Do you know that there are more than twenty Japanese restaurants in the Timog-Tomas Morato area? Plenty to choose from – but for those with discerning tastes, there is only one place that offers authentic Japanese Sizzling Pizza and creamy Takoyaki balls with a twist.
Octoboy Restobar, located at the corner of Tomas Morato and Scout de Guia, offers the best tasting fusion Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki and Yaki-udon in town. The best thing about it is they are reasonably priced so more families can afford it.
It has an experiential kitchen design that allows diners to see how the food is cooked and prepared. Children, and adults alike, gawk and delight over how takoyaki balls slowly form as they are heated meticulously over special grills with hemispherical pockets.
Takoyaki balls are dumplings, batter, diced or whole baby octopus, tempura, pickled ginger, and green onion tapped with okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise. Takoyaki balls originated from Osaka and are very popular in Tokyo, Hongkong, Bangkok, and other key Asian cities. At present, what we have in the Philippines are those commercially available via food carts and kiosks in food courts of malls. What Octoboy has is the gourmet Takoyaki with prime ingredients in extra creamy batter.
Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake or pizza with a variety of ingredients. The name is derived from the word “okonomi” meaning what you like or want, and “yaki” meaning grilled or cooked. It comes in six flavors: Octopus, Mushroom, Bacon, Chicken, Fish and Kani. This sizzling pizza is new to the Philippine market and only those who have been to Japan are most likely to have tasted it.
Many Filipinos are already familiar with Yaki-udon – friend Japanese noodles. “Yaki” means fried, while “udon” or “soba” means noodles. With Octoboy, it comes in beef, chicken, and shrimp flavors.
For starters, owner Giovanni Cheng recommends the following – Miso soup, Yakitori, Edamame, Age Dashi Tofu, Kani Bacon, and Kani Salad.
Octoboy also serves All-Time Favorites like chiken teriyaki, salmon belly teriyaki, chicken karaage, tonkatsu and ebi tempura. They also offer regular Japanese fare Filipino diners are familiar with – donburi (katsudon, gyudon, and unagidon), ramen (seafood and roast pork). Donburi, literally “bowl”, also frequently abbreviated as “don” is a Japanese rice bowl dish consisting of fish, meat, vegetables, or other ingredients simmered together and served over rice. On the other hand, ramen, is a noodle dish that originated in China. It is served in a meat or fish-based broth often flavored with kamaboko green onions and corn.
Of course, our Japanese dining experience will not be complete without sampling Octoboy’s Sushi Bar that highlights California Maki, California Crunch, Sashimi Tuna, Sashimi Salmon, Spicy Tuna, Unagi, Philadelphia Roll, and Tempura.
Octoboy started as Octoboy Food Express, a hole-in-the-wall take-out and delivery service along Banawe St. also in Quezon City. It is still operating and even serves the delivery requirements of the present restaurant. For food deliveries, you may call 409-2704.
