The Tastiest Skewers of Yakitori at Nanbantei of Tokyo

The first time I dined out at Nanbantei, BGC.  I know I have to come back again for they grilled the best yakitori in town. It was the tastiest, juiciest yakitori plate of my life. Nanbantei yakitoris are cooked well done with juices kept intact in each skewer.  Yummy! Good thing for those at the South! Nanbantei of Tokyo is now open at Alabang Town Center

The Japanese word Nanban means “foreigner” and Tei means rest house or teahouse. So when put together, Nanbantei means a place where guests can unwind and have something to eat or drink after a long day of work. In the Philippines, the word Nanbantei has also become synonymous with great food and the best place to try out Japanese yakitori

When Nanbantei of Tokyo opened its first branch in Polaris St., Makati in 1998, it introduced Filipinos to a new way of enjoying Japanese Yakitori. Its popularity quickly grew and soon the restaurant opened its doors in Greenbelt 3 followed by the one in Bonifacio High Street.

Now, NANBANTEI OF TOKYO, purveyor of Japanese Yakitori culture, opens its much awaited branch at the Alabang Town Center.

Located at the Corte dela Palmas, it showcases yakitori items and other well-loved dishes hot-off-the-grill. The third Nanbantei of Tokyo branch spans two levels and can seat up to 90 guests, including those who would rather dine al fresco by the veranda on the second floor. And while its interiors are a mix of modern and classic, Nanbantei of Tokyo continues to provide provides guests with an authentic yakitori experience.

“We have actually gotten a lot of requests to open further south. We see our opening here as the perfect opportunity to spread the yakitori culture to our guests in Alabang, Paranaque, Muntinlupa, Laguna and Cavite,” says Laine Vallar, Nanbantei’s Senior Marketing Manager.

With a new branch and exciting new items, Nanbantei of Tokyo Alabang is geared to please young professionals, businessmen, families, and just about anybody who loves grilled food the Japanese way.

In Japan, the term “yakitori” means grilled chicken. While there are many chicken items on the menu, Nanbantei of Tokyo has an extensive array of grilled beef, pork, seafood and vegetables as well.

As with their other branches, guests are seated and welcomed with complimentary fresh vegetables stick called Namayasai, great when dipped in their signature miso paste.

Now, on to the mains. There truly is nothing fancy about Nanbantei’s yakitori. They are simple and straightforward, yet extremely flavorful and satisfying. Browse the menu and discover bestsellers like Tebasaki (chicken wings), Aspara Maki (asparagus wrapped with pork), Pork Garlic Yaki (pork with garlic flavor), Tsukune (chicken meat balls) and Beef Yakiniku (thinly sliced beef with Yakiniku sauce).

Nanbantei Best Sellers

More pork, beef, and chicken yakitori items that are worth trying are the Shiso Maki (pork with Shiso leaf); Shiitake Maki (shiitake mushroom wrapped with beef); Leba (chicken liver); Bonjiri (chicken tail); and the Kawa (chicken skin). Ask for sticks of Shake KushiYaki (grilled salmon balls with teriyaki sauce); Yaki Ika (grilled baby squid) and Ebi Kushi Yaki (skewered shrimps), if you are partial to fish and seafood. And for veggie lovers, there are yakitori alternatives with corn, tofu and other healthier choices.


If you are lunching or dining with family and colleagues and can’t decide what to order, have a little of everything. Nanbantei of Tokyo has platters and sets with assorted varieties (Yakitori Set, Best Seller, Surf & Turf and Seafood Platters).

Great Flavors at Prices Within Your Reach
Nanbantei’s Great Flavors Selection are big on flavor but, thankfully, light on the pocket. It includes Sushi & Sashimi as well as salad and dessert.

The Wafu Salad, for instance, is a mix of ice lettuce, spiral carrots, slivers of leeks, drizzled with bonito flakes and bacon bits then slathered with Wafu dressing. The Aburi Salmon and Shrimp–Nigiri prawns and salmon topped with Japanese mayo—are new choices if you want something light. Aburi refers to the Japanese style of partially grilling (torching) seafood on top of nigiri sushi. Chicken lovers will be in for a triple treat with the three new chicken yakitori items: Nankotsu Yaki (a grilled combination of both chicken meat and soft bone), the Muru Kai or the grilled chicken mussels, and Momoniku (grilled chicken meat with garlic cloves). To end the savory meal, there’s no skipping a sweet ending. Apart from the well-loved Coffee Jelly, the new Black Sesame Ice cream is also a must-try.


