Eastern Metro Manila Meets Japan with Asakusa: Home of Tempura

Call it fate, destiny, or even serendipity: the story of how Celine, Jacob, and Rolf started Asakusa: Home of Tempura is nothing short of a little thing called ‘meant to be.’

Back then, Rolf was a student in Tokyo who was always on the lookout for delectable Japanese food that will fit his student budget. While walking the streets of Asakusa, he discovered a little mom-and-pop shop that serves the best tempura he has ever tasted. Meanwhile, during Celine and Jacob’s honeymoon in Japan, they stumbled upon the same place in Asakusa and also fell in love with the food.

Eventually, when Rolf was describing his new favorite tempura joint to Celine and Jacob, he was surprised to find that they have already been to the same shop. This happy accident became a lightbulb moment for the trio, and they decided to bring the tempura shop back home. Thus, Asakusa: Home of Tempura was born.

Three years later, after studying under the owners of their beloved tempura shop in Asakusa, they now have three branches of Asakusa: Home of Tempura in the country: one in The Grove by Rockwell, another one at Ayala Malls Vertis North, and the newest one at Ayala Malls Feliz.

Asakusa’s newest branch at Ayala Malls Feliz features a mix of minimalist and modern architecture. Wood accents, pendant lights, and Japanese art adorn the restaurant and make you feel like you’re in a local restaurant in the streets of Tokyo.

Celine shared that they love Japan and visit the country every chance they can get. That’s why most of the items in their restaurants, including the utensils, were bought from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Now that they’ve set up shop in key points of Metro North and East, planting an Asakusa branch in the South, particularly in Bay Area, Paranaque, is their new project for 2019.

Tempura is Asakusa’s claim to fame, but they also have other Japanese favorites and unique creations worth trying. Here are some of the dishes that we loved from our visit.

The Salmon Salad (PhP218) is a great starter. Slices of fresh salmon sit on a bed of crunchy cabbage and tempura crisps and are topped with Japanese mayo and teriyaki sauce. Those who aren’t fans of raw fish should not pass on this dish, as the salmon doesn’t have any fishy aftertaste. For fans of spicy dishes, you can also opt to have the dish on the spicier side to give it a kick.

Asakusa has many popular Japanese dishes, like maki (sushi and vegetables wrapped in seaweed) and udon (wheat noodles), but they also create interesting dishes like the Wagyuni (PhP388). It may seem like a plate of typical sushi, but it’s actually soft and juicy wagyu topped with a creamy slice of uni or sea urchin. The combination works, as the tender and buttery wagyu beef pairs well with the uni. Although pricey, this dish should be part of your meal on your visit.

Another meat option you can get at Asakusa is their Saikoro Steak (PhP618). The savory treat is made with juicy Australian beef sprinkled with garlic bits and served with stir-fried vegetables. The beef is tender and flavorful and is notably not salty despite the soy-based buttery sauce. You can also customize its doneness according to your liking. If you can’t go through a meal without rice, you can pair the Saikoro Steak with Fried Rice (PhP108), which consists of fluffy Japanese rice and bits of chicken and vegetables.

Fans of uni will love Asakusa’s Uni Tempura (PhP268). These small shells are filled with nothing but uni and then deep fried like a regular tempura. The soft yet crispy shell is fried to perfection and breaks gently against the creamy uni. Despite being fried, the dish is not greasy. If you’re used to seeing uni as a topping or just an additional garnish, you’ll be pleased to see that it shines in this dish, as Asakusa was able to highlight its buttery consistency and natural flavors.

The star of the show is, of course, Asakusa’s tempura. During our visit we ordered the Shogun Set (3 Star – PhP388; 5 Star – PhP608) made with black tiger prawns. Unlike other Japanese joints in the Philippines, the tempura here at Asakusa is as legitimate as it can be. The prawns are huge and fresh and do not disappear in the thick batter. Meanwhile, the tempura coating is light and crispy without the greasy aftertaste. Aside from prawn, other tempura options like vegetables and other seafood are also available.

To provide the complete Asakusa experience, the restaurant has also created their own tempura sauce to be paired with the fried favorites. Their version has a thicker and more flavorful consistency compared to the usual tempura sauce we know.

To cap off your visit, cleanse your palate with ice cream! We enjoyed their Valrhona Chocolate Brownies with Green Tea Ice Cream (PhP158). The refreshing green tea ice cream, which is from FIC Ice Cream, has a thick, milky consistency and is topped with chewy chocolate brownies baked in-house. The bitterness of the brownies goes well with the sweetness of the ice cream and result in interesting flavors—a perfect end for a great meal.

Aside from these dishes that we enjoyed during our visit, there are more things that you can try at Asakusa. The owners made sure to create a curated menu that consists of few but perfected dishes to bring an authentic Japanese experience to their diners. If you miss the flavors of Japan and want to share it with your loved ones here in Manila, Asakusa: Home of Tempura is a great place to visit.