We sometimes stumble upon unexpected places with good food without meaning to. I came upon this place after buying something in Rosario, Batangas. And as we were driving around the corner we saw this old house that had a restaurant sign in front of it. I did not google it but reminded myself to try it the next time we’re in the area. It’s not everyday that you come upon a Japanese resto in the province.
And then the time came when we decided to try it and dined there al fresco because we’re still hesitant to dine inside any restaurant and I’m glad we did. This was not any provincial type restaurant that did not have any grasp of Japanese cuisine but a restaurant that knows the subtle intricacies of it and clings to its core Japanese flavors while making it their own too.
My husband tried their tantamen and I can say that it was comparable to the ramen what we usually have in good ramen houses in Manila. The spicy flavor was on point, not too spicy nor too bland, just the right amount. It went well with the noodles that were plump and firm not soggy and brought rich flavor to the other trimmings of the dish like the minced meat, veggies, and tender slices of pork.
Meanwhile, my son liked their teriyaki chicken. Thick but tender slices of chicken cooked in teriyaki sauce and topped with sesame seeds on a bed of warm rice. He just picked off the pink pickled ginger on top then still proceeded to finish it.
For my part, I always ordered their tendon or tempura donburi. Unlike the usual tempura where you had to dip it in tempura sauce on the side, this one seems to have incorporated the sauce on the coated shrimp. The sweet glaze on top of its shrimp batter is already enough without a dipping sauce.
Their sushi platter is always a delight when it comes out. This one is a dragon roll that is shaped like a centipede or something with the sauce playfully crafted like its legs. Maybe it was supposed to be a dragon, I don’t know. But looking at it you almost don’t want to mess it up and take a bite of it.
Then there’s the volcano roll that was yes, shaped like a volcano with the sauce acting like drippings or lava flow. Initially, I thought it was just a mountain then I realized that of course, the sauce was the lava. Alright, that was kinda slow of me or maybe I was just dumbfounded with their creativity.
I also had their salmon teriyaki roll and I also liked this platter. The size was just right for me and my husband. The others had bigger portions but overall all of their sushi had points on imagination and flavor.
The last time I was there they already have a bento box and I had their tempura bento which consists of soup, rice, potato salad, gyoza, stir fried veggies and of course ebi tempura. It was a filling meal with a reasonable price. I might try their other bento boxes too next time.
Their Sakura iced tea tasted like raspberry, I think. But it was refreshing and a good pairing for the rich flavors of the dishes. My son also liked it, this ice cold red drink in a mason jar especially on a warm day.
I like discovering new places to eat during this pandemic especially when I find it in unexpected places. I have been in Oyamoto a couple of times and I liked that they are are consistent with their food and service combined with their sense of imagination and creativity. When I’m in the area and want some filling Japanese meal, I’ll most likely drop by here again maybe next time with friends.
