'Tonteki' means pork steak. It is a well-known dish that hailed from Yokkaichi City Mie Prefecture. Tokyo Tonteki is the brainchild of Shusaku Namikawa.
On April 15, 2007, the owner, founder, and chef opened his first
restaurant in Shibuya Prefecture in Tokyo, Japan. Serving thick cuts of
juicy, tender, and flavorful pork steak on a sizzling plate, the
establishment was a hit. Shusaku opened three more branches of Tokyo
Tonteki in Japan and now, in his first foray in the international
market, has put up a branch in Manila. Specifically, in the burgeoning
food hub that is the U.P. Town Center.
Tokyo Tonteki Philippines
Now open in Katipunan
Tokyo Tonteki officially opened on October 21, 2013 and I don’t doubt
that it will gain a solid fan base soon. Step through their doors and
catch a delicious whiff of slow cooking meat coming from the kitchen.
Look around and you will notice the clean, no nonsense interiors that
are the exact replica of the Tokyo Tonteki branches in Japan. Take a
seat and wait as one their friendly waiters come and hand you your menu.
Go through the choices and start with one of their delicious
appetizers. Try their Spicy Bean Sprouts (P90) that
tastes exactly like kimchi. If you’re looking for something a little
different and a lot more sinful, sink your teeth into their Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado, and Onsen Egg (P175).
A long, thin slice of salty and slightly chewy prosciutto is wrapped
around lettuce leaves, avocado slices, and a perfect soft-boiled egg
with a creamy yolk. This decadent concoction is served on a bed of chili
mayonnaise that perfectly cuts the richness of all the other
ingredients. You may want to share or, if you’re feeling a little
indulgent, eat the whole thing by yourself.
Spicy Bean Sprouts
Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado, and Onsen Egg
Save some room because the best part is the entrée. If you’re
visiting Tokyo Tonteki for the first time, then give their namesake a
try. It is, after all, what they’re known for. Their meals are served in
sets. Each set comes with the meat of your choice (Tonteki, Tonburg, Chicken), rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage, and pickled vegetables. Extra servings of rice, miso soup, and cabbage are free. The Regular Tonteki Set (P350/ 200-250g)
is more than enough for one person. Their famous pork steak is
slathered in a top secret Tonteki sauce that Shusaku Namikawa himself
invented. It closely resembles teriyaki sauce but is slightly saltier
and tastier. The pork itself is lean with just enough fat to make it
tender and juicy when cooked in their unique low fire method. Bite into
the soft and flavorful meat and see if you can suppress the sigh of
contentment that will want to escape you. Who would have thought that a
humble pork steak could taste that good? No wonder it has its own
restaurant.
Regular Tonteki Set
Another noteworthy item on Tokyo Tonteki’s menu is the Cheese Tonburg (P350/ 300g).
This 100% pure ground pork shaped into a thick patty is served on a
sizzling skillet and is topped with two melted slices of ooey gooey
American cheddar cheese. It’s a sure hit with kids, hungry athletes,
cheese lovers, or anybody with a big appetite.
Cheese Tonburg
If you’re not a big fan of pork, fret not because Tokyo Tonteki also serves Chicken Steak (P325/ 200-250g).
This dish is not originally found on the menu in Japan but
acknowledging the Pinoy fondness for poultry, it was added to the Manila
menu. Try it with the Onion Steak Sauce for a sweet kick.
Chicken Steak
After eating one of Tokyo Tonteki’s sets, your pants might feel a
little tighter but you’ll have a nice, satisfied smile on your face.
Don’t pass up the chance to try their Homemade Almond Pudding (P100).
It’s light, milky, and not too sweet. Even if you’re full to bursting,
you’re going to finish the whole thing. Trust me, I’m speaking from
experience.
Homemade Almond Pudding
Japanese cuisine has always been a staple in the Philippine food
scene. Typical Japanese restaurants here in our country have extensive
menus, serving anything and everything in one place. But for the past
couple of years, the trend has been to pick a specialty and stick to it.
At the forefront of this movement are ramen and tonkatsu. Pinoys have
embraced the two aforementioned dishes with gusto and restaurant owners
have been quick to capitalize on the craze. Tokyo Tonteki is a welcome
alternative that promises to challenge the dominance of ramen and
tonkatsu in the hearts of the dining public.
Now open in Katipunan
Spicy Bean Sprouts
Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado, and Onsen Egg
Regular Tonteki Set 
Cheese Tonburg
Chicken Steak
Homemade Almond Pudding
No comments:
Post a Comment