It looks like a new player is in town. Eri Curry, a local brand set to ignite your taste buds with their own version of Japanese curry at the atrium of SM Megamall's building B. The owners have been journeying Japan and other countries, seeing great potential on a staple food item in Japanese specialty restaurants and thought Filipinos would absolutely love this!

They did it with a pretty festive and grand way that afternoon when Geishas performed modern dance numbers inspired by Japanese themes. I loved what they did on stage because it felt like Cherry Blossoms season once again.

One of the owners is Concert Queen Pops Fernandez, the Chef and other executives opened and blessed the store a few days ago. Then we went inside the quaint store to get a taste of their specials.

This is Sakana Warm and Tender. It's Sole Fish wrapped in rice and slightly spicy Japanese mayo. It's a little heavy because it's deep fried with Tempura batter if I'm not mistaken. I would have wanted this to be a regular maki instead.

This is their Ebi Futo. It's Shrimp Maki with Romaine Lettuce, Cucumber, a dab of Japanese Mayo and light soy dressing. It's sweet, I like this a lot because it's refreshing and it's like you're eating salad on a Maki roll. It's better than the Sakana Warm and Tender.

This is their FIERY Katsu Curry. It's Pork Tonkatsu sitting on a bed of premium Japanese rice and a flooding of Curry Sauce with streaks of soft egg. They have three levels of spiciness on the curry but I find it still moderately spicy on the Fiery level. It's a 5/10 but you can use the chili powder available on the table to make it even more spicy. The dish is also pretty heavy, one that can probably feed two women. Men can have it on their own. In Japan, they usually have this after a night of drinking. If they are woozy, they want something ultra flavorful and make them sweat a bit so this is perfect. The price point is a little high at 320, but you get the premium ingredients for your food so I don't think you are getting shortchanged. 

It's time for you to experience it at the third floor of SM Megamall's atrium. Come with your friends and family, the place can probably seat up to 50-70 people as some seating is also available outside the store. Make this your next curry destination since it's a really good place to try it.

For more information about their stores:

Eri Curry

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Eri Curry