Kampai!

“We make it a point to stay focused and maintain our core cuisine while coming out with new ones.,” Vallar explains. “For instance, our mouth-watering yakitori is best enjoyed with our hand-crafted cocktails.”

If you want to up your drinking ante, skip the same old vodka, beer or whiskey nights, and have a sip or two of fresh new cocktails.

Say goodbye to your customary beer nights, or that glass of wine to try something fun, innovative and truly Japanese. Nanbantei has uniquely Japanese versions of mojito that you will surely love. The Hibiscus Mojito, a refreshing drink that combines Mojito mint, Bacardi White, hibiscus syrup, mint leaves, fresh lime juice, lime wedge garnish and topped with soda water, goes well with the pork skewers while the Japanese Mojito (Iichiko Shochu, fresh calamansi juice, simple syrup, green tea, ooba leaves & lime wedge garnish, finished off with sparkling soda) is best paired with meat items.

Relish the gentle and delicate mix of flavor of the Malibu Midori (a mixture of Midori Melon Liqueur, Malibu rum, Bacardi white, sweet and sour mix, pineapple juice) when you sink your teeth into the popular chicken and seafood items. Try the Tanqueray Basil, too. It’s a perfect blend of Tanqueray gin, sweet & sour mix, fresh basil, simple syrup, and a shot of sparkling soda.


Try everything with anything, don’t be afraid to mix and match. Nanbantei of Tokyo’s cool cocktails will readily be your new favorite drinks.

Japanese elements
“We strive to maintain the authenticity of service and food preparation required by the franchise, and apply internationally accepted food handling and safety procedures,” Vallar says. Even the décor is precisely Japanese in more ways than one.

From the fresh earth tones of its other branches, Nanbantei of Tokyo Alabang sports a more modern look with its grey tones, modish droplights melding with the dominant colors of Japan. The individual organic-inspired chairs for four are made more vibrant by effervescent red and orange hues. Comfortable couch seating is embellished with red Sakura blossom prints. The overall look is tied in by light wood and a dash of grey to depict the industrial and modern, combined with a fresh and young Japanese vibe. Nanbantei of Tokyo Alabang is a breath of fresh air – its airy, cozy, uncluttered interior with minimalist modern accents and distinctive grilled yakitori dishes give one a glimpse of Japan’s culinary culture that can be savored and appreciated with every bite.

It is open from 11am to 11pm Sunday to Thursdays and 11am to 12mn on Fridays and Saturdays. For inquiries, call 772-0766. Like Nanbantei Philippines on Facebook, @nanbantei_ph for IG and Twitter or you may also visit our website nanbanteiphilippines.com

Treat the man of the house to Nanbantei this father's day

NANBANTEI OF TOKYO LAUNCHES MOUTH WATERING YAKITORIS AND COCKTAILS

I've never had Yakitori elsewhere, but all the various meats I tried like gyu-tan, buta negi and others tastes heavenly good at Nanbantei of Tokyo. The yakitoris served were on sea salt based as I have tasted each and every dish on a stick. I assure you they never use monosodium glutamate. All of the skewered goodness were grilled to perfection and really tasty and bursts with flavor. I had an excellent experience with Nanbantei with all the dishes they have offered.  The japanese mojito cocktail which are garnished with “ooba” leaves,  Ichiko Sochu, fresh calamansi juice, green tea, syrup and soda water, compliments the taste of my Gyu-Tan. You should try their coffee jelly after a hearty meal, green tea or avocado ice cream, the best they offer for desserts. This father's day give your old man the best treat of yakitoris by bringing him to Nanbantei of Tokyo he will surely appreciate the gesture.





NANBANTEI OF TOKYO, the popular yakitori-ya, recently launched novel and uniquely-flavored yakitori dishes that go well with fresh,  new cocktails.



So, if you are tired of the same old vodka, beer or whiskey nights, it’s time to sip Nanbantei’s premium cocktails and savor them side by side with the luscious flavors of skewered fare you’d love to sink your teeth into.

SUCCULENT SALAD AND NEW BITES OFF A STICK

            In Japan, yakitori originally means “grilled chicken.”  But at Nanbantei of Tokyo, there are so much more to feast on than  just your favorite fowl.  Bites of flavorful yakitori dishes include beef, pork and chicken, seafood and vegetables—all combined with a variety of fresh ingredients, then served hot off the grill. Moreover, Nanbantei now offers fresh salads to tease (and please) your palate.

            Start your meal with the light and refreshing Shiitake Mushroom Salad.  Mushroom lovers will revel in this stand-out dish made of fresh lettuce, robust-flavored shitake mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, carrots and radish topped with onion leeks.  This simple, no-fuss salad is served with sesame dressing on the side to better enjoy its hearty flavor.

Shiitake Mushroom Salad

Once you’re ready for some stick sensations, savor  three new unique yakitori specials. Do you sometimes find yourself craving for meat and seafood? At Nanbantei of Tokyo, you can have both in one sitting.

Tempura

 The new Shrimp with Bacon yakitori includes two sticks of three plump and sweet shrimps wrapped in slivers of mouth-watering bacon strips. It’s a match made in  food heaven!

For the more adventurous foodies, the Gyu-Tan is spot on. The Japanese word for cow which is ‘gyu’ is combined with ‘tan’ to mean tongue becomes gyutan, or ox’s tongue, a specialty skewer in Japan. Sliced just right to the bite, this dish is garlic-infused and is perfectly grilled.

Gyu-Tan

Buta Negi, on the other hand, are  skewers of onion leeks wrapped with succulent pork slices. These hot bites are definitely worth a try.

Buta Negi

Tori karaage

KAMPAI

Nanbantei of Tokyo takes Japanese drinks seriously and adds a colorful spin to its signature spirits.
If your winding down routine means a bottle of beer, a glass of wine or a shot of that customary whiskey, it’s time to try something fun, innovative and truly Japanese. Nanbantei of Tokyo presents new cocktails which have premium ingredients and impressive presentations.

One is the Hibiscus Mojito, a refreshing drink that combines mojito mint, Bacardi White, hibiscus syrup, mint leaves, fresh lime juice, lime wedge garnish and topped with soda water. If you want something more gentle and delicate, sip into the new flavor of Malibu Midori, a merry mix of Midori Melon Liqueur, Malibu Rum, Bacardi White, sweet and sour mix and pineapple juice.  If you like the fruity blend of citrus and the flavor of rum, this tropical drink is a great way to sweeten any day.

Nanbantei puts a twist on the Cuban classic favorite and uses Ichiko Sochu, fresh calamansi juice, simple syrup and soda water to create a delightful concoction called the Japanese Mojito. The use ooba leaves instead of mint makes it a delightful and delicious deviation from the typical mojito.
Herbs like basil, on the other hand, make for a spanking new spin to the Gin Basil. Nanbantei of Tokyo combine Tanqueray Gin, sweet and sour mix, fresh basil, simple syrup and Sprite to come up with this fizzy drink.

And finally, the elegant, subtle flavor of the Fresh Rita.  Margarita enthusiasts will love this perfect blend of Cuervo 1800, Agave syrup, fresh lime juice and sweet and sour mix, topped with a lemon wedge garnish.

Nanbantei of Tokyo’s unique new dishes and four new cocktails are a testimony to Japan’s ingenious spirit by taking classic creations and infusing them with distinctive Asian tweaks you can taste with  each bite …with each sip.

They also serve the best desserts in town, like coffee jelly with vanilla ice cream, avocado ice cream and green tea ice cream.

Coffe jelly vanilla ice cream, Avocado and Green tea ice cream,

P888 GOOD FOR 3
Here’s another great news! Dining with friends becomes more enjoyable with Nanbantei of Tokyo’s  special offer featuring  dishes Good For Three for only P888!

Choose from three sets:    Samurai Set A has three orders each of Tebasaki, Poteto Maki, Negima, Aspara Maki, Pork Yakiniku and  Ebi Tempura.
  Set B includes three orders each of  Leba Maki, Beef Garlic Yaki,  Pork Garlic Yaki, Beef Yakiniku, Shake Kushi Yaki and Kani Salad while Set C is comprised of  three orders each of  Bonjiri, Tebasaki, Sakana Maki, Tsukune, Shiso Maki and Tori Karaage.

All sets include three orders each of Miso Soup and Gohan.  These are all great deals that are generous in serving and definitely satisfying!

Enjoy unique new flavors and five (5) fresh cocktails at Nanbantei of Tokyo in Greenbelt 3, 3/F Ayala Center, Makati City  (Tel.No. 757.4131) and at the Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City (Tel No. 621.3224)  Like them on FB Nanbantei of Tokyo Philippines, follow them on Instagram